30012011 YOU AND THE LAW (SAUDI ARABIA)

 I have been working for my present company for 17 years. As I understand it, the expiration date of my iqama marks the end of my contract period. If my iqama is due for renewal in January and I plan to leave the company, I should submit my resignation in writing at least 30 days prior to that expiration date.

Should I submit my resignation directly to my employer, or should I submit it through the Labor Office. Is there a special procedure to be followed? I tried to leave the company in 2008 and again in 2009, but the management lured me to stay back with the promise of a salary increase, which I never received. Lastly, my child's exams are in March. Can I ask my employer not to renew my iqama and extend my stay in the country until after my child's exams?

Your knowledge of the law is good. You should focus on negotiating with your employer. After 17 years of work, your employer does not have much justification for preventing you from resigning. If he doesn't give you a raise and you decide to resign, inform your employer in writing at least one month (30 days) prior to the expiration date on your work/residency visa. You should include your request to be allowed to remain until after your child's exams. Considering the long period you have been with the company, your employer doesn't have a legitimate reason not to agree to this request. In case he is adamant and denies your request, file a complaint at the Labor Office in your area.

I would like to ask you about the system for workers who work in a company without sponsorship.  I heard there is punishment announced by the Ministry of Interior for the company which hires such people and the workers who work without sponsorship. If that is the case, to whom can we complain for what happened to us as expatriate workers, against those who sponsored us illegally?  

AMNESTY / DEPORTATION GUIDELINES FOR OVERSTAYING VISITORS IN KSA

PCG Jeddah Advisory No. 2011/001

Last Update: 07 January 2011

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) recently issued a set of procedures for the deportation of visitors with expired umrah, hajj or visitor visa. The guideline that was issued is Circular Note No. 91/74/27523/31 and it aims to inform all Consulates in Saudi Arabia about the Royal Amnesty that they are granting for all overstayers. The Royal Amnesty of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was announced last September 23, 2010 and is effective from September 25, 2010 until March 23, 2011.
 
The amnesty is given to overstayers who would voluntarily go to the authorities and to those who are detained for illegal stay. Part of the reason why the amnesty was granted is to solve the problem of overcrowding at the Jeddah Deportation Centers. Listed below are the guidelines for the Royal Amnesty:
 
1. For violations of the Saudi Law No. M/51 dated 21/8/1426H Police authorities will provide the Saudi Labor Offices with copy of the police report on cited violations.

The Saudi Labor Office will then decide on the overstayers' labor cases by applying applicable regulations.

The Saudi Labor Office shall also inform the sponsors of the overstayers to present themselves to the Saudi Labor Office.

The overstayers may continue working until their labor cases are resolved.
 
 
2. For violations of legal residents and Saudi nationals (without distinction) such as employing, transporting, helping or harboring those with no legal iqamas such as Hajj or umrah pilgrims or visitors or tourists and the like The arresting authority will surrender the violator to the Directorate for Expatriates (Wafeeden) of the General Directorate of Passports.

The Wafeeden Directorate shall conduct an investigation and shall take the biometric information (fingerprinting and eye scan) of the individual

 
The Wafeeden Directorate may release the violator after presentation of guarantee (kafala) and penalty acceptable to the GDP (Jawazat) after it assured that any decision issued by the Administrative Committee of the General Directorate for Passports (Jawazat), either for repatriation or imprisonment, may be implemented.
 
 
3. For violators of the terms of the hajj, umrah, visitor or tourist visa Upon arrest, the police authorities will turn them over to immigration authorities for investigation and biometric documentation (fingerprinting).

The owner of the hajj, umrah, tourist company or the visitor's sponsor shall be summoned by the Jawazat and shall be asked to provide their passports and airline tickets.

The Jawazat will issue deportation visas and will release the violators under the guarantee of a sponsor who must submit proof of their departure within two (2) weeks of such issuance.

Failure on the part of the sponsor to submit proof of the departure could result in the suspension of his personal records and activities in the government's computer system.
 

4. For those who overstayed their umrah/hajj visas but who voluntarily surrender For those who present their original passports and tickets, the Directorate for Expatriates (Wafeeden) of the General Directorate for Jawazat shall subject them to investigation and routine security checks before they are issued exit visas and are allowed to depart.

DEC 2010 LATEST JOB VACANCIES

 

SCATS Engineer/ Programmer (Abu Dhabi, UAE)

Traffic Signal Programming or basic junction – C-GEN; Use of both SCATTERM and SCATS Access; To do Signal linking; To do signal layout design; To do cabling and termination of traffic signals; To do some civil works related to traffic signals; Supervise technicians and operators; Supervise maintenance of traffic signal communication lines; BS Civil /Electronics/ Electrical  or other related Studies/trainings; 3-5 years relevant experience./Traffic Signal control Engineer; Excellent written and oral skills in English; Arabic is a plus; Highly experienced in SCATS operation and personality programming of traffic signals; Excellent computer skills

Electronic Technicians (Abu Dhabi, UAE & Doha, Qatar)

1 to 2 years experience; Cable wiring installation; Access control system installation; Parking Systems Installation; Knowledge of electronics and field wiring; with Computer Tech. background; with Qatar Driving License

VS / VB.NET Software Developer (Doha, Qatar)

