Tag: Riyadh

What we call some common Iqama professions in Arabic

Yasir Imran

I have compiled a list of some Iqama Professions & their relevant meaning in Arabic. I have also added another column where you can pronounce these professions correctly in Arabic. Please note that this post is not related with Family visa neither these professions below have any relevancy with getting family visa.

If you are looking for information regarding family visa you may read information under Family Visa category. Below is a list of Professions, Their Arabic Meaning & Pronunciation e.g How do we speak them.

ProfessionsName in ArabicHow to Pronounce
AccountantمحاسبMu-ha-sib
Architectمهندس معماريMu-han-dis Ma-ma-ri
BankerمصرفيMas-rafi
CarpenterالنجارAl-Naj-jar
CookطبخTab-bakh
Dentistطبيب أسنانTabeeb Asnan
DesignerمصممMu-sam-um
DoctorطبيبTabeeb
DriverسواقSaww-wag
ElectricianكهربائيKa-har-baii
EngineerمهندسMu-han-dis
FarmerمزارعMa-za-ray
General Accountantمحاسب عامMu-ha-sib Aaam
General Workerعامل عاديAamil Aye-di
Graphic Designerمصمم جرافيكMu-sam-um Jara-fic
LawyerمحامMu-haam
MechanicميكانكيMi-kaan-ki
PilotطيارTeyy-yar
Postmanساعي البردSaa-ie Al-Bareed
SalesmanبائعBaaye
ProgrammerمبرمجMu-bar-maj
SecretaryسكرتيرSekr-tair
TeacherمعلمMu-Al-lim
Worker / LaborعاملAamil
WriterكاتبKaa-teb
GuardحارسHaa-ris
SponsorكفيلKaf-fil
JobوظيفةWaz-zeef-fah
WorkعملAmal
ProjectمشروعMash-rooh

Termination of Work Contract in Saudi Arabia: Avoid These to Stay in Your Job

Yasir Imran

work-contract-saudi-arabia

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia- a country harboring millions of professionals from all across the globe, stands as a lucrative option for all those looking forward to lead a comfortable professional life. A country with nearly 31% of its population constituting expats sure does entice any individual to secure a job offer here. But there are certain subtleties you need to comprehend with, before you’re on your flight to Saudi Arabia.

One such thing to consider is the employment contract you’re going to sign. Of course, you know about it being both in English and Arabic, but is that all?

What about the termination and related clauses? Yes, it does need some space of you mind and thoughtful consideration. Hence, the section below will seek to discuss the same and help you gain a clear insight about the employment contract in the KSA and the clauses leading to its termination.
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Helpline for Expatriate Problems in Saudi Arabia

Yasir Imran

Helpline in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabian Govt has provided a helpline for expatriates to discuss and solve their problems, register complaints against abuse of law by sponsors or anyone else.

Expatriates can call this number 19911 and submit their complaint in a variety of languages available from Saturday to Thursday. Currently available languages are Arabic, English, urdu, Hindi, Indonesian, Amharic, Malayalam and Tagalog.

QSaudi Blog has created a very useful graphic for this purpose which can be seen below.

So if you are an expat in Saudi Arabia and you are having any difficulty regarding labor law, abuse of law or any other issues related with your company or sponsor feel free to dial this number and authorities will guide you to the possible solution.

Saudi Arabia Helpline for Complaints

 

Your Work Life in Saudi Arabia: How will it be?

Yasir Imran

Work Life in Saudi Arabia

Riding on a Camel back and moving across the sand dunes and winds in the Arabian Desert with an Arabic song playing in the background. The idea might seem synonymous to a lot of people’s perception of working in Saudi Arabia.

But, is there any other shade to this cliched thought?

Yes dear reader, there definitely is. Working in Saudi Arabia is a different experience altogether. Right from beautiful places like Dumat al Jundal and Jamarat bridge to the rich delicacies like Kabsa, Haneeth and Baladi cheese, this Kingdom has a lot to offer to those living here.  Saudi Arabia gives numerous job opportunities to grow and excel in one’s professional life.

However, the discussion to follow will talk about the work conditions and idiosyncrasies in this country. Giving it a quick glance might help you gain an insight regarding the professional life and work environment you’ll be facing, once you are there.

What do you need to know about the employment contract?

