Overview

Saudi Aramco’s oil operations encompass the Kingdom of , including territorial waters in the Arabian Gulf and the Red Sea.

Totalling more than 1.5 million square kilometres, this area is larger than the combined areas of Texas, California, Oklahoma and Utah, or of France, Spain and Germany.

Most production comes from fields in the coastal plains of the Eastern Province in an area extending 300 kilometres north and south of .

Saudi Arabia Reserves of conventional crude oil in company-managed fields total about 260.1 billion barrels. In 2009, Saudi Aramco completed a multi-year, Saudi Aramco Benefits multiple mega-project program and raised its maximum sustainable crude oil production capacity to 12 million barrels per day. Basic Provisions of the Annual Vacation Plan Saudi Aramco has a multinational workforce consisting of 54,000 Personal Effects Shipment employees from over 50 nations, ensuring exposure to experienced professionals from around the world. Saudi Aramco Compensation

Saudi Aramco Communities Saudi Aramco is headquartered in Dhahran, in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern province.

BAYSIDE PERSONNEL | Engineering & Construction Recruitment www.baysidepersonnel.com.au Climate Saudi Aramco Temperature Benefits Classified as having a hot desert climate (Köppen: BWh), temperatures during the summer months are Saudi Aramco provides a highly extremely hot, approaching 50°C competitive benefits package for (122 °F) occasionally. The average international employees working in high temperature in July is 44°C Saudi Arabia on the global payroll. (111 °F). Winters are warm with cold, These include: windy nights. Monthly Benefits The overall climate is arid, and the Supplement city experiences very little rainfall, This is an monthly cash payment especially in summer, but receives a provided to finance individual fair amount of rain in March and April. insurance and retirement/savings It is also known to have many dust Saudi Arabia arrangements in addition to the storms. The dust is often so thick that benefits provided by Saudi Aramco. visibility is under 10 m (33 ft). Due to its entry restrictions, Saudi The employee is free to choose how to Arabia is a destination that many spend this payment. travellers are intrigued by. Rainfall It can rain in the Eastern Province Medical and Dental Facilities A culturally rich and fascinating any time from November until country with spectacular desert and the end of May. Dhahran has an and Services mountain scenery, Saudi Arabia also average seasonal rainfall of about The purpose of Saudi Aramco’s offers some of the Middle East’s best eight centimetres. In some years, Medical Services Organisation is archaeological sites. total rainfall has been as much as to promote and maintain the good 18 centimetres, and in other years health of all Saudi Aramco employees there have been less than three and their dependents with care Full country Kingdom of Saudi centimetres. administered by qualified professional name: Arabia staff in well-equipped facilities. Saudi Aramco Medical Services is staffed Winds Population: Approx 30 million by more than 400 doctors and over Strong winds, during June and July, 3.700 other health care professionals which pick up quantities of sand and serves a population of more than and dust, are known as “shamals”. 230,000. Capital City: (pop. 7 million) Shamal is the common term for sandstorm and is taken from the All medical care for employees and Arabs, Bedouins, Arabic word for northerly wind. their eligible dependents, who live in People: Najdis and expats one of the four family communities from all over the world Events in the Eastern Province, is provided free of charge at the Saudi Aramco Language: Arabic, English Saudi Arabia’s holidays are mainly Islamic, with the largest being at medical facilities in Saudi Arabia. the end of Ramadan (a month of Employees who live outside the family Currency: Saudi Riyal fasting between sunrise and sunset). Ramadan is mandatory, even for communities or in other areas of visitors and you are expected not to Saudi Arabia, for example and smoke, drink or eat in public during Riyadh, receive free medical care at Religion: Islam this period. Saudi Aramco approved hospitals.

Ramadan ends with a huge feast and Dental services are provided on a Government: Monarchy swapping of gifts. Eid al-Adah, is the fee basis and are paid via payroll other big feast of the year, and marks deduction. All Saudi Aramco Major Oil, steel, the time when Muslims should make communities have the following Industries: cement. wheat the pilgrimage to . facilities:

The only non-religious festival is the Jinadriyah National Festival of folklore and culture, held every February.

