Hold-Up Modus Operandi in Saudi Arabia

BABALA SA ATING MGA KABABAYAN!!!
(Pauna na lang po....Ugaliing ihiwalay ang credit card at mahahalagang card tulad ng IQAMA, company ID sa wallet. Ilagay ito sa ibang lalagyan tulad ng card case. Pera lamang ang ulagay sa wallet.
Pangalawa, wag lalabas ng mag-isa.
Pangatlo, wag titigil at makiusap sa di kilala. )  

Isa po sa aming kasamahan ay na hold‐up kahapon , Friday, Aug. 6, 2010 mga bandang 6:00pm, sa Al‐Khobar area (near fish market)

Ito po ang kanyang salaysay:

Naglalakad po sya along 6th St. galing sa fish market pa‐uwi sa kanilang bahay na nasa Prince Bader St. between 6th & 7th St. ng lapitan sya ng isang maitim at malaking arabo (bado) at pagbintangan ang aming kasamahan na sya daw ang nakapulot nung nalaglag na pera ng arabo (bado). Sa kanilang pag‐uusap, pinagbintangan po ng arabo (bado) ang aming    kasa mahan na sya ang nakapulot ng nalaglag na pera at inilagay pa daw ng aming kasamahan sa kanyang bulsa. Hanggang sa na‐uwi na po sa pagtatalo ang usapan.

Kasunod po noon ay may isang sasakyan na humarang at huminto sa kanilang harapan at nagpakilalang pulis, agad na bumaba nagpakilalang pulis at nagpatunay sa arabo (bado) na ang aming kasamahan nga ang naka pulot ng pera at inilagay sa kanyang wallet (ito po siguro ang paraan ng mga arabo upang sya ay takutin at upang maipakita nya ang laman ng kanyang wallet).

Sa puntong ito ang kinabahan na ang aming kasamahan at wala na syang magawa kundi ipakita na ang kanyang wallet upang patunayan na wala ang perang hinahanap ng mga arabo (ang hinahanap pong pera ng mga arabo ay nagkakahalaga ng SR10,000.00, ngunit ang laman po ng kanyang wallet ay SR700.00 lang). Nang ipinakita po ng aming kasamahan ang kanyang wallet upang patunayan na wala sa kanya ang hinahanap na pera ay agad itong inagaw sa kanya ng arabo (bado), kasabay noon ay sapilitang ipinalabas ng nagpakilalang pulis ang kanyang cellfone at idinahilan ng pulis na tatawagan nya ang aming kumpanya upang ipaalam na hindi sya makakapasok kinabukasan (Saturday) dahil isasaama nila sa Police Station upang ikulong. At dala na po siguro ng takot, napilitan na din po ang aming kasamahan na ibigay ang kanyang cellfone, sa puntong ito po ay sabay ng pumasok ang mga aarabo sa kanilang sasakyan dala ang kanyang wallet at cellfone, wala na pong nagawa ang aming kasamahan hanggang sa umalis na ang mga arabo. Makalipas ang ilang segundo at mga ilang metro pa lang ang natatakbo ng naturang sasakyan; napansin po ng aming kasamahan na ibinato po sa labas ng bintana and kanyang wallet, at ng ito po ay kanyang suriin, napagalaman

nya na nakuha na ng mga arabo ang kanyang pera (SR700), blackberry na cellfone at ang kanyang SHB Credit Card nya. Sa kabutihang palad po ay nakuha pa nya ang kanyang Iqama, Saudi Aramco ID at ibang mahahalagang laman ng kanyang wallet.

Sa madaling salita po, isang modus din ng mga arabo yan s al khobar area sa mga panahong ito.

 

PALALA PONG MULI; MAGING MAINGAT PO SANA TAYO SA PAGLALAKAD SA AL KHOBAR AREA, MARAMI NA PONG MASASAMANG ELEMENTO ANG NAGLIPANA SA MGA PANAHONG ITO. IPAKALAT PO NATIN ITO SA LAHAT NG MGA KABABAYANG PILIPINO DITO SA AL‐KHOBAR AT SA IBANG LUGAR NG SAUDI ARABIA .

