Feeling Stuck as a Trainee Engineer in the Gulf: How Can I Break Free and Find Growth?

I am working as a Trainee Engineer in a company in the Gulf. More than one year has passed, and still, my designation remains as a Trainee Engineer. Nothing has changed—my salary, my place, my designation—nothing. First of all, I would like to say that I started working here to gain some experience, and even now, I am still doing the same things repeatedly, learning nothing new. I am not at all interested in continuing in this same role now. Time, once gone, won't come back again. So, I don't want to waste my time like this here. Something should change, but nothing has yet.

Office timing is 9.5 hours a day, and the salary is very low, less than 2100. Nowadays, time doesn't pass for me at all as I don't find the job interesting. There is no use in speaking to higher-ups, as when I do, they say I should change the company. But it's not a simple thing to change a company. Where can I get a new job? I have been trying for a few months but am not getting anywhere. Please suggest what I must do. I have tried all my ways, showed much interest in work, but in February 2011, an increment was given to everyone except me. From that day, I lost my hope. Only me. I am of no use here.

As far as I know, the basic agreement for any Gulf country is for a 2-year period in any company. That means you will get an increment only after 2 years of completion (if you are directly hired on the company visa).

You mentioned your present salary is 2100, either in Saudi Riyal, UAE Dirham, or US Dollars. The fact is you are receiving an accurate salary, as for a fresher, that amount is typically expected.

Given your background as an engineer, I advise you to be patient, continue working for a few more months, and keep searching for new opportunities. With more experience, you will definitely have a better chance of securing a higher salary.

Please wait for further advice from seniors and moderators and proceed accordingly.

Thanks.

First of all, thanks for your reply. The salary I have mentioned is in Dirhams. I am not under the company visa, and the basic agreement was only for one year. Therefore, an increment arises only if the company perceives that they have any use for me. However, I am certain that I am of no use here. Managing such a small amount and working such long hours is very challenging. It is not easy to survive on a small salary, and accommodation is also a problem. I am facing many difficulties. But without a job, it is also not possible. Patience is running thin now.

Hmm... your situation really shatters me. Stop wasting your time there. Come back to your own company. Before that, prepare a good salary certificate, experience certificate, and reference from your boss. Be very nice to them for signing it so that you could get a good job in India based on your certificates.

I was not even given an interview to get into this company. They didn't want to take me as I was a fresher. However, someone from the top gave me a push, and the company had to take me on as a trainee. I knew someone who was already working here in the same company, that's why.

So now, do you still feel that what I said is not right? This present company didn't take me to the Gulf; I was in the Gulf before.

Thank you.

The Changing Gulf Job Market

The Gulf job market is no longer lucrative. Come back to India; plenty of opportunities are available here.

[QUOTE=flasher;1562871]Dear Sayeed, I was not even given an interview to get into this company. They didn't want to take me as I was a fresher. But someone from the top gave me a push, and the company had to take me as a trainee. I knew someone who was working here in the same company, that's why.

So now, do you still feel what I said is not right?

This present company didn't take me to the Gulf; I was in the Gulf before.

Well, now you narrated the complete situation, so someone helped you to get in, and now there is a lack of assistance and increment. Since you were in the UAE for a long time and you now know how the present company is treating you, there is no choice but to leave. So just get an experience certificate and try to look for another opportunity. Otherwise, if you think that you have the ability/strength to find a good job in India, then come back.

Thanks,

Netengineer, if he is getting a better package, ask him to switch. There are no job guarantees in MNCs in the current context. If any good opportunities knock on his door, let him grab them.

Regards,
pon