Middle East salaries
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Health and Life Insurance UAE contract....
Also Provided, saw the memo today. There is another deal with our housing that I won't discuss here but if proven true makes it even more worthwhile. 
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Hey Ducky!!
Muscat's been particularly cold this time of year... hasn't topped 50C yet. Just got back from a very pleasant stroll along the beach and, for a change, not drenched in sweat!
Fox, you just answered the only other question I had... now, where do I sign?
Muscat's been particularly cold this time of year... hasn't topped 50C yet. Just got back from a very pleasant stroll along the beach and, for a change, not drenched in sweat!
Fox, you just answered the only other question I had... now, where do I sign?
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Quokka,
It'll never hit 50 degrees mate, otherwise they have to send all the laborers home...49.9 is as high as the DGCAM met departments thermometers are allowed to go....
Now as for signing, PM if you need the GCAA email address
It'll never hit 50 degrees mate, otherwise they have to send all the laborers home...49.9 is as high as the DGCAM met departments thermometers are allowed to go....
Now as for signing, PM if you need the GCAA email address
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details
Fox 3 snapshot is actually correct. I heard that the housing allowance built into the 40 K amounts to 8600. However, this can be negotiated and GCAA would possibly provide housing up to a certain amount...Also, any transferring costs from Serco to GCAA are open to discussion.
Furthermore, dont forget that as a GCAA you are entitled to yearly bonuses, usually minimum one month salary.
Also, heard a rumour that GCAA will provide guarantee of between 3-5 percent increase per year for the next 5 years.
Anybody interested should go in and request details in writing as to not only make decisons based on rumours. Remember a group speaks louder than individuals.
Furthermore, dont forget that as a GCAA you are entitled to yearly bonuses, usually minimum one month salary.
Also, heard a rumour that GCAA will provide guarantee of between 3-5 percent increase per year for the next 5 years.
Anybody interested should go in and request details in writing as to not only make decisons based on rumours. Remember a group speaks louder than individuals.
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Looks like SERCO's response, if any, is going to be next month because of high level meetings that have to take place with the GCAA. Never saw that coming.
I guess SERCO wants to know if they have a future in Abu Dhabi or not. Years of pinching fils in order to maximize short term profits at the expense of long term stability and growth have finally caught up with them.
Expat controllers have learnt to associate 'SERCO' with 'cheap'. Now it is up to SERCO to change that image and invest in their future by producing a package that doesn't just only 'better' the GCAA offer but is substantial enough to fill the ACC with expat controllers and show the GCAA who really knows how to run the show here.
Or they can continue to maximize short term profits to the bitter end.
I guess SERCO wants to know if they have a future in Abu Dhabi or not. Years of pinching fils in order to maximize short term profits at the expense of long term stability and growth have finally caught up with them.
Expat controllers have learnt to associate 'SERCO' with 'cheap'. Now it is up to SERCO to change that image and invest in their future by producing a package that doesn't just only 'better' the GCAA offer but is substantial enough to fill the ACC with expat controllers and show the GCAA who really knows how to run the show here.
Or they can continue to maximize short term profits to the bitter end.
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The SHUE.....
U're right mate about SERCO's 'BiG' Meeting end of August....
We will all see if we keep getting 'bs' all along.....
In Dubai it's rumoured about this rise, which up to now, has only been excuse after excuse.....a.k.a delaying tactics...
This year alone in approx 8 months, approx 8-9 ATCOs HAVE RESIGNED with MORE TO FOLLOW FOR SURE in next coming months......
If SERCO think we are 'bs-ing',, they got it alll wrong again..Now if DCA realy wanna move things, we could really get somthing.....SERCO have got it all wrong, as they should have proposed a better deal earlier this year...
But be warned...... AT LEAST 4 more, MINIMUM, to resign by year end, which by THIS TIME in writing, we are ALREADY 20 LESS STAFF as per compliment, & 2008 the exodus of majority of the KIWIS & some DANES, not to mention the other who are ONLY waiting for the latest, about the rise.....
Another thing, it is NOT ONLY ATCO's who are resigning, but also ATC Engineers.... 2 have actually resigned lately, with MORE to follow unless there's an IMPROVEMENT!!
SERCO have been laughing in our faces, all along......
But.....
'WHO LAUGHS LAST - LAUGHS BEST'...........
U're right mate about SERCO's 'BiG' Meeting end of August....
We will all see if we keep getting 'bs' all along.....
In Dubai it's rumoured about this rise, which up to now, has only been excuse after excuse.....a.k.a delaying tactics...
This year alone in approx 8 months, approx 8-9 ATCOs HAVE RESIGNED with MORE TO FOLLOW FOR SURE in next coming months......
