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How is work in the Middle East
Rank: Elder Joined: 7/23/2008 Posts: 3,017
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I know there are some members who are working in the middle east,please give me some advise on a good location to work in. I know Dubai,Doha,Abu Dhabi,etc. I have an offer to pick a location somewhere there,its offering some good money,than what I get in the UK,etc plus this wazungu's don't seem to care about my career. I've noticed the youth in particular coming in to a workplace with a completely outsized notion of their own value and importance... just a thinly-veiled arrogance. May be the credit crunch induced recession is whats needed to remind us all about the value of hard work.... By Anonymous "The purpose of bureaucracy is to compensate for incompetence and lack of discipline." James Collins
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Rank: Member Joined: 3/18/2008 Posts: 377
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Work and life in the Middle East is not as bad,it depends on anumber of factors i.e Country,your own expectations,lifestyle etc. Some countries have remained conservatives but Dubai,Doha,Dhabi,Amman,Beirut,Damascus,Baghdad have opened up to the west hence offer reasonable facilties/amenities,access to a fairly good lifestyle etc. Accomodation is very expensive in Doha,cost of life in most of this cities is high,maybe slightly less than UK.Been based in Jordan - Amman for over 2 years now and I have no regrets,get in touch on luttah@yahoo.com to share more "You've never lived until you've almost died; for those who have fought for it, life has a flavour the protected will never know."
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Rank: Member Joined: 3/6/2008 Posts: 632
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I hope do not mean to discourage you but..i think you maybe be making a drastic error IMHO. I defenitely understand the positin you are in having worked in the Islands myself...forget bout career and promotion is upt a certain level and some of this guys do not want to admit we can be as good as them if not better. This frustration led many people to leave and i know 2 who went to UAE one in Abu Dhabi the other one in Dubai..and i can tell you they regret to this day that was 3 years ago. We had an office there and had established some sovereign funds and the office had to close down that was 3 months ago that was in Dubai. I don't know much about the other cities but i know in Doha the government holds your passport during your duration their. In the middle east i believe their selling point is pay and they will give you rediculous amounts but life on the other hand is absurd. I have been to Dubai several times and the only people who truly enjoy are Emirates staff as they have some pass cards that allow one to buy drinks,food everything at half price and mark you drinks are more expensive than in the UK again this is in the case of Dubai.. Caution don't take this info as the holy grail but do your extensive Due Diligence esp if you moving to UAE..all the best let us know how it goes.cheers mate. Success is not measured by what you accomplish,but by the opposition you have encountered and the courage with which you have maintained the struggle against the overwhelming odds' The greatest danger in times of turbulence is not the turbulence; it is to act with yesterday's logic.
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Rank: Veteran Joined: 11/21/2006 Posts: 1,590
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Obi-make a realistic decision. Google and find out the living costs in whichever location you are heading to. If the money is alot better than you are getting in CI,hama. It'll be good experience career-wise. And no matter where you are,you are a nyeuthi and somebody will always use it as an excuse to overlook your ability. Had the same,but family-wise kuhama is difficult... www.mjengakenya.blogspot.comSehemu ndio nyumba
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Rank: Member Joined: 3/18/2008 Posts: 377
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@ Ric Situations are different,it depends on where,nature for your etc. I work in the humanitarian sector and I must admit its challenging but equally very rewarding,nothing comes easy anyway "You've never lived until you've almost died; for those who have fought for it, life has a flavour the protected will never know."