BAYSIDE PERSONNEL | Engineering & Construction Recruitment www.baysidepersonnel.com.au Outpatient Clinic periodontics, prosthodontics, dental Clinics function on a general practice Saudi Aramco Medical Services implant therapy, oral/maxillofacial level. An appointment procedure is Organisation (SAMSO) includes one surgery, orthodontics and paediatric utilised to minimise patient waiting hospital located in Dhahran, as well dentistry. time. Those without appointments are as four outpatient health centres treated on “doctor availability” basis. located in , , Al The clinical staff includes dental Employees can usually obtain same/ Hasa and Udhailiyah. hygienists, general dentists, specialist next day appointments for treatment dentists and technicians. The majority by a general practitioner. Of course, The hospital in Dhahran has 349 of this multinational staff has either scheduling of appointments with beds, a large outpatient service, and US or UK qualifications and has specialists take longer and depends contains some of the most advanced been credentialed by the Saudi on patient load. diagnostic and treatment facilities in Commission for Health Specialists the world. and licensed by the Ministry of In non-emergency situations, it may Health. take several months to schedule an SAMSO facilities have been appointment with a specialist. continuously accredited by the Approximately 50% of the clinicians United States Joint Commission are Saudi Arab graduates of Saudi on Accreditation of Health Care University Dental Programs (King Pharmacy Organisations (JCAHO) between 1956 Saud and King Abdulaziz). The Saudi Aramco Pharmacy operates and 1987. In September 2002 and during normal working hours and 2005, SAMSO was reaccredited by In general, all care is provided by employees must have a written the Joint Commission International appointment on a fee for service prescription from a Saudi Aramco Accreditation (JCIA). basis. The fees are competitive doctor to obtain any medication. to usual and customary charges Nursing staff are recruited from all elsewhere based on international Prescription drugs are dispensed free over the world and represent over standards. of charge. Some non-prescription 24 countries, including Saudi Arabia. medicines (such as cough syrup, etc) This diversity in cultural, ethnic and Because of the heavy workload may have to be purchased by the professional backgrounds of the staff and long waiting times for routine employee. provides rich experiences in providing services, all prospective employees patient care. and dependents are encouraged to Emergency Room complete essential treatment prior to Emergency care and transportation Ophthamology travelling to Saudi Arabia. is available in all communities seven In general, ophthalmic services The waiting time for an appointment days per week, 24 hours per day. are provided only to those with eye for definitive care for routine services injuries or diseases requiring periodic may range from three to four weeks. Company-provided transportation follow-up. Employees cannot receive is generally not available for general eye examinations or fill New patients coming to dental emergencies that may occur outside eyeglass prescriptions through the clinics for comprehensive treatment of Saudi Aramco communities. For Company’s medical services. example, employees living ‘off camp’ are required to have an initial exam by a Saudi Aramco dentist. in the local community must arrange It is recommended that employees This examination will most likely their own transportation to medical requiring eyeglasses or contact lenses require diagnostic radiographs. If a facilities for emergency treatment. bring an extra pair. Prescriptions for patient has recent radiographs of eyeglasses and contact lenses can acceptable quality, this requirement also be filled in the nearby towns. Dhahran Health Centre may be waived at the discretion of Saudi Aramco began to offer medical the examining dentist. Following the care in 1933. In the early 1950s, Dental Services initial examination, a conservative the Medical Services Organisation The Dental Services of the treatment plan is developed, and constructed the first Dhahran Health Saudi Aramco Medical Services appointments are made according to Centre to provide medical care to Organisation SAMSO) provides a full availability. Saudi as well as expatriate employees scope of care in company operated and their dependents. Today, Saudi clinics in each community. Dental fees are billed to the Aramco continues to provide one employees account and are deducted of the largest and most modern Dental services available include from the employee’s pay at the company directed hospital systems in diagnostic, preventive, restorative, end of each month. Fee estimates the Middle East. esthetic dentistry, endodontics, are provided to all patients prior to treatment.