  • You will be provided with an employment contract which will specifically mention all the details of the pay-package. Any verbal communication will not be considered or covered by the contract.
  • Though you’ll be handed over an English-language contract signed by you and your employer before departing for Saudi Arabia, but you’ll be asked to sign an Arabic version after your arrival as well. Arabic version is the one that will be referred in case of any dispute.
  • When checking the contract make sure the details regarding salary, job title and description, probation period, housing allowance and relocation costs are included.

What are the working hours in KSA ?

  • The number of hours you’ll have to devote to work per week varies between 40 to 48 in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, depending on the organization’s policy.
  • Office hours range between 7.30 am/8 am until 12 noon, then from 3.30/4 pm until 7 or 8 pm.
  •  Most of the government offices are open from 7.30 am to 2.30 pm with the general banking hours being 8 am until noon.
  • However, in the month of Ramadan the working day is reduced to six hours, which a lot of companies apply only to the Muslim staff.
  • Friday is the Muslim day of rest and if your firm has a five-day working week, the other day off will either be a Thursday or Saturday.

What are the work ethics you need to keep in mind?

Work ethics keep on altering once you are moving across the globe from country to country. In Kingdom of Saudi Arabia they are much different to those followed at any work destination in the world. Right from the most conservative style of dressing to a specific polite way of greeting your co-workers, this country has the most different set of work and business etiquettes in store for you.

For instance, you will be expected to greet your colleagues by the title Sayed (Mr.) or Sayeda (Mrs.). Whilst working in Saudi Arabia you’ll also have to avoid scheduling any business meeting on Friday, which is generally known by the name ‘Juma’- meaning the prayer day.

What is the remuneration available in different professions?

  • According to a salary survey (in Saudi Arabia) by a reputed website the average monthly salary in the country is 16,252 SAR.
  • However, the maximum salary is as high as 140,000 SAR and the minimum is as low as 833 SAR.
  • The remuneration associated with some prominent professions in Saudi Arabia (as of 2nd Sep 2014) can be found below.
  • Accountant: 60,187 SAR per year
  • Civil Engineer: 96,866 SAR per year
  • Electrical Engineer: 112,355 SAR per year
  • Mechanical Engineer: 109,091 SAR per year
  • Project Manager, IT: 198,372 SAR per year
  • Registered Nurse: 54,714 SAR per year

What will be the entitlements associated with your job?

  • Employment in Saudi Arabia includes a 21 days paid vacation for the first five years of your tenure. Some companies allow the employee to go on vacation only once in every two years. Hence, make sure that your work contract includes at least 21 days of paid vacation in a single year.
  • From the 6th year onwards the number of vacations increases to 30 per year. However, if your employer has made you to sign a contract of 21 days’ vacation even after you’ve entered the sixth year of tenure, the law obligates him to pay you for the remaining 9 days per year once you’re leaving the kingdom.
  • An employee working for more than 2 years is eligible for ‘End of Service’ benefits too.
  • For less than 5 years: 1/3rd of the ESB award or half salary.
  • For more than 5 and less than 10 years: 2/3 of the ESB award or half salary for the first five years and full salary for the next five years.
  • For more than 10 years: Full ESB award or half salary for the first five years and full salary for the rest of the years.

Working in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will make you a part of eight million expats in the country, thriving for a comfortable and secure work life. But, it might seem like a cake walk, once you are well acquainted with the norms and regulations followed in this country.

If you are new in Saudi Arabia you might be interested to know ways to use Public Transport in Saudi Arabia, check here. TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS IN SAUDI ARABIA

Author Bio: Anshuman Kukreti is a professional writer and a keen follower of the global job market. An engineer by qualification and an artist at heart, he writes on various topics relating to employment across the gulf.  Reach him at

https://twitter.com/AnshumanKukreti

Expatriate Dependents Can Now Work in Saudi Arabia

Yasir Imran

Update: 30-Oct-2014 10:55 am
In a recent statement to Arab News, undersecretary for Labor policies at the Labor Ministry said

expatriate women teachers on dependent visa (house wife iqama) can work at private schools without transferring their sponsorship to the school, This decision has been taken to tackle shortage of female teachers at private schools. Instead of issuing new teacher’s visas and source them from abroad Ministry decided to take advantage of locally available skilled female teachers. This will require a formal approval from the MoE (Ministry of Education) for each individual candidate.

