Thread regarding Saudi Aramco layoffs

Wow! An old post...but still. Things have really changed. Those recruiters in Houston must be really struggling to make quota.

@1uqts+1mGE4zSl

If you’re a normal expat then just live in Bahrain and commute. Absorb the extra costs and commuting time. Otherwise living on a concentration camp is a guaranteed route to depression and worse. Might be an easier transition if you’re of a certain religious ilk, if you get my gist.

How does and how long can a single expat survive on the camp without suffering some psychological damage?

https://www.natureasia.com/en/nmiddleeast/article/10.1038/nmiddleeast.2022.58

The truth on the ME air pollution issue. See link at bottom for the complete study. And increased mortality rates and comparisons.

As an 'old timer" I can say that, at least for me, things got steadily worse since 2015. I left and I don't regret it. If you need money and the money's right, then go, but don't kid yourself. The place has turned into a collection of the slimiest practices of Corporate America dropped into a Third World Country.

Never was really all that great. We just used our energies to find ways to endure instead of like all you youngins and your incessant whining. Must be a millennials thing.

Reading this seems a split between retirees reliving the good old days and current employees going through hel1.

I can vouch for the latter, it’s a snake pit. Run away.

Hey, I second the comments of the ‘old guy’ re game and refreshments. Cool beverage after a spin on my bike with buddies or after a not too strenuous game of tennis at the Hills court followed by a third set around the beverage centre! Good life.

Seems worse than it really is. Just get yourself an EOW dart game going, plus a little refreshment...you'll be fine.

Gotta love the way the Aramco just rigs its KPIs to ignore anything that doesn’t fit the narrative.

Do a U turn or reverse into a parking space then you get a ticket and it fcks your performance review. Rob a house or seexually as--ult a child and you get protected by the company.

I’ve actually seen guards looking into peoples houses at night with flashlights, presumably casing locations to rob. I thought they were acting odd at the time, but discounted it.

Are there actually any locals in positions of authority, that aren’t stealing from the company or it’s staff?

The mi$$le attacks are done. Now the most dangerous people in the camp are the ones who completely looted 18 houses over the last Eid holiday. Odds on favorites are the community security guards. Makes me feel safe thinking the only ones with g-ns are the ones doing the stealing. Of course not a peep from Aramco about this.

Hopefully missile attacks on the camp are a thing of the past.

https://twitter.com/fab_hinz/status/1370109190220419075?s=46&t=7FVeL_jwF_HQGnkfJiUpLA

We survived in the camp for 12 years coz my wife and I are notorious introverts. All we ever needed was a fast and reliable internet connection. We went to Starbucks inside the camp once in a while if we need to get out and people watch. There's the commissary run every weekend or venture out to Lulu on Fridays when streets are relatively empty. We took trips to Bahrain, pre-covid, whenever there's a good movie on. Boredom was never an issue. However, we were constantly worried about poor air quality, the occasional security threats, reckless drivers, hassles of going in/out of kingdom (visas/iqamas) and the unreasonable penalties for getting a traffic ticket inside the camp. Also, we got our kids out as soon as they are eligible for Uni or boarding school. We thought the in camp school or Dhahran HS is not a conducive environment for them. Don't ever assume that kids are better off coz it is a muslim country. If I was in your shoes, I will consider all the negatives mentioned in this forum. Yes, some are just bitter or ungrateful, while some thinks they live in fantasyland. There is still a kernel of truth from both sides, enough to think about and discuss with your wife/family.

@ldvr+1mGE4zSl

And if you do get divorced, aramco will evict you all and cancel your visas. Such a caring organisation.

The problem is they withdrew the housing allowance (RAA) Now if you want to move out of camp - you pay for your own accommodation which is generally very expensive.

Imagine - there was a time when they threw people into the unsafe Radium building then forced them to move 5-6 times before reaching camp and now they force you to keep renting houses in camp. The employees living off camp joined the company during 2015-2018 when they were given options. The smart ones took full housing allowance and sent their kids off to ISG/boarding schools. They cracked down on the Bahrain residence a long time ago. Some of these Bahrain lot have moved into camp over 2019-2021

There’s a reason Aramco is known as the divorce factory.

If you’re a woman that has never worked, has no career, or ambition, and enjoy staying at home playing housewife - just like the local women - then it might work.
That’s why this place only really attracts Muslim expat families these days, it’s too much of a change from the norm.

There are of course the odd few that survive (usually because they have no opportunities back home - eg the desperate) and adjust… but it’s not a desirable place to be, long term can only be a shortcut to depression.

Try living in Bahrain for 6 months and see if it makes things any better. Camp life is cancerous, and that’s not just breathing the filthy air.

I live in Dhahran camp. I am a dependant wife. During my time, I have tried to get hired and it hasn’t worked out. I always worked in a professional role before KSA. It has left me depressed and deeply resentful. I tell you this as you mention taking your wife and family.