BAYSIDE PERSONNEL | Engineering & Construction Recruitment www.baysidepersonnel.com.au - The term “bachelor status” refers to an locations generally being eligible for Basic Provisions of employee GC 11+ who is married but four days. Travel time is not charged The Annual Vacation who does not have Company approved to vacation credits. family members residing with them on a permanent basis in Saudi Arabia. Plan For Global Payroll Annual Vacation Employees Employees are expected to take a full vacation each year; however all The following is a summary of the vacation days need not be used at major provisions of Saudi Aramco’s one time. Depending on operational Annual Vacation Plan. It is intended needs, they may be used throughout as an aid in understanding the plan the calendar year for random time off, and its administration. providing that at least 14 vacation days plus travel days are utilised for Vacation credits are advanced, an annual repatriation outside of earned and taken on a calendar Saudi Arabia. year basis. Employees are advanced a full year’s vacation credits every Bachelor status employees need to January 1. Vacation credits, advanced utilise at least 10 vacation days plus on January 1, are earned by service travel days for each interim leave. completed during the calendar year. Initial Repatriation Vacation Airfare Allowance As part of the vacation plan, Saudi Eligibility – Single/Family Aramco provides round-trip economy Employees on single/family status airfare allowance for expatriate are granted the cash equivalent Status Employees employees and eligible family of the company approved full A single/family status new hire’s members who reside in Saudi Arabia return economy class airfare to the initial repatriation vacation is taken to return to the employee’s point of employee’s point of origin. This is during the calendar year following origin. In addition, the employee is paid to the employee when they take the calendar tear of arrival in Saudi granted a travel expense allowance their annual ‘repatriation’ vacation. Arabia, but only after the completion equal to 25% of the airfare. Family status employees also receive of 12 months of continuous service. this entitlement for their spouse and children living with them in-Kingdom. A new hire’s initial repatriation Annual Vacation Credits and vacation may commence before Airfare Allowances Employees on bachelor status receive completion of 12 months service if The number of vacation days and three airfare allowances (one at the the employee’s service anniversary airfare allowances that an employee full company approved economy class date falls within the vacation is entitled to depends on the fare, which the employee receives period. Employees who complete employee’s status and Grade Code. when they take their repatriation 12 months of service during the vacation, and the other two at last quarter of a year are allowed to Status Grade Vacation Paid Airfare economy excursion fare, which the delay commencement of their initial Code Credits Allowance employee receives when they takes repatriation vacation until any time per annum their ‘interim’ leaves). They receive prior to the end of the first quarter of GC Single 30 One the 25% allowance when they take the following calendar year. 3-10 their annual vacation and a 10% Under such circumstances, the Single/ GC 11+ 38 One allowance for each of their two interim employee’s eligibility for a repatriation Family trips. vacation in the following calendar Bachelor GC 11+ 50 Three year is unaffected. NOTE: Travel Days Employees are eligible for a second - Vacation credits are counted as calendar Based on the employee’s point of days – not working days. repatriation vacation any time after origin, either two (2) or four (4) days January 1 of the year following round trip travel time is added to the - The term “single status” refers to the first Saudi Aramco service annual repatriation vacation (and employees in GC 3-10 or to a GC 11+ anniversary. Subsequent vacations interim trips enjoyed by bachelor employee who is unmarried. are granted every following January 1. status employees). Points of origin in - The term “family status” refers to an Europe, the Middle East and North Therefore, for employees arriving employee who has Company approved Africa generally attract two days at the end of a year/early in the family members residing with them in round trip. Travel time with all other Saudi Arabia. following year, it is to the employee’s