Expat Dependents Can Now Work without transferring their Sponsorship

Expatriate Dependents can now work in Saudi Arabia at private organizations or International Schools without transferring their sponsorship to their employers, Saudi Gazette newspaper has reported. This decision by Ministry of Labor will allow local community schools or private schools to hire wives or daughters of expatriate workers who are already living in Saudi Arabia but unable to work due to their iqama status, which previously not allow them to work.

This will reduce amount of foreign manpower required for local education system and help utilize existing manpower which is available here in the form of expatriate dependents.
Expatriate dependents which are previously living in Saudi Arabia but unable to take part in development of country can now easily join hands with locals and can utilize their education and talent to bring prosperity in education sector of Saudi Arabia.

I am emphasizing more on education because this sector lacks qualified staff and private schools are already taking benefit of expatriate dependents but in an illegal way (because govt does not allow dependents to work). However current move on MOL will bring a good change in local education system and it will make more and more qualified people available for hiring in schools and other organizations.

Dependents have to register with Ministry’s Ajeer Service which will be monitored by MoE (Ministry of Education)

Schools in Saudi Arabia were always having problems in recruitment of female teachers because their guardians aren’t ready for transferring their sponsorship to schools. Now under monitoring of MoE female teachers can easily work in schools without need to transfer sponsorship (iqama) to school and schools will be responsible for their medical insurance.

As per Saudi Labor Law, daily working hours cannot exceed 8 hours so the same will be effective for female teachers. Additionally female teachers are entitled to 21 days paid annual leave.

There are further benefits for pregnant working females. They can have a maximum of 10 weeks maternity leave. They have a right to get 1 hour break for breast-feeding their children. Furthermore employer cannot fire a female during maternity leave and the employer will be responsible for all medical expenses for the pregnant female teachers. These are some great benefits female teachers will get, Thanks to Saudi Arabian Govt.

If you are not familiar with how to get your family in Saudi Arabia, read this post.

GETTING FAMILY VISA IN SAUDI ARABIA

Sample Letter to Saudi Embassy for Degree Attestation

Yasir Imran

sample letter to saudi embassy from saudi sponsor

If you require Degree attestation in your home country by Saudi Embassy / Consulate, you will be asked for a Letter from your Sponsor – Employer in Saudi Arabia To Saudi Embassy – Consulate in your home country. Normally the contents of this letter are… You are an employee working with the employer and employer has no objection if Saudi Consulate attest your documents. However the letter is written in Arabic language as the official language for communication with Saudi Embassy is Arabic. Also the letter must be attested by Chamber of Commerce in Saudi Arabia to make sure the official signature and stamp is real and not fake.

Mostly expat employee don’t know how to explain their sponsor to issue such a letter for Saudi Embassy and when they request such a letter, even employers don’t have any idea, what the employee is actually looking for.

Upon so many requests, I am presenting a sample letter that an employee can copy and ask his / her sponsor to issue him such a letter. Please note that it is a sample letter and you need to change its contents to match the original content as per your bio-data. For instance the following details.

  • Line 1: Issue No / Serial No (This would be an auto-generated number that a a company keeps for its records, this is not mandatory).
  • Line 2 and 3: Issue Date in Gregorian and Hijri Calendar.
  • Line 5: Location of Embassy – Consulate (City + Country).
  • Line 8: Name of Employee as written on Iqama + Nationality of employee.
  • Line 16: Name of your sponsor / employer + his signature.
  • Ending: Employer / Sponsor’s official stamp (Must be attested by Chamber of Commerce).

Sample Letter to Saudi Embassy issued by Saudi Sponsor employer

Letter from your employer to Saudi Embassy
Letter from your employer to Saudi Embassy

Once you get this letter from your sponsor & get it attested as well, additional requirements are copy of your iqama + copy of your passport. and you can read the full procedure here which I explained earlier. HOW TO GET YOUR DEGREE ATTESTED FROM YOUR HOME COUNTRY

Once you get attested degree you can apply for change of profession or apply for family visa in Saudi Arabia

To Download this letter in Ms Word, please share this post from buttons below and the Link will appear after sharing to any single social network.

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How to Report Road Accident in Saudi Arabia

Yasir Imran

A Road Accident Saudi Arabia

Najm (نجم) is an official Insurance company in Saudi Arabia which helps at the time of if unfortunately you got a road accident. Once you report a road accident, an official from Najm arrives at accident spot and helps you and the other accident party to evaluate amount of loss and damage and redirect you to next steps to avail insurance amount and fix the vehicle.

