Saudi Arabia

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is the largest country on the Arabian Peninsula. As the world’s leading petroleum producer and exporter, oil accounts for more than 90%of exports and 75% of government revenue, with Saudi oil reserves the largest in the world. Roughly six million foreign workers play an important role in the Saudi economy, in a variety of sectors. Saudi has benefited from high oil revenues over the past 30years, enabling the government to spend liberally on infrastructure and education. The government has begun to permit private sector and foreign investor participation in the power generation and telecom sectors. While part of this spending has been directed towards creating greater private-sector employment for Saudis, there is still plenty of work for foreign workers with required skill sets and a desire to live in a very different culture. Most expat employment opportunities have traditionally been in the oil and gas industry and a variety of diversified Saudi conglomerates, however with the growing economy, a boom in the retail and construction sectors have provided many opportunities for expats.

Life in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is very different from Dubai, and other parts of the Middle East known for their Westernisation. The life led in Saudi, especially by Western women, is starkly contrasted inside and outside the compounds due to the traditional restrictions placed on women in public. Inside the compounds there will be spacious, furnished and air-conditioned villas, Western dress codes, unisex swimming and gymnasium, satellite TV, internet access and European-style food in the small compound shop. Crèches exist for the children, and there are many classes and pastimes for wives to take part in while their husbands are at work. However, outside of the compound things are very different – the mainstay of life is strict adherence to the Muslim call to prayer five times a day. This impacts most aspects of life, effecting the opening and closing times of shops, cafes and restaurants. Women are also restricted on visits to leisure facilities (excluding shops) as they must be accompanied by a male relative or husband. Outside the compound, women are required to wear the long black cloak of the Abaya (traditional Islamic female dress). This is strictly enforced by the Mutawa’a (religious policemen) across Saudi. It is not necessary to wear a veil or headscarf. The other obvious difference between Saudi and the Western world is the segregation of professional Saudi females, meaning they cannot have any direct contact with men in the workplace. This does obviously limit the professional opportunities for women in Saudi, although some arrangements involving segregated offices or working from home do exist. While these differences are starkly different to the Western way of life, there are benefits. Aside from the obvious financial incentives of accepting a role in Saudi, many find that it allows more of a family orientated life for those with children. The indulgent Arabic approach to children ensures that those who are parents never need worry about their whereabouts, and often find their status as parents elevated by the children’s presence. While Arabic is the official language, English is widely spoken. Among the non-Saudi population Urdu, Farsi and Turkish are also common. The month of Ramadan is a feature of life in the Middle East. During this month of fasting, eating, drinking and smoking are not permitted in public, from sunrise to sunset. This is strictly adhered to, and even as anon-Muslim it is unacceptable to partake in any of the above in view of anyone who is observing Ramadan. The Saudi calendar does not acknowledge Christmas, so many expats take annual leave to fit in with Ramadan and Hajj.

Potential earnings and savings

One of the great attractions of working in Saudi Arabia is that there is no personal taxation.

Money

The currency in Saudi Arabia is the Saudi Arabia Riyal (SAR), which is divided into 100 Hallal.

Travel and transport

There are three international airports in Saudi Arabia, located in Jeddah, Riyadh and Dammam. All have Frequent scheduled flights to the rest of the world. Regional flights within the Middle East are also easily available, from both the international, regional and domestic airports. Roads within Saudi are reasonably well maintained throughout the country, although driving styles can be erratic. Cars can be leased or bought, although can only be driven by men. Women must be driven by their husband, a male relative or one of the taxi companies licensed to take women. Most compounds offer bus services to and from popular local destinations such as shopping malls.

Legal System

Saudi Arabia does not have a formal criminal code, and thus much of its law is derived from an ultra-conservative form of Sunni Islam. Judges are free to impose capital punishment or corporal punishment, for crimes such as murder, robbery, rape, drug smuggling and for various forms of sexual behaviour such as homosexuality and adultery. The courts may impose less severe punishments, such as floggings, for less serious crimes against public morality such as drunkenness. It is worth mentioning that life inside the compounds of expat workers is not subject to these traditional laws, as the religious police are not permitted within them.

Health regulations

There are no compulsory regulations for entry to Saudi Arabia. 

The Saudi Arabian workplace

Smart, conservative clothing is expected, despite the soaring heat outside and the fiercely efficient air-conditioning inside. While there are no laws that bar women from working in Saudi Arabia, there is a long tradition of segregation. Friday is the main day of prayer, so meetings should not be scheduled for this day. Calls to Arab colleagues or clients should also be avoided on this day. Depending on the company, the other day of the weekend will be Thursday or Saturday, but for most employers it is Thursday.

Employment prospects

The market is strong in Saudi, and excellent opportunities exist for the right candidates who possess the required skills that are lacked by nationals. The government strongly encourages employers to use the local labour force where possible, in order to reduce unemployment within the country. UK graduates are likely to have particular difficulty securing a position unless they have substantial relevant work experience, or are already employed by a UK firm who transfers them to Saudi. In general, for a candidate to be employed from overseas they must have experience and skills that cannot be found locally. Given client’s stringent criteria and the visa relocation process, this does not necessarily make finding a job in Saudi a foregone conclusion or a quick process. As a general rule, candidates will need to have at least four years post qualification experience to be considered as viable. Often, lower to middle level jobs are not advertised, instead recruiting and man power contracting agents are used to hire back in their native country. So many of these jobs never appear in a public forum. Even if they did, the salary packages would be too low for most candidates who have previously lived and worked in the West to consider and survive on. However, for those candidates with skills in demand the tax-free salaries and heavily subsidised or free housing can be a great career move. Particularly popular with single men and those with young or school age children Saudi offers a different but excellent style of living for some. Many find that the close community within the compound offers more safety than is typical in more liberal Western countries. Generally the remuneration packages are higher than in other Middle East countries, reflecting the differing quality of life from places like Dubai, and as such the more limited number of people who are willing to relocate.

Facts

·         Population: 27,019,731

·         Area: 2,149,690 km²

·         Government: Absolute monarchy

·         Established: 8th January, 1926

·         Capital: Riyadh