Nothing is really going on in KSA other than targeted (minor) layoffs of US expats on the older, more lucrative pay & benefits package. The Company is on a hiring campaign to replace and supplement the existing workforce with newer expats that will not enjoy the great times of the past.
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Two simple words, learning curve. A company that continuously is on hiring is investing a lot of money in learning curve, all people needed it and in Saudi is really long curve.
A lot of expats are resigning, with many not coming back from vacation. There is no western expat lifestyle on the camp. They are making it very hard on the expats who are on the older, more-lucrative pay & benefits plan. It’s not worth going there anymore. I spent more than 26 years there and it was becoming very difficult near the end. I finally retired. I’m thankful that I survived all the layoffs over the years. My wife liked it very much, but she could see things changing on the camp. It was a great life, but that life no longer exists.
That's a real shame. Not only does it make for a bad work environment but Aramco is losing A LOT of its knowledgeable staff. The bigger shame is, the camps are losing their personalities. Dhahran used to be known for their Little League Baseball and their Boy Scout programs (and the Western expat volunteers).....lost. The camps were made bearable by those who knew how to make their own wine, beer, and especially, sid.....all talents/hobbies passed down those with experience. I have no idea how expats can deal with Saudi with the Causeway closed and those talented individuals gone.