 

MARAMING SALAMAT PO

---

Eric R Imperial

Planner Engineer, Maintenance Support

Eastern Petrochemical Company

A SABIC Affiliate

P.O. Box 10035

Jubail 31961

SAUDI ARABIA

T +966 (3) 357-5000 x 5599

F +966 (3) 357 5064

E Imperialer@sharq. sabic.com
  

Saudi Cleric Calls for Muslim Maids ONLY

Saudi cleric calls for Muslim maids only

Agence France-Presse First Posted 08:35:00 07/27/2010


RIYADH, Saudi Arabia—A Saudi cleric said only Muslim housemaids should be allowed in the oil-rich country and they should be kept segregated from men in the home, an online news site reported on Tuesday.

"If there is a need to import workers as female domestics, they should be Muslims," Sheikh Yusef al-Ahmad, a strong opponent of men and women mixing in the ultra-conservative kingdom, told the sabq.org website.

He also said female domestics should cover themselves in the home, and that, following Islamic requirements for Saudi women, they should also be required to have a male relative guardian, or mahram, with them in Saudi Arabia.

"They should be required to work in the home covered with the hijab (veil), and not mix with men in the home, not enter their rooms or the hall or serve them," he said.

Sheikh Ahmad is a lecturer at Riyadh's Imam Mohammed bin Saudi University, the country's leading Islamic education institution.

He gained notoriety earlier this year when he called for the Grand Mosque of Mecca, Islam's holiest site, to be torn down and rebuilt with separate entrances and areas for men and women.

His latest comments are directed at the huge foreign labor pool in the country, accounting for an estimated eight to 10 million of a population of about 25 million people. An estimated 1.5 million Filipinos are among the foreign workers.

Saudi families employ millions of foreign cooks, maids and drivers, many of whom already come from large Muslim states like Indonesia and countries in Africa.

Most of the more than one million Indonesian workers in Saudi Arabia are female household workers. But they are not required to be in the country with male guardians.

Under Saudi Arabia's strict Islamic rules, unrelated men and women are not supposed to mix.

However, the rule is never enforced on families with foreign maids and drivers, or on the many foreign men who work as waiters in the family sections of restaurants

List of Authorized Employment Agencies in the Philippines accredited by the Saudi Embassy

Authorized Employment Agencies in the Philippines Accredited to the Embassy

قائمه باسماء المكاتب المعتمدة

الحصول على قائمة اسماء وعناوين مكاتب الاستقدام العاملة في الفلبين والمعتمدة لدى السفارة Updated every end of the month Subject for any agency to be un accredited for consulate process with no further notice يتم تحديث القائمة كل نهاية الشهر في خلال السنة ، كما يمكن ان يتم الغاء اعتماد المكتب لدى التنفيذ من قبل القنصلية بدون سابق اشعار Click on the link for the list of agencies قائمة اسماء المكاتب اضغط على الرابط التالي Saudi Embassy Accredited Agency Refer to the POEA site for more details on agency information by typing the first name and search the status and contact matters كما يمكنك ان تبحث عن تفاصيل المكتب عن طريق موقع مكتب العمل والعمال الفلبيني من عناوين وارقام الاتصال بهم من خلال الرابط التالي : كتابة الاسم الاول ثم بحث تظهر لك المعلومات http://www.poea.gov.ph/cgi-bin/agSearch.asp

VISA Requirements for Saudi Arabia

The Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia - Manila website

WORKING VISA

     Visa application form

     Valid passport at least two years.

     Two pictures (4x6 cm. with white background)

     A certified & notarized copy of the university degree/diploma & transcript of record certified by the CHED, (Commission on Higher Education), DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) and Consulate of Saudi Embassy or PRC License for all professional work.

     NBI Clearance

     Medical Certificate sealed by a hospital accredited by Saudi Embassy.

     Training Certificate for the skilled workers

     OMA Certificate for all Muslim workers

     Valid Driving License for all Drivers

     Original Copy of visa authority & a copy visa

     If the applicant has previously worked in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia a release letter.

     Payments are made to be cash through Equitable PCI Bank in Paseo de Roxas Branch, which cost P850.00 for every working visa stamped.

 BUSINESS VISA

        Visa application form

     Valid passport at least 6 months.

     Two pictures (4x6 cm. with white background)

     An original covering letter from a registered company indicating the name of Saudi Arabian company, the nature of applicants visit & length of stay . The letter must bear the company’s stamp or seal.

     An application from the sponsor in the Kingdom on the applicant’s behalf to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or an Original invitation from the company in Saudi Arabia. This letter must be signed & sealed by the company & stamped by the Saudi Chamber of Commerce.