If SERCO think we are 'bs-ing',, they got it alll wrong again..Now if DCA realy wanna move things, we could really get somthing.....SERCO have got it all wrong, as they should have proposed a better deal earlier this year...
But be warned...... AT LEAST 4 more, MINIMUM, to resign by year end, which by THIS TIME in writing, we are ALREADY 20 LESS STAFF as per compliment, & 2008 the exodus of majority of the KIWIS & some DANES, not to mention the other who are ONLY waiting for the latest, about the rise.....
Another thing, it is NOT ONLY ATCO's who are resigning, but also ATC Engineers.... 2 have actually resigned lately, with MORE to follow unless there's an IMPROVEMENT!!
SERCO have been laughing in our faces, all along......
But.....
'WHO LAUGHS LAST - LAUGHS BEST'...........
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DD, I might just have to come to the dark side. It plays on my mind more often than not now! My big concern is the accomodation though. What are people living in? Where are they living? How much are they paying? Is a 3-5% annual increase going to address the issue of increased rent. Oman too has this problem, there is no gaurantee rents will ease, and therefore the contract may continue to be eroded. Apart from this concern, your contract is looking very sound. I understand you get a minimum of one months bonus per annum, so potential for more? Do you get return flights annually or an equivalent dollar figure for them?
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Heywa
expect 100K+ p.a. for 2 bedroom apartment without parking (add 20K for parking)
for an older 3 bedroom 110K+ more reallistically expect around 140K+ without parking if you can find one.
Villas start around 160K most now in the 180K+
Once you are in as a tennant the rent rises are capped at 7.5% p.a. by UAE law.
No to airfares, but the GCAA are working on an end of service benefit. I am with Serco and I am currently doing the maths re change over. My biggest concern is the accommodation(I am in a nice company 3 bedroom flat which costs me 75K p.a.), it might all be academic if Serco give up the contract at the end of 2008
expect 100K+ p.a. for 2 bedroom apartment without parking (add 20K for parking)
for an older 3 bedroom 110K+ more reallistically expect around 140K+ without parking if you can find one.
Villas start around 160K most now in the 180K+
Once you are in as a tennant the rent rises are capped at 7.5% p.a. by UAE law.
No to airfares, but the GCAA are working on an end of service benefit. I am with Serco and I am currently doing the maths re change over. My biggest concern is the accommodation(I am in a nice company 3 bedroom flat which costs me 75K p.a.), it might all be academic if Serco give up the contract at the end of 2008
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Jors....a bit of balance
No housing – No utilities – No schooling – No airline tickets – “Government” medical – No death or disability benefit – No transport to and from work – No work clothes – No assistance with visa renewals / liquor license etc.
Death and disability benefits, incorrect we do get them now.
Transport to and from work? If you live on the bus route you can come in on it, it is after all the GCAA bus route.
Work clothes?? why would you buy special clothes for work? are you allowed to work naked?
Assistance with visa...incorrect, they are done for us, at no cost. Passport? If your employer pays for that, good luck to you, but when I lived everywhere else in the world, I paid for my own passport renewal.
So with 2 kids I can expect, um, 40K x 13 = 520K a year……..WOW!!! That's a lot seems reasonable
520K – 160K (Decent 3 bed villa according to this thread!) = 380K pretty close to the mark
380K – 18K (Average utilities for a villa is 1 ½ K per month) = 362K
362K – 48K (Ball park figure for schooling of 2 kids) = 314Konly if you have kids
314K – 12K (Ave ticket cost for a family once per year) = 302K or 4K for singles
302K – 14K (Recent quote I got for life/disability insurance at 40+ yrs old) = 288K mine in Oz costs 55AUD per month
288K – 30K (Price of having to buy a second car with insurance and fuel to get to work ‘cos wife’s using the other one as mom’s taxi and driving a small saloon in these parts is insane so have to buy something bigger!!) = 258K.what, do you buy a new car every year??
258K – 2K (For work clothes - I know uniform sucks but it is free!!) = 256K. everyone else works naked
256K – 3K (Average annual cost for a small family to renew visas, passports, liquor license, etc, etc. ) = 253K. they pay for the visas, does your current employer pay for a liquor permit?
253K – 18K (Won’t even go into detail of the “government” medical but suffice it to say my family will be in one of the private hospitals should something serious be needed so I’ll have to fork out the extra for inpatient care too! How do you get treatment at a UAE Government hospital when you break your leg on the slopes at St. Moritz???) = 235K. GCAA has a deal for ATCOs about 2000 AED per year to get full private insurance.As for the St Moritz ski injuries, i take out travel insurance, but i am covered worldwide ont he GCAA scheme.
235K / 12 = GBP 33 000.00 (I’m being generous here) = GBP2750 or AED 19 000 of beer vouchers, food, entertaining the kids and keeping the missus happy 'cos I've dragged her across the world away from family and friends!!
