What would you do folks was I wrong?
I travelled to country "X" spent 2 weeks in hotel awaiting security clearances, work permits, visas etc. met rig manager the 2nd day I arrived, he starts conversation speaking about delays with salary payments? I explain to him that 1 week late acceptable not 2 weeks though, I was clear on that point, he assures me, no its okay its getting better!
I said to him be clear I am not having any company owe me 2 months salary never have & never will.
Anyway 2 weeks later I set foot on the rig (Good rig-2011 Jack Up) speaking to B2B O.I.M. who is staying 4 days for handover just general chat then we go outside so he can smoke, I ask him how is the company as regarding paying salary he laughs then says this...
He was due around 130k after MUCH trouble they paid him 30k now it is back up to <140k unpaid salaries due him, says the guy I replaced quit & now with lawyers involved taking the company to court for unpaid salary, says the Toolpusher quit 4 months ago now back as they paid him some money due!
At this point Rig Manager who was on board joined us, I say to him I am hearing all these horror stories about unpaid salaries when would I be paid he said he couldn't guarantee when I would be paid, it was now very clear to me it was not going to be on a regular basis.
I asked R.M. "jokingly" would I be paid within 6 months he said he could not guarantee it ? (W.T.F.) I asked why he did he not say this when we met on my 2nd day in country then I would have just went home not wasted my or anyone else's time? then says salary payments outwith his control?
I told him I was brought here under false pretences you assumed I would accept long delays in salary payment which is wrong, day rate good if not paid though what's the point?
I asked why he was not truthful at our 1st meeting or even during initial interview? I asked R.M. so if I work 5 weeks then have 5 weeks off will I be paid before I return? my B2B just laughed the rig manager said probably not?
At that point I decided to call it a day.
Note Also; Earlier in Head Office meeting H.R. MANAGER I asked do you need my contact details address, emergency contact, next of kin etc. I was told no need? What about my bank details you will need them to pay my salary surely? oh you can give them to (Lady Name) he had no interest at all to take any of my details I should have smelt a rat then silly me.
Once on the rig hearing the way they operate I just wonder if they had any intention of paying me & god forbid something happened to me who would they contact as they did not want any emergency details would they just box me up then keep any monies due me who knows?
I have not put Company or Rig Managers name at this point I am just wondering what you would have done in this situation.
I was the new kid on the block, full of energy, looking forward to a new challenge ready to do my very best for the rig / company only to be met with negativity, What would you have done folks?