Another expat I know arrived and left within 2 months. Seems to be more and more common these days if stories here and to be believed and from I hear on the ground.
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Old timer doesn’t know how it is now. Aramco policy is to hire cheap labor.
To give a recent example, staffing offered $6K base to an experienced expat on SC14 in my area. That’s about $120K a year all in…
Who would move their life to Dhahran for such a pittance?
Answer: Third world nationals, unemployables/desperates from else where.
Ever heard this one? "The more things change, the more they remain the same."
Yeah, I am sure you have; oldie but goodie.
LOL!!!
It's not what you don't know that holds you back, it's what you think you know that just isn't right.
You would find that what you go back too, is nothing like what you left. It’s now the most toxic, stress filled uncertain work environment with minimal benefits compared to decades ago. You would probably leave within 3-months as most old-timers could not hack the new version.
Sure wish I was young enough to go back. I sure miss it; easy money, easy life. What a sweet deal it was.
I was there for 17 years. We all had our own individual coping mechanisms; whatever works best for you and yours, right? Aramco can make you wealthy or at least it used to
be able to do that. Trouble is you have to do some time. It is not for everyone, and it does have an associated cost of some kind; mental, emotional, physical, family or perhaps something unknown until years later when it manifests. Best of luck to you all.
I take my family to Bahrain every Friday as there is sweet FA in KSA on that day unless you are of a religious bent. Also can buy better choice of food at cheaper prices in empty shops, kiils two birds. I’m also not an alcoholic!
Plenty of my coworkers commute across the bridge so they can live relatively normal lives, the concentration camp isn’t for everyone.
I wouldn't say a normal expat will go to Bahrain once a week, just the ones with drinking problems. Some even lives in Bahrain and don't mind the daily drive just to get their fix after a hard day's work. If booze and ho-s strike your fancy, then Bahrain is the place for you. There you go new applicant, send in that resume lol.
Probably because of the things listed in the Post. It’s truly that bad and toxic. Most normal expats I know goto Bahrain for a weekly respite where booze is legal.
Looking through this thread as possible applicant. Curious to know why Broken Promises mentions he needs to leave or he will become an alcoholic. Is it that alcohol is easily available there? Good of it is from a social aspect.
This just isn’t true for anyone who has joined post 2017. This guy is an old timer on the old benefits.
- My SAIP was about $35k, that’s not enough to feed a family of 4 for 2 years!
- The retirement incentive plan (RIP) was curtailed to the point of nothingness. I get $350 per month.
Jajaja, what a crazy dude, if you are planning to join Aramco be sure to have no less than 15k. For boarding schools with royalties you can gooe and check the ugly truth about that boardings. SAIP will be pay it in full if your grade is no less than E, so if your supervisor choose you for a M or less due to impossible and irreal objectives forget about it.
At the end is a toxic work place (literally), go and try it and please come back to this site and share your experience.
@kenu+1pdeq3BF is full of it!!!!!
MAYBE that package and training perk existed 20 years ago, but NO MORE!!!!
A LOT of very good people were let go in 2020 during COVID and when the Saudi's drove oil prices to negative. Leading up to that and especially since then, those perks are no longer. I was there for 7 years and left a millionaire. My friend who started a year later was worth half at that time. If this guy is real, then good for him. But for this id--t to paint the picture he did is not only spreading lies about what exists now but being irresponsible to those thinking about ruining their careers in the magic kingdom. And guess what, when you leave, your kids will NEVER be able come back a visit the place where they grew up.....and keeping up with their old classmates.....forget about it.
Don't let the door hit you on your way out. My RIP goes up by 15K every month, that's 180K a year. And that number only goes up month after month and year after year. Do I need to remind you of the other 10 benefits that are nowhere to be found anywhere in the world. Bitterness is a B!*^&. My SAIP alone feeds a family of 4 for two years. I understand you are dying inside for missing out but that's life. Grow up and take RESPONSIBILITY for your failures. You came and thought you could just sit back and collect and you were let go when they realized you contributed nada. So many expats come with that mentality. My kids go to boarding schools with sons and daughters of royalties. It doesn't cost me a dime. Beat that. I do one to two trainings a year, OVERSEAS - US, UK, Dubai and Singapore. Beat that.
Trust me you have made the right call. Toxic, unfair work environment.
Eighteen months is about right. Recent non-Muslim expats have been lasting an average of two years. This is the new normal and expected by management. Sooner or later Aramco will move everyone over to two year contracts as many of Saudi companies already do. I'm guessing the only reason Aramco hasn't already done this is that contracts would eliminate a certain portion of the available labor pool. Some expats still come to Aramco thinking they will be working for the same company their friend/relative did 10 years ago. Being told they need to sign a contract ruins that illusion.
Aramco literally lies on its job ads, once the su---r has signed and is in Kingdom, they renege. People get hired as specialists or consultants only to find they are actually an “analyst” or some other low position.
