Need advice on this job offer and moving to Jeddah

Hi Arpan,

Let me take each of your questions in turn.

Firstly, the job offer seems pretty good. Expecially, as the company are providing a housing allowance for the family. A fully furnished two-bedroom apart in Saudi Arabia would set your back around SAR 4,200, which would be your biggest expenses.

When it comes to the cost of living in Saudi Arabia this depends on each individual expat. If you go out to eat and take part in lots of activities then life in Jeddah will more expensive that it is for those who prefer to eat at home and save most of their salary. I suggest take a look at this page on the Cost of Living in Saudi Arabia for a full list of everyday expense.    

Finally, on the issue of safety. Because of the strict Sharia law that is enforced in Saudi Arabia safety is not a major issue for expats moving to Qatar. It is important however that you familiarise your self with the law - you'll find that certain crimes are heavily punished in Saudi Arabia. There are road safety concerns in Saudi Arabia and there are ongoing concerns about terrorism. However, there is nothing to say that Indians are at any more risk that other expats in Saudi Arabia. Check out this page on Safety in Saudi Arabia for more detailed information. 

The expat community in Jeddah is quite large and so I think you'll find a lot of people who are in a similar situation to yourself. There are also many Indians that move to Saudi Arabia each year so I am sure it won't be long till you meet someone from home.

Best of luck with the move.

Shantalie

Thanks Shantalie Two more questions... - Is this mandatory for a women to wear Abaya & cover her head n hair also....? - Is this mandatory for a women to be with a man ( Her Husband) while going for shopping or she can go alone as well using Taxi? Thanks Arpan

Hi Arpan, it is required that women in Saudi Arabia always wear an abaya when out in public, but non-Muslim women are not required to cover their face and hair; although it's a good idea to keep a scalf on hand whenever you're out in public to cover your hear and face if need be or requested to by the religious police. Generally, women are not required to be accopanied by their husbands and it's not unusual to see women in shopping malls on their own or out with a bunch of girlfriends. But it's probably wiser to rather stick to a group than go it alone when out in public.

You can read more about Saudi culture and the requirements for women in the Kingdom in our Culture Shock in Saudi Arabia and Women in Saudi Arabia pages. 

Salary of SR8500 for the position is fine. It will give you SR25,500 for accommodation. Apartments is decent areas with 2-3 bedrooms are SR20,000-SR30,000 but will be totally unfurnished. To find furnished you'd have to go to a residential compound which are much more expensive. You will be lucky to find less than SR70,000 because its on a compound. General safety is excellent with just the driving one to watch out. But those coming from 'developing' countries will have seen much worse. Ladies can move around as they need.

Category B depends on the insurance company and what has been agreed with your employer to be included in the policy.This can vary greatly as what one insurance company calls B might be A in another. What changes is largely the network (meaning which clinic or hospital you can receive treatment at) and secondly what treatment is covered under the policy. There are roughly 3 levels of network 1) Clinics 2) Hospitals 3) VIP level which covers the most expensive hospitals. You should have access to all the main hospitals on your level of job. Access to clinics only is usually for labor level staff only (they only get referred to a hospital if the clinic cannot treat them). The treatment which is covered is usually quite comprehensive although some companies will agree limits on some treatments in order to keep the premium down with the insurance company. Since the company will negotiate with one insurance provider for all employees, you wont have any say on the insurance company. The biggest are Tawuniya and BUPA.

Thanks Abdullah & Catherine... I have been offered Medical insurance catagory B..What is that.? Thanks Arpan

Dear Arpan, The category B which you have been offered is as good as it can get for an expatriate. However it also depends on 1. the provider(insurance) from whom your employer has purchased the policy. I am sure most of us will agree that "Tawuniya" is the preferred one. 2. For group medical insurance for corporates, the HR negotiates with the insurance provider on the premium and it ends up, at times in a tailor made policy based on the picks and drops of the corporate, in your case, Al Zamil Heavy Industries. I must mention here, that the basic difference is the list of hospitals that you are entitled to visit that gets affected, depending on your category. Rest assured, it is going to take care of almost 95% of your medical situation, excluding dental, cosmetic surgery and a couple more of them. You may visit this link for a rough guideline http://www.tawuniya.com.sa/en/Home/CorporateInsurance/MedicalAndTakaful/Balsam/tabid/498/Default.aspx Hope it helps. Regards, Tanwir

Thanks Guys...

Thanks Tanvir & Abdullah... Should i ask the company about the insurance providor, before accepting the offer... What is ur suggestion

Dear Arpen, Technically speaking, you have the right to enquire what is covered under your medical poilicy. However, based on my personal experience and considering you are going to be engaged with AZHI, I dont think you have to peak too much into it. At the end of the day, they must be having a standard cover for employees of your grade and I am sure this won't be of much inconvenience to you. They have a lot of manpower which gives them an upper hand while negotiating with the insurance provider. I will end this with the fact that Al-Zamil group is one of the private business houses who believe in investing in their employees, hence you won't regret working with them. All the best. Regards, Tanwir

Thanks Tanvir.... Your Words for Al Zamil gave me enough confidence on this offer now...