💰 Salary late 2 months at my company, what should I do

My company has paid late 2 months in a row now. Every time there's a new reason. First it was the accounts department, then it will come next week. Next week comes and nothing does. Rent here, food and the money I send home don't pause because the company is slow. Almost my whole salary goes home the day it arrives, so I have nothing saved to fall back on. The worst moment is when my mother calls. I have to say this month's money will be a bit late again. She says it's fine and not to worry. Then she asks if I'm eating properly. Nobody in management gives a date. It's all vague promises, so I can't plan anything at all. Two colleagues told me the same thing is happening to them, which makes me wonder how the company is doing. A few of us are thinking of going to the labour office together instead of one by one. Someone told me a group complaint gets attention faster. I can't say if that's true, I only heard it. In the meantime I've started writing down every date they promised and what happened on that day. So far I have 9 entries. It looks sad on paper, but at least it's there if I need it. Is anyone else here in the same spot? Did you talk to HR or the manager directly? Did it change anything, or did they just give you another date and a friendly smile? I also can't decide if I should complain now or wait a few more weeks and see. I'm scared of making things worse. But waiting hasn't helped so far either.

A 2 month delay feels longer than 2 months. Every morning you wonder if today is the day. My brother had it in Jubail, and the way he coped was cooking at home and skipping every outing. He said the saddest part was that nobody at work ever mentioned it out loud. I hope yours is sorted soon. At least your mother knows what's going on.

That's tough, especially when you don't have family nearby to lean on. I've seen colleagues go through it in Khobar. One of them kept a small emergency amount aside, even when money was tight. Only a few hundred riyals, but it got him through the 2 months without borrowing. I know you said there's nothing saved. Maybe start with even a tiny amount once the pay comes in.

Skipping the office because there's no salary sounds funny, but I think it would backfire. They would probably tell you to go home, and half the people in that office have the same problem. Out here you have to take things with a lot of patience. Nothing works the way it does back home. I'd talk to the manager first and keep working. If it drags on, then think about the next step.

Brother, I had a 2 month delay once too. I borrowed from a roommate and felt terrible every single day. The money you send home is the hardest part, because your family plans around that date. I told my mother the bank was slow. She knew, but she let me say it. Hang in there and keep that record of dates going. It may matter later.

The simplest fix is to stop going to the office, and if anyone asks, say you can't afford the bus fare. That's a joke, mostly. But in my experience employers only move fast once the work really stops. Until then they hand out the same excuses for months and nothing happens on their side. I'm not saying do it. I'm saying it's the only language some managers understand.

Having to explain your rent and needs to an accountant every month just to get your own money is humiliating. I sent money home on a fixed date for years, and a late salary always hit my family first. Before you take any job in Saudi, ask people who work there how regularly the salary arrives. A nice contract means little if the account department keeps finding new excuses.

This problem is really common, salary delays, many times it even happens that there's no salary for 2 months. When you ask for your salary, the accountant will ask what you need it for and how much you need, the full salary isn't possible, if you need to pay rent he'll ask how much the rent is, you say 1500 SR, he'll give you 1500 SR and say it'll be cut from your salary. I have a friend in Jeddah who told me this. You end up having to practically beg for your own money.

Danish, I spent a few years in Riyadh and a salary delay happened to me once for 6 weeks. What helped was a written message to the manager, polite, asking for a date. Not a call, a message. Once it was in writing, the vague answers got shorter and the money moved faster. Keep your bank statement and contract safe too. I'd check how others at your company are handling it first.