Job Discussion Forums

helenl · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 1202

I don't dispute that UAE is not run like a lot of other countries. However, normal is a very relative word - what Westerners are accustomed to no, what many Asians are used to probably yes.

Expats are a replaceable commodity almost by definition. Most are not here for the climate or the culture - they are here because they can earn a better living than elsewhere, often more than their own countries. I doubt if tea boys would shrink from the chance of changing places with most teachers - just for the money, that's what they're here for same as teachers.

Most people (intelligent and otherwise) who come to the GCC are here to make money - full stop, end of story. When they find they cannot abide their working conditions, they either vote with their feet or they gripe and rant endlessly (thereby making themselves personas non grata in the lunchrooms around the emirates and usually ending in a non-renewal of contract - Surprise!)

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

redcliff · Joined: 23 Nov 2006 Posts: 46

to get back slightly on topic too, my understanding is that one of the main reasons that the option to find your own place was raised bu hct was because there are a significant number of staff on mid to long term plans and want to buy and use the allowance for this.

helenl · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 1202

I don't understand your reference to mid to long term plans. Everyone at HCT is (at best) on a 3 year contract which may (or may not) be renewed depending on staffing requirements and employee performance.

Yes, there has been discussion as to whether staff will be "given" their housing allowance and allowed to find their own accomodation. Don't expect that they will be handed a lump sum though. HCT will hold the funds until suitable accomodation is found and pay the rent directly to the landlord - not to HCT staff.

This point is a topic for discussion (ie. whether staff will in some nebulous future be given the lump sum) but it doesn't look good IMHO as one argument against is that HCT is in "debt" now and anyway they can reduce costs will be examined carefully (b) it has been stated that once a staff member "opts out" of HCT provided housing they can't opt back in and the way rents are rising any savings would soon be consumed and you'd be worse off than before and (c) not all emirates permit expat ownership of property therefore not all staff would have the same options.

redcliff · Joined: 23 Nov 2006 Posts: 46

re. reference to mid to long term plans...

there are a number of teachers who have been year well into their second contract and intend on staying even further. these are the ones who would like to purchase a place.

have to wait and see what the final details say. i remember less than a year ago the big rumour was that pay was to be slashed across the board, medical benefits cut etc, and this didn't quite turn out that way.

helenl · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 1202

I understand, but just because they "plan" to stay beyond the current contract doesn't mean they will be able to. I know people who are in their 4th or 5th contract but that doesn't mean they're any more secure than someone in their first.

globalnomad2 · Joined: 23 Jul 2005 Posts: 562

Absolutely. I have taught in Malaysia, Japan, Saudi Arabia and, for the last 10 years, UAE. There is no such thing as job security in overseas positions, especially in the Middle East. It is foolish to "plan" to stay mid-term or long-term. I certainly would not plan major investments based on an ill-advised assumption that I would be staying for years and years. It normally doesn't happen. And personally, I would never invest in UAE real estate, but that's just me, not saying you wouldn't benefit. But I think it makes more sense to take your UAE job year by year, and use your disposable savings to purchase real estate in your home country or some place where it's more liquid and practical. You may be able to buy "freehold" property here as an expat, but selling it is a different matter.

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

I just saw a post on the Lonely Planet travel site of a woman who bought property in Dubai and was now frantically trying to sell it... on a travel website?? Shocked

I admit that I have never looked into the rules of property investment there, but I read in one article that the purchase does not come with a visa, so that could become an issue. I agree that the employment is not stable enough to be putting one's income into property...

VS

globalnomad2 · Joined: 23 Jul 2005 Posts: 562

Some elucidaton:

1. Firings and layoffs are common. And some people who think they're going to love it here and stay forever and ever wind up leaving within a year because they hate it. I've known a lot of those.

2. I hear from some quarters that while it may be easy for foreigners to buy "freehold" property, local laws seem to discourage selling it!