Thread regarding Saudi Aramco layoffs

It's going to be much worse than some think.

@1Pxfr, check the site rules at the bottom of the page. In short, bulling, naming names and using derogatory language not allowed. I learned the hard way- few months ago, admins removed all my posts and blocked my IP (on proxy now, super slow) just because I mentioned a colleague, I wasn't even trashing him or anything. It s---s, but guess they take this anonymity seriously.

WTF? My post has been deleted. And I see some other missing, too.

Saudi productivity can be observed daily at 7:15 am watching the long lines trying to enter DH camp at the main gate. Another example is the stampede leaving DH camp after prayer time in the afternoon. The maximum productivity is achieved during Ramadan time.

5% of expat workforce is being targeted for layoff. Approx 200 expats have already been released w 60 days notice.

Have there been any cuts in benefits? I think if not this will likely be a next step.

Well, expats means anyone from some 79 other countries. Still going on and now going after those above.. Numbers at least 150.

Heard 80 so far from core business out of the 800 expats (10%)......only 2 cases i know of are both Americans.

any idea of numbers affected? is it just Americans or are other nationalities affected too?

Guys..please stop this unnecessary back and forth chain of comments. We all know very well who is right and who is wrong. Let's simply focus on the main topic of this thread and update each other on any new layoff related news.

I heard yesterday that it's over but on the hind side also learnt that HR had been given a long list of impacted employees. Are there any other nationalities impacted besides Americans?

Well, somehow by simply posting their gave been people calling me a racist? Go look at my post again. Simply stated the facts expats were let go and FANATICALS come after me......

I agree let the expats go home and let the best person win. Having survived 70 years does not take talent.... It takes resources.

Lastly, I am sorry layoffs hurt your feelings. And not the same as BP or Exxon letting go staff, as these locals can just go home. Saudi upends their lives and gives them 60 days to leave. Though the employment contract does not allow thus.

Guys, no naming names, site rules. Admins will nuke the whole thread. You can find the rules in page footer. Just sayin'

Those who are saying Aramco cannot be run by Saudies are mistaken; on the contrary, most of the critical jobs are running today by Saudies. A lot of expats are being paid very highly while they are not doing duties they are expected to do.

Aramco is laying off expats and replacing them with Saudis. It will be a real disaster for the Company. Sauditization does not work and will not work. Thia is very well known in the company, but management is following top level management orders. The actual Saudi Aramco does not have a stable working environment for western expats and if you are so unlucky to have a weird manager or supervisor, they will make your life miserable.

Layoffs have started and are expected to be pretty deep. Those not laid off are polishing their resumes and getting ready to execute their Plan B.

Yes only Expats... I agree the local population can't run this ship. I guess they don't need our military help either to protect themselves...... That is why they have an IPO at the same time, trying to sell it all before the big fields water out

Well it is official.... Thursday Nov.17th. People were notified they have 60 days to leave the kingdom and be out of the office within 2 hours. Exploration, Unconventionals, Research and likely more.......

Yes, they just announced major layoffs.

Aramco Up Stream Oil & Gas Started to Lay off EXPATS from mostly Western countries such as Australia, United Stated of America, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, and many more. The Program is called ELP Expat Lay Off Program. A layoff list has been in works for past two years. Target employees were moved around in various groups. Employees having "Meeting the minimum Goals" or grade "M" are sacked. These employees are bared from accepting any positions within the company. Employees are forced to leave the kingdom within 60 of the notice with up to 2 weeks grace period.

Yes, Saudi Aramco has been laying off significantly this year. I should know, because I was one of their many victims. It's due to many factors including: prolonged low oil prices, saudization, gross mismanagment of finances, etc. The only reason that company is currently profitable is because it produces oil cheaply. However, those days are numbered and when the company actually finds that it has to work, their going to be serious trouble. The incompetence of the local population is utterly baffling. Steer clear of that company!

Substantial cuts in Aramco contract labor have been ongoing for nearly a year. Aramco cuts are not always well planned - for example 3 trainers were cut, asked to return 3 months later when they realized they would be understaffed, and are expected to be cut again after returning for just a few months.

In general, they are initially targeting contract expats. They want to cut administrative personnel the most since Saudis can perform these tasks, but they have hit production departments heavy as well.

Aramco has noted production expansion plans, but projects have probably been the hardest hit.

I am unaware of any direct hire personnel cut yet. My expectation is they plan to move direct hires around to open positions inside the company.

I do not believe this is part of a much needed program to move to more nationals because these positions are not being replaced.

They still have expat job postings, but the ones i have perused are for extremely high level anf/or niche experienced personnel.

Are they really hiring though? or is this just a Façade? they recently went on a global recruiting tour to hire 300 people, came away with 3. Also the majority of people let go from western firms are more skilled and specialized than the average Saudi Aramco employee so they should be taking everyone on!?

No layoffs - Saudi Aramco is hiring BUT targeting highly skilled/specialized employees let go by others

Below job opening summary from official channels

Last month posting (122 jobs)

Last week (13 jobs)

Past 24 hours (4 jobs)

If they have not got a plan to make some layoffs then they are really more deluded than I thought.

Id say it is highly likely they will come in the near future. You just need to look at the outlook in the Oil markets with many shale producers having significantly reduced there cost base meaning a lower for longer outcome for world crude prices. This has put tremendous cash flow and budgetary issues on the kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Id say 10,000 would be a good number to get rid of in any restructuring plan, could save close to 1Billion dollars for a country that needs all the savings it can get as despite "the vision" being published a few months ago the lack of willingness to impose any form of income tax will leave real economic challenges for the country.