Thread regarding Saudi Aramco layoffs

No

Surely you have answered your own question, no?

“Just wondering if it is worthwhile taking the leap amidst the job uncertainty arising from the accelerated Saudisation, absence of expat labour protection, anguish from general poor work ethics and increasingly hostility towards expats, air pollution, geopolitical instability and personal safety for single females.”

"if you then get promoted to 15 you get an extra promotion percentage added to your offer."

The only way I've ever seen an expat get promoted from GC14 to GC15 is after five years, and even then, management had to be convinced that they will lose the person otherwise. If you are 50+ when you join, I can safely say that you will NEVER get promoted.

On the payroll comments, my understanding is that you would be on the same payroll as those from Europe. Singapore, like Japan and other economically developed Asian countries, are treated like Western European countries for payroll assignment. At least, that used to be the way. Re GC15 v Gc14, yes, 15 is better of course but sometimes it’s very hard to get. The alternative is a really good base pay offer on 14. I’ve seen many on higher pay on 14 v colleagues on 15. In addition, if you then get promoted to 15 you get an extra promotion percentage added to your offer. There is no restriction on who goes into your accommodation. You will have your own house. I think that reference refers to women being accommodated in apartment blocks but even then it never mattered. Years (many years) ago I lived with my girlfriend in her ball park apartment as it had a patio whereas mine did not. Was never an issue. Many valid comments in this thread however. See if your recruiter can put you in touch with other females at your professional level and from Asia. See what they have to say about it all. The more viewpoints you get the better. Good luck with your decision.

Agree with the poster below. It’s likely those ME countries that have embraced some western ways of living would be suitable. But even then, you would be living in an Arab culture, which is what it is. Saudi of course, the worst option in the region for countries employing expats. As for Aramco, nepotism and discrimination is the norm.

If you've settled well in Singapore and have a good job and lifestyle, I would strongly advise not moving to Dhahran. If you are thinking about moving to the Middle East look at the UAE instead. The way of working in Aramco is difficult for expat men, no mind expat women. It does depend on who your manager is but most Saudi managers are difficult. From my time there I found life on camp very boring in general. There are clubs for knitting, yoga, and there are gyms with swimming pools. On paper that sounds somewhat idyllic and unless you just want to lead a very inane, aimless life then maybe this is enough for you.
Expats in general there are not so friendly and welcoming. It can be very cliquey and the expat women can be bi--hy. It seems the longer expats stay there the stranger they become. Also more Saudis are living on the camp now and this has affected the vibe of the camp.
As a western female I left after two years. I had more than enough by that time!
Good luck with your decision.

Sorry posted comment below in this thread. Meant to post as a new thread.

I believe Aramco knows the only way it can attract foreign talent is to pay. But with Saudisation and the general direction of travel, the value proposition for expats has been dwindling. Hence, the only ones coming now are typically other than American or European. Or, Americans and Europeans at the end of their career line and have little other earning options (either through advancing age or incompetency or worse, both). Some come that do not fit the above profiles but realise their mistake quite quickly and pursue options elsewhere.

Aramco in my 25 years of working experience has the worst morals, values, principles of any company. It is corrupt. Unsafe in the field. And boring (innovation is not encouraged). This company and its Saudi staff think absolutely nothing of lying, continuously.

If you are an employee, take a look at the sh-t show called the HR Manual. For example, it spells out how basically of you get seriously ill you will be fired. Think about that. You live in a foreign country and will be bulleted for getting sick.

Another example listed in the manual, if a woman has a miscarriage but the fetus is less than so many grams, you are not entitled to time off. Fcuking sick.

I advise you strongly not to move from a world class city to a culturally bereft, polluted cesspit and a company and it’s national employees who will NEVER put you or your well-being first. They truly do it care. Truly.
Plus, you will be assigned dilapidated, unsafe accommodation that is tiny, thunderously air conditioned and tinder dry (the concrete foundations of entire blocks that have been burned to the ground are visible around the camp).
AVOID.

Just to add, as an Asian female you risk all types of harassment by Saudi men thinking you are fair game for possible relationship. You have no recourse to this type of abuse other than quiting. Stay in Singapore.

Don’t come. Only the unemployed or low grade Muslim expats come here willingly these days. They don’t have choice. The days of old are LONG over.

The downward jump in quality of life from Singapore to KSA would wipe you out. It’ll ruin your life. Mark my words….

I have been here 11 years - Trapped for reasons beyond this forum but hear me out. I struggle every day. Do NOT come here if:

You are competent and still employable.
Your mental health is sound & strong.
Quality of life, good loyal friends, your other half, really matter to you.
At work you are a perfectionist, honest, hard worker, honorable.
You take your job seriously.
Tend to have a big mouth.
Your IQ is above 125 or close.
You are spiritual or at least highly sensitive in a broad sense.

If more than 2 of these are true for the love of God do NOT come. Be brave and smart.

I have lived and worked in both Singapore and Saudi (both with oil companies). I can say with certainty that it would be a mistake to move to Dhahran from Singapore. Every aspect of your life quality will decrease. It will impact your well-being negatively.
Please think very carefully about your decision.

A retired Aramcoan here. Worked with Saudi Aramco for 25 years. Things have changed quite drastically since global payroll was introduced ten years ago!
If you decide to join Saudi Aramco, you are at the bottom of the payroll scale: Global Asian. Yearly merit increases are mediocre for male expats, much more if you are female. During my time there, we had a very capable female Saudi manager but she didn’t last long, booted out & she started her own company.

My suggestion is for you to stay in Singapore for your sake, professionally, emotionally, financially, physically, mentally & socially.

Best of luck to you!

Best summary I ever read about working currently in Aramco, I will add that your older colleagues will do your life miserable because they don't want to loose their jobs, new hires are not longer well received.

Former Aramco here. If you were my daughter or sister, I will strongly say don't take it. It is not the place to be for a single woman.

Also, 5 years is a stretch. Job stability is a thing of the past. Even if you last there a while, would you rather work a few miserable years then retire with a shorter lifespan? Or work a few years longer in Singapore but healthier and happier?

"I’m starting to doubt if I can last 5 years there unscathed"

You probably won't make it five years. Aramco doesn't publish turnover stats, but from what I saw Western, Non-Muslim Expats hired since the 2019 IPO have lasted an average of two years. From the standpoint of Aramco's management, high Expat turnover is not a bug, it is a feature. The idea is to get all they can from an Expat during the time that he/she is there. The only business line that I would exclude from this is Law, which still hires mostly Americans. If you don't know people CURRENTLY working for Aramco and know FOR A FACT that things are different where you are going, I would turn down the offer.

Anything below GC15 is not worth it.

Asian females get labeled as filipino help.

100% not worth it. Standard of living in Singapore vs Dhahran is incomparable. It’s like moving to the third world. If you made the move you’d not last here long, not a chance of doing 5 years.

I vote no. Your quality of life, general happiness, would suffer. How much is hard to say, depends on the individual.