Q&A Portion 8

Another round of questions and answers... We're on a roll here. :)

1. Hi there! I am from South Africa and would like to work in Riyadh. I can only speak English and is a qualified nail technician. Where do I start to search for work? Is it possible for a woman to go there alone?

We're not sure how they process it in South Africa, but in the Philippines, any one who wishes to work in Saudi Arabia for any position goes through an agency. The agency will be in charge of processing your employment papers and will guide you to the steps you need to do and undergo (interviews, medical exams, etc.). There's no problem for a woman to go here alone once your employment papers are already done. Just make sure that your agency and employers are legit, legal, and will compensate you well.

2. Where can I buy MAC lipsticks?

MAC branches are available in Sahara Mall (ground floor) and Kingdom Center (second floor). There's also a MAC counter inside the Harvey Nichols store in Faisaliah Mall.

3. Hi! I'll be flying to Riyadh soon. Can you tell me if I can bring a bunch or two of dried curry leaves in my luggage? It's the key ingredient to some of our dishes and I didn't find it the last time I came. I know poppy seeds and nutmeg are banned but I'm not sure about curry leaves. Thanks.

Poppy seeds and nutmeg are banned in the Kingdom because of their narcotics properties (a high dosage can make you 'high' so to speak). Saudi Arabia has very strict regulations on drugs and they impose heavy sanctions on those who violate this rule. On the other hand, curry leaves are widely-used in cooking in the Kingdom so we don't know know any reason why they should be banned. Curry powder are available in almost all groceries and stores. Just to be sure though, ask your embassy about it. There are cases that some produce are banned for certain reasons (like curry leaves imports were restricted in UAE in 2009 because of cancer-causing pesticides in some batches).

4. Will I be violating any company rule when I get a part-time job? Where can I look for part-time jobs in Riyadh?

It depends with the policies of your company. Technically, you cannot take any job if you are employed full-time in a company because your iqama is bound with them. But some people are allowed as long as the schedule will not interfere with your real work here. Restaurants who are short on staff and crew usually accept part-timers but they won't really announce openings publicly. Ask your waiter/cashier friends and acquaintances, they usually have more inside info than we do.

5. How to find a maid in Riyadh?

Find one through agencies. The process is long and tedious but that's the legal way of hiring one. Most maids here are under the sponsorship of other employers so it's upon their discretion to give permission to their maids to work outside (with other families).

Got more questions? Hit the ?Ask the Pink Tarha button right over there! ;P