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Rank: Member Joined: 3/6/2008 Posts: 632
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Luttz.. Thats true situations/circumstances differ hence why we make different choices..but quite frankly i have seen far too many brothers bite the dust (read moving to ME) and some never recover from it. They have aggressively marked their industries and i see those packs in the office all the time but i guess i am wiser now but who knows am sure there are guys who are living in ME and loving every moment in it. Obi..GS,JPChase London offices are actively hiring at the moment go to their websites and see wsup,also there are a host of other small firms looking for guys all the time one thing for sure i know esp here in London is,as long as you are in Finance then you are as good as Gold and you have UK experience though don't rely too much on CI experience as you will soon find out. Then lastly when it comes to career,sadly that is a line of thought you just have to forgo... We live with those demons all the times but embrace life as it comes and you will surely find joy.. and as Mainat clearly pointed out or colour is our greatest disadvantage and even though they shout from the rooftops ..it still exists very much in this society..just watch the popularity of BNP rising..food for thought ...all the best,give us a shout..cheers Success is not measured by what you accomplish,but by the opposition you have encountered and the courage with which you have maintained the struggle against the overwhelming odds' The greatest danger in times of turbulence is not the turbulence; it is to act with yesterday's logic.
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Rank: Elder Joined: 7/23/2008 Posts: 3,017
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Thanks Luttz,Ric and Mainat. I have heard about the govt holding your PP in Doha,is this really true coz,that I cannot accept,its dehumanizing and no amount of cash will make it feel better. The UK is fine and all but I can't afford to stagnate in one position for too long,it will ruin my CV and that I don't want. The move offers upward mobility plus increased cash based on the minimum amount of money I had said i was willing to accept which is much higher than what I currently get. Surely rent has to be cheap,I was reading somewhere that rent in Dubai has considerably reduced,or rather that there's an oversupply of real estate. For those in the know in the financial industry,can I get my employer to provide accomodation as part of the deal. How about other opportunities,is it possible to get some large paying job in the oil industry,and how about the interest free loans,can one get them. @Ric,why do your friends have regrets @Luttz,howz the general attitude of the Arabs I've noticed the youth in particular coming in to a workplace with a completely outsized notion of their own value and importance... just a thinly-veiled arrogance. May be the credit crunch induced recession is whats needed to remind us all about the value of hard work.... By Anonymous "The purpose of bureaucracy is to compensate for incompetence and lack of discipline." James Collins
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Rank: Elder Joined: 7/23/2008 Posts: 3,017
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@Ric I don't think London's an option,they are not hiring non EU passport holders. Plus I am really convinced that the days of the Mzungu are numbered,its time to turn East,the UK is a straight jacket as far as making cash in finance is concerned. its your salary and nothing else. I've noticed the youth in particular coming in to a workplace with a completely outsized notion of their own value and importance... just a thinly-veiled arrogance. May be the credit crunch induced recession is whats needed to remind us all about the value of hard work.... By Anonymous "The purpose of bureaucracy is to compensate for incompetence and lack of discipline." James Collins
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Rank: Member Joined: 3/6/2008 Posts: 632
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@Obi I guess the bottom line is what you expressed..career growth and as you have asked Luttz..they bottom line was with their Arab seniors who despite not having the relevant qualifications give you the run around on how you should work and 'unrealistic ' expectations.Even the arabs on the same level seem to have a say on 'procedures' and have been randomly been given titles but nothing to back them up. One of them stayed in a hotel for almost 10months (how true this is i don't know) as houses were just rediculously expensive and i know they were expecting their first child. so you can imagine.The one in Abu dhabi got a house in Dubai thats where the wife was staying and he would drive everyweekend to be with them (2hr drive) as they could not get a house in Abu dhabi. I can't really vouch for all this,but i have told you as it is. They are Hiring HSMP holders..true bout straight Jacket. Success is not measured by what you accomplish,but by the opposition you have encountered and the courage with which you have maintained the struggle against the overwhelming odds' The greatest danger in times of turbulence is not the turbulence; it is to act with yesterday's logic.
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Rank: Member Joined: 6/26/2009 Posts: 1
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I have been working in the ME for several years now. Life here can be very good or very bad depending on the following: 1. Nationality: Western passport holders are paid far much better than the rest of the world 2. Education and experience: The more educated and the more experienced (especially if it is western education and experience) the better the remuneration 3. Profession 4. How you negotiate (e.g. it is always best to have the company take care of housing,medical etc). 5. Company/organization: Always it is best to work for government,international organizations or highly reputable (big) local organizations. some small local businesses or companies can be a nightmare especially when it comes to pay.