     Payments are made to be cash through Equitable PCI Bank in Paseo de Roxas Branch, which cost of P3, 500.00 for every Business visit visa stamped.

 TRANSIT VISA

       A visa application form and valid passport

     Two pictures (4x6 cm. with white background)

     A confirmed ticket reserved in and out of Saudi Arabia for at most 48 hours.

     A valid visa for the next destination.

     Transit visa gratis.

 UMRAH VISA

     Submit an Umrah visa application form accompanied by a recent standard colored passport size photograph.

     Passport must be valid for a minimum period of six months.

     Medical Certificate. Children age three months to twelve years old, parents should consult their primary care doctors.

     A round trip ticket to and from Saudi Arabia with confirmed reservation must also accompany the application.

     A married couple applying for Umrah visas but who have different last names or whose children bear last name from that of their father, should attach copies of their marriage certificate and copy of their children’s birth certificate.

     Umrah visas are granted gratis.

     For those recently embraced Islam and have not previously performed Umrah or Hajj, a Certificate of Conversion to Islam is required.

 HAJJ VISA

      Passport   Passport or legal travel documents valid for at least 6 months and acceptable both for entry to Saudi Arabia and entry to nest destination. Passport of legal travel documents must have minimum of two blank pages.

     Photos  Two recent passport photographs with white background.

     Visa application form for Hajj visas signed & stamped by the travel agency. Original or legible photocopies of the visa application forms are acceptable.

     Airline ticket  Each applicant must be in possession of a non-refundable roundtrip ticket with confirmed reservations.

     Medical Certificate  Children from the age of 3 months to 2 years and above must take a dose of the A/C vaccine.

     Mahram all ladies are required to travel for Hajj with a Mahram. Proof of Mahram must be submitted.  Ladies over the age of 45 can travel without Mahram with an organized group.  She must, however, submit no objection letter from her husband, son or brother, authorizing her travel for Hajj with the named group.  Such letter should be notarized with the notary public.  The Mahram should write his complete information on the application of wife and children, or any other relative whom he is traveling with.  Marriage and birth certificates issued outside of the Philippines should be translated and notarized from a certified translations office.  Male under the legal age will not be granted a Hajj visa if not accompanied by their family.

     Hajj visa is granted gratis.

The Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Manila - location map and contact details

Para sa ating mga kababayan na may kamag anak sa Saudi Arabia. Mainam na malaman.

 

Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia

Manila - Philippines

Chancery	128 H.V. Dela Costa St . Corner Sanchez St. Salcedo Village, Makati City, Philippines
Tel.	+63 (2) 856 4444
Fax	+63 (2) 856 5366
Working Hours	Monday to Friday 0900 to 1600 H
E-Mail WebSite	phemb@mofa.gov.sa www.saudiembassy.com.ph

Guidebok for Expatriates Recruited for Work In Saudi Arabia

This book is provided for by the ROYAL EMBASSY OF SAUDI ARABIA MANILA  in their website, under the link GUIDELINES FOR OFW IN KSA .

It will be helpful for us to share this to our kababayans intending to leave for Saudi Arabia.

Please share it with them by clicking this. A page will cme out asking if you wish the guidebook to be presented in english or in tagalog.

Click on link below

For English

Guidebook for expatriates recruited

for work in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Click on link below

For Tagalog

Gabay na Aklat para sa mga (OFW)

Manggagawa sa Kaharian ng Saudi Arabia

On my part, I would gladly share and comment on  items which I deem worthy of a second look or scrutinization. 

Nais ko pong makatulong base sa mga napagdaanan ko sa pagtatrabaho sa Saudi Arabia, kaya't atin pong pagtulungan kung may importante mga puntos ang dapat pang malaman ng ating mga kababayan.

Tinatawagan ko po ang ating mga kabayan na magkwento at makibahagi sa mga usapang ito.

Salamat po.

Airport Restrictions in Saudi Arabia

A fellow kabayan was nice enough to share a memo from their company.

Hope this helps all our kababayans :-)

How did I spend my Fridays in the Kingdom?

Friday is the holy day of Muslims and the rest day for the entire nation.

It was in this nation that I experienced for the first time, the back pain of sleeping so long a time on my bed. Eventually you really just have to stand up and do something!

