Working in Saudi

[Wanderer]

Got a sniff of some work in KSA, Riyadh - I’m in banking technology, anyone any yes/no’s do it/forget it’s or pitfalls? Obvs I know not to walk down the street with a can of Spesh leering at the lasses shouting ‘get your burkha off for the lads..’. But heat? Sand? Internet? Coronation Street on?

 

[FF1078]

I've just come back from working in Dubai.
Dubai is pretty westernised compared to Saudi so no problems there with beer or prostitutes not that I tried the latter as my good lady came with me but the heat was unbearable. We arrived at Midnight and it was 44deg!
During the day while I was outside working it was 50deg and the sand storms made it feel like the air you where breathing was solid and hot. I've never looked forward to leaving some where as much. Everywhere has aircon but you do have to go outside sometimes if only to walk from your car to the supermarket and it's uncomfortable. I've worked in Dubai before but in their winter which is much nicer at around 25 deg.
I honestly wouldn't do it unless it's only for a short time like a week or so.
Hope this helps your decision.

 

[Felonious Crud]

I've never been to KSA and nothing I have ever heard about it makes me want to go there, either. If that helps in any way.

 

[allandwf]

My brother in law worked there, had real problems getting paid, and if he complained got paid less or not at all. I suppose it depends who the company is and what kind of deal you are on. Be careful I would say.

 

[Wanderer]

I'll be going by BT, from UK, agent in the way and they factor so no issues there, so payment should be ok, ok with no alcohol, whilst I like a pint I did a year off last year after working in Denmark, wrecked me, drinking 10.5% Master Brew till 5 am. During that year never felt fitter or better so I'm ok with that, especially if the penalty is having your drinking hand cut off.

Never done the prossie thing anywhere, even in Hamburg where I worked for a while, went round the back of of the Reeperbahn, did nowt for me...

Main attraction is the money, I have to say, and the fact they'll pay all expenses in KSA, means I can go for the Aston Rapide some b*st*rd on here showed a pic of and got me keen.

It's a six monther so.......

 

[Wanderer]

They will also pay all flights/accom/exp etc while there so that's to be taken into account....

 

[TridentTested]

I'll be going by BT, from UK, agent in the way and they factor so no issues there.

Just check who is holding on to your passport.

I've done a few projects in KSA, flying in and out for meetings. On one flight out of Riyadh the chap in the seat beside me was in a bit of a cold sweat with a harassed panicked look. When we took off and the drinks trolley came around we started talking. He was a structural engineer based in Riyadh but his employer was more or less holding him prisoner. Normally your employer holds your passport and his wouldn't release it to him, he hadn't been out of the country for over a year despite constant requests.

BT are doubtless a more honourable employer but check out who the local agent is - it might be them who hold your passport. All economic activity is undertaken with the services of a local sponsor/representative, some are more honourable than others.

 

[TridentTested]

ok with no alcohol, whilst I like a pint

Some of the best stocked bars I've ever seen have been in KSA - but that way lies madness, too dangerous.

 

[TridentTested]

They will also pay all flights/accom/exp etc while there so that's to be taken into account....

Get that signed sealed and delivered. I've heard so many broken promises stories from ex-pats. Define what 'flight' means. When you've flown Gulf Air economy, and had to stop over 12 hours in Bahrain for a connection, (don't ask how I know this) you will wish you had a more cast iron "business class, direct, BA" clause in your contract.

First class is even nicer if you can get it. I only ever had one client prepared to fly me first. It's rather nice to enjoy what the royalty do.

 

[TridentTested]

But heat? Sand? Internet? Coronation Street on?

Heat? I've seen 50°C in Riyadh but that only troubles you staggering from the office door to the car. Mostly you need to be prepared for the air conditioning being too cold. I always carried a suit jacket because board rooms will be glacial.

In fact I always found it depressing that, because it gets dark at 6 pm every day, and because the meeting room would be freezing, it would feel like a winter's day: dark outside and cold. I would be pining for a British long summer's evening - like today, lovely.

Sand? Never saw any. Just hotels and offices. Could be anywhere.

Internet? World class.

Food? Totally international. I was once invited to a client's home for a traditional Saudi meal. It was a whole sheep on a platter surrounded by acres of gorgeous rice. We all sat on the floor and ate it with our hands. That was only one time, all other meals I had there were typical international stuff, plenty of KFCs and McDos too.

Religion? The religious police are everywhere. You have to observe the five times per day prayer times. They don't expect you to pray but you are not supposed to work, and certainly not eat, during prayer time. I've been turfed out of restaurants, having to wait outside until the all clear is given.

