mathieu
Member
Posts: 14
Job Status: Aramco Employee
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Post by mathieu on Apr 15, 2015 13:07:19 GMT
Hi everyone,
I'm in the visa process on global payroll, GC13, and just received the bad news from Aramco London. It was such bad news that the Relocation Team Leader himself called.
Aramco just changed its housing policy, and no new comer will be housed in Aramco operated or Aramco leased compound. You must get rental assistance. He says this change is effective now and applies to all people in relocation process and is permanent. He confirms that yours kids will not be allowed to attend Aramco schools.
It's a major change in contract benefits, plus there will be a rush to private compounds and already limited international schools.
We'll see if my family and I decide to relocate or not... :?
Anybody else received this bad news phone call?
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Post by I386 on Apr 15, 2015 14:53:08 GMT
I sadly have also been told the same, to say I am disappointed is an understatement. To me that is one of the major benefits of joining Aramco taken away. In light of this unwanted news I have instructed my relocation advisor to withdraw my application. Aramco has spent so much money with the background checks and medical, visa etc which is now wasted, when they changed the terms of what I signed up for I consider it reasonable for me to pull out. Thankfully I had not resigned as yet, I was just about to resign from my current role so fortunate in that respect.
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Post by omega on Apr 15, 2015 15:15:15 GMT
Also received it today. There was a reference to a new allowance also being available, but no specific number was mentioned. It's really bad.
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Post by CanadianBacon on Apr 15, 2015 21:19:11 GMT
Hi Mathieu,
I'm relocating from Canada in early May.
After reading your note, I contacted my Relo Advisor, who confirmed that I will receive company housing. However, I was informed that any future new hires will be subject to the new policy as you have outlined.
In my case, I have already received my Final Clearance letter, so that may be why I squeaked in to Aramco housing...
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Post by Phoenix on Apr 15, 2015 21:50:04 GMT
This is extremely disheartening. I'm in the process of clearance at present.
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Post by jbooster on Apr 15, 2015 22:07:31 GMT
I am also hired for GC13 and waiting for my last few bits before the visa.
Like you , I also received a call from relocation advisor about this new accomodation policy regarding no aramco housing anymore.
In all fairness, among othershould, housing and aramco schools were the key selling features for me to accept the offer. I am now seriously thinking of reviewing my position. I don't need all the added hassle of finding a private house,:school and then arrange kids transport outside the aramco camp.
I hope aramco review this policy ASAP as this new policy would put off a lot of prospective expats!!
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Post by AlaskaKat on Apr 16, 2015 4:42:05 GMT
All,
My recruiter advised today the new policy does NOT apply to U.S. Payrole. No change if you are a US citizen working directly for Aramco.
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Post by vpainter on Apr 16, 2015 9:06:03 GMT
For those thinking about coming using the housing allowance:
Al Rushaid Village 1, 2, 3 Khobar Western 882 6993
Al Saeed Village Khobar 857 2687
Al Safa Compound Khobar 893 0405
Al Salak Compound Khobar 857 1003
Al Swaikat Khobar 881 2037
AL Mohawas Khobar 882 6010
Al Bilad Compound I Khobar 857 3115
Al Bilad Compound II Khobar 882 7676
Al Danah Compound Khobar Lebanese 882 5445
Al Derbas Khobar 882 8433
Al Ferdous Village Khobar 889 2211
Al Gosaibi Khobar Russian 882 7711
Al Mutlaq Centre Apartments Khobar 887 2211
Al Mutlaq Compound Khobar 857 1945
Al Nada Compound Khobar Lebanese 882 5445
Al Naseem Village Khobar 882 9190
Al Rehab Village Khobar 859 3929
Al Rosais Village Khobar 882 5814
Al Rumaih Compounds Khobar 858 1077
Al Rosais Khobar 882 5814
Arabian Village Khobar Executives 857 5758
Bajrai Garden Village Jubail Western 364 1115
British Aerospace Khobar British 882 3050
Canary Village Khobar Pakistani & Indian
Dhahran Tower Khobar Western -Aramco 807-7777
Euro Village Khobar Pakistani, Lebanese 857 9780
Golden Belt Village Khobar 882 8955
Golden Belt Village (Formerly Al Mira) Khobar 882 6674
Jadawel City Jubail 859 0085
Juffali Compound Khobar 882 0267
Kanoo Khobar 857 6616
Lotus Compound Khobar Western 882 5824
Murjan Jubail Western 347 7777
Mohamadiyah Khobar All top executives no contact number for this one
NCB Compound Khobar 882 6913
Nesma Village Khobar Pakistani 887 1838
Oasis Gardens Khobar Western 887 1777
Al Bustan
Stemco
Al Hada
Zahra
Sanad
Saad 11
Oasis Residential Khobar Western 882 6258
Abdul Aziz Villa's
Soha Villas
Hannin Villas
Msihal Apt.