These are what I did:

1. Started the day with  logging on to http://www.usccb.org/nab/for some spiritual readings (that is if you are a catholic). The nice thing about this site is it has podcasts (if you just what to listen to the reflections) or video reflections (if you want to view the speaker and sharer, usually a priest)

2. Did my washing and drying
     You always take foregranted having your clothes washed, dried and "crisply" ironed and tucked on your drawer back home. I miss things having done for me. But as I said earlier, this beats the hell out of an aching back from lying down so very long.
     Dito lang ako actually natutong gumamit ng washing machine....hehehe....too old I think at 36! I always thought I would do no wrong at washing the heavy maong in the machine....oh well, the pocket linings tears off by frequent washing (it's not made in maong nga pala, I forget).
     I then learned from my kabayans, who would leave their washings overnight in sudsy soap (babad) then handwash the next day or do some gentle run on the machine.  
  
3. I usually did my cooking as well so that I would just have to re-heat throughout the week
      You know the expression "takaw tingin"? I was like that in the supermarket. Bought all the food that was "eye candy", stocked up my ref to the max (thinking I would not be able to go out again anytime soon), only to realize that I was only feeding myself. Matakaw ako, that I know, but I also found out the fun of "gorging" at food is also in the company. That I did not have, so the appettite also flew away.....and you can just imagine the food that spoiled :-(
     My fave dishes were still the adobo and spaghetti but I did learn to experiment with the spices from all over the world with all these:
     I discovered CUMIN, TURMERIC for chicken and meats for that indian taste.
     I discovered YOGURT in the mornings (they would eat a tub of yogurt) which I would mix with fruits of fresh juices.
     I discovered CHEESES and all its form - Brie, feta, mascarpone, etc.
     I discovered  flat round bread (unleavened bread) which is good for making pizza or dipping into hummus and some indian/pakistani/bangladeshi saucy dish.
     I discovered the fresh juices and milk of the danes....yummy!               

4. Decide whether to go out or not
    Going out would entail  a permission from my managers to have me accompanied by either our company driver or another option was "KUYA EDWIN".
    Going out with our company driver is much like having an "unwanted" chaperone". He would follow you wherever you went, even in buying your lingeries :-( Good thing ours was kind enough to tell me, "Doctora, stay good and be good. I trust you will not put me or you into trouble so I will just leave you and pick you up later ok?" Thank God for Nizmi! 
     Then there's Kuya Edwin. Here is a Pinoy entrepeneur in the truest sense. He capitalized on what he does best...driving. He talked to his sponsor to buy him a car which he will use to drive around people as a "limousine service" for a fee. I call him and ask him to drive me to the different malls. He drops me off, goes to his other "pick ups" and picks me up again for another mall.
     MALLING is the only past time here in Riyadh. But what great malls they have! I remember now the supermarket I found really great ....it was DANUBE! :-) By its name, European tastes. The market has everything but from a world so far from ours. I marvel at the knick knack stuff like the trinkets, the plates, I even bought my wedding souvenirs here.   
     How did I get to ride with Kuya Edwin...a man and a lady together in Riyadh?????!!!! He has a document signed by his sponsor authorizing him to be a designated driver for me which he will show when a religious police aka MUTAWA would question him.
     By the way, I am not really sure if this is legal but it sure beats the hell out of staying home like a snail all cooped up. My managers knew this by the way. Of course, it goes without saying that I did this without any "hanky-panky" ideas that would get me into trouble.
     
5.  Picnics
     There is more sand than soil in the kingdom so whenever we see green grass...we sit on them and have a picnic. Back home, I think this has been a lost past time mainly because we don't have parks, the air is..indescribable and the grass you see is in your own lawn....what fun is that having a picnic just a step away from your house?!!!
     But here, parks are also uncommon but you just really have to go out of your home and bask in the sun for some Vitamin D :-)
     I learned that Syria is so "not like" KSA...much like Pinas in terms of freedom to do whatever. Muslims with fashion and movies...and with very beautiful ladies....much like the Lebanese.
     Over Kebabs and Taboulleh salad, we laughed about each other in twisted english and "shisha" (arabic blowpipe). At mapagpula rin pala ang mga babaeng syriana...sa kapwa nilang arabiana...lalo na ang mga babaeng nagparetoke ng mukha o katawan. Ayaw nila noon. Naiisip ko nga tayong mga Pinoy na sarat ang ilong maiintindihan ko pang magparetoke ng ilong. Pero arabiana na napakataas at payat na ng ilong??? Sobra nga nga naman. I find it amusing that they say things about fellow arabs mainly because we Pinoys, being malays, don't say much about our fellow Indonesians, or Malaysians. Kakaiba di ba?  
      One thing I advice our kabayans, learn from the arabs by talking and being with them...not only does your world become bigger but your stay, more worthwhile with friends and memories all intact and growing :-)

After a day out in the city, I somehow feel rejuvenated to start another 6-day work week. Hay!

