Seeking Urgent Advice: How Can My Friend Leave Egypt for a New Job Abroad?

Good morning CiteHR colleagues. I recently posted this message in the Malaysian section of CiteHR but have had no replies. I'm wondering if anyone out there has some ideas or suggestions. I have also posted in another thread, so apologies for repeating this posting, but the need is now urgent.

Friend's Situation in Egypt

I have a friend who lives in Egypt. He is 34 years old and working as a Quality Control/Production Engineer in a factory that makes and installs equipment in CNG Gas stations in Egypt. As you know, Egypt has been a difficult place since the revolution to oust the former President, and life is hard. My friend also faces the added pressure of his family forcing him into an arranged marriage, which he does not want.

Seeking New Opportunities

He is keen to leave Egypt as soon as possible and make a new independent life elsewhere. Unfortunately, it is too difficult right now for him to try to emigrate to Australia as visas are very hard to get, very expensive, and the process is very time-consuming.

Considering Malaysia

I had thought of Malaysia as a place he could go. I took him there for a 2-week holiday last December, and he liked the country. I am thinking that as it is a Muslim country, he would not have so much difficulty adapting.

Seeking Suggestions for Other Countries

Other than Malaysia, does anyone have any suggestions? I am not sure he would be comfortable with India, but I have suggested to him that he must look at all possibilities with an open mind. I would need information on the work visa rules for your suggested country. Also, if you know of a factory that might have a job for my friend? It could be any sort of factory that needs a Quality Control Engineer type person.

Any assistance to help him find living quarters and get settled would also be good. I have limited resources to assist my friend in managing the process and getting settled, but I am willing to try and assist where I can.

Any help anyone can give me on this subject will be much appreciated.

Thank you.

I appreciate your efforts to help out your friend. Malaysia is surely a good choice. I also agree with you in ruling out India, but for different reasons. The employer mentalities here don't really permit him to freely look for jobs (the preference would be for locals who don't need work permits and the associated hassles and expenses). Also, the work permit rules are a bit complicated still.

Consideration of the Middle East

Was the Middle East considered? I think that could be the best bet, being near to Egypt and easy to adapt. Also, there are quite a few African countries that can be considered.

Resume Posting Suggestion

I would suggest you post his resume here as well as in the job portals of those countries he is interested in — that would allow anyone who might be interested to have a full idea and decide faster.

Regards,
TS

Taj is right—the Middle East might be a better idea, and we have some active members from there who may be able to help connect with the right people to start the process. However, there may be more stringent rules being applied to Egypt, as I am sure there are many who are trying to relocate from there. You need to find the best bets and then try for those countries. Some of our members from the UAE may be able to shed more light on the prospects of moving there from Egypt.

Regards,
Sid

Many thanks for your comments and suggestions. I will relay these to my friend. I have been trying to help him get his CV updated so we can provide it to prospective employers as the need arises, but it is still a work in progress.

Whilst the Middle East is a possibility and one we can explore, I think he wants to try and get as far away from there as possible! I think Malaysia represents the best of all possible solutions, as I can get there more easily to give him some help and support as he transitions to a new life, etc. But maybe it will not be possible.

Anyway, he's very intelligent and capable, so I'm sure he will cope, no matter where he goes.

Regards

Does your friend have access to the internet? Then he can use platforms like LinkedIn to post his resume. There are various job groups actively running that offer a lot of jobs daily in the Middle East and surrounding areas.

Thank you.

I am based in Indonesia. It's not easy to get a job in Indonesia if he is not based there. Most expats who shift jobs within Indonesia are able to do so because they learn the language once they land their first job. To land the first job, they need someone to recruit them from their native country. Since he is from the CNG sector, I would suggest that he upload his resume on all websites related to Oil and Gas. Secondly, let him register himself with the Indeed.ae web portal and subscribe to the daily alerts. By doing this, he will receive matching job alerts suitable to his profile daily. This will enable him to be recruited, as 90% of the jobs in the Middle East target expats. Since he is in Egypt and knows Arabic, it will not be a problem.

Happy hunting, Cheers

Hi Moiz, Yes, he does have internet access and is on LinkedIn. I am trying to get him to update all his details so it presents him in a better light. I am having problems contacting him at the moment and am a little concerned for his well-being. Thank you for your suggestions.