Job Discussion Forums

[wilberforce]

[wilberforce]

The Gulag will soon leave the hallowed halls at Ras Aboud for a purpose built building somewhere near Aspire and Sport City. They say we'll move in after Eid, but who knows? I say it will probably be after the second Eid. I can't believe we're going to vacate this cosy old place with all the portacabins. Things are a bit primative but the new place might end up being too clinical and clean.

I reckon it's time for a change. Maybe we'll get equipment that works and chairs that don't collapse.

[wilberforce]

Who'd you like to invite to the inauguration of the new premises somewhere out near Sport City?

I'd like to see our old boss, Malachy the Magnificent doing the honors. The times they are a changin' as good old Dylan said.

Some other old faces it would be nice to see would be Slick Nick, Nick the Hick, Old Yeller Keller, Sardonic Sara, Loquacious Lindsay (he had a great DJ patter), Harmonious Henty (miss those QBS radio shows he used to DJ), Lovely Linda, Roger the Dodger, JC, Garrulous Graeme and Perce the Rock. It would be great if they could invite these old-timers to inaugurate the new place. Any others anybody would like to see back for one last time? It wouldn't be the same, though, as Garveys is no longer a watering hole.

Musn't forget to add John the Con to the list. He still owes me money. Not you, JC. Robert the redneck used to be a laugh but he sometimes overdid it.

[wilberforce]

The Gulag as we know it will soon be no more. Our subcontractor to Griffith (IMTIAZ) has lost their contract; they will finish up the end of December and some new subcontractor will take over (allegedly with a better pay scale!!! ha ha). A few days ago about 16 or 17 Gulagers were give the big heave-ho and chopped. Tomorrow supposedly another 16 or 17 are going to be sent to the chopping block. This means about 40% of our teachers (there are supposed to be 78 or 80 of us, not sure exactly how many) will be given the axe. It is disgusting as we begin our vacation on August 1st. It's an extra long vacation, we also get all of Ramadan off. This is so they can close down the Gulag and move to their fancy new building somewhere out in Aspire Zone. Gulagers are in a state of shock. Some people have famililes, their kids are in school. I've heard one guy almost had a heart attack when he got the news!!! To tell people that they've been fired 10 daysbefore they were supposed to go
on vacation is disgusting!!!

Poor old Gulag. There have been good times and bad times but this treatment and heave-ho as the premises close down (for the new airport) is really a bitter pill to swallow for a lot of people.

Time for me to move on!!!!

[wilberforce]

Deadly deadly. Over 20 Direct Hires have to face the chopper's block!!!!!!!During the past year at least 7 or 8 or possibly more have been booted out. It seems as though they are going to get rid of the Direct Hires. It's probably cheaper for them to just use contract teachers. No school fees, no Gazelle Club, no villas, etc. This mass firing has been a big blow to dozens of people. Disgusting!! Now we can understand how angry those QU teachers get when they have their annual mass firing. It hits you right between the old eyeballs. These guys have no time to job hunt as their holidays begin in two weeks. How and where can they locate. Man, I feel for them. It's a real nightmare. And how many contract people? Incomplete casulty list so far but at least a dozen if not two dozen will be given the big swat just as if they were mosquitoes!

[wilberforce]

Another big chopping in the offing. Out of 80 teachers, they are supposed to keep only about 40 - 45. They want to reduce the number of teachers in the training center. The new building out in Aspire Zone apparently does not have enough classrooms for 80 odd teachers! Word is that young high school grads are going to be funneled into the new community colleges. They are supposed to have intensive English language classes there. If they make the grade, they can apply to QP. However, this is just the latest rumor making the rounds. No confirmation.

More people breaking down because of the firings. It really is a deadly atmosphere. People are left at loose ends because it is so late to apply anywhere else.

Like I said, for some of us it's time for a sea change but the people with family responsibilities are the ones I feel for. Singles like myself can cope and move on but these unlucky guys are really up the creek.

[wilberforce]

Soon the Gulag will go under the wreckers' ball. This new road has completely changed the whole locale.

Abu Aboud bridge nearing completion

Contractors are putting the final touches to the Abu Aboud bridge, which will form the main link to the new Doha International Airport and will widen the northern and southern ends of Ras Abu Aboud Road.
According to a report in local Arabic daily Arrayah, the project, which will be completed this August, cost QR740mn. There will be four lanes leading to the airport, as well as a network of roads currently under construction leading to and from Abu Aboud roundabout.

The roundabout will be removed and replaced with an intersection consisting of three traffic signals. The Abu Aboud Road will be converted into a highway with no signals or roundabouts interrupting it, the report added.

[wilberforce]

Good-bye Gulag. The Golden Gulag Years are over. Too many fired teachers (almost half of the contracts and DH teachers are either on their way out of the country today and tomorrow (like myself) or have already left after being given the boot. A very sad state of affairs. Good luck to the Gulagers who survived and who are sticking it out. Even more good luck to the Gulagers who got the boot. They sure need it. My time has come, on to grad school and maybe a future in China. My next destination.

A big good-bye to all my awesome gal pals and my awesome colleagues, buddies and Garvey's gang. Will miss you. Hope things work out for all of you. The way QP has dealt with Gulag teachers has left a sour taste in my mouth and the mouth of a lot of other teachers. We all need good luck. I hope everybody gets a good job, especially those guys who were given shock treatment firing. You've been a great bunch, Gulag Pals and Gals!!! I'll miss ya all.

Wilberforce

[lollaerd]

The Gulag is almost gone. Only about 15 (unpaid) contract teachers left and these guys haven't been paid their salaries in full. No idea about the direct hires; it looks like QP will have to recruit more direct hires if the contract teachers go. IMTIAZ has had to fire them because they claim they have no more money left to pay their salaries and rents because QP has not paid them. A real big mess and a lot of very unlucky and very unhappy teachers.

I hope the teachers who go to the Ministry of Labor get some compensation. But it will be a long haul effort for sure!

[washingtonpost]

[paperback]

For those of you who knew him, Mark Linname recently died in Hobart, Tasmania. It was unexpected.

May he rest in peace.

[paperback]

Mark was only in his 50s. Pretty young to go but his heart condition got worse. A good guy. Sorry to hear about his passing.

[lollaerd]

Mark Linnane was a good guy. He was friendly, fair minded and a good drinking and joking buddy. I was really sorry to hear he'd died. Like you said, may he RIP.

[lollaerd]

Adios Gulag buddies, chums, pals, mates, etc. etc. etc. as the King of Siam said. You were great pals and co-workers. My Gulag years will never be forgotten.

Bye, Cheers, Ma Salama.

[paperback]