PS One thing I regret tough is not having to take pics.....hay. 

I will take the Job Offer In the Kingdom, What's next?

After following all the blog entries before this, it is time to go and embark on your new adventure.

First go to your recruitment agency and they will ask you go through a medical check up in an accredited hospital. Back in 2005, I spent around P2-3,000 for this. I had a 9- hour fast (stopped eating at 12 midnight and made sure I was in the hospital by 7 am to have a waiting allowance of 2 hours) for my blood tests, and brought with me my
1. sample feces in a clean small container
2. Urine sample I submitted while waiting for my turn in the hospital the next day

I waited for my medical report to come out before proceeding to the next steps below.

Here are the steps I did to prepare for my leaving the Philippines:

1. Prepare my passport
If your passport will expire in a year or 2, best to renew it while in the Philippines. Renewal fees in the kingdom through the embassy is more expensive. Have your passport picture taken, prior to appearance to the DFA. Be sure to wear a coat or any shirt with a collar. Personal appearance is required but you can make an appointment for yourself via the internet. Choose to have a machine-readable passport, although more expensive (P950 than the usual P750), this is what all passports will be eventually.   Follow the steps on Passport application or renewal here.

2. Prepare my birth certificate / marriage certificate
Best to apply for a NSO (National Statistics Office) certified birth certificate. They have serbilis centers you can actually go to or if you can't go, have a representative get it for you with an authorization letter and your ID (SSS, Driver's license or any valid ID). Or if you can't have it done by others or yourself, you can have it delivered. Just follow the steps here.

3. Prepare my school credentials

a. Go to my school registrar and ask for: 
1). Transcript of Records (atleast 2 copies or even more), certified true copy (both for undergraduate and post graduate courses)
2). . Ask for a Certificate of Graduation, and / or certified true copy of your Diploma (undergraduate and post graduate courses)

c. On acquiring my transcripts and diplomas,  I proceeded to the Commission on Higher education (CHED) where they  Certified, Authenticated, and Verified (CAV)  all my transcripts and diplomas. Follow the steps here. All other CHED services which you may need, here. CHED sitemap here.

4. Prepare my work experience credentials

a. Asked my superiors for certificate of employment stating my job, position and years / period of service.

b. This will be certified / notarized by the Regional Trial Court (RTC) in the Manila City Hall. I went to any Notary Public at the Manila City Hall and they  helped me process these documents. Fee is about p150 per document to be notarized.

5. When School and Work Experience credentials have been certified, I went to Malacanang to have it certified (AGAIN). I did this on commute because there are already public transportation that has a route from Malacanang to the Manila City Hall.  

6. After Malacanang certification, go to the Department of Foreign Affairs for "ribboning" or final certification.

7. I made sure I had a xerox copy of all my documents before submitting them to my recruitment agency. They then scheduled me for a PDOS (Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar). This is free.
Important things I learned from the PDOS:
a. Buy the small arabic book on how to speak arabic / learning arabic (around P150 back in 2005)
b. Get your PDOS certificate and open an account in Metrobank, BDO or BPI where you will open an OFW account and deposit P100 as maintaining balance. Be sure that when you open the account, you have with you a co-depositor here in the Philippines who can have access to your account and receive the remittances you will send (preferably family / relatives). Important to show your PDOS certificate as this will be your passport in opening the account.
c. get yourself an accident / life insurance if you still have extra money  

Going through the 7 steps it would be safe to prepare around P7 - 10,000 for all the fees that have to be paid.

Just a word of advice, plan each trip as early in the day as possible. Each step entails a long line, and a lot of waiting so best to start the day early...leave the house as early as 5:30 or 6 am.

5. Making the decision to Take the Overseas Job or NOT

For most it is as easy as considering the financial rewards of an overseas job that prompts the decision to leave or not. For some, just the thought of running away from the heavy burden of staying in the Philippines is the motivating factor.

But I realize now that I have left and come back, just what are the important considerations in leaving for an overseas job?

1. Monthly wage and benefits

The cost of living here and abroad is not the same.

