Is it safe for westerners to work in Saudi Arabia?
My husband has been offered some work in saudi arabia doing IT training. I have read lots on the internet about the risks, but would like to know from anyone in saudi western or otherwise what the real truth is. I think many western news and TV pinpoint the bad parts. Also I know tourists are not common in Saudi at the moment but would it be permitted for me to travel with him too. I am aware of the need to cover up thats not a problem i would expect to have to adhere to local rules and customs. Thankyou in advance.
Saudi Arabia - 10 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
Um its as safe as going to any new country however you will have to cover up when your in public and not wear make-up.I dont think there are many tourists but im sure there are lots of foreigners actually living there.um if you have children girls dont have to cover up and there are international schools there. It is a bit risky and depends on the job ur husband has been offeredBut i hear the shopping there is great!!
2 :
it not that dengerouse, he can be safe dont worry for you i think they would you go with him by visit visa ,
3 :
yes its very safe.. its all depends on were your going to live and how.. their are many Americans in Saudi.. and they all live in huge compounds with a totally western fell inside, if u need specific info ..plz email me.. and dont forget to add an email at the end, because i dont usually use yahoo mail..
4 :
I am not westerner, but I am in touch with many of them. Currently yes, it is safe, very safe. the government is seriously taking measures to protect them. But the question is, when the violence will start again? No body knows, like what happened 1996, 2003; there were no signals before it occur. Regarding the visit visa, I think it is possible, go to www.mofa.gov.sa you will find all the visa requirements.
5 :
Yes there is no problem at all. I'm sure he'll be fine. Have a safe journey!
6 :
I dont think it is safe. Westerners are being shot dead there and we dont know b'cz the news doesnt leak from govt. So, be careful.
7 :
Yes, its pretty safe at the moment. You can travel with your husband, of course. If he is staying for long you can get a residence permit along with him, with you as one of his dependents. If you'll just be visiting from time to time, you can get visit visas each time.
8 :
i am an american living in jeddah with my husband and kids, i personally have never had any negative experiences here for the 4 years i have lived here. Make-up is not a problem at all you will see many saudi women wearing full makeup out. Personally I feel like a compound is not safer since it would be targeted opposed to an apartment. i think jeddah is the safest place to live in ksa. I love here and I don't feel "oppressed" or like a "second class citizen" but it makes a huge difference if you have your own driver or if your husband has a car. The shopping is great and you can get a lot of western products,food and restaurants except of course alcohol and pork which are bad for your health anyways. btw the abayas are cool especially the custom made ones you can choose from many designs. Good luck! Pick me!!!!!!!!!
9 :
I think Lebanon is the only safe place for westerners in this region.
10 :
We live in the Capital (Husband and wife). We live in an american compound. We are told not to go to the malls unless we actually have too. You should try and learn as much arabic as you can as you will be accepted more but they still dont really want you there. Dont give the thumbs up as this is like giving the finger. Remeber women can't drive , are not allowed out of the house with out your husband or a male cousin and arab women have to walk behind the husband and kids. when you meet arab women dont put your hand out to shake it . always say salam alakum. good bye is maasaalama You state that you dont mind covering up but when its 50 degrees outside and your covered from heard to toe in black you will start to hate it and start to cinfine yourself to the house and airconditioner. Money is good but, we have no freedom . its all work when we first arrived it was pleasent after 911 we live in a compound like fort knox. You are in for a BIG suprise as a women if you go .Its a mans world and watch your back.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Is Saudi Arabia a good place to work for a bachelor
Is Saudi Arabia a good place to work for a bachelor?
Saudi Arabia obviously has a lot of restrictions, and I'm ok with that. What worries me is whether there's a chance to be social. From what I've read it seems like a good career choice for couples or small families that have built-in social opportunities. Do I have this right, or are there other singles, expats, living and working in Saudi Arabia?
Other - Education - 1 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
There isn't much in the way of public social settings - bars, restaurants etc. Most socialising will be in people's homes. There are a fair number of expats working out there and there is an expat social scene you can get involved in (especially if you live in one of the expat compounds) You'll also make pretty good money tax free!
Saudi Arabia obviously has a lot of restrictions, and I'm ok with that. What worries me is whether there's a chance to be social. From what I've read it seems like a good career choice for couples or small families that have built-in social opportunities. Do I have this right, or are there other singles, expats, living and working in Saudi Arabia?
Other - Education - 1 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
There isn't much in the way of public social settings - bars, restaurants etc. Most socialising will be in people's homes. There are a fair number of expats working out there and there is an expat social scene you can get involved in (especially if you live in one of the expat compounds) You'll also make pretty good money tax free!
