Post by kll074 on Apr 27, 2013 13:59:14 GMT
I read an article in the Saudi Gazette (4/26/13) which states that the government may consider issuing work permits to wives of expats.
I am a US school teacher and my husband is pursuing a career with Aramco. Am I correct in assuming that at present, unless I gain employment as a direct hire once in the Kingdom as a teacher with Aramco, that I would not be able to gain employment as a teacher at one of the schools outside the camp?
Also, if we plan on moving to the Kingdom for 10 years, and assuming the law in the newspaper DOES NOT change, how long could I reasonably expect to wait before gaining employment specifically with Aramco schools (16 years in elementary grades with 3 of those in Australia, Master's Degree, etc.).
Thanks for any insight...
Here is the news article...
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH -- The Ministry of Labor is studying the prospect of issuing work permits to wives and daughters of expatriates in the Kingdom, according to a ministry source.
"Work permits will be issued only for those jobs in which Saudi women are not interested or are not qualified. There is an acute shortage for Saudi women in certain jobs for which women from other nationalities could be considered," Twasul.
info online daily reported Thursday quoting the source as saying.
The source indicated that the new move would benefit dependents of expatriates to work mainly in international schools, especially to teach foreign languages such as English, and French, as well as science subjects in addition to some other professions like that of beautician.
At present, wives and daughters of expatriates are not allowed to work in the Kingdom except those who are under the sponsorship of their employers.
If the ministry takes a positive decision in this regard, it will help rectify status of thousands of housewives to work as teachers in hundreds of private and international schools in various regions of the Kingdom. This is mainly because of the shortage of Saudi women to teach foreign languages and science subjects.
Earlier this month, several schools had closed down or suspended classes following rumors of inspection raids by the Ministry of Interior. Subsequently, the Ministry of Education intervened to allay the fears by sending text messages to school authorities asking them not to give in to rumors of raids and suspend classes. The ministry also informed them that procedures were under way, in coordination with the concerned agencies, to allow housewives to work as teachers.
Muhammad Al-Dokhaini, spokesman of the ministry, emphasized then the ministry's keenness in ensuring smooth functioning of all educational insutions in the Kingdom so as to serve the interests of students and not to affect them in any way. The move has relieved private school authorities as well as expatriate parents.
This is the first time that daughters of expatriates have also been given hope that they could find a place in the Saudi job market, especially in the education sector.
Reacting to the Twasul.info report, several Saudi business owners and expatriates heaved a sigh of relief.
"Finally good news to look forward to from the Labor Ministry," said Majeed A. an MD at a local hospital. "My wife and daughter have been English language teachers until recently. They can now look forward to resuming work soon, insh'," he said.
"Hopefully this would also mean that a wife and a daughter can also open bank accounts for themselves too," said Farhan S., a senior engineer employed in a Saudi company. "This will duly allow them some financial independence."
Saudi women, who are owners of local spas, beauty salons and schools expressed relief while unanimously agreeing that this step was "realistic" and "practical."
"I'm yet to meet a Saudi woman manicurist," said one beauty salon owner who preferred to be named as Umm Ahmad.
"This is a step forward by the Labor Ministry which is realistic.
We need to recognize and accept that there are jobs Saudis still refuse to fill not because they're demeaning but because of our culture," she said.
Another Saudi woman who owns a school said: "It is common sense and more practical that the Kingdom makes use of potential workforce among the women and daughters of men already employed in the Kingdom."
She said most Saudis who are native English-speakers don't work as English language teachers "but are snatched up" by other industries such as banking, communication etc.
"Why does the Labor Ministry have to `study' the process when there are neighboring GCC countries that have already undergone this step?" asked Saudi businesswomen, Maha A. "We don't have time for studies -- we need the Labor Ministry to think fast and act even faster."
I am a US school teacher and my husband is pursuing a career with Aramco. Am I correct in assuming that at present, unless I gain employment as a direct hire once in the Kingdom as a teacher with Aramco, that I would not be able to gain employment as a teacher at one of the schools outside the camp?
Also, if we plan on moving to the Kingdom for 10 years, and assuming the law in the newspaper DOES NOT change, how long could I reasonably expect to wait before gaining employment specifically with Aramco schools (16 years in elementary grades with 3 of those in Australia, Master's Degree, etc.).
Thanks for any insight...
Here is the news article...
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH -- The Ministry of Labor is studying the prospect of issuing work permits to wives and daughters of expatriates in the Kingdom, according to a ministry source.
"Work permits will be issued only for those jobs in which Saudi women are not interested or are not qualified. There is an acute shortage for Saudi women in certain jobs for which women from other nationalities could be considered," Twasul.
info online daily reported Thursday quoting the source as saying.
The source indicated that the new move would benefit dependents of expatriates to work mainly in international schools, especially to teach foreign languages such as English, and French, as well as science subjects in addition to some other professions like that of beautician.
At present, wives and daughters of expatriates are not allowed to work in the Kingdom except those who are under the sponsorship of their employers.
If the ministry takes a positive decision in this regard, it will help rectify status of thousands of housewives to work as teachers in hundreds of private and international schools in various regions of the Kingdom. This is mainly because of the shortage of Saudi women to teach foreign languages and science subjects.
Earlier this month, several schools had closed down or suspended classes following rumors of inspection raids by the Ministry of Interior. Subsequently, the Ministry of Education intervened to allay the fears by sending text messages to school authorities asking them not to give in to rumors of raids and suspend classes. The ministry also informed them that procedures were under way, in coordination with the concerned agencies, to allow housewives to work as teachers.
Muhammad Al-Dokhaini, spokesman of the ministry, emphasized then the ministry's keenness in ensuring smooth functioning of all educational insutions in the Kingdom so as to serve the interests of students and not to affect them in any way. The move has relieved private school authorities as well as expatriate parents.
This is the first time that daughters of expatriates have also been given hope that they could find a place in the Saudi job market, especially in the education sector.
Reacting to the Twasul.info report, several Saudi business owners and expatriates heaved a sigh of relief.
"Finally good news to look forward to from the Labor Ministry," said Majeed A. an MD at a local hospital. "My wife and daughter have been English language teachers until recently. They can now look forward to resuming work soon, insh'," he said.
"Hopefully this would also mean that a wife and a daughter can also open bank accounts for themselves too," said Farhan S., a senior engineer employed in a Saudi company. "This will duly allow them some financial independence."
Saudi women, who are owners of local spas, beauty salons and schools expressed relief while unanimously agreeing that this step was "realistic" and "practical."
"I'm yet to meet a Saudi woman manicurist," said one beauty salon owner who preferred to be named as Umm Ahmad.
"This is a step forward by the Labor Ministry which is realistic.
We need to recognize and accept that there are jobs Saudis still refuse to fill not because they're demeaning but because of our culture," she said.
Another Saudi woman who owns a school said: "It is common sense and more practical that the Kingdom makes use of potential workforce among the women and daughters of men already employed in the Kingdom."
She said most Saudis who are native English-speakers don't work as English language teachers "but are snatched up" by other industries such as banking, communication etc.
"Why does the Labor Ministry have to `study' the process when there are neighboring GCC countries that have already undergone this step?" asked Saudi businesswomen, Maha A. "We don't have time for studies -- we need the Labor Ministry to think fast and act even faster."