Do not be quick in deciding just because your salary was tripled. Consider / ask your employer and research on the following:

a. Food allowance . Find out how much it would cost to feed yourself for a month. Include that in your expenses. Back in 2007, SR200-300/month was enough.

b. Accomodation provision or allowance. One cannot own a property in the kingdom so the sponsir usually provides a room/unit accomodation, alone or shared. Or can give you the freedom to look for your own place (with Filipinos) by giving you a monthly allowance. In 2007, SR1200/month for a 2 bedroom unit.  

c. Transportation allowance. A bus or means of transport is usually provided to and from work to your accomodation. Otherwise, ask for it or an allowance.

d. Medical Insurance. Expensive to get sick in the kingdom so be sure you are protected.

Maximize on your additional benefits other than your salary so that you have more to send back home to your family. There is no TAX in the kingdom, by the way. 

2. Be sure you are near HELP when help is needed

a. Have Pinoy co-employees and friends help you. While still in the Philippines, establish Pinoy contacts in the kingdom. Find out their contact numbers and converse with them by phone or email or chats.

b. Know how far you are from the Philippine embassy. This is a true story of a lady bus conductor here in the Philippines who was in the news back in 2007 (Arab News) who spent almost 20 years in a very remote town of the kingdom, left all by herself to fend for herself as a domestic helper. Her employer left her alone and she survived by planting and feeding herself on goats which she raised herself. She could not be reached because of the "remoteness" of her area. Oh God!

3. Settle your family and businesses before you leave.

a. If you leave who will take care of your children? How will your spouse handle your leaving? Will he continue to work or stay in the house for the children?

b. Who will handle the finances of the family? Who will receive your remittance?

c. How will your family communicate with you?

d. If you are leaving a business, end it properly. Consider if you do come back, will you have something to come back to?

IN SUMMARY, your final decision to leave or not would depend on what you will get in salary and benefits, how much help you can get from Pinoys in the kingdom and the state of your family and businesses when you leave.

Bottomline is whatever your decision, be sure its is wholly yours and not a decision made by others' opinions of  you.

4. What is important to see in Your Saudi Employment Contract

This is a series detailling the steps on how I dealt with a Job Offer from SAUDI ARABIA. I feel it would also apply on any job offers anywhere in the world.  

Important steps discussed previously was (click the link for reference):
1. Tell your family and important people around you and educate yourself about the country you intend to work in.  
2. Check out the POEA website.
3. How to Correspond with your employer

The 4th Consideration is scrutinizing your job/work contract.  

I was sent a contract via email. Employee/Worker Contracts in Saudi Arabia are written both in English and Arabic. I immediately sent it to

a. a Filipino lawyer-friend who commented on the contract to make sure all areas covered

b. a friend presently residing in Riyadh who could verify things for me.

CONTENTS OF YOUR JOB CONTRACT

(Should be written on Company Stationery with company seal and address):

1. Date that the employment contract is executed between the 1st & 2nd party

2. First party / employer. This is the Company's name and name of your Saudi National Sponsor

3. Address, Tel No., Mobile No. of employer / Company

4. Representative agent / Agency / Recruitment Company and its address in the Philippines and abroad

5. Second Party / employee. Nationality. Passport #. Date/Place of issue. Permanent address. Contact

    Numbers.

6. Terms and Conditions:

    a. Position. Job description. Workplaces (This is important so you may know in advance where in the

        kingdom will you be possibly assigned because your company may have other branches or sister

        companies). Best for you to research about the place & Pinoys in the area.  

    b. No. of years of effectivity of contract (usually 2 Gregorian years. Note that there is a different

        Islamic / Hijri calendar) Always request Gregorian calendar usage.

   c. Salary / month in SAR (SAUDI RIYALS). End of Service Benefits   (ESB). If your salary is

       supplemented by percentage income, commissions, be sure it is written down.

   d. Additional Benefits:

       1. Accomodation. Is either provided for or you are given an allowance to rent for a year. If

           accomodation is provided, list down contents of the accomodation. Usually this is decided upon by

           employer, as to which to give.

       2.  30 days Paid Leave which includes airfare. Time is decided either by employee or employer

            depending on what suits the business

       3. Trial Period of 3 months. If after 3 months, the employer finds you not suitable for work, he may

           terminate contract and with/without compensation. Be sure you are compensated during the 1st 3

           months and is written in your contract. If the employee finds it best to terminate contract,employee

           will shoulder the cost of going back to his country.  