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Why Filipino and Indonesian people hate to work in Saudi Arabia
Why Filipino and Indonesian people hate to work in Saudi Arabia?
Why to much Filipino people hate to work in Saudi Arabia and also they come and work why? Indonesian people also have same problem, but why? After all they are comming for work again.
Saudi Arabia - 8 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
try to ask those that you have seen that hate working there,am sure they will give you the best response
2 :
It should be very obvious to you. . .why do Saudi need imported labor? Because the locals do not work since it is above their dignity and therefore look down on all others who work. Saudis treat those workers like 3rd class people and abuse them for their own pleasure. These workers all come from countries and places where there are no opportunities to earn a living and unemployment is above 35%. They are desperate to earn money to support the families back in the home country.
3 :
I can say that most people, and that includes other nationalities not mentioned, will go to Saudi Arabia to earn a decent living if the opportunities are not offered elsewhere. For workers who are doing menial jobs like house help, general labour and some construction workers, the pay is low compared to the hardship they have to deal in their work. However, if their job is technical, managerial or supervisory in nature, they usually earn higher compared with the same work back home. Another factor that should be considered is the Saudi way of life which has a lot of constraints compared to other countries. If people can not adopt, then life in Saudi will be difficult. For men, no booze (there is a local brew called sadiki but you do not know if it will affect your health since it has no quality review), no ladies and parties (if you do not know where to look..). Take note that Saudi society is a lot open than 10 years ago and i bet more social and political changes are forthcoming. So to summarize, it all boils down to how much you need the money and how much you are willing to adopt to the local way of life. People will complain but come back working in Saudi if they can not find any decent job elsewhere.I am a Filipino who have worked in Saudi Arabia for more than 8 years. I am working here in Kuwait, an open country, however I am still applying for a job there.
4 :
Many Filipinos and Indonesian come from low-income families plus it's really hard to find a job in their own country since there's A LOT of people competing for jobs there. Kind of like here in US where the most-struggling places are, except a little bit worse. So what they do is apply for abroad and find a job there instead. Many Filipinos/Indonesian go to Saudi Arabia because it is one of the easiest countries to be accepted to. By the way, it's really hard to get out of the country when you're in Philippines(probably in Indonesia too) because the government looks at your background and income to make sure you have the money. So you pretty much have to be rich. I don't know why it's like that, but that's how it works over there. Anyway, these people that work in Saudi Arabia are trying to earn money for their families in Philippines/Indonesia that they left behind. They don't like it because of how strict Saudi Arabian customs are. Plus, some bosses or managers can also be mean. My cousin is a private nurse for a PRINCESS in Saudi which at first, I was jealous about. I mean sounds freakin amazing right? But as she started telling me more about how they treat her there, I'd rather be where I'm at now. I'm not going to share her experience there on here but she said that she feels like a prisoner and she would rather go back home to Philippines than be working in the palace. So that should tell at least a little about how it is in Saudi.
5 :
Probably because of a lot of bad press of their treatment in Saudi Arabia. regardless if the foreign worker was innocent or not. bad press is bad press. Not to mention that Saudi Arabia's laws do NOT adequately protect the safety and well being of foreign workers, most importantly the freedom to leave and cancel their contracts. that freedom is at the whim of their employer, and thus gets easily abused by bad employers.
6 :
they come in saudi arabia for money and different culture and language(sometime some abuse) encourage them to hate saudi arabia.
7 :
It's because lots of employers treat their workers badly, they beat them and speak rudely to them, some women even get treated as prostitutes and raped. Not every Saudi household is like that, but if you want your servants to like you, you've got to treat them well.
8 :
The people who go to saudi for work are lucky. I say saudi arabia is kingdom of humanity. In this time many countries are in trouble because of economic downturn and because of the rules they have. The people who hate to work or hate to live in Saudi are i should say;out of their minds man!!.
Why to much Filipino people hate to work in Saudi Arabia and also they come and work why? Indonesian people also have same problem, but why? After all they are comming for work again.
Saudi Arabia - 8 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
try to ask those that you have seen that hate working there,am sure they will give you the best response
2 :
It should be very obvious to you. . .why do Saudi need imported labor? Because the locals do not work since it is above their dignity and therefore look down on all others who work. Saudis treat those workers like 3rd class people and abuse them for their own pleasure. These workers all come from countries and places where there are no opportunities to earn a living and unemployment is above 35%. They are desperate to earn money to support the families back in the home country.