Actually the Norwegian sitting next to me says that after paying for his villa and his 4K per month Porsche payment, he has 30,000 dirhams left per month.
(He does wear clothes, but just not uniform ones)You forgot the end of service benefit, which until now we didn't get.
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The Bus route...
Apparently for Serco employees only, and only when they are on duty. I got told that quiet specifically when I resigned 
It almost made me want to stay on for the privilege of my free bus trip in my 38 DHS custom fit polyurethane uniform! Still, not availing myself of this unquestionable mode of luxury transport increased my probability of living another ten years significantly. Every trip was like living a scene from Grand Tarismo on the streets of L.A!
It almost made me want to stay on for the privilege of my free bus trip in my 38 DHS custom fit polyurethane uniform! Still, not availing myself of this unquestionable mode of luxury transport increased my probability of living another ten years significantly. Every trip was like living a scene from Grand Tarismo on the streets of L.A!
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Jors Troolie,
Could you supply a similar breakdown of your approx salary and expenses at your current position to see if that is a much rosier deal. I'm not defending the GCAA package, just want to compare apples with apples with what I'm presuming to be a reason for not going to Abu Dhabi.
(Of course approximate the numbers as not to divulge your location.)
Thanks
(Of course approximate the numbers as not to divulge your location.)
Thanks
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I like Funk are still doing the figures, and so far I think it is a very good deal if you are not in decent Serco provided housing as I am. Like Funk, I get effectively about 4 thousand dirhams a month saving on my accomodation due to the apartment I am in having been rent capped for a while. If I cross over to the dark side, while I get about 5K more, I lose most of that in extra accomodation costs.
I think the uniform issue is a waste of breath as Serco spend about 23 fils buying the crappiest uniforms they can find. At least they have been environmentally friendly and found a way to recycle all those old shopping bags into clothes.
As far as the extra car goes I would put the figure per month at 1,000 dh's as while you have to buy a car, you don't buy a new car each year. You can get a new Hyundai runaround for about 600 dh's a month leaving about 400 dh's a month for running costs. As a second car that should suffice, unless you're a snob.
The medical is same same either way you go from what I hear, while the guaranteed annual increase of 3-5% from GCAA sure beats the hit and miss 2-2.5% increase that I have got from Serco for the last 5 years (2 years no increase given to me for a variety of reasons). The annual bonus plus the end of service benefit puts GCAA well ahead, until you consider the second most important issue after accomodation, that being the annual leave difference. Serco, 56 days (albeit with their fraudulent way of including rostered days off during holiday periods as annual leave) beats the pants of the 45 days with GCAA (same fraudulent way of calculating annual leave as Serco), even when you add the days off in lieu that you might get IF you work a public holiday.
Bottom line, too close to call and so will see what can be negotiated with both sides. Remember we are in the position of strength right now, so don't sell yourself and all the other guys in the centre short. Even if you are hellbent on crossing over, get the negatives in the package (annual leave discrepancy etc.) sorted out, as they need you more than you need them, so make them pay for the privelage of having you. If through negotiation you can raise the bar for yourself (eg. recognition and payment by GCAA for Deputy Supervisor duties, and OJTI duties), you will also be raising the bar for everyone else.
I think the uniform issue is a waste of breath as Serco spend about 23 fils buying the crappiest uniforms they can find. At least they have been environmentally friendly and found a way to recycle all those old shopping bags into clothes.
As far as the extra car goes I would put the figure per month at 1,000 dh's as while you have to buy a car, you don't buy a new car each year. You can get a new Hyundai runaround for about 600 dh's a month leaving about 400 dh's a month for running costs. As a second car that should suffice, unless you're a snob.
The medical is same same either way you go from what I hear, while the guaranteed annual increase of 3-5% from GCAA sure beats the hit and miss 2-2.5% increase that I have got from Serco for the last 5 years (2 years no increase given to me for a variety of reasons). The annual bonus plus the end of service benefit puts GCAA well ahead, until you consider the second most important issue after accomodation, that being the annual leave difference. Serco, 56 days (albeit with their fraudulent way of including rostered days off during holiday periods as annual leave) beats the pants of the 45 days with GCAA (same fraudulent way of calculating annual leave as Serco), even when you add the days off in lieu that you might get IF you work a public holiday.
Bottom line, too close to call and so will see what can be negotiated with both sides. Remember we are in the position of strength right now, so don't sell yourself and all the other guys in the centre short. Even if you are hellbent on crossing over, get the negatives in the package (annual leave discrepancy etc.) sorted out, as they need you more than you need them, so make them pay for the privelage of having you. If through negotiation you can raise the bar for yourself (eg. recognition and payment by GCAA for Deputy Supervisor duties, and OJTI duties), you will also be raising the bar for everyone else.