       4. Other incentives: In addition to salary, there may be percentage income or commissions. Be sure to

            ask if there are other incentives like this and have it written down.

       5. Medical Insurance provison. Very important to ask if you get sick or meet an accident, what are the

           policies of the company. Up to what extent is their provision or support.

      6. Paid sick leave. How many days in a year (usually 10 days) with medical report & acceptable

           with administration. If more than 10 days, not compensated. If more than a month, may be terminated

           with the employee bearing the cost of transport back to his country.

      7.Conditions by which the employer and employee may terminate this contract

      8. Company policies important to note in the contract (company holidays, working hours, engaging in

          other business within the kingdom while an employee, settlement of disputes). If possible ask for an

          employee's handbook or Company Rules and Regulations.

      9. This must be incorporated in the contract. "That if there is a need to modify or add/delete any item,

          it shall require the signature of both the employee and employer."

             

3. Correspond with your Employer

This is a series detailling the steps on how I dealt with a Job Offer from SAUDI ARABIA. I feel it would also apply on any job offers anywhere in the world.  

Important steps discussed previously was (click the link for reference):
1. Tell your family and important people around you and educate yourself about the country you intend to work in.  
2. Check out the POEA website.

The 3rd is to Correspond with your employer.

The recruitment agency would facilitate contacting the employer for you. Just say you would like a personal correspondence with the employer. Ask that he call you, or (for lesser cost) chat / talk through yahoo messenger, google gtalk or skype.

This way:

a. You can  directly ask your "1 million" questions. Best to store the conversation if it is a chat or if talk, try to write down important details you can look back to, just in case you need further clarifications later on.

b. You will personally hear the sincerity of your employer and viceversa. He will be able to find out, even interview you already and viceversa.

In this conversation be ready to ask and be asked.

My questions basically were:

1. Who is my employer?
You will be having a Saudi sponsor in your stay. You will be under his responsibility and he will pay for all your expenses: airfare, VISA. Your VISA will be in your passport.

Be sure your occupation is accurately written on your VISA.

My experience on this was my entry VISA had me written as a nurse for my occupation. This was told to me early on (best be informed) by my employer because he only had NURSE VISAS then. But still I was able to work as an orthodontist, was also able to take the Professional Licensure exam. Not really sure if my employer had to "pull some strings" so still best to have all information accurate and correct.
 

2. What is my work specifically?  (job description)

This will also be written down on your contract

3. How much is my salary?
(yes don't be shy to ask)

4. Where is the company / facility located?

This will help you gauge how far you are from the Philippine embassy (one is in Riyadh, the other in Jeddah)
I felt farely secure working within Riyadh, the capital city. Google map the exact location.

5. Are there Filipinos in your company?
If it would not be a bother, ask permission to contact a Pinoy employee and have a conversation with him about ....everything.

6. When do you expect  to arrive in the work place?
This is important to know because October to March are very cold months in the kingdom. Best to be ready with the right clothes for the cold season.

7. May I know my accomodation?
Home accomodations are usually provided for by the employer. Either it is near the company/facility or maybe even within the compound / building.

8. Practices I should know within the country and the workplace?

This was 1 question I forgot to ask, but here are some MUST KNOWS:

a. On arrival at the airport, your passport will be taken from you (this will be the last time you will see your passport until you need it again in your next vacation / flight home)
b. On arrival at the airport, be ready to line up and follow all the instructions. click  for more info.
b. All men and women are always segregated. Men go out only with men unless with married couples.
c. A man and a woman is discouraged to talk alone. Talk always in a group.
d. If you are of a different religion other then ISLAM, do not bring religious relics, novena, bible (all of your faith you may see in the internet)
e. Women should always be accompanied by a male guardian (husband, company guardian/driver) when going out
All the rest of their culture you can find out at the PDOS (Pre-Departure Overseas Seminar) you will be attending soon before you leave.

9. When is my vacation? For how long and who pays for my airfare and back?
Filipinos usually go home during the Christmas holidays (booking is soooo hard). Say your preference or some employers already tell you that you can only spend vacations during non-peak months of business. You must know this so you will be amenable to having vacations during summer months (Saudis usually spend vacations abroad from August to September) or if you wish on christmas, kindly request your employer for early booking to be sure to get home.    

I remember my first vacation, I got home just in the nick of time,  afternoon of December 25. I forgot to ask my employer to book early. By early I mean even a year before your vacation or 6 months before you intended vacation, at the latest.