3 :
I can say that most people, and that includes other nationalities not mentioned, will go to Saudi Arabia to earn a decent living if the opportunities are not offered elsewhere. For workers who are doing menial jobs like house help, general labour and some construction workers, the pay is low compared to the hardship they have to deal in their work. However, if their job is technical, managerial or supervisory in nature, they usually earn higher compared with the same work back home. Another factor that should be considered is the Saudi way of life which has a lot of constraints compared to other countries. If people can not adopt, then life in Saudi will be difficult. For men, no booze (there is a local brew called sadiki but you do not know if it will affect your health since it has no quality review), no ladies and parties (if you do not know where to look..). Take note that Saudi society is a lot open than 10 years ago and i bet more social and political changes are forthcoming. So to summarize, it all boils down to how much you need the money and how much you are willing to adopt to the local way of life. People will complain but come back working in Saudi if they can not find any decent job elsewhere.I am a Filipino who have worked in Saudi Arabia for more than 8 years. I am working here in Kuwait, an open country, however I am still applying for a job there.
4 :
Many Filipinos and Indonesian come from low-income families plus it's really hard to find a job in their own country since there's A LOT of people competing for jobs there. Kind of like here in US where the most-struggling places are, except a little bit worse. So what they do is apply for abroad and find a job there instead. Many Filipinos/Indonesian go to Saudi Arabia because it is one of the easiest countries to be accepted to. By the way, it's really hard to get out of the country when you're in Philippines(probably in Indonesia too) because the government looks at your background and income to make sure you have the money. So you pretty much have to be rich. I don't know why it's like that, but that's how it works over there. Anyway, these people that work in Saudi Arabia are trying to earn money for their families in Philippines/Indonesia that they left behind. They don't like it because of how strict Saudi Arabian customs are. Plus, some bosses or managers can also be mean. My cousin is a private nurse for a PRINCESS in Saudi which at first, I was jealous about. I mean sounds freakin amazing right? But as she started telling me more about how they treat her there, I'd rather be where I'm at now. I'm not going to share her experience there on here but she said that she feels like a prisoner and she would rather go back home to Philippines than be working in the palace. So that should tell at least a little about how it is in Saudi.
5 :
Probably because of a lot of bad press of their treatment in Saudi Arabia. regardless if the foreign worker was innocent or not. bad press is bad press. Not to mention that Saudi Arabia's laws do NOT adequately protect the safety and well being of foreign workers, most importantly the freedom to leave and cancel their contracts. that freedom is at the whim of their employer, and thus gets easily abused by bad employers.
6 :
they come in saudi arabia for money and different culture and language(sometime some abuse) encourage them to hate saudi arabia.
7 :
It's because lots of employers treat their workers badly, they beat them and speak rudely to them, some women even get treated as prostitutes and raped. Not every Saudi household is like that, but if you want your servants to like you, you've got to treat them well.
8 :
The people who go to saudi for work are lucky. I say saudi arabia is kingdom of humanity. In this time many countries are in trouble because of economic downturn and because of the rules they have. The people who hate to work or hate to live in Saudi are i should say;out of their minds man!!.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Will iphone 4 work in saudi arabia if i buy it from america with no service plan
Will iphone 4 work in saudi arabia if i buy it from america with no service plan?
i'm in saudi arabia and would like a family member living in america buy an iphone 4g for me since it's cheaper there. will the iphone 4g work with the local service plans here?
Cell Phones & Plans - 4 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
No.
2 :
It depends. Are you on the Verizon or AT&T network? If you are on AT&T's network, it will work without any problems. However, if you are on Verizon's network, their CDMA technology is not going to support service over-seas.
3 :
As long as the iPhone 4 is unlocked and the service provider your trying to us in saudi arabia has a sim card with its service. Yes u can use the iPhone4, you might not get all the special services, but yes it will work. Make sure it is a GSM iPhone 4 and not a CDMA iPhone.
4 :
Hello, Read my blog for more details. http://baridan.blogspot.com/ cheers!
i'm in saudi arabia and would like a family member living in america buy an iphone 4g for me since it's cheaper there. will the iphone 4g work with the local service plans here?
Cell Phones & Plans - 4 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
No.
2 :
It depends. Are you on the Verizon or AT&T network? If you are on AT&T's network, it will work without any problems. However, if you are on Verizon's network, their CDMA technology is not going to support service over-seas.
3 :
As long as the iPhone 4 is unlocked and the service provider your trying to us in saudi arabia has a sim card with its service. Yes u can use the iPhone4, you might not get all the special services, but yes it will work. Make sure it is a GSM iPhone 4 and not a CDMA iPhone.
4 :
Hello, Read my blog for more details. http://baridan.blogspot.com/ cheers!
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