Thread regarding Saudi Aramco layoffs

Hey Saudi troll, this is a forum where we can express our opinions and 2 cents. Perhaps you should leave.

If you’re not happy then leave. Quit whining!

Unfortunately......it gets worse and you get used to it. After a couple years, you become Aramcoized, and lose all desire to do actual work. Accept it. Bank all your money and try to retire early.

On the air quality. It’s not great. But you spend a lot of time inside. So buy a really top end air purifier. So when at home watching tv, asleep, having dinner, having a beer, you can enjoy alpine air top quality if you have the right purifier. When outside don’t get too paranoid. Enjoy outdoor stuff, just avoid dust storms and you will be fine.

I jumped off at the two-year point. I agree with all that you say here. However, I knew some people when I was there and they hated it and were going to leave at the two-year mark and they're still there, three, four years on!! So you can get used to it and the money becomes a major attraction to stay longer. BUT, it's a very low quality of life unless you're near retirement age, and you just want a very easy, boring existence.
And I thought camp life would be a friendly experience but for the most part I found it the opposite.
Career-wise, forget it! It's a death knell. That was one of the reasons I left as I was not using my skills at all, and I was concerned that would affect my future career prospects back in the real world!
I made it out and I'm much happier for it. Again it was an experience but it's a strange way of living! And making a living!
Good luck with your decision.

Thanks Empathiser. It’s heartening to read and some consolation I am not alone in this. Likely we will pause on bringing the family. For now at least.

An ex aramco expat recently told me that 2 years is a common jump off point. Looking at my benefits, specifically the severance award, it gives precisely zero in the first 2 years period. Intentional.

I’m may call my ex-employer and explore options for a return. As I said, this is evidently an absolute max of 2 years so just not sure the disruption is worth it. For me or my family.

Early views of department and job are vague and out of date. Conversations remind me of circa 15 years ago in the particular field I am in. I was hoping for bright and innovative minds in the world’s biggest co. Call me naive.

Thanks again friend.

You won’t be alone with these thoughts.

Sounds like you’ve been royally duped by the recruiters. I also left a very well paying job to come here and regret elements of it, but decided to do the 2-year stint if only for the significant tax savings.

Now looking to move back and there are options, the financial cushion helps, I even think the aramco name opens doors.

Whether it was worth it overall, I’m not so sure. Yes it’s been an experience, but I’ve not really learnt much beyond politicking and growing a thick skin, the job itself has been a charade..

I wouldn’t bring the family over especially if it means yanking them out of schools. If you’ve got a good deal back home then bringing them here is high risk, but then again some families love Dhahran, so each to their own.

Thanks Empathiser. Actually Ghetto is an apt word in the sense of the feel of the neighbourhood. These houses are straight outta Compton.

I do need to lower my expectations or as you say make an early exit. What bothers me the most is the poor air quality, can imagine this impact will over a multi year stay. I had not anticipated this. I originally planned 5 years, have revised that to 2. Which then becomes: 2 won’t make much difference to my finances overall. Thing is I gave up a good role to come here. Feel duped but also annoyed with myself for not doing enough due diligence.
An observation, folks coming and going at both ends of the day don’t look happy.
ps - can you elaborate the d—-s word before immunisation. I am hesitant to bring my wife and children to be honest.

Sounds like my experience too. You have two options, ride it out and hope you adjust…or cut your losses.

Ask yourself: Is the cash worth it? Do you have a clear target? What’s your exit strategy? How long do you plan to stay here? Is the job at least ok? Where do you see things in a years time?

The health issues with air quality will not go away. If this is a problem now it will get worse.

The culture and living in an open prison comes with the territory. You need to adjust and lower your expectations to survive. I’ve lot count the amount of times I’ve almost been ki---d driving to work because of the incompetence of local drivers.

The housing is poor and substandard, you can spend $ to make that better but it’s your own cash! The camp itself is a bit of a ghetto, you were sold a well told lie by recruitment.

If you’re feeling like this now and your kids and wife are not here yet, it will probably get worse imo.

There will be increased stresses from getting the kids into schools and their du----s immunisation requirements, to managing a bored partner. The latter can break relationships.

Good luck with whatever you choose.