Vacations are usually once a year for 1 month, all expenses paid by the employer. But some request twice a year for 2 weeks each. This depends on your employer.

10. Will I get my full salary on my vacation?

All vacations / one month  must be paid. You will get this upon your return to the kingdom.

I hope anyone reading this, who has more recent info and would want to help by sharing will do so by writing a comment below :-) 
 

2. Check out the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency (POEA) website

The POEA website  is very helpful in:

1.Verifying the legitimacy of your Philippine based recruitment agency

Found this under OFW ADVISORY:


Beware of recruitment agencies with cancelled or suspended licenses



The POEA advises the public to be wary of recruitment agencies with cancelled or suspended licenses that are still actively recruiting for overseas jobs.


The POEA, as of September 14, 2009, has cancelled the licenses of 454 recruitment agencies since the start of its operations and placed 44 others under preventive suspension. For 2008 and the first eight months of 2009 alone, the POEA cancelled 76 licenses and suspended or fined 57 agencies as a result of recruitment violations.


Please click HERE to verify status of recruitment agencies.

2. Articles for / about Overseas Foreign Workers


3. Articles for / about Foreign Employers 

4. Articles for / about Recruitment Agencies

5. Articles of memorandum of Agreements between the Philippines and other countries


6. Overseas Employment Regulations

7. Vacancies


8. .They even have an e-registration for the pooling of Manpower where you submit your resume and they store it for possible interest of foreign employers.

9. The links on the right side of the web home page is also very useful:

 DIRECTORY
POEA Officials
Regional Offices
POLOs
Phil. Embassies
Phil. Consulates
Foreign Embassies
OFW Medical Clinics

ONLINE SERVICES
Recruitment Agencies
Approved Job Orders
e-Registration
OEC Delivery
Seafarer Certification
Phil-JobNet

OFW LINKS
D O L E
D F A
M T C
O W W A
PHILHEALTH
S S S
TESDA
PAG-IBIG

DOWNLOAD
OFW InfoSheet
Standard Employment Contract for Various Skills
 

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[ POEA Webmail

1. Telling My Family I have an Offer to Work in Saudi Arabia

This was my first time ever to leave the country for work. Moreover, the first time to leave for a country so different from ours....the home of the Islam faith. I actually had no idea what I was getting into. I viewed it as exciting, an opportunity that may never pass again. So even before telling anyone, I had to educate myself as to what I was getting into.

These are the better information available now:
http://www.escapeartist.com/efam/56/Working_in_Saudi_Arabia.html
http://a-pinoy-in-nz.blogspot.com/2006/09/factsmyths-about-life-in-saudi-arabia.html  
http://americanbedu.com/2008/03/06/a-womans-life-in-saudi-arabia/
http://taraummomar.blogspot.com/2009/03/susies-new-life-in-saudi-arabia.html

Lastly, I think the most important reference guide to working in the kingdom is to be up to date with:
http://alexasuncion.multiply.com/ especially now that the Saudi Labor law has been translated in English AND FILIPINO.

Start asking yourself what questions your family would be asking you and be prepared to answer.
For me, the 1st and hardest question asked was WHY SAUDI ARABIA?

My answers:
1. I was working for the past 6 years as an orthodontist and I was not progressing as fast as I wanted to
2. I wanted to have savings...yes, during that time I just opened a clinic and was on a 0 savings level.
3. There was no other offer where I could work at the level I was in...an orthodontist....not having to downgrade into a dental assistant or hygienist.
4. I wanted an adventure, a time for myself, a period of independence, of earning my keep, being responsible for myself.

Then followed a series of questions which I called the easy questions....where will you live, salary, when are you going home, Are there Pinoys in your workplace, etc...I took down all their questions because these were the same questions I would ask my employer.

If you are in a relationship, not yet married or married, I must say it is truly very hard being apart. You must really think doubly hard whether you need to be separated for 2-3 years. Look at all options and considerations as:

1. Who will take care of the children? Can the one staying in the Philippines afford to stay home with the children?

2.  Is there a chance for you to be together. Actually there is, if the profession you are getting into has "FAMILY STATUS". By this I mean that you will establish residency and then have your family follow you after 3-5 months. Most doctors and professionals (bankers, engineers) are hired with "family status" .

3. If this is the only option that one of you has to leave, be sure to keep an open communication with the family. Prepare an internet connection on the computer. Buy a webcam and teach the whole household how to SKYPE,  do GTALK and how to email.