And so it begins. 20 odd expats today. Slow drip till the end of the year.
111 replies (most recent on top)
Well at least they waited until school year was over.
To whoever managing this site, I see that you are deleting the posts that addressed some of the loser’s nasty comments and somehow you saw keeping the nasty comments about Saudi Arabia worth keeping. Is that how it works?
Don’t respond to trolls. This site has rules and the site mods nuke all posts containing foul language and peronal insults and block their IP, so just wait for them to do their job.
Its funny, I was sold on the fact I would lose weight when I got here because of all the recreation opportunities. I have eaten more cake with my Saudi Colleagues then I ever did in the States. I will miss you guys. Dhahran! cake capital of the world!
I am very sad to go, but my husband and I knew this was coming. We began preparing for this years ago. We have few regrets and will miss KSA and Aramco.
Sad.
Yeah good luck with that, the way the company is being run. Not for much longer
There are quite a few trolls trying to stir animosity in this difficult time. I know many people who are leaving and they are grateful for the opportunity they were afforded.
Very simple this is not a family company or
Charity
It has plan and a revenue.
BP laid off 10,000 people and no nasty comments from their employees, at least to the level I can read here, were put on the net.
Please be respectful to our saudi colleagues and to this country and to the thousands of expats in Aramco who are thankful to the opportunity that we had with Aramco
A Saudi Colleague:
Well said.
Being laid off is not a fun business especially in the midst of a global crisis. My sympathies go out to our expat colleagues who were let go in the past couple of days. I have the same sympathy to my top notch American college friends who were also laid off recently because of the financial difficulties this pandemic has inflicted upon their companies. Seeing their LinkedIn posts is anything but pleasant.
Now, we have to admit that companies will be forced to make difficult decisions to reduce their expenses and be more efficient. Saudi Aramco is no different. I say this to those who all of a sudden showed their ugly faces and grew critical of not only Saudi Aramco management, but also of anything that has to do with Saudis and Saudi Arabia. From the layoffs I have seen, I can say with all certainty that the company did not randomly choose whom to let go and whom to keep. While those that I personally know they were laid off were kind and possessed good manners (I doubt anyone of them would make a nasty comment here about Saudis and Saudi Arabia), their performance is not better than those who were kept in the payroll. We all know that expats helped Saudi Aramco grow and brought knowledge to the company, but with all due respect that impact is hardly seen now (though it exists) because Saudis are now more qualified and a good portion of those expats who were hired in the past 10 years were average to say the least. Nothing justifies their benefits that triples the benefits of their Saudi colleagues.
To my good expat colleagues who are suffering the impact of being unemployed, you have all the right to be upset and criticize management. That's a natural reaction and it is healthy to have it. I pray that you will find better opportunities and get the jobs you deserve. I know from experience that relocating your families and having to deal with finding new schools for your kids is a stressful task, but take it one step at a time and all will be alright.
A piece of advice to those who are not appreciative to this country and their Saudi colleagues, work on your manners because with such attitude chances are high that you will not find someone who appreciates you no matter how good you think you are when sh*t hits the fan.
I write this post while having bitter feelings myself because I think I deserve more than what I am getting, but life goes on.
I know a few Americans who have been unable to renew their passports because of the challenges of COVID-19. Does any know if the U.S. is issuing replacements yet?
Thanks,
Carl
It's very sad to read certain comments in this thread from both sides of the aisle...life goes on and it's a fact that layoffs happen all around us and is inevitable in this current environment. It's very childish to bash each other no matter what side you are on. Arguments can be made for both opinions...
Expats chose to be here BUT Saudi chose to get them here...END OF STORY....
There is absolutely no point arguing anything else....No matter how an employee (ex-pat/Saudi) is treated, abuse happens in any company. If you chose to stay then it was your choice to accept it and you really got no voice right now complaining about it.
As an ex-pat, you are still a guest in this country and really should be thankful for the opportunity and leave with dignity and heads high up.
On the other hand, as Saudis, it doesn't befit your culture and RELIGION to bash out against your guests, no matter the circumstances. nor the way you personally feel about it..
Despite your feelings for in-equality (salary, etc..) what shouldn't be forgotten is the fact that ex-pats, especially bachelors have uprooted their lives completely. We continue to work (willingly) for the company in a foreign country and endure emotional hardship and stress being away from families. Certainly, you will agree that in this current environment that is PRICELESS!!
Personally, On the other, the way things are being done is what leaves a very bad taste...Aramco is one of the best companies to work for but has dropped the ball here when it comes to managing this situation...
I hope this thread is used the way it's supposed to be...sharing information and provide support wherever you can...In the end, we are all human beings no matter race, origin, or religion...