Passport: Generally the company will hold the passport in exchange for the work permit. This is not an issue at all. When you need to travel,you simply hand in your work permit and get your passport. So this should not worry you.
Some specifics: Housing is very expensive in Dubai. Doha is getting to be expensive as well. Riyadh is comparatively cheaper.
The bottom line: Tax free salary makes it very attractive. It is a good place to work,make money and invest back at home.
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Rank: Member Joined: 9/13/2006 Posts: 58
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Have a look at this site to get an idea about Doha,Qatar. www.qatarliving.com
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Rank: Member Joined: 9/21/2006 Posts: 8
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@ obi
Well if it is working in ME dubai would be ideal,its more laid back if i may put in that context. I have been here for slightly over one year,and i have seen some remarkable changes,It all depends on what you negotiate as part of your contract,rents were a horror but have drastically come down if your employer can provide accomodation well and good but it all depends on where you want to stay. There is a wide varierty of housing now,what i would suggest is work on your driving licence asapo in DXB makes comuting easy and off course cheap. Weather is a downside the heat is cruel in summer. The night life is also good to many pubs etc so karibu DXB,
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Rank: Elder Joined: 7/23/2008 Posts: 3,017
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@Tiro and Nasser,thanks What do you mean I need to work on my DL,I already have one,the kenyan one,i use it here. Glad to hear that the pubs are buzzing in dubs. I suspect the peeps interested in me want me somewhere (not in dubs). I would naturally quickly jump in if they offered dubs. Anyone in AbuDhabi! Doha! Howz Saudi Arabia,the place scares the sh*t out of me,but I have decided to operate like a chutta or a Som and follow the money wherever it leads. When you say no tax,I hope that means the gava does not dip its dirty beak into your wallet for anything,where I am,this guyz talk about low tax but still kata 6% of my income as social security,which converts to some very tidy kshs. After the crunch,the truth is the UK will never be the same again. This guyz are wading neck high in debt and will not recover in a hurry. I've noticed the youth in particular coming in to a workplace with a completely outsized notion of their own value and importance... just a thinly-veiled arrogance. May be the credit crunch induced recession is whats needed to remind us all about the value of hard work.... By Anonymous "The purpose of bureaucracy is to compensate for incompetence and lack of discipline." James Collins
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Rank: Member Joined: 3/18/2008 Posts: 377
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Obi! Guys have said it all. Offcourse Arabs have an attitude but where can you go where people have not attitude a gainst a black person. With time once you proof to them that u r better than they are,they keep quiet and learn from you. Personally I work with an international Humanitarian organization,therefore have no control on terms of employment coz this is as per policy and is determined in New York. Social life in Jordan is good,not far from Nairobi,Kuwait is shit,Saudi is shit,Doha is opening up in all spheres,Beirut is even better than Nairobi. The region is not asbad as people paint it,it just depends on how you negotiate. All the best mate "You've never lived until you've almost died; for those who have fought for it, life has a flavour the protected will never know."
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Rank: Member Joined: 9/21/2006 Posts: 8
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Obi,
You have put it right you have a Kenyan DL but yes only good in Kenya. Lazima urudi Driving school if you are to get a UAE DL,the Kenyan DL will help you and will sit for 20classes normaly for beginners is 40. The worst bit is that you are not guarranted to pass you might it get after a few attempts,and its f** expensive the minimum amount will be 40-50K pesa ya Kenya.
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Rank: Chief Joined: 1/3/2007 Posts: 18,139 Location: Nairobi
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Always remember that to the arabs,a miro is always a slave. Even mohamed (the so-called prophet) kept slaves. Now if the top dog had slaves,then what are you? Greedy when others are fearful,Very fearful when others are greedy - to paraphrase WB Greedy when others are fearful. Very fearful when others are greedy - to paraphrase Warren Buffett
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