BAYSIDE PERSONNEL | Engineering & Construction Recruitment www.baysidepersonnel.com.au advantage to arrive before the end each leave – this includes the annual trainers as previously mentioned). of the year rather than waiting until repatriation vacation; ie: unlike End of Service Calculations January 1 or later, subject to it being single/family status employees, Though employees are permitted to possible to mobilise before the end of bachelor status employees do not use an entire year’s vacation credits the year. need to utilise 14 vacation days to be any time after January 1 of each eligible for a repatriation vacation. year, full entitlement to the advanced Bachelor Status Employees vacation credits is not earned until Bachelor status employees should Bachelor Status Employees are year-end. note that any change in their marital entitled to one interim leave for status should be reported to the every four month period of service When employment in Saudi Arabia Saudi Aramco immediately. completed. ends, a calculation is made to determine the outstanding vacation The table below illustrates this Bachelor Status/Teachers/ balance. Terminating employees entitlement in their initial year of Trainers who have used unearned vacation service. Special provisions apply to teachers days will have the value of these and trainers due to the need to deducted from their final settlement. Effective Date of Earned Interim maintain classroom continuity. Terminating employees who have Employment Trip entitlements earned but not used vacation credits prior to Jan 1 of the Vacations are normally scheduled following year during Saudi Aramco designated will have the value of these credits added to their final settlement. Jan 1 to April 30 2 holiday periods. Teacher and trainers May 1 to Aug 31 1 are not allowed to defer any vacation Sept 1 to Dec 31 0 days from one year to the next. All Insurance Plans unused vacation days, regardless of Employees may enrol in a voluntary Bachelor status employees are the amount, are bought out on a non- program providing life insurance and allocated leaves based on the optional basis at the rate of pay in accidental death and dismemberment following cycle: interim leave No effect at the end of the year. coverage equal to 12, 18, 24 or 30 1; interim leave No 2; repatriation times monthly base pay. Favourable vacation. Disposition of Credits Earned group rates keep the premium low. in Year of Arrival A bachelor status employee, who Short Term Disability arrives between January 1 and April Vacation credits to be earned during Short-term disability income benefits 30, is eligible for two interim trips in the calendar year of arrival by a new are provided to employees who are that year. Their next vacation will be hire, are advanced and credited upon unable to work due to illness or injury. a repatriation vacation and can be arrival date. Operations permitting The benefit is 30 days full pay and 60 taken any time after January 1 of the and with supervisory approval, these days at three-quarters pay in any one following year (subject to operational vacation credits are available for year period. requirements). use in the calendar year of arrival for short leaves. A bachelor status employee, who Severance Award Many employees take short leaves arrives between May 1 and August 31, In accordance with Saudi labour law, to travel to destinations outside of is eligible for one interim leave in that a severance award is payable by Saudi Arabia during the first year of year. Their first trip in the following Saudi Aramco to employees who leave service. Credits, up to a maximum year is classified as an interim leave after two years or more satisfactory of 15 days, not to be used as of and is followed by a repatriation leave service. and followed by a second interim December 31 of the arrival year, can be carried forward for use in the leave. The severance award is based on following year. Travel costs incurred in length of continuous service and final conjunction with short leaves are at A bachelor status employee, who pay (base salary, standard over base the employee’s expense. arrives between September 1 and and annual benefits supplement). December 31, receives no trips for The severance award can be a their year of arrival. On January 1 of Vacation Deferrals substantial benefit for longer service the following year, they are credited All vacation credits are expected employees. For example, an employee with two interim leaves and a to be used in the calendar year in with ten years of service would repatriation vacation for that year. which they become available to the receive a severance award equal to employee. A maximum of 15 vacation 7.5 times monthly final pay. Bachelor status employees must days may be deferred from one year utilise at least 10 vacation days for to the next (except for teachers and