JUST SAYING....
I would like to clarify few points about this recent layoff.
- Aramco is a fair company and you will not find a company in the world, treats its employees like it, even those who have been laid-off. A friend expat who was near retirement and was surplussed (laid off) told me that he made 10% more than his retirement and it was good for him. I know the surplus might not be a good timing for others, especially those with commitments at their home country, but Aramco always treated these employees with generosity that is not matched by any company in the world and usually there is financial package with it for the laid-off employee to sustain him till he find a job.
- Majority of expats from all nationalities were critical success factors for years in the success of the company, and some might have been laid-off and for those, I would say: thank you very much for your contribution, and for your professionalism, and most importantly for your understanding that this is the nature of business, nothing personal.
- I am saddened to see some of the grudged and non-professional messages from the very few expats who have been laid-off and found it an opportunity to spit out their hatred to the society, culture, Aramco management, and our government figures. This just proved that the lay off was too long overdue for those few expats, and what had been written just reflects your personality and professionalism and hoped that you had the courage to write in your own names since you are leaving and have nothing to lose, but you are cowards.
- Do those who writing negatively about the company, its management, our government figures think the job is from cradle to grave? Do they see themself privileged over the locals or other expats who are still working for the company? If they do, they just prove that they are naive and deserved to be laid-off. It is business, like any business in the world, goes thru up and down, and during down periods has all the right to decide on its own discretion whom to keep and whom to be laid off, except Aramco has more humanity and empathy and understanding to its expat workforce and consider that in their lay-off package.
You have to pay your loan and get clearance from the bank. Without paying bank, you can not get final exit visa.
Can someone advise me on the following scenario. I have a substantial bank/personal loan which I was paying off on a monthly. What are my options now? I cannot pay off the remaining balance all at once. The loan balance is a lot bigger than the two months salary that the company is offering. Vanguard and Milliman are vested, `i think are safe, as my understanding is that the company has no control of them. What are my options?
First of all I want to say that I am a Saudi working in Saudi Aramco and I personally learned a lot from some of the expatriates who brought in experience and knowledge to the company and were great people and so professional, to those I say thank you and I wish you the very best in your career and life. This group of expats are smart and deserve every penny and part of being smart is that they understand the simple 1+1 economy and know that these things happen even in their own countries and they are now looking forward to their new adventure because they are more than qualified to work anywhere in the world.
Now to the other batch the ones who are now calling the Saudis stupid and government and leaders of this country all kind of names hating the people and the country but staying all these years to cash in at the end of the month while smiling in the faces of thous saudis and acting respectful and friendly just for the money, not putting any value on their morals and dignity, I would respect someone who as soon as they learned all these things about the country and people to pack their things and leave to a more suitable place. But riding the gravy train while being a hypocrite for many years keeping their mouth shut with a big smile in their face and hiding ugly feelings for the people, government and country. It takes a special kind of person to live like that to put money first in front of their morals and values this type of person understood early on that he is getting paid at least four times what he deserves and now he realized that no company on this planet would pay him half of what he made in Aramco he stayed and kept his mouth shut because he is not qualified enough to leave, the first group I talked about (the qualified ones) are not worried and too busy preparing for their next great career. The non qualified ones are in big trouble now.
For the people who lost their jobs this isn’t the end of the world. Up and downs are part of this lovely life. Enjoy while it lasts. Nothing is permanent is this world. Thank You Saudi Arabia and Saudi Aramco.
For sure we will miss going for Umrahs.
I think this guy got it right "Thank you Aramco .. 20 years .. I got married .. I raised up children and sent them to good universities .. I supported my parents .. today I'm done .. it is sad, but Aramco offered me a lot .. thanks Aramco and thanks Saudi Arabia .. good luck everyone." We need to remember were were brought in to bring expertise to the organization. The company and country is a lot more competent now and it will fill many jobs with locals. That was always the plan.
I know many of you are upset, its understandable, but I urge you to to have a stiff upper lip and go out with dignity. It is their company to run how they wish and you are highly trained and can work anywhere. This is the oil patch and part of the reason we get paid so much is because of the risk that is inherent in the game. See you on the next hitch brothers & sisters.
It’s time to clean house. It’s time keep the top performers highly-qualified hardworking expats. On the other hand, get rid of those low performing incompetent, unproductive d—beats and free riders who spend 8 hrs a day coasting the corridors and coffee rooms doing literally NOTHING! Good riddance. It’s time to cut our losses. Should’ve been done earlier, such a great and timely move, it’s called resources optimization.
