Originally Posted by
Dz_flyer
Where are you coming from guys !!
Are London , paris , new york ...etc , cheaper than dubai ?!!! I don't think so , then do you get back home same benefits you get with EK ! ( tax free Salary , accomodation , schooling , electricity and water paid ! )
Be honest guys be honest , you may dont like EK but just be honest and stop saying stupid things and arguments !
Accomodation, schooling, electricity and water are not free, they are part of the package. The salary is in effect reduced to take these into account. Many would like to be able to buy property and pay their electricity and water but are now unable to unless they are able to afford the huge deposits to buy a property in the UAE (you are looking at needing around 33% of the purchase price just to get in the market) You are now unable to rent property here and take the allowance.
As for schooling the allowance does not give free schooling, it gives an allowance towards schooling, a subtitle difference. Many end up paying not insignificant top up from their own pockets for the schooling that in some cases they can get free back home. This is also number of children dependent and age of children dependent, ie very young children are not entitled to allowance for schooling. Bare in mind that the cost of schooling is the second highest in the world behind Hong Kong.
As for a tax free salary, yes ‘technically’ you are correct however the 5% VAT introduction is a tax and the prices here no matter how you try to sugar coat them are on a par with London and New York. $5 for a coffee, $15 for a beer are just examples and that’s before you get into the food costs.
At the end of the day DZ it all depends where you are coming from. From Africa and other 3rd world counties it will seem a much more attractive option than it does to a western expat.