BAYSIDE PERSONNEL | Engineering & Construction Recruitment www.baysidepersonnel.com.au Education Assistance Following is an outline of the Combining E Box and Program (EAP) personal effects allowances Surface Shipments and guidance on packaging and Employees hired on family status are For added flexibility and convenience, shipping. eligible for the EAP when they have you have the option to adjust your eligible dependents. Family status E Box and surface entitlements employees who live in a Saudi Aramco SC 3-10 Single/Bachelor new hires are eligible to suit your personal needs and community are eligible to send their to make a one-time relocation shipment at the send more/less E Boxes in your children to the Saudi Aramco School time of hire of up to 400kg surface shipment. If you elect a system or to a local ‘international SC 11+ Single/Bachelor new hires are eligible different combination (E Box/surface school’. The Company generally pays to make a one-time relocation shipment at the shipment) from the allowance 100% of costs. time of hire of up to 2,000kg outlined above, the weight allowances Family Status new hires are eligible to make a for both are adjusted accordingly to EAP also provides for 90% of tuition, one-time relocation shipment at the time of hire ensure that you remain within the room and board costs (up to an of up to 5,000kg total maximum weight allowance. established maximum) for eligible dependents to attend boarding or day The “conversion” allowance formula is schools. If you intend to send a shipment, 1 E Box = 200 kg of surface shipment you must contact Austra Health and entitlement. EAP also covers travel costs for a request assistance in initiating the specified number of round trips necessary paperwork. This should For example, an SC11+ Single/ between Saudi Arabia and the school be done as early as possible to allow Bachelor new hire is eligible for location. adequate time for the shipper to 2 E Boxes and 2,000 kg surface contact you and make the necessary shipment. The employee decides to arrangements. convert 400 kg of surface shipment for two (2) additional E Boxes in order Personal Effects Note: Your ocean freight shipment usually to bring a larger quantity of items in Shipment arrives at destination within 90 days from the airfreight (E Box) shipment. The pickup date at your premises. Surface shipment entitlement is then adjusted down by 400 kg as shown in Saudi Aramco allows new hires to E Box Shipment the table below. make an air freight shipment (E Box) An E Box (Express Box) is an air and a surface shipment of personal freight shipment which usually takes The term “bachelor status” refers to effects from the point of origin and/or a maximum of fourteen (14) days an employee GC11+ who is married current work location. from the pickup date to deliver. but does not have Saudi Aramco Similar to the surface shipment, a approved family members residing Note that in lieu of a Saudi Aramco door-to-door service is provided. with him on a permanent basis in arranged shipment of personal Saudi Arabia. effects, employees may elect The maximum weight allowance of to receive a cash payment as one (1) E Box is 200kg. The size E Boxes Surface Shipment established by the Saudi Aramco. dimension of the E Box is a total of Entitlement 2 2000 (kg) 0.5 cubic metres (106 cm x 73 cm x Conversion 4 1600 (kg) You may consider using the air freight 61 cm). E Box shipment for any additional excess baggage required for your Shipments from work initial departure to Saudi Arabia. You SC 3-10 Single/Bachelor new hires are eligible locations outside country should ensure that you adhere to the for a maximum of one (1) E Box of origin airline baggage weight restrictions for If you are being recruited outside your departure flight to avoid being SC11+ Single/Bachelor new hires are eligible your home country, you may use charged for excess baggage as this is for a maximum of two (2) E Boxes your shipment entitlement to send not reimbursable. Family Status new hires are eligible for a personal effects from your present maximum of two (2) E Boxes per adult plus one employment location and/or your Please also remember that Saudi (1) E Box per child (maximum of six (6) E Boxes home country. When combined, your Aramco does not insure the luggage per family). shipment cannot exceed your total you bring with you. It is good practice weight entitlement. to take out baggage insurance with a local insurance provider. At the time of termination, you are entitled to one shipment to your