Pearl Beach Compound Jubail Western 362 2220
Rabwah Village Khobar 859 5104
Red Sea H.S.Co. Ltd. Jubail Western 361 3451
Rezayat Apart. Khobar 882 5955
Rezayat Village Khobar Western 882 5408
Riyadh Compound Khobar Western 887 1002
Rolaco Khobar 857 4800
Sea View Khobar 882 4918
Wadi Village Khobar 857 0101
Zamil Village Khobar Western 857 0101
Note: Western means US, British, Canadian, European & Australian
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Post by vpainter on Apr 16, 2015 9:08:18 GMT
Here is a housing compound that sent me their information: Hoping that we could provide suitable local accommodations to Expats living outside Aramco residential compound. We would appreciate calling us for any further inquiries or material you may request . kindly find attached DAAR residence brochure for your kind review. We are located in the golden belt area and within the known destination of most AlKhobar compounds. Find me or my colleague at : · Mr.Hosam Khairalla :0506222264 · Ms. Ingy Rofael : 0558017222 Lots of thanks & Best Regards. DAAR Residence Management-AlKhobar ******************************************************* They also wrote me previously with this info: Seeking a Quality Life..? in AlKhobar..? We are approaching our compound leasing process, we are pleased to offer luxurious villas, apartments and the central recreational building. Our marketing team will be delighted to answer any questions that you might have regarding the facility or the leasing process. Please feel free to contact DAAR Residence marketing team to express further interest in reserving villas or apartments. kindly find us at: Tel: 013-8017222 Fax:013-8018152 Email: daar.residence@theoasis.sa looking forward to your inquiries. Best Regards, DAAR Residence Management |
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Post by vpainter on Apr 16, 2015 9:13:33 GMT
Here is also a website for housing in KSA. I do not know anything about any of these non-Aramco compounds, so I cannot help you with information about them. Country code is 966, the Khobar and Dammam city code is 13: so dial 966-13-number. www.sbtd.co.uk/Compounds%20EP.htm |
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Post by ManAtWork on Apr 16, 2015 9:36:15 GMT
Hey folks,
Under the new policy is finding non-Aramco housing the responsibility of the new employee? Or does the RA also manage this?
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Post by omega on Apr 16, 2015 12:01:05 GMT
AlaskaKat,
I know it's their country/company and they can do whatever they want, but I suspect this discrimination even among westerners, will not go down easily by Europeans/Australians etc.
Especially, if one has children, how can they expect us to worry about schools, transportation etc on top of looking for a house, worrying about socializing etc.
If it were another country, fine, we could work around it...but in KSA?
Hugely disappointed....
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Post by vpainter on Apr 16, 2015 21:22:25 GMT
The policies for U.S. employees were set in place when the U.S. oil company turned the company over to the Saudis. There is an agreement in those policies with the IRS that U.S. citizens will live on company property or the company pays tax penalties to the IRS for each employee off company property.
This is not something that carries over to other nationalities. It may feel like discrimination to everyone today, but that is not what it is about.
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mathieu
Member
Posts: 14
Job Status: Aramco Employee
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Post by mathieu on Apr 17, 2015 4:24:54 GMT
Hi ManAtWork,
My ## confirmed it's the employee's sole responsibility to manage everything: accommodation, school, transportation...
So I immediately started to contact schools, and here's the reply I got from Dhahran British Grammar School: "Admissions for school year 2015-2016 are closed. DGBS is not accepting any more applications. The waiting lists are full and we are not adding any more names to them".
I'm afraid that's the answer I'll get from all the good schools, especially now that all new comers's kids are kicked out of Aramco schools... :?
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Post by dubai_scot on Apr 17, 2015 4:56:50 GMT
Just going through the background checks now and i have also been advised of this change to my original offer. Basically from what i have learned, you are essentially on your own, support will be limited and you will have to make all your own arrangements. I have been advised to check in to a hotel on arrival as transient housing may not be available either? seriously?!
Although, I'm sure its not not intended, this will only create a two tier environment, I have worked on many different projects around the world and this type of situation always leads to resentment and if living in SA wasn't difficult enough already this will make it even tougher, particularly on the travelling spouses.
We have no kids of school age but I do really feel for the families with kids, denying access to Aramco schools seems at best, ill conceived.
This change has so many implications on us both that we are now reconsidering if its worth proceeding any more. Very disappointed.
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