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Post by teeboy12 on Aug 23, 2015 13:05:07 GMT
o,
When I have, hopefully, cleared all the contigencies I would be relocating alone initially, with the family coming a year later to give me time to sort out their accommodation and find school place for my kids.
However, as I am not going to be accommodated in one of the Aramco compounds, I would prefer to live with family in Bahrain and commute to work as that would give the kids the opportunity to take part in most of the activities they are currently doing now. For example, one of my kids is training to be a gymnast.
My concern is that to keep family status, my wife must not be out of KSA for more than 180 days in a year. And this wouldn't be possible if we are living in Bahrain.
My question is: Is there someone who is living in Bahrain with family and still retaining family status (that is receive RAA and, especially EAP)? If yes, I would be grateful if you could share how you managed to do it with me. If you prefer to discuss it privately please let me know and I'd give you my e-mail address.
Thanks
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Post by bogiefrommuskogee on Aug 23, 2015 14:02:45 GMT
I would be very surprised if this were allowed. I heard the "Bahrain issue" will be addressed very soon. People currently living there may have to move back at the very least. So have some other ideas in mind. I could be wrong but I don't think anyone officially lives in Bahrain. Aramco is tied into the passport system and runs reports monthly on who is in and who is out. They focus on people who are receiving family benefits such as repat allowance and EAP. Since family housing is at a premium right now, they are getting some of those people to. They can see everytime you cross the causeway too. Don't try to do anything under the radar. Policies that were loosely enforced before are now tightening. There are some reasons for this such as workman's comp covee does not apply for a Bahrain commute so the company is exposed to additional liabilities. Personally I could not imagine crossing the causeway 5 days a week. I don't go 5 times a year. It is that painful much of the time. It can be one hour or I have taken six hours. If the computer system goes down or, more recently, power outages, not for me.
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Post by teeboy12 on Aug 23, 2015 15:24:13 GMT
Thanks for your very insightful response.
Hopefully everything goes ok with the contigencies, I'd just relocate alone and take each day as they come, as not being in the Aramco compound is likely to make life very boring for Mrs and the kids. With the shortage of housing in Aramco's compound and the subsequent inability to get a place for a child in Aramco school, one would have expected management to relax the family status requirements a bit. I have noticed in the forum that some people are re-considering their acceptance of the Aramco's offer. One can only hope that there would be flexibility by management in the near future.
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Post by bogiefrommuskogee on Aug 23, 2015 23:17:39 GMT
Looking at it only from your perspective, yes that is a logical train of thought. There are, however, other factors in play. Policy could change in the future or become even more tight. When people in mamagement positions change, direction can change. We are in an unprecedented growth period right now so this could change things considerably.
I should add that, if you are an American citizen, living off camp will never be a viable option. The income tax implications make it prohibitive.
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Post by detfans on Aug 24, 2015 12:51:58 GMT
I know a couple that live in Bahrain with the husband commuting every day, which is a nightmare, he was looking for a way to get some sort of a special visa to use the vip lines on the causeway and reduce the commute time, so far no luck, Aramco approved this out of policy because his wife had a medical condition and they were not approved family status, and also he is a very high GC (one of the highest I've seen for expats), a true value for the company, a brilliant man; because is OOP Aramco is not even trying to help him with the visa thing. They are alone, their kids are all grown ups so they don't use EAP, but they don't receive rental assistance either, he pays rent and health insurance out of pocket.
I also know a family that rents a home in Bahrain, out of pocket again, and the wife spend a lot of time there, but they are EXTREMELY cautious so they ALWAYS meet the minimum time required for the wife spent in kingdom so they don't lose family status.
Older kids attend high schools in Bahrain on EAP as it was boarding school, even when they return home everyday, students have a special line in the causeway, but they spend a lot of time commuting anyway.
In a different oil market, the company would never change the housing policy, but now is the time for it, a lot of people that would never consider coming in without housing is doing it, so, the policies are not going to get flexible, might sound not pleasant, but is a good moment for the company to get good resources without a huge effort.
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Post by bogiefrommuskogee on Aug 24, 2015 13:48:03 GMT
As long as they maintain family status, Bahrain is a valid EAP option. I believe they will be looking at how much time the employee spends in Bahrain as well as the wife. As you correctly said, current economic factors are affecting some policies. I don't think it is as much changing as it is policing what is already on the books. Technology is also much better so monitoring is much easier. I don't recommend trying to get around the system. I have never had the VIP passport. I know they are a little pricey and cost depends on which direction you are coming from. If I commuted every day, I would pay it. Sometimes they can be had and other times no way. If someone has one, maybe they can give some guidance.
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Post by celuwah on Aug 25, 2015 21:36:06 GMT
o Teeboy12,
I am also a new hire, family status from the UK and currently going through the contingencies.
I am not clear on who the new housing policy apply to as my RA has advised that I will be housed in Aramco housing as my offer said Aramco housing or housing allowance.
What did your offer say as regard your accommodation?
Would you please PM me so that we can contact each other.
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Post by teeboy12 on Aug 26, 2015 11:27:23 GMT
celuwah, I am hired on family status and there was a letter in my pack "Notification of Change in Housing Policy" which I had to sign to acknowledge that I wouldn't be given company housing, but rental assistance. However, when I told my Relocation Advisor that because of the housing and school issue I would prefer to go alone initially and relocate the family in about 12 months, she told me that if I would be given company housing (not sure whether in Aramco estate or a compound rented by Aramco) if I go as a bachelor. I'll PM you.
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