Job Discussion Forums

[jdl]

Is there information from anyone who presently works at QP?

[washingtonpost]

I got kicked out last July and have found at job with HCT. Much better conditions and pay. No regrets although at the time I was in hate-mode.
My friends who stayed on are in a mess. They haven't received their full salaries for November and have to leave. Those of us who were terminated last summer were the lucky ones. QP needs to get their act together because the students need teachers. Anyway, it was a good place for the 18 months I was there.

[jdl]

Fujara/Khor Fakan is a much nicer lifestyle......great decision!

[lollaerd]

No not where it's at although they think it is. Too busy trying to keep up with Dubai - when Dubai starts a new project you can be sure there will be a similar project here. The Pearl Qatar is a copycat operation for Palm Jumeirah.

[jdl]

Ah, that elusive 'it'. So many searchers and so few 'discoverers'.

[ntropy]

An international survey was recently done asking expats (all categories, not just English teachers) which overseas country provided them with the best quality of life.

Number one? Thailand.

Last on the list? Qatar. Prmarily for the (non-existent) prospects of find love.

Personally, I think the complaints about life in Qatar are overdone. I've lived in much worse places.

[qatar visitor]

You want to be careful of who employs you - we know some teachers who are not currently getting paid. College of the North Atlantic pays a fortune, but only if you are Canadian. The British Council used to be a bit mean, although things might have improved, and the Language Institute is pretty good - they are looking for six teachers at the moment if you are looking for work in Qatar!

[lollaerd]

Today is definitely where it's at. National Day tomorrow and a big festival planned with fireworks and parade. An extravaganza of massive proportions!!

http://www.newsnow.co.uk/A/390015131?-11049

[washingtonpost]

Spending the weekend here commiserating with some friends I used to work with. The Corniche is amazing! This is sure one big buzz!!!!

[lollaerd]

City Center to charge for parking from Feb
By Ourouba Hussein

Signs have been put up at the mall warning people against selling spaces
City Center Doha is to introduce a paid parking system by the end of February, a senior official at the leading mall has said.
A part of the mall�s 1,600 parking spaces is taken up by people who work in offices nearby as many of the buildings in the area do not have ample parking.
City Center Mall director Christoph Von Oelhafen said that although charged parking would be introduced soon, the mall did not wish to charge customers.
�Customers will be recognised by showing receipts for products or service purchased from outlets at the mall�, he said. �Another plan is to charge all but provide three free hours of parking.�
Oelhafen explained that the parking problem emerged when many surrounding towers in the new Doha district started operating, without parking space of their own.
He said that City Center�s administration was considering building an additional parking floor which will accommodate another 450 cars, as well as introducing charged parking, to solve the problem.
�Discussions with the Urban Planning and Development Department are underway in the meantime to organise the new parking entrances and exits�, he stated, adding �acquiring a building permit is also in process�.
The official explained that the mezzanine floor�s ceiling was very high and it could include another parking floor, noting that the administration was not thinking of constructing a separate building for parking, due to the lack of available land near the mall.
Oelhafen pointed out that the mall�s employees took up 250 to 300 parking spaces, though many of them come in groups by buses.
�However, the number of spaces occupied by them was very high and discussions are underway to come up with a solution to this issue.
�We thought about using the area in front of the Sheraton Hotel, but it is already gone and for the moment, we do not have any solution for the employees� parking issue.�
The official said that digital boards outside the mall�s car park would provide visitors with information about empty spaces available inside.
�Customers will not have to drive around looking for unoccupied parking spaces anymore, as a red and green navigation system will guide them to free spaces�.
To a question, Oelhafen said the practice of some persons �selling� parking spaces for money was over, after the mall installed warning signs.
Although rumours said parking lots at the mall went for as high as QR150-200, he said that it was being traded in the range of QR10-40.
�Most of these people were drivers waiting for families to come out,� he added.
Oelhafen pointed out that the mall had a monitoring system to keep an eye on such people and �we have caught around 30 and handed them over to the police�.
As for restrictions on bachelors, Oelhafen pointed out that restrictions were imposed only on Fridays and holidays.
He said that the mall�s administration had conceded to a request from locals and investors.
�It is not true that they are not allowed to come in during weekends because the mall�s tenants do not benefit from low-income workers�, he stated, adding �food shops do benefit a lot from them�. The official also observed that rents have not been affected by the drop in real estate prices as a result of the global crisis.


http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=333910&version=1&template_id=36&parent_id=16

[lollaerd]