BAYSIDE PERSONNEL | Engineering & Construction Recruitment www.baysidepersonnel.com.au country of origin or optional cash amount of personal effects to ship. 3. Please remember that you are entitled in lieu. Note that you can make a Contact us for details on a cash in lieu to a surface shipment, E Box or cash shipment home even though you may calculation. in lieu payment. The surface shipment not have made a shipment at the time is appropriate for sending larger items such as furniture, beds, sofas, tables, of hire. You cannot request cash in lieu floor rugs, bicycles etc. The E Box is for your E Box allowance and also suitable for shipping smaller items Information for Employees on request a surface shipment. You must such as extra bed linen and a duvet, select cash in lieu for both the air and towels, cooking utensils, books, golf Family Status surface shipments or select to make clubs, pictures to hang on your wall Due to Government visa regulations, an air/surface shipment. and extra clothes etc. The E Box is some employees on family status generally quicker than the surface will travel in advance of their family. Employees choosing the cash in lieu shipment; however both shipments These employees may defer their option may use any service provider take time. You can always purchase these items locally in Saudi Arabia by surface shipment and combine it for the shipment of their personal with the family shipment when they using the cash in lieu option instead of effects. Employees who choose the the shipment. join the employee in Saudi Arabia. cash in lieu option are responsible Deferral of a surface shipment, in this for coordinating and paying for 4. Note that if you do not make a decision instance, cannot exceed one (1) year. their shipments, interim storage, regarding your shipping options at the time of hire, you have up to one (1) insurance, customs duties and year following your hire date to either General Information for all settling claims for damaged or lost make a shipment or claim the cash New Hires items, if any. in lieu payment. If you do not make a decision within this time period, your We would like to emphasise that You can consider using the cash entitlement is forfeited. your surface shipment and air freight payment to purchase items in Saudi 5. You should note that fines may E Box will undergo a complete and Arabia or use the money for any other thorough inspection at Customs in be levied if items are considered purpose. objectionable and are confiscated. For Saudi Arabia. Everything is opened example, a $133 fine may be levied if a and inspected. Books, videos, tapes, DVD is confiscated. compact discs, computer discs, etc Final Notes on Shipments 6. If Saudi Aramco housing assignment may be removed and taken to the 1. Please remember that the Saudi Ministry of Information for review. is deemed insufficient by Saudi Aramco needs time to process your air Aramco to accommodate your surface freight E Box or surface shipment. In shipment (a housing unit with a floor Any item that is considered offensive addition, Saudi Aramco’s designated space of less than 700 square feet), will be removed. It is important shipper in your home country needs you may elect to store your surface that you label each individual item as much notice as possible to make shipment at Saudi Aramco’s expense. with your name and Saudi Aramco arrangements to pack your items. If you take up this option, you will be employee number. Therefore, you should make a decision allowed access to your shipment prior on whether or not you want to send a to it being placed in storage in order shipment as early as possible following to select those items immediately Due to the possibility of items job offer acceptance. being misplaced or confiscated, we required by you. This access is allowed 2. You should be aware that Saudi on a one-time basis to remove required recommend that you do not pack furniture and/or full boxes of personal items that are of a sentimental nature Aramco will not authorise the shipper to pack your goods until you effects. A box may not be opened (including music cds) or of high value have cleared all contingencies of to remove part of its contents. The in your surface shipment. These items employment. This means that the balance of the shipment will be stored should be hand carried or left in your shipper will not arrive until after your at Saudi Aramco expense until such home country with a possibility of visa has been approved. While you time as you acquire (or could have bringing them to Saudi Arabia at a can prepare in advance by keeping acquired) accommodation deemed later date. all of your goods to be shipped in one large enough by Saudi Aramco to location and prepare your inventory accept the personal effects. Please forms, you need to be aware that also note that Saudi Aramco will not Cash in Lieu Option the shipper may not arrive to pack store items for you that do not fit in To provide increased flexibility with your goods until just before your final your house (with the exception of shipping options, Saudi Aramco departure to Saudi Arabia. Therefore, housing with a floor space of less than 700 square feet as noted above). provides a cash in lieu option if be prepared to act on short notice you decide not to make an actual regarding your shipment just prior to 7. Surface shipments and E Boxes departure. Please also be prepared air freight or surface shipment. must be handled by a Saudi Aramco to designate someone to act on your designated agent. Charges for weights This is often an attractive option behalf in the unlikely event your for employees, particularly if the in excess of your authorised allowance shipment is not collected prior to your will be charged to your personal employee does not have a large departure. account.

BAYSIDE PERSONNEL | Engineering & Construction Recruitment www.baysidepersonnel.com.au Settling-in Allowance Saudi Aramco Incentive Plan (SAIP) ride bicycles or take a bus almost Employees receive a settling-in This is a company wide variable plan. anywhere they want to go. allowance in their first or second pay Employees will participate in this check. rewarding program, with individual The company has designed, incentive payouts varying based developed and continues to operate Family status employees receive one on a combination of corporate and these communities specifically for its month base pay. individual performance. employees.

Single/Bachelor employees receive Additional Compensation Most of the community and 60% of one month base pay. residential services are provided at no In addition to the three basic charge. Buses, schools, maintenance compensation components described and use of athletic facilities are above, an employee’s annual free. Even electricity, water and local Saudi Aramco compensation may also include: telephone service are free.

Compensation Repatriation Allowance - All Saudi Aramco employees generally employees are paid on an annual live in one of four main family Saudi Aramco offers a highly basis, the cost of a round-trip fare communities. competitive compensation package from Saudi Arabia to their point-of- for international expatriate employees origin. In-camp company housing will be working in Saudi Arabia on the based on availability – nearest to the Global payroll. Compensation, which Educational Assistance - Since Saudi work location within a commuting employees receive on a monthly Aramco Schools only run through distance. If in-camp housing is not basis, consists of: Year 9, the company reimburses available, the candidate will have employees up to established limits to live off-camp and get the rental Base Salary to enrol their eligible dependents in allowance. The base salary is designed to provide private schools and to cover the cost international employees with a salary of a specified number of trips from comparable to that earned for similar Saudi Arabia to the school location. positions in the oil industry. Saudi Aramco periodically participates in Specified Location Allowance - Saudi salary surveys to assure that its salary Aramco operates in various locations structures are competitive with other throughout Saudi Arabia. Should leading energy companies. an employee be assigned to a work location that the Company specifies There is also a system of currency as a remote location, the employee protection to safeguard expatriate will receive an allowance that will be employees against fluctuations in paid on a monthly basis. exchange rates against their home country currency. Overtime/Shift Premium - Should an employee be assigned to a location Standard Overbase or function that requires scheduled overtime or non-standard work hours, The objective of the overbase is to Dhahran additional compensation will be paid provide a pay incentive to accept and on a monthly basis. This is the largest community with remain in overseas employment. a total population of about 11,000, including approximately 6,200 Expatriates (employees, spouses and Monthly Benefits Supplement Saudi Aramco children). It derives its identity from This is an monthly cash payment the Administrative Office Complex, the equal to 15-20% of monthly base Communities Medical Centre and its proximity to salary provided to finance individual the King Fahd University of Petroleum insurance and retirement/savings Saudi Aramco communities are and Minerals. It is located close to the arrangements in addition to the comprised of housing similar to parts cities of and al-. benefits provided by Saudi Aramco. of Australia, tree-lined streets, grass The employee is free to choose how lawns, schools, grocery stores and Ras Tanura they spend this payment. golf courses, swimming pools and a This community is located on the host of other athletic and community Arabian Gulf, about an hour’s drive facilities. Residents can walk,