BS or BSC (Computer Science) or similar; 5 years experience in software design and development with at least 3 years VB.NET;  Advanced .NET skills and concepts including MS Visual Studio 2008, Visual Basic.NET, SQL Server, Crystal Report; Experience in database programming using Oracle and SQL Server; Knowledge in CCTV and ASP.NET is a plus

If you are a professional working in the fields of Traffic Management & ITS, Parking Management, or Security Systems, please email your CV at jobs@traffic-tech.com
Traffic Tech (Gulf) - Abu Dhabi, Al-Niadi (Dubai Bank) Building, Office No. 201, Airport Road, P.O. Box 38186 Abu Dhabi, UAE; Fax: (+971) 2 441 9471

Mega E&M Trading and Contracting L.L.C. Office No. 1, Al Majed Com. Salwa Rd. Opposite QIB Bank, P.O. Box 200624 Doha – Qatar; Fax: (+974) 44162554

CHURCH CHRISTMAS PROGRAMME 2010

SAMAHANG PINOY KAWANGGAWA (Pinoy Charity Society): MISSING OFW: LINA PENOTE

SAMAHANG PINOY KAWANGGAWA (Pinoy Charity Society): MISSING OFW: LINA PENOTE: "Photo of the missing OFW, Lina Penote MISSING OFW: LINA C. PENOTE has been missing since 2005. This was the last contact from her by her family..."

HEALTH IMPORTANT TIPS: LIVER / BRAIN DAMAGE, TOP CANCER CAUSING FOOD

The top five cancer-causing foods are:

1. Hot dogs  Because they are high in nitrates, the Cancer Prevention Coalition advises that children eat no more than 12 hot dogs a month. If you can't live without hot dogs, buy those made without sodium nitrate.  

2. Processed meats and bacon Also high in the same sodium nitrates found in hot dogs, bacon, and other processed meats raise the risk of heart disease. The saturated fat in bacon also contributes to cancer.  

3. Doughnuts Doughnuts are cancer-causing double trouble. First, they are made with white flour, sugar, and hydrogenated oils, then fried at high temperatures. Doughnuts, says Adams , may be the worst food you can possibly eat to raise your risk of cancer.  

4. French fries Like doughnuts, French fries are made with hydrogenated oils and then fried at high temperatures. They also contain cancer- causing acryl amides which occur during the frying process. They should be called cancer fries, not French fries, said Adams .   

5. Chips, crackers, and cookies All are usually made with white flour and sugar. Even the ones whose labels claim to be free of trans-fats generally contain small amounts of trans-fats.

SAVING YOURSELF FROM UNNECESSARY SPENDING

If you are planning to save a hefty amount of cash then make sure that you keep control on your expenses. You should always remember this quote “To have money is good; to have control of money is better”. If you have a habit of reckless spending then you might get trapped in to the maze of debt. The following ways would help you to put a bridle on your expenses.

So these are the few tips that would help you to save money from unnecessary spending. Follow these steps in order to make your future financially secured:

1. Avoid using plastic money: Plastic money is basically hassle free so people are fond of displaying it in their wallet. The card tempts you to indulge in to extravagance. If you want to curtail the habit of over expenses then make sure that you avoid the use of card and keep a limited amount of cash. You can get a basic idea of the amount you have spent. The card allures

5 NEW YEAR'S CAREER RESOLUTIONS FOR 2011

There's just something about opening a calendar for a new year that inspires us to improve our lives. So it's no surprise that New Year's career resolutions often focus on big goals--such as a promotion or a new job.

And that's why many resolutions get tossed aside by the second week in January, according to Tracy Brisson, founder and CEO of The Opportunities Project. "We get overwhelmed when we realize that outcomes are not always in our control," she explains. But Brisson says that there are plenty of attainable goals--such as adding people to your network or committing to read one business-related book per month--that can add up to career success.

SALARY SECRETS YOUR EMPLOYER DOESN'T WANT YOU TO KNOW

In down economic times, companies seem to have carte blanche to limit salaries and make low-ball offers. But that shouldn't be the case.

Below are the top salary secrets your employer doesn't want you to know. With this information in hand, you'll be in a better position to get the pay you deserve.

Employers don't always offer a fair salary

Some employers think they're being fair, but they're not up-to-date with the latest salary information. Others may try to pay less than the market value because they're financially strapped. That's why it's important that you know exactly how much money you should be making. A free salary report can help you calculate how much you should be earning in any job.

You can negotiate your salary in a tight job market

In a recession, many people would rather take a pay cut than lose their jobs. Raises are hard to come by and new hires may feel they have less negotiating power. But that doesn't mean it's impossible to bump up your salary; it's just a little more challenging.

30112010 YOU & The LAW (KSA / KUWAIT / QATAR / UAE)

KSA – I have been working for a company for four years. I want to know how would my end-of-service benefits (ESB) be calculated if I resign now. Secondly, what is the rule for returning to Saudi Arabia to work for another company in the same or a slightly different profession? Is there a need for a no-objection certificate (NOC) for the new visa?

As you have worked here for four years the end of your contract is the expiration date of your work permit, not the period of time written in your contract. Therefore,  for legal termination you must wait until the expiration date of your work visa.

The ESB is calculated on the basis of the last monthly wage (LMW), which is salary plus all other allowances. You get half of your LMW for each of the first five years of your employment. You get a proportional amount of your LMW for any incomplete year.