Job Discussion Forums

[dorothy1]

Anybody with comments regarding the current situation on the ground in Erbil, Iraq??? Any changes on daily life over the last month?

[caliph]

Yes, let's hear from someone on the ground there.

El Hobo, returnee2014, what's happening there?

[Fareastbelfast]

I'm in Soran. We are all keeping a close eye on events, discussing possible evacuation plans, and engaging in gallows humour. None of us are panicking at the moment. Some other westerners in the region have left or have been told to leave, as far as I know. The military situation seems to have stabilised for now.

[ecocks]

Guess we're all getting 2-3 emails a day offering these jobs in Erbil.

Too funny.

I'm holding out for announcements of highly-paid openings in Donetsk and Lugansk (Ukraine).

[El Hobo]

I don't know anyone who has left; nobody's particularly scared. We have a very easy gig here: good money, few hours and lots of holidays - nobody's going anywhere, at least until sh1t gets a little crazier.

[Sirens of Cyprus]

We have a very easy gig? So you are the spokesman for everybody in Erbil?

[plumpy nut]

What if the ISIS starts to overrun the area are you going to be able to get out fast enough? Time to smell the roses and get out.

[El Hobo]

[veiledsentiments]

I assumed that you were speaking for your job site... not every expat in the area, but anyway... you and the rest of the expat teachers are close to the action and presumably you have all discussed it and are ready to go if you have to... Those that might have their families with them should probably leave if they can, but singles can make their own decisions. (are they doing family contracts there at all?)

VS

[El Hobo]

[veiledsentiments]

So Sabis continues its activities proving that they are one of the worst employers in the Middle East. For years, their only two positives have been that they will pretty much hire anyone... theoretically with a degree... and they have normally paid the pittance on time each month.

Let's hope that the Peshmerga manage to hold off the barbarians at the gate. Keep us informed when you can...

VS

[returnee2014]

I'm in SuliTown, which is still safer than your typical US city of comparable size.

It's no longer considered safe to travel to Erbil now though, not that I ever cared to.

Biggest complaint I hear coming out of people in Erbil is that they are inundated with refugees and public safety has declined somewhat. So you're more likely to get mugged for your wallet than abducted by d'ash (ISIS).

Kurdistan doesn't pay as well as Saudi, so if you're in it for the money, you might as well head there instead of Erbil. If you're coming for the better climate and secularism, then I suggest SuliTown over Erbil. My favorite feature here is the wide availability and low cost of quality fresh produce. Altho there are definitely fewer jobs here and at slightly less pay than Erbil.

[returnee2014]

Things heating up a little bit. Car bomb went off twenty minutes from here. Kurds openly discussing their anti-arab feelings in public places. Kirkuk heating up big time as Peshmerga interrogate Sunni refugee families about their political leanings. Many Kurds now using the derogative D'ash (Dowla Al-Islamia fi Iraq waSham), i.e. IS to refer to all Sunni Arabs. Xpats getting jumpy. Uni's getting negatively impacted by high schools around the country delaying graduation because they are housing refugees, i.e. classes canceled. Some concern that Baghdad won't come thru on promised funds owed to the KRG.

-Frog in the pot

[caliph]

Even as the US has halfheartedly started bombing, (but NO NO NO boots on the ground) along with some useless coalition partners, the war is still not going so well in the west.

In Kurdish areas, I'd start considering my options.

[coder]

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