Friendships are superficial. My neighbours are Saudi and never say hello. I’m isolated. It’s dusty. The AC is loud. The jets will give you a fright in the night.

There really is no joy here. Women can drive but the driving is dangerous. The mall has the same stock since pre-covid. There is nothing to do.

Like others say, it was good in the former days due to the community. It has changed a lot since 2017.

It has affected recreation. Every Saudi wants a piece of what the expats built. Not a problem but they do it for the ‘show’ and ultimately the sport is affected.

Think Twice. It will cost your marriage and your Mental health. Always look for a better opportunity at home.

Or a short stint if your desperate. Honestly you have to be desperate to move here now.

You’re a f00l for believing anything from Aramco HR or the onboarding goons.

They are selling a life that no longer exists. Speak to expats in Dhahran now, ignore anything about expats who retired years ago and had a great time etc. Those days are over. They were on much better packages, surrounded by expats, you won’t be. Expect your neighbours to be Saudis who you will never see or interact with.

Aramco is just a $$ gig. The money isn’t even that good on the new package, it’s just a tax saving. That is it. Zero progression, zero advancement, and years of putting up working with W⚓️s in management who treat you like their pet slave. Over time It will destroy your mental health, so have an exit plan.

Camp life is boring , boring, boring. It’s a Saudi enclave and enough to drive the most sober of individuals to running away to Bahrain for some normality.

It’s a fearful place to be, a facade of fakery where people live under the illusion they are free, despite being under armed guard and razor wire.

There are none of these interest groups they like to spout (the expats running them left, all bar a couple), there are a few annual pointless aramco state sponsored “events”, where some local cl0wn gets to cut a ribbon. As others have said it’s like an open prison minus the daily meals. 200 days of the year the air is at 20X WHO safe limits, literally toxic.

This site is the only resource that tells it how it is. Aramco spends millions greenwashing its image and silencing dissenters.

Granted I’ve retired 3 years ago, but I have to say it was really great when I left. I loved my experience there and enjoyed the life, money and travel. Now, maybe it has changed for the worse in the meantime. I’m not saying it’s still as great. Though it’s a pity if things are not as good anymore.

Take a look back at answers to previous similar posts. Mostly negative (and sadly true) and as someone who left after two years, I would take the negative answers with more than a "grain of salt". Good luck.

How accurate do you think feedback will be from someone that Aramco HR picked to talk to a potential hire? As a candidate, if you know someone or know someone who knows someone who is CURRENTLY working for Aramco in Saudi, fine. Go ahead and have that conversation. Otherwise, this site is going to way more honest than anything you get from the company that isn't in part of a written contract. Just use common sense when evaluating the information you get here. I am sure some people here are bitter that they were laid off, and at least a few might actually be from Aramco public relations, but there are also folks here who have been there and done that yet still come back here to make sure that the truth gets told.

Get to speak to a fellow expat from your geographical region who is living there. Your recruiter should be able to arrange this. Comments on this site reflect a minority view of people laid off or in fear of being laid off.

I breathed a big sigh of relief when exiting the camp gates for the last time. Since returning home, my mental and physical health have improved. I personally found it oppressive (and very boring) to live there under the conditions Saudi and Aramco have created, as well described by the previous poster.

Dark forces indeed. I’d describe it as an undercurrent of fear driven by insecurity and a genuine, well grounded, fear that they will be incarcerated or worse. It’s not easily tangible but permeates everything and everywhere.

From razor wire to petty violations that are inherently unfair, to passive aggressive behaviour, to the fear of being fired on the spot for saying the wrong thing.
Everyone is perpetually on guard, treading on eggshells, in suits of armor, each trying to outdo one another whilst stabbing them in the back. It’s utterly pathetic really and why this place will never really Innovate at ANYTHING. They are too busy fighting each other.

Then you have this baastardized version of ☪️ followed layered on top just to make things even more complex. It must be a reallyinteresting place for a sociologist, unfortunately that’s not me and I just drill stuff.l!

People are ultimately afraid and it’s not a pleasant environment to be in long term for an outsider. It will only fcuk up your mental health and drive you to becoming more like them. it’s the only way to survive right?

There’s something about dark forces at play as mentioned. Superficially if you get into any sort of bind it won’t be good, but there’s something deeper too. At least that was my reading. A lot of negative energies around.

It will all depend ---- where you come from. For Chic@nos Peruvians Afrikans Hindus & other Br0wn5 yes this place is wonderful. But unless you're hungry and really need the money please do not subjec5 your folks 5o this. Eventually you will be corrupted divorced f up by dark forces in this forgottwn p o sh place so hear me out be bold don't sell yourself and get another job. I have been trapped here for othwr reasons and i can't wait to be free from these slavers. Most Western Expats are 3vil by the way ---but maybe you are too =avoid this cr4p at all costs

You play tennis outdoors in July and august? It’s still 35c with 100% humidity, it’s not healthy. Braver man than I.

