|
Post by GroveWanderer on Jul 1, 2012 7:16:05 GMT
Actually, this may surprise some people, but the housing policy, which is published in the company's IR Manuals, is the same for all four family compounds in the Eastern Province (Abqaiq, Dhahran, Ras Tanura and Udhailiyah).
According to the IR Manual, for all non-US/C payrolls, GC11-14 employees are only granted family housing "In accordance with the No Objection Certificate Program."
The difference is in how the granting of a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for family housing is handled. In Dhahran it is currently very difficult to get an NOC and may take years of repeated applications for it to be granted (if ever). For the other three compounds, NOC's are routinely given to non-US/C GC11-14 employees, to the extent that people don't even realise that an out-of-policy (OOP) exception has been made.
Most non-US/C new hires in the GC11-14 range assigned family housing in Abqaiq, Ras Tanura or Udhailiyah, are probably not even aware that to live there requires OOP approval.
It should be noted that the ease or frequency of granting NOC's for any given compound can vary over time. For instance, at one time it was extremely difficult to get OOP exceptions to live in Najmah family camp in Ras Tanura and nearly all the non-US/C families lived in a separate, Rahimah family camp which was basically a trailer park with portable housing units. When Rahima family camp was closed and all its occupants were granted NOC's to move onto Najmah, there was apparently a certain amount of grumbling from the (mainly US/C) residents there who were pushed down the housing bid list.
Also, in previous times when there were more empty houses in Dhahran than there are now, it was easier to get an NOC - so it is conceivable that when the new Dhahran housing project is finished, it might become easier to get an OOP exception to live in Dhahran.
|
|
|
Post by garciaos on Jul 1, 2012 11:05:34 GMT
Hi GroveWanderer
What you mention was like that until last year when Aramco modified the policy, but only for ABQ-RT-UDH (They sent a notification to all EUR-UK Payroll informing about the change), it means the OOP for family housing is not required any more since last year for G11-14 (Non-US Payrroll). But yes, before that, the hiring department had to apply for an OOP to grant family housing to any Non-US payroll in any of the compounds. The policy remains the same for Dhahran Camp.
It is interesting this discussion is open in this forum, because when you talk to new hires, the biggest discomfort is experienced when they discover that Dhahran camp is only full for NonUS payroll new hires. They don't explain you that during the hiring process, some people come with the expectation of getting a house assigned in mid-term, and that's not gonna happen unless you push and push and your VP is willing to help. I guess the number of commuters is about 200 counting RT and ABQ and it is actually expected to grow more.
|
|
|
Post by Hadia on Jul 1, 2012 16:53:04 GMT
Great, Mid, thanks for clarifying with housing rules. Maybe now that will deter people from generalizing in this forum that only US and Canadian passport holders get into Dhahran.
Housing rules say: for anyone else than US or CAN there is a need to have a minimum grade 15 to be considered in DH camp. So looking at this rule we will note the difference.
Just ask ur neighbors when they have started or their grade or when they have moved to DH. DH camp has different nationalities same as other camps.
I same as others really appreciate if people in this forum not to jump to answer if they simply don’t know or accuse others of providing misleading info.[/quote]
|
|
|
Post by aramcon2012 on Jul 2, 2012 18:42:54 GMT
Hi all,
I have just seen all the posts and confusion relating to the housing policy from inaccurate information being posted and can clarify it for you.
The current policy is as follows (of course, this is subject to change as housing stock becomes more limited but currently it stands as this):
All US/Canadian payroll employees whether single/bachelor or family status are housed in the same location they work. So all US/Canadian payroll employees with a work location in Dhahran will live in Dhahran.
For UK/Euro/AOA payroll employees GC11+ single/bachelor status will live at the location they work. e.g. I am UK bachelor status and live in Dhahran as I work in Dhahran. However, for family status employees they may only live in Dhahran if their work location is Dhahran and they are GC15 or above.
For GC11-14 family status employees with a work location of Dhahran you will live in Abqaiq or have the option to live off-camp with the rental assistance allowance which the company provides. For example, if I decided to bring my wife to KSA and convert to family status I would have to move to Abqaiq or live off camp with the rental assistance allowance.
If you are UK/Euro/AOA family status and your work location is in Ras Tanura then you will likely be housed in Ras Tanura.
I hope this helps to clarify things, however, if you are unsure as to the housing policies these can be found in the IR manuals for each particular payroll group or personnel can assist with any queries as they will direct to the relevant personnel officer for your payroll group.
|
|
|
Post by halfwaythere on Jul 2, 2012 20:19:22 GMT
According to these rule I should be residing in Dhahran. I will be on US payroll and work location is in Dhahran. My offer says that I will be residing in Abqaiq.
|
|
|
Post by treeclogs on Jul 6, 2012 3:56:08 GMT
To live out of camp is not an option unless you are willing to live smaller and pay more. The company will give you allowance but with the activities going on contractors are inflating the housing market,
AND you must repay the unused portion of the allowance if you later decide to move back in camp. New policy, which a friend got caught out on.
