|
|
Post by rawsome on Aug 6, 2017 21:48:07 GMT
Understand that has been quite a few changes to the expat benefit packages over the years and pretty much on the negative side. For e.g., only US expats have housing on Aramco compounds now, no business class flights for GC 11 to 14, no FX protection, etc. My concern is that there are potential additional changes that are still to come and no one is openly discussing them. There are also whispers around changes to schooling benefits for the kids and sping key benefits in the future.
The dependant taxes and visa fees only for a family of 4 will add up close to US $10,000 by 2020. There is VAT/GST being implemented in 2018 and gas prices are going up
In addition, understand that Aramco laid off many employees over the last couple of years given low oil prices and impact on its budget. Thus could potentially continue.
Is it still attractive to make a move given si much uncertainity? Can someone please comment. Thanks
|
|
|
|
Post by vpainter on Aug 21, 2017 7:48:46 GMT
There are more than just Americans on the Aramco compounds. It depends on GC for other nationalities. It is an agreement with the Saudi government and the IRS back when the company went from being an American company to a Saudi company that requires American citizens live on company owned property or the company pays a penalty for every American not on company property. That is why This benefit is not given to other nationalities. It was set in place before other nationalities worked for the company.
Because of the IPO coming next year, the company has been tightening their expenditures effecting business class travel and benefits, etc preparing for the IPO.
Is it still attractive to come here? It depends on the individual and their family. People here enjoy the benefits being offered now. Some leave, others do not because of the changes. Those coming or staying will still enjoy the vacation time, family time, social times with friends, and traveling that has been enjoyed down through time. It will just be a different normal than the past, just as oldtimers 10+ years ago told me how different it was from years gone by then.
|
|
|
|
Post by bikeshoptx on Aug 25, 2017 15:02:07 GMT
The recruiters at ASC told me the 180-day probation is simply a "formality" to comply with laws of the KSA. I've never worked for a company where we had an official probation period, since employment is always at-will in the USA.
Based on experience, do you see many layoffs within the probationary period?
Thanks
|
|
|
|
Post by vpainter on Aug 29, 2017 14:03:02 GMT
There have been a few. I would not say many, just be sure you have presented your skill set accurately.
|
|
|
|
Post by bikeshoptx on Aug 30, 2017 14:13:39 GMT
Thank you - that's good feedback. The "get your foot in the door" mentality won't work.
However, I hope they present the job accurately as well 
|
|
|
|
Post by daoilman on Sept 14, 2017 15:56:50 GMT
One question that I have about the attractiveness of moving to KSA concerns time off. Does anyone have a good understanding of the Saudi holiday schedule? For example, Eid Al Adha was just completed and I read in some news article that KSA was giving everyone 10 days off to celebrate. Do those 10 days trickle down to expats as well?
I have also been talking to a couple of former Aramcons and they mentioned there were always holidays that required them to work around but they got to enjoy a lot of them. Is this true?
|
|
|
|
Post by dlane on Sept 14, 2017 22:05:39 GMT
The 10 days were for government workers, so no, they don't trickle down but you still get tons of vacation. I believe aramcons had 7 official days off for the last Eid. In total, you'll have around 60 calendar days of vacation each year when you add your vacation plus company/government holidays.
|
|
|
|
Post by daoilman on Sept 15, 2017 2:19:31 GMT
60 days! Wow! The American in me might go crazy with all of that free time. Now I see why things take a while to move along.
|
|
|
|
Post by dlane on Sept 15, 2017 12:30:34 GMT
It's 60 calendar days though, not 60 work days. However this is still tons of vacation with proper planning. The best is when you take a straight 30 days off with no interruptions. Can't do that in the U.S..
But this is one of the reasons things can be slow at this time v of year. As an example, I've had 3 acting bosses since summer while my real boss has been on vacation and then he has to relieve other bosses while he takes a vacation.
|
|
|
|
Post by dlane on Sept 15, 2017 12:32:01 GMT
He's had to relieve other bosses while they take vacations.
|
|
|
|
Post by adamsy on Sept 29, 2017 10:39:33 GMT
Rawsome,
Unfortunately the benefits were reduced in the last month or so... including massive cut in housing allowance plus progressively increasing monthly fees on dependents. Benefits have been declinung iver the years frim what i gathered. At this rate wonder what is in store going forward.
|
|
|
|
Post by Canadian CH E on Oct 2, 2017 4:39:22 GMT
Can someone create a comprehensive list of all the benefit changes?
How much smaller is the package?
|
|