Keep in mind that Najm Company investigates the accidents without taking any financial rewards from either of road accident parties. It is essential that one party to the accident should hold a valid insurance policy from one of the insurance companies operating in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and adopted by Arabian Monetary Agency.

  1. Call the toll Free number 920000560 from your mobile and notify customer service about the following
    1. Name of informer.
    2. I.D / Iqama no.
    3. Mobile no.
    4. No. of car’s plate and type of the car
    5. No of insurance policy.
    6. Name of insurance company
    7. City
    8. Location of accident
    9. Any distinguished or outstanding signs of the accident.
  2. Inform customer service if the cars involved in the accident can move or not.
  3. Be sure to note the number of the case and date of the accident (given by the recipient of the call center) to facilitate the procedure of following up you case with insurance company in the future.

Which Road Accident are not under scope of Najm Company

  1. Accidents that happen outside the geographical coverage of Najm Company.
  2. Accidents that result in death cases, injuries or fires, or a result of a natural disaster or criminal accident.
  3. Accident where none of the parties to the accident have a valid insurance policy from one of the insurance companies operating in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and adopted by Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency.

Visit the Najm website for more information.

http://www.nisc.com.sa

Author: prosaudi.com

Transportation Options in Jeddah Saudi Arabia

Yasir Imran

Greetings,

I am moving to Jeddah in few weeks. One of my friends in Saudi Arabia told me that there is no public transport in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. I am not in such a position to get own vehicle immediately after reacing Saudi Arabia so what are my options for local transport in Jeddah city, specially daily while going to work-place and coming back. Also guide me about own vehicle / driving license in Jeddah as I might plan this for my future.

Ayaz, Pakistan

Answer to the Question

City transport in Jeddah is not in good shape. In current year’s budget Saudi authorities planned to invest on public transport. However it might take a lot of time.

Two Saudi Riyals Coaster / Mini Bus / Hafila / 2 SR bus

Hafila Bus SaudiYou will often see it moving on Jeddah streets, however these hafila buses are not available for every part of the city. These mini buses are very old models probably from 1970’s and 1980’s. Mostly driven by ill mannered drivers. They charge 2 SR from any point to any point during a single trip. Majority of these buses are available at down town Jeddah, The hafila bus start its trip from down town, go to its other destination at other part of the city. Then start its trip back to Down Town Jeddah again.

 SAPTCO Buses

SAPTCO BUS JEDDAHSAPTCO Bus for Jeddah city transport ticket cost is 2 Saudi Riyals. It has various routs inside Jeddah city but it is rarely available on the streets. It is an air-conditioned bus covering various parts of Jeddah city.

Take a look in SAPTCO bus ride.

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Jeddah Taxi

Jeddah Taxi CarAvailable in huge number on all Jeddah streets, trip cost starts from SR 10 and depends on the destination, there is no Taxi meter who decide your travel distance and cost. You can also bargain with driver and drop one taxi if driver is not decreasing trip cost, because one will go and another will come at same time. I also heard a news some time ago that Jeddah authorities are planning to develop a Taxi system in which you just call a number and nearest available vehicle will come to pick you up, this could decrease traffic jams on Jeddah streets. However this is not yet implemented, taxis are wondering freely on the streets for passengers.

Private Vehicles

Some time it may happen to you. You are waiting for a taxi on road and suddenly a private car flashes head lights near you or the driver is asking you for hiring his car. This will be a private car, it normally charges less than a taxi and take you to your destination. These cars are not licensed for picking up passengers from the streets and any time a police car could stop this and investigate if it is used for loading / unloading passengers. Still they are available and the guys inside them earning livelihood.

Rent a Car

There are dozens of ‘Rent a car’ services available in Jeddah. Their daily charge for a normal car starts from SR 90, maximum 150 for a luxurious car. However they apply a limit on traveling miles (I guess 200 KM a day). For extra millage you have to pay them more. For out of city travel you got to mention while renting. You can also have a monthly agreement for rent a car which is ranging from SR 900 to SR 1500.

Having own Transportation in Jeddah, Getting Driving License is an easy step, you could go for it as well.

At the end I would like to mention, the hafila / 2 Riyals bus are sometimes dangerous. There drivers are riding like rockets and they have bad manners as well. In countries like Pakistan and India you can have a bike as a source of transport but in Jeddah it is not possible to ride a bike in between quick traffic. These days a picture is moving on social media sites, you can get an idea about hafila from it as well.

Thats What Hafla Driver Think