Like for like you will pay out of your own pocket for having the same standard out of camp.
|
|
|
Post by GroveWanderer on Jul 6, 2012 10:08:46 GMT
The IR Manual does not specify which compound any particular payroll category will live in. It only sets the guidelines on whether an employee is enled to company-supplied family housing or not.
Assignment of housing is decided on a case-by-case basis. Payroll code, salary code and work location are all factors to be considered but do not necessarily dictate where a particular employee will live.
Availability of housing will always be a major factor. If there are not enough houses available in a particular location, an employee who might otherwise expect to be housed in a particular compound, might not be.
|
|
|
Post by Oilcowboy on Jul 12, 2012 8:38:06 GMT
I find it interesting that a company like Aramco did not foresee this housing issue. These new projects that create so much demand for housing have all been in the pipeline for a number of years.Also, this is the first time that I've come accross such blatant discrimination between payrolls based on nationality. I started in the same month as my colleague (same grade code, same family status) difference is that he lives in Dhahran because he is a US passport holder, can go back home for lunch, and has an insignificant commute. I live in Abqaiq and has a 3 hour commute. Believe me the difference between payrolls doesn't end with housing! Large international oil companies normally see you as an expat or local hire. Fortunately for Aramco the current economic climate will force many people to accept what is offered.
|
|
|
Post by vpainter on Jul 13, 2012 19:07:04 GMT
All new hires and possible new hires need to understand that housing guidelines are just that, they (guidelines) are not set in stone. Housing is always on availability and is stated as such in your offer.
Anyone writing anything about housing and where one would live with certain passports and GC's as fact is incorrect. I spoke with housing - they are confused on why people are arriving and fighting for what they think is their right with regards to housing - where to live and what house they'll get. Guidelines are guidelines only, housing is given out according to availability as stated in your offer.
Each individual and family has to decide if their offer is good for their family including where they live and work. No one else can determine that for you.
|
|
|
Post by treeclogs on Jul 22, 2012 12:14:01 GMT
currently it's very difficult to live out of camp in khobar. few decent compounds available, and unless you can sign the rent agreement pretty much on the spot it's almost impossible to get a comparable house, resulting in people resign after a few months.
i know personally 4 people who resigned. however, measures are taken to rectify the situation but the questions is when and to whom.
|
|
|
Post by gareth0127 on Jul 22, 2012 18:00:13 GMT
I think anybody considering an offer, who will commute from ABQ or RT to DH needs to think long and hard about the reality of the commute. Its human nature to believe the positive aspects and disregard the negative but I know of 2 people who have arrived and left within 2 years and the commute was a huge reason for this.
And if you plan on your children making this commute on a daily basis you need to think longer and harder!
|
|
|
Post by halfwaythere on Jul 23, 2012 15:01:44 GMT
Related to commuting... What are typical school allocation locations for kids, is it the work location or residence? Thanks
|
|
|
Post by vpainter on Jul 24, 2012 16:31:01 GMT
All Aramco compounds have an Accredited American Curriculum School from PreK - 9th grade. The commutes come in if you do not want your child to attend Aramco schools and choose to go for example to the British School, French School, Indian School etc.
Once your student is in Grades 10 - 12, then you must choose a High School for them to attend. In Kingdom High Schools will all be commutes. Dhahran High School is outside the Dhahran Camp. Aramco provides bus service to this school from DHA, not sure about the other compounds. Other High Schools are in Khobar and Dammam.
|
|
|
Post by Asterix on Aug 5, 2012 10:24:02 GMT
I totally agree With you vpainter but new hires should have to know the exact conditions of living especially if family and kids are strongly impacted. In m'y personnal case, i will not impose to my kids 2 hours commute every day even for three times m'y actual salary !
|
|
|
Post by turnervs on Aug 9, 2012 17:34:30 GMT
Housing has always been a critical issue for Aramco and they work very hard at providing great housing, sports facilities and schools.
I lived in Arabia for over 25 years raising my children in all four main camps. I have seen the housing completely full with portables stacked here and there, people of all nationalities (including US/C) living in Khobar, Rahima and Najma, while other times the camps look like ghost towns when the demand and price of oil is down and oil companies around the world are not hiring. As most oil people can tell you, it is the way we live in the oil patch.
I could continue by talking about BI's (capital Budget Items), housing, office, recreation, and other facility forecasting which accompanies all major potential projects. The logistics of making sure there is on camp housing available for all new hires in the correct camp location when hiring begins for the major project is difficult at best.
Saying this, housing has always been a problem. People move from camp to camp as projects start, go online and then other projects start in another location. This housing shortage will be sorted out as all have been in the past. Aramco provides fantastic schools with caring teachers in all four camps and yes, there will be commuting by employees.
You will not find a better company to work for than Saudi Aramco. One last thought, never believe everything you hear about housing and policy. Rumors are huge in small tight knit communities.
|
|