Regarding tennis, for sure an option. Some lovely courts. Some are covered. Yes, it can be hot and you might need to wait till sun goes down during hot weather but you can for sure play year round. I used to with the ‘third set’ (think 19th hole in golf) always enjoyable afterwards to replenish fluids!
Also, I think if you search YouTube you will see some video footage of the camp. It’s very big. Not like your typical compound at all. See if you can get your wife to talk to other ladies already there regarding her interests so she can get info first hand.
Best wishes with your decision.

You will be living in a compound with the majority being saudis. These are not typical neighbor's that you will socialize with. Don't put your family thru this for a few extra bucks. You will wish you hadn't done it. Not a family friendly posting anymore.

Think about the air pollution before bringing kids into that environment. Always amazed me how families seemed to justify this for $

He asked about the Dharhan camp. Hoewever, you are spot on about the other camps (or remote sights where you spend 5 days and fly home for the weekends). They are such unique shatholes that if we tried to describe them, NOBODY from the outside would beleive us. At this point, you might be one of 10 western expats in the entire camp. He also asked about family life in Dhahran. I have NO IDEA how a single western expat lives in Dhahran. And being single in the other camps would be a death sentence because they would find me hanging in my closet. I found ONE Mexican national and his family that loves ABQ. That was because the place he lived in Mexico had been overtaken by the Cartels and was a war zone. And if you are offered a job in Dhahran and told to live in ABQ and commute.....either run or invest in a ton of prozac and a Hummer to deal with the hour long drive with the Saudi's.

Listening to expats whine about living in Dh is funny. Try living in the true sh1t holes of Aramco, ABQ, UDH and RT. Infinitely worse in regards to options for spouses and kids.

Can only second the points about the negative impact of Saudization on camp life. It will only be a matter of time before all of the team sports activities disappear. Locals have zero interest in running these things which are currently held together by expats in their free time. Just look outside the camp, nobody does any of these things for recreation it’s seen as alien.

The old timers are leaving in their droves as retirement hits and they are not being replaced.

The other issue is pollution, on days like today you can’t exercise outdoors even if you want to.

The oasis compound has an ice rink where hockey is played. Once you are able to get your kid on a team, get to know some of the western expats. Then you will then have an inside contact and access to their indoor tennis courts. Dhahran has lots of tennis courts and some private instructors....but there is typically a long wait list (especially for kids) for lessons (as well as a long wait list for swim lessons). And yes, you can only play tennis for 5-6 months or after the sun goes down. If your kids are over 5 years old, you should be able to get them involved in swimming, baseball, soccer, boy scouts, etc...but with the lack of western expats, those programs could be dying off. Saudi and other non-western kids don't typically get invokved in sports or other western types of activities unless they have a nanny who will take the kid to the event (Saudi's rarely parent their children...that is the nanny's job!). If your kids are 4 or younger....your kids will be bored and your wife will hate it there. There used to be home day care businesses, but Aramco shut them down (along with ALL other home businesses that your wife might enjoy). If your wife is outgoing (and patient) then she will find ways to make friends ( Dharhan women's group, church, your kid's parents). But remember one thing! These people are only acquaintences. While you are there, you have things in common (giving/taking advice on life there, hardships, kids, etc). But as soon as one of you moves, prepare to be ghosted. You no longer have anything in common and there is no longer a friendship. Don't get too attached and don't trust anyone too much. I thought i had made lasting friendships while i was there but as soon as one of you moves, it is over. This wasn't always the case with Aramco expats, but those times are gone. These lasting friendships you see at the reunions and on the aramco expat websites are the old timers who got to enjoy Aramco pre-Saudization (of the camp and company). Nothing wrong with Saudization of Aramco, but Aramco is STILL selling newbies the idea of a camp/job/benefit package that no linger exists. Having said all that....I am glad for the 7 years I spent there. I enjoyed it but my wife hated it and our relationship is still overcoming the harm being in Saudi caused. (This is more common than you think). Good luck!!!!

The ice rink in Dhahran mall is for toddlers. Not for someone who takes ice sports seriously! There is one compound in khobar that has a proper ice rink and where ice hockey is played.. can’t remember the name

The camp has good tennis courts.

There’s been no ice rink in Dhahran mall for at least 2 years. Might be one in Dammam somewhere.

Plenty of tennis courts on camp, all outdoor so only usable half of the year. There’s generally good facilities for sports, but a lack of people participating.

I think Dhahran is better than most camps. Yes there are tons of activities as well. There is tennis, maybe a bridge club, Dhahran mall has an ice rink (hence maybe hockey is being played there). I suggest that you read through the posts in this site before you consider taking the offer. Take with a grain of salt but at least gives you the basis to ask the right questions to your recruiter. If you are already sold on going there (may the force be with you lol), then Aramco Expat website is a good resource to find out what are the amenities available.