Community service penalty introduced
QNA/Doha
A new penalty, named �social employment�, has been instituted for crimes punishable by prison terms not exceeding one year or a fine not exceeding QR1,000.
This provision comes as per a law issued yesterday by HH the Deputy Emir and Heir Apparent Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani.
The law amends some provisions of the penal code issued by law No. 11 of 2004.
As per the �social employment� penalty, a sentenced person should carry out community service, in accordance with certain regulations and procedures, instead of conventional penalties such as imprisonment and fine.
The court shall pass such procedures at the request of the prosecutor-general in crimes punishable by prison terms not exceeding one year or a fine not exceeding QR1,000.
HH the Deputy Emir and Heir Apparent Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani yesterday also issued the following decrees, laws, Emiri decisions and instruments of ratification:
A. Decree ratifying the exploration and sharing production for the offshore exploration area no. BC between the government of Qatar and the Middle East China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) signed in August 31 of 2009.
B.Decree ratifying an agreement between the governments of Qatar and France on the mutual exemption of the short-stay visa for special diplomatic passport holders (Qatari nationals only) and for service (French nationals only).
C. Decree endorsing the protocol of the preferential tariff plan of the Trade Preferential System for the countries of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference.
The plan shall have the power of law in accordance with Article 68 of the constitution.
D. Emiri decision amending some provisions of the Emiri decision No. 22 of 2009 appointing deputy chairman and members of the Supreme Health Council.
The decision stipulated the appointment of Dr Ilias Zarhoni as a member at the Council.
E. Instrument of ratification approving the Arab agreement on the regulation of passengers� transport in and across Arab states.
The instrument gave the following interpretive statement: �The State of Qatar interprets the rules or this agreement as not exempting passengers from having entry visas to the State of Qatar in accordance with laws and decisions applicable in the State.�

http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=332265&version=1&template_id=36&parent_id=16

[lollaerd]

Doha set for celebration of cultures


Web posted at: 12/26/2009 6:54:49
Source ::: The Peninsula


DOHA: The title of Capital of Arab Culture 2010 was officially conferred upon Doha from Al Quds � the Capital of Arab Culture 2009, on Thursday. The event at heritage Village near Rumailah Park was attended by H E Dr Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al Kuwari, Minister of Culture, Arts and Heritage, Munir Ghannam, Ambassdor of Palestine to Qatar and various other envoys and officials.

The Capital of Arab Culture is an initiative undertaken by the Arab League under the Unesco Cultural Capitals Programme to promote and celebrate Arab culture and encourage cooperation in the Arab region. It is part of Unesco�s global Cultural Capitals Programme which focuse on the cultural aspects of development and increased international cooperation. Arab countries were included into the programme in 1998.

To begin with, Doha will host 70 events in the first three months of 2010. Qatar has been preparing for the year long festivity since the beginning of 2009. The organising committee in charge of preparing for Doha Capital of Arab Culture 2010 has been looking into the previous Arab cities that have been conferred with tittle to provide a diverse range of activities. Damascus Capital of Arab Culture 2008 included 350 events in 365 days along with theatrical performances and cultural evenings that were organised in a number of global cities.

Al Quds Capital of Arab Culture 2009 included 600 cultural events, held in Jerusalem and all Palestinian cities as well as all capitals of the Arab world. Doha hopes to make the events bigger and bring in the best festivity to town.

During the hand over ceremony, a number of activities were held under the patronage of the Ministry of Culture, Arts and Heritage. It showcased a mix of Palestinian and Qatari culture with traditional dances, poetry recitals, music, food and clothes. Well Known Lebanese singer Fairouz performed at the event. A replica of traditional Palestinian house was also on show.

Al Kuwari also inaugurated a photo exhibition which brought to light some 100 photos depicting the war atrocities committed by Israel army in the Palestinian villages.

THE PENINSULA

[lollaerd]

Courts flooded with cheque related cases: Lawyer

Source ::: The Peninsula

DOHA: The largest number of cases being currently heard by the criminal courts in Qatar pertain to bouncing cheques, says a prominent lawyer.

�Cheques being issued recklessly by middle-income expatriates, in particular, are the biggest problem these days,� said Mohsin Thiyab Al Suwaidi.

The problem is not as much with nationals as with expatriates, some of whom leave the country for good having bought expensive things by pledging post-dated cheques with retail outlets.

The bought items are mostly cars, refrigerators, air-conditioners and other household items.

Many property owners are facing the problem of bouncing cheques as some of their tenants who are in limited income brackets deposit postdated cheques which are never honoured by the banks.

The offenders are mostly in the salary brackets of QR4,000 to R5,000 or slightly more.

The cases of bounced cheques are immediately referred to the police and the latter forward them to the court visa public prosecution.

Although giving a cheque that is not honoured by the bank is a minor crime, the punishment can vary from one day to three years� imprisonment depending on the severity of the offense.

But an offender having spent time in jail for giving a bounced cheque does not mean that he does not have to repay the amount in question.

�The complainant can approach the civil court after the offender has been punished by the criminal court to make recovery of the unpaid amount,� said the lawyer.

The civil court can sentence the offender to three months in prison for the offense. �This is the law.�

If the disputed amount nevertheless remains unpaid the complainant can again go the civil court. �This becomes a vicious circle,� said Al Suwaidi.

According to him, the only option left with an offender who has issued a bounced cheque and is not able to fulfil his financial commitment is to file for bankruptcy. �He can move the court urging it to declare him bankrupt.�

Asked how the problem of bouncing cheques can possibly be circumvented, the lawyer said banks should take care and not issue cheques to anyone without sufficient funds.

They (the banks) should check the salary of customers and then decide whether they are financially sound and responsible enough to fulfil financial commitments.

THE PENINSULA

[lollaerd]

http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=335208&version=1&template_id=36&parent_id=16

[lollaerd]

For certain people, Qatar is not where it's at.


http://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/Display_news.asp?section=Local_News&subsection=Qatar+News&month=January2010&file=Local_News2010010213243.xml