They are also desperate to get whole families to relocate quickly, just like a pressure sell done by a career fraudster, just so it’s harder change ones mind. Nasty bunch of crooks.
Personally I was lied to over job title, annual increment, bonus %, seniority of role, quality of housing, quality of life on camp, healthcare, expat taxes, days off, repat payments, retention payments, etc…That doesn’t even include the craap one has to deal with working under inept, lazy, arrogant and corrupt management that treat you like a pet slave.
I’m done very soon, USD target almost met. It’s been 18 months, really wanted it to last for longer (like many I was in denial for months), but I’ll wind up either an alcoholic or some kind of ruined depressive staying any longer. I know I am not alone with these thoughts.
The Aramco recruitment marketing relies on legacy reputation and benefits rather than the current reputation and benefits. The difference is so huge between hype and reality that new hires are quickly disillusioned, if not shocked, so tenures are rapidly diminishing as they discover their mistake.
Those folks south of the border will not discriminate new hires or old timers. Simply not the place to be. So, if you are a new hire, it is time to evaluate, $$$ over your life. If you are an old timer, then haven't you had enough of the $$$ or the BS? 10 years plus here, left when those "things" landed within a short proximity from where I live in camp. There is no amount of money.
You need to understand that there is a complete bunch of people trying to bring new hires to the kingdom, they sell the old way but guys at office, they don't want it more, so there is a contradiction when you arrive. Also it is a good business, now more with all new contractors companies.
Market is tough, salaries are in low side, embrace new hires, old timers are banking and new hires are trying to survive, just we all are in same boat, jo one will stay in the kingdom at the end.
Typical I’m alright Jack on the older benefits (no longer available) scheme.
Nah, I'm good, banking every month. Bank accounts are growing, retirement is growing and all is good. 3 more years and off to an island. Don't be mad because you got fired.
I recall many expats and disillusioned Saudis left and took up opportunities in Riyadh two years ago. Only a matter of time before the camps' walls and security go and pave the way for some serious property commercial development!
Aramco benefits have been hollowed out, retention payments are all but gone, annual increments are close to zero, anti-expat promotion policy, camp is a Saudi enclave now etc… This is while the government is hiring like crazy for skilled expats and pays at least 25% more than aramco.
What are these mythical companies you refer to?
Simple. Better money and benefits at other companies. Especially in Kingdom.
We're not asking the right questions here.
Why is it now becoming more common that people are arriving and leaving so soon?
There hasn’t been a signing-on bonus for many, many years!!
In the past was a signing bonus, if you resign before one year you will lost it and bank loan was 15 times your salary with less than 1% interest.
Bank loan runner seems good Orion considering the zero severance for less than 3 year service for new joiners
Doesn't matter, our department will received a new bunch of people in November, it is no clear if they will lay off the older people or keep it because now is shortage and delay in delivery of the projects
You could leave within two months if you really wanted to. They can speed up the process.
Leaving so soon? All hail the decision the many should have have taken years ago but to hang in a little longer, but never left.
Many here are fortunate for the simple things we take for granted. I still shudder when I hear of consultants who come here alone, on a year contract, poor pay without an iqama and put in unfit housing.
You are elegible for a Bank loan are after one year minimum, that's why red flags for runners are after the year, Aramco should have a KPI for that, would be interesting, now is disguised between resigning for family reasons.
You guys should watch the 1998 film starring Treat Williams; Escape: Human Cargo. Set in KSA circa late 70's. It might spur the old creative muse.
No wonder Aramco hired @1taf+1pdeq3BF!!! He is actually under the impression one needs a final exit visa. After 2 months you still would not have received your personal shipment (if you were silly enough to do so on a single status). Just sell your car and what belongings do don't want, book a ticket, pack your bags and reserve a taxi! Then transfer your money from Saudi to your home country at the beginning of each month. Why go through the BS of an exit visa? If you hate it that much, you aren't coming back! And as a severance payment, take out a bank loan and take it with you. Best of luck to you!!!!
Iqama is only taking a few weeks these-days so possible if the person just leaves if their own accord - aka does a runner. Just after payday would be the smart choice.
The official leaving process at Aramco can take up to 60 days or more, mostly it’s stuck in pointless workflows managed by the legions of lazy imbeciles that run this place.
Only join aramco if you are unemployed, unemployable, or perhaps if it’s closer to home (plastic passport brigade).
A smart 'runner' could make it. Get an iqama, MV, a passport and a suitcase. Keep it simple; no elaborate 'bug out bags' no w--pons, no massive drive outs in cars filled with jerry cans. Too many action movies I suppose. Good luck.
Also you need to have Iqama to allow fin exit process, leave is a nightmare and more if you don't wanna stay
Two months looks so fast because takes at leas one of two weeks to test and feel the reality then you ask your supervisor, maybe another meeting with GS and Manager that will delay at least another two weeks and then if you start final exit process will be another two months that if you are very proficient may be could be reduced in one month so for my takes at least minimum 3 months for a new hire to leave, take this into account.