Working day? Unbelievably long. Because of the heat the traditional day is: start early, have a three or four hour mid day break and work late. Socialising and shopping is done very late. But what usually happens is: Westerners, or their Western bosses, don't agree with the four hour lunch break so Westerners tend to work through. Then just when you think you might get home the Saudi managers and clients will start button-holing you. Unless you are very cute at ducking away, you can expect to work every waking hour.

 

[Wanderer]

Agent is UK, Experis, formerly Elan, worked with them before and for BT as the client. Pretty sure it will be ok the only thing worrying me now is the heat! It's 80% KSA, 20% UK time-wise, so some respite.

Worked in Siberia at -35 loved it, managed in Beni on hols in mid summer at 39 ok, just the nights, with no A/C there and a ceiling fan that sounded like a helicopter.

However, if there's an Aston at the end, I'm a working class lad, suffered more in the crappiest part of Bolton in the 60's - I'm sure I can stick this out.....

 

[Wanderer]

Get that signed sealed and delivered. I've heard so many broken promises stories from ex-pats. Define what 'flight' means. When you've flown Gulf Air economy, and had to stop over 12 hours in Bahrain for a connection, (don't ask how I know this) you will wish you had a more cast iron "business class, direct, BA" clause in your contract.

First class is even nicer if you can get it. I only ever had one client prepared to fly me first. It's rather nice to enjoy what the royalty do.

np, I always work on contract and sort all this stuff out so it's B&W, I may be from Bolton, but I'm not daft!

 

[alfatwo]

If you missed your chance to fly Sabena to Iraq in the western desert circa late 70's, you haven't lived

Dave

 

[philw696]

Worked out there in the 80'S earned some serious money and Good accommodation with Saudis Airlines.
Best parties ever and Great weekends down at the beach.
I was in Jeddah and this was before all the current issues.
Would love to go back and see how its changed.

 

[TridentTested]

I may be from Bolton, but I'm not daft!

The sharpest Quantity Surveyor I've had the pleasure of working with (I say pleasure, he was on our side) was from Bolton.

 

[Wattie]

Got a sniff of some work in KSA, Riyadh - I’m in banking technology, anyone any yes/no’s do it/forget it’s or pitfalls? Obvs I know not to walk down the street with a can of Spesh leering at the lasses shouting ‘get your burkha off for the lads..’. But heat? Sand? Internet? Coronation Street on?

Entirely depends on your contract and it’s terms.....and your objectives.
I had 10fab years in Bahrain, tripping in and out of Saudi...daily. Was always glad to leave.
Spent 1 night in Saudi (Eastern Provence due to a breakdown) and didn’t like the feeling. Never went to Riyadh, and didn’t want to.
Horses for courses.
Cheers Wattie

 

[Wanderer]

Entirely depends on your contract and it’s terms.....and your objectives.
I had 10fab years in Bahrain, tripping in and out of Saudi...daily. Was always glad to leave.
Spent 1 night in Saudi (Eastern Provence due to a breakdown) and didn’t like the feeling. Never went to Riyadh, and didn’t want to.
Horses for courses.
Cheers Wattie

Did two years in Farnborough, lived in Aldershot, that was pure **** apart from the green (really green) curries at the Ghurka Palace...

 

[Wattie]

Did two years in Farnborough, lived in Aldershot, that was pure **** apart from the green (really green) curries at the Ghurka Palace...

Well if you think Farnborough, Aldershot and lack of Coronation st is an issue I would suggest the heat and sand.....may be a little more than you’re used too.
Do your homework, I wouldn’t wanna live there when I did. Let alone now.
Inshallah, as they say.
Cheers Wattie

 

[ofenomeno99]

If you can build a really good social circle, go for it. What's the worse that will happen? New life experience, learn how to better appreciate where you come from and where you live, and of course, a bigger saving.

You hate it - you come back.

You love it - you stay.

Simple

 

[MrPea]

I've done a little in KSA and it's actually one of my favourite work trips I've ever had. Yes, ensure you keep your own passport and get to know the local British Trade Office in Riyadh (so you'll get some ex-pat friends in the ex-pat sealed compound who have access to diplomatic deliveries). When I met real locals, the respect and kindnes
they showed me was amazing; very kind, very honest, and very slow at doing anything!
Use your watch simply as a piece of jewellery as trying to stick to time is nonsense (well, apart from prayer times) and just chill out when things take forever. Business there moves glacially!
Learn to enjoy "beef bacon" and be prepared for realising just how good pig bacon is when you get back.
Really enjoy the food - wow! Two of my most memorable meals I have (for being delicious) were over there - one in Jeddah and one in Al-Khobar.
Also, try not to be there during Ramadan. You can't be seen even to drink water and the heat could be crazy! If you do end up there at that time, don't take a taxi between mid morning and sunset as the driver will be starved and dehydrated.
Eat the dates! Drink the coffee (medium sweet is my preference)! Smoke the sheesha!