BAYSIDE PERSONNEL | Engineering & Construction Recruitment www.baysidepersonnel.com.au north of Dhahran. It has about 2,500 the company provides comfortable, of housing types, from multi-story residents, including about 1,900 air-conditioned bus service. apartment units, to townhouses, to Expatriates. Ras Tanura is also a freestanding homes. terminal and refinery location. The schools operate on a trimester system. Each three-month school Types of Housing Abqaiq session is followed by a four-to six- The kind of housing you have week break, during which a wide depends on your family status: This community is also about an hour variety of enrichment programs and Single men and women generally live from Dhahran, with a population of special tutoring sessions are offered. in units that range between 500 and approximately 1,250, about half of 1,000 square feet. These may be in whom are Expatriates. It is the site of After students complete Year 9, they apartment-type structures or attached the company’s main crude processing may attend one of many excellent townhouses with private patios. facilities. accredited schools throughout the world. Since the company pays a Family-status employees live in Udhailiyah substantial portion of high school townhouses or freestanding units. It is the smallest community, is costs, you may be able to send your The sizes of these units will vary, but about another hour from Abqaiq. children to a much finer school than range between 1,500 and 2,200 With a population of 1,200 residents they might ordinarily attend. And, for square feet. Most units have attached including 500 expatriates, it is close children attending college, Saudi Ara- garages and small yards or garden to the oasis city of and takes its mco will pay for some visits to Saudi area character from the numerous rocky Arabia. hills or outcroppings, called jebels, that surround it. Extracurricular Activities Extracurricular activities include all Each company community has kinds of sports, as well as music and the same basic standard of drama productions. Many people amenities. Each community also are surprised at the extensive ath- has a commissary, which is like an letic facilities available for the kids Australian supermarket, a dining hall -- often more than you would find in and a snack bar. Elementary and the schools back home. Every school junior high schools are also provided has a well-equipped, air-conditioned in each community, as well as a gymnasium. Outside, there are full- medical clinic. Also there are other size athletic fields, and students can facilities - a library, youth centre, use community swimming pools and theatre, bank or cash office, barber tennis courts. shop, beauty parlour and dry cleaner. Saudi Aramco Housing Saudi Aramco Education Saudi Aramco makes every effort to Saudi Aramco operates its own school house its employees in comfortable, system for the children of eligible efficient homes that are built, expatriate employees. The majority managed and maintained by the of teachers are American, with more company. Employees are charged a than half holding master’s degrees, reasonable rent for housing, but the and some with doctorates. company absorbs the costs of utilities and maintenance. Saudi Aramco schools follow an American-style curriculum. Schools Each company community has the start at the kindergarten level and same basic standard of housing. The run through to Year 9. Classes are homes in the central parts of these small, so more individual attention is communities were mostly built in the possible. Teaching aids and materi- 1940s and 1950s. Many have been als are first rate, and the facilities renovated. They’re neat, comfortable are modern, attractive and fully homes on tree-lined streets. air-conditioned. Since the communi- ties are relatively small, children can As these communities grew, mainly in usually walk to school. But for those the late 1970s and early 1980s, more who aren’t within walking distance, homes were built. There are a variety

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