British Expats - Starting Work In Saudi Arabia

Hi All,

As I 've got time on my hands, I would just like to pass onto and inform those who are considering coming and working here in Ras Tanura as a "SMP"() supplementary Man power for Saudi Aramco.

Firstly make sure there is definitely accommodation waiting for you to occupy, as so far it's took me, and others several weeks to find suitable accomm!

Basically my contract firm bought me up to Ras Tanura after a week of medical/ID issuing and paperwork, and basically didn't know or care if there was any available accommodation for me to occupy immediately.
There are two compounds, which at the time camp 10 - Al Sawedy, which at the time I was in UK was around the sr3000 or £500 per month (for a porta cabin) for 2014, it is now sr450 for 30 days and sr4650 making this very expensive porta cabin indeed!
Some guys will not live in these, and like myself, have been living/being ripped off at a hotel (Arab Palce - charged me sr350 for one night).
I have only just found myself accommodation in a lovely block with a uk style toilet!
My particular contract company kept saying because I had x% uplift I could afford "other" accommodation! This is not the case, all I wanted and expected/told was that there WAS accommodation waiting for me, and there was none!
Expect this treatment from most, but not all of the sub contractors who hire from the UK.
Any queries from anyone, please don't hesitate in getting in touch.
Good luck :D