Sorry for your problems buford, but I would never, ever use one of the banks for transfers. Always used exchange houses which gave better rates/fees and results.
But you don't get your Provident money before you leave anyway. That comes later. Perhaps you are referring to your final pay? That is indeed a cheque. In my case I cashed it at Emirates NBD at EGHQ and took it directly to Rostamani and wired it to my offshore account.
Three weeks later my Provident fund arrived via wire transfer to the same account.
No issues.