Saudi Arabia Forum - living style & renumeration
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chotto
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From: India
3/23/2004 21:34
hi,
I am new to this group. I am from India and I would appreciate if somebody who is in the know of things can answer these queries. I am considering an offer from API Corp. Those who don't know, API stands for Arab Petroleum Investment Corporation, Dammam. Like others, I do have a lot apprehensions about moving to KSA leaving my well established career in India. I have systems/finance degree from university which ranks among top 3 universities in USA/world and have extensive experience in securties/capital market. I specialize in financial engineering, derivatives, treasury management, Investments and underlying systems tools for the same. Since this offer entails moving lock stock and barrel along with my wife (she has to leave a good job in India), it is creating a lot of flutters in my stomach. I will appreciate if you could answer these queries.
1. Please provide general overview of API CORP compound detailing facilities, general living condition.
2. Can somebody throw some light on salary compensation standard for my profile? What is decent salary to expect for good living and saving? Other than salary i would be getting free furnished accommodation, medical and ancillary whatever.
3. Is there a difference between salary offered to westerners and those offered to people from south Asia for the same profile? Since, my qualification is world class, it will suck to see somebody less qualified getting more than I do just on the basis of color of passport.
4. What is the implication of 2 year contract? Can somebody leave his job within two years, if things don't work out?
5.What are chances of my wife getting a job in Dammam region. She is an MBA and looks after marketing in a software firm in India.
6. I have been most sought teacher in Mumbai, India (taught earlier for Princeton Review/Kaplan) for graduate and business admissions teaching like GRE, GMAT, TOEFL, SAT, LSAT etc. Is it allowed for an employee to teach these courses in the region on the part time basis. Also is there market for the same in Dammam region.
7. Though, I don't have kids. But would like to know how is it to raise a child in dammam region up to the age of 10.
Thanks a lot.
ys
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mneuman1969
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From: Saudi Arabia
3/29/2004 22:46
chotto,
i can't reply to all your questions, but i'll address those that i might have some knowledge of.
2. you should expect a base salary which would be competitive in your home country, plus "perks" for working abroad such as cost-of-living, premiums, medical, trips home and housing.
3. yes, the prevailing practice in KSA is to pay differently for different nationalities. as you are US-educated, you may be able to negotiate a better deal than your countrymen. but you will definately find gaps between passports, as you say.
4. under the labor law, you may terminate employment with 30-days notice. but be sure that your specific contract / employer does not have any additional clauses which may affect your compensation, benefits or rights.
5. women are severely limited in what work they can do. most are secretaries, teachers or nurses. best to check with your company about opportunities there. if your wife can put her MBA skills to good use, consider yourself very lucky.
6. the provision of such part-time services is very common and contributes greatly to the availability of a wide range of products/services at reasonable prices. the number of exceptionally skilled people whose services can be obtained cheaply is amazing! the number of Saudi's going to school in the U.S. has dropped since 9/11 (visa challenges), but i would still think that there would be a market for such services here (perhaps among expat children, if not the locals).
7. the upside of your wife not working is that this is a wonderful place to raise children. the locals are very children- and family-friendly, there are many shops catering to the needs of kids, and there are many parks and entertainment options for families as well. you may find, as we have, that family life here is one of the very best benefits (and perhaps one of the least known as well). if work-life balance is one of your goals, there are few better places to achieve it than here.
matt
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