The current issue is not expats being d—beats or not, the issue is simple economics. Currently, we need to optimize cost due to low oil prices (net income last quarter for Aramco was down by 25%). Expats are highly paid and those who were laid off might be for that reason. Also, capital costs were slashed and many projects were postponed not to mention Sabic acquisition.
Methinks those accusing others of being under performers protest too much. Perhaps they spend too much time looking at their own reflection. Perhaps they will be next in line...the axe will come down again and again. This isn’t over by a long shot. Arrogant Trolls beware it could be you next.
I see a lot of people not thankful after all what Aramco gave them. That’s really shameful!
Thank you Aramco .. 20 years .. I got married .. I raised up children and sent them to good universities .. I supported my parents .. today I'm done .. it is sad, but Aramco offered me a lot .. thanks Aramco and thanks Saudi Arabia .. good luck everyone
Hopefully Aramco will make the right choices. Many expats are truly adding value
There is a lot of dead wood paid crazy salaries and doing absolutely nothing but to wait for their salaries !
Good points and very well presented argument. Indeed, you would have convinced all if only you were in nation with less than 10% of Expats - more than 90% of countries worldwide. Sadly, the very same logic does not work in GCC where the ratio is from 90% (Qatar) to 20% (Oman) - I think KSA is between 30-35%. Let me ask a rhetorical question - who and why brought and kept these expats here for 85 long years ! Surely, now these folks can not be blamed and kicked suddenly out as the reality is that Saudi business owners, my personal friends, wont hire their own people... Apparently - not half as good and twice as expensive.. I think - whenever this changes the logic will work sadly this will take time... Even if these expat engineers will be shipped out, soon the replacement expats will arrive just like after the Gulf wars.. Let us learn from history not repeat it !
It is a good move really, qualified and highly skilled ppl shouldn't worry too much as they should find good opportunities back home. But to be honest, majority of expats in Aramco are very mediocre, no real talent or unique experience that sets them apart. I expect that when you bring someone from abroad that he he will bring a rare talent or experience, but naah not in Aramco where actually locals are doing way better than expats. Aramco is on the right track!
Some facts:
- As I am writing this comment, around 12,000 unemployed Saudi engineers are looking for jobs.
- 92% of engineers registered in the Saudi Council of Engineering are expatriates. Only 8% are Saudis.
- $33 Billion worth of cash is wire-transferred annually by expatriates back to their home countries.
With all due respect to all of our expat brothers and sisters whom we had and will continue to have the pleasure to work with; It’s either an expat is worth the value he/she brings in, or there are 12,000 Saudi engineers out there who are more than happy to jump in with only 10% the cost of an expatriate. Also, they will not be sending that cash overseas. Simple economy, no one is looting no one, can’t blame a country that is taking care of its people. Cheers.
Can someone share what the lay-off conditions are...i.e. if you got a home loan, will the remaining DBS be paid out, remaining holidays, etc...
To anyone who is unable to post comments due to an error, try using VPN.
It’s a fact that many expatriates are overpaid for the value they bring. Aramco cannot be a Charity; and it has the right to lay off underperforming individuals especially when their compensation packages are over the roof. It was never fair that many expats get paid significantly more than their Saudi colleagues and receive extremely generous benefits while being less than adequate, and bring no special value. It’s a tough world out there and Aramco shouldn’t have to be a job-security Haven.
Taxing expat income next I reckon!
It has to be fair here, there are many expats who get E+ or S ratings.
"M" is not standard for expats, any expat who tells you that is trying to feel better about themselves. The saying is "E" for "Expat" and "S" for "Saudi." But if the company is so terrible and you're so good at what you do, you should have no problem making money in your home country.
Here is an article in Bloomberg about the Aramco job slash
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-06-18/saudi-aramco-slashes-hundreds-of-jobs-after-slump-in-oil-prices
This was quite obvious from last year and lists were already made. Pandemic made it worst. Probably good to collect the benefits and go home. Later, may be people might get fired without benefits for which there are many excuses upon which employees signed off on without reading the acknowledgements that come to myhome.
What package should I expect I was called
The M standard to lay-off is a joke anyway
The saying was S for Saudi and m for expats no matter how hard you worked so yeah sone good guys were laid off
It’s difficult for expats who uprooted entire families to go for a full life because locals were not up to par at the time. Living conditions in ksa are not same as towns in Canada but only lure if money. Now to uproot and resettle family again. Kids have to readjust back home. Should be a warning in hiring packages about how kids become dysfunctional for long time on return back to home country. (Canadian)
People complain about being let go because of "political issues." Part of being a professional is getting along with people in the workplace. A lot of expatriates, including many who were let go of, had a habit of looking down on and/or fighting with locals. That's never worked out well for anyone in the long run, at least not since the 1990s.