Last edited by AirNoServicesAustralia; 18th Aug 2007 at 03:20.
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As a snob (
) maybe you should put in an early offer on a used corvette, I hear one will be going cheap shortly.
In my figures I have actually allowed 1,500 dh's a month for a second car and that would cover the payments and running costs on a second hand 4WD.
The bottom line right now is if you are not living in Serco provided accomodation you would be crazy not to make the jump across, as even with the extra money on a second car and extra towards upgrading the medical insurance (if in fact that is needed), you would still be way ahead of where you are now.
If on the other hand you are in decent Serco accomodation right now (not that there are many of us), the figures are pretty tight and it comes down to who you would prefer to work for.
I know a lot of the guys on the floor want to make the jump purely out of spite as they feel they were sold well short by Serco as full time shift working operational controllers when compared to Instructor positions who are paid more than a centre supervisor (
). I can understand that thinking but again my advice is don't sell yourself short and negotiate the best deal you can.
) maybe you should put in an early offer on a used corvette, I hear one will be going cheap shortly.In my figures I have actually allowed 1,500 dh's a month for a second car and that would cover the payments and running costs on a second hand 4WD.
The bottom line right now is if you are not living in Serco provided accomodation you would be crazy not to make the jump across, as even with the extra money on a second car and extra towards upgrading the medical insurance (if in fact that is needed), you would still be way ahead of where you are now.
If on the other hand you are in decent Serco accomodation right now (not that there are many of us), the figures are pretty tight and it comes down to who you would prefer to work for.
I know a lot of the guys on the floor want to make the jump purely out of spite as they feel they were sold well short by Serco as full time shift working operational controllers when compared to Instructor positions who are paid more than a centre supervisor (
). I can understand that thinking but again my advice is don't sell yourself short and negotiate the best deal you can.
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Thanks JORS for jor reply.
And yes, a good stir once in a while does make for interesting discussion (not to mention some entertaining sagas as been the case with some of the older sandpit threads.)
ANSA is absolutely correct in his housing analysis. In fact that is really SERCO's only remaining grip on holding onto any ATCOs here. As well, SERCO's support office (which could be a separate thread in itself) does provide some useful services so you would have to attach some value to that.
(ie free pens & pencils for my kid's school supplies.)
And yes, a good stir once in a while does make for interesting discussion (not to mention some entertaining sagas as been the case with some of the older sandpit threads.)
ANSA is absolutely correct in his housing analysis. In fact that is really SERCO's only remaining grip on holding onto any ATCOs here. As well, SERCO's support office (which could be a separate thread in itself) does provide some useful services so you would have to attach some value to that.
(ie free pens & pencils for my kid's school supplies.
)
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"Serco support office...!"
Pfffft 
hah! Nice one....
Most of the support office personnel were seconded to the more lucrative contracts up in Dubai and the Lockheed Martin contracts here in Abu Dhabi. We were left with the skeleton crew who then had to take on all the tasks associated with the UAE ACC contract.
Employ more staff to ensure the interests of the UAE contract were serviced...are you kidding!
hah! Nice one....Most of the support office personnel were seconded to the more lucrative contracts up in Dubai and the Lockheed Martin contracts here in Abu Dhabi. We were left with the skeleton crew who then had to take on all the tasks associated with the UAE ACC contract.
Employ more staff to ensure the interests of the UAE contract were serviced...are you kidding!
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SERCO reply
SERCO ATCOs have received letters outlining SERCO's plan of action in response to the GCAA pay hike.
Looks like SERCO is basically waiting to see how many ATCOs actually jump to the dark side and if the number is significant enough to take a healthy dip into SERCO's profit trough then, and only then, will SERCO respond with a response other than another delay tactic.
The letter appears to be an extremely weak attempt to call on SERCO ATCOs to stay with SERCO out of "loyalty". In reality, the poorly drafted letter just helps reiterate the total disregard SERCO has towards it's ATCOs.
Reading between the lines it looks like there will be no pay raise to SERCO ATCOs and they are willing to gamble that not many ATCOs will jump to the dark side thus ensuring that SERCO profits will not take a big hit.
Of course SERCO morale will be lowered once again but since when has that ever been a consideration?
For people wishing to join the Abu Dhabi gang, previous threads may have outlined that the SERCO package was slightly better than the one offered by the GCAA. That has recently been changed and, at the moment, the GCAA offer is much better.
LET YOUR FEELINGS FLOW, EMBRACE THE DARK SIDE.
Looks like SERCO is basically waiting to see how many ATCOs actually jump to the dark side and if the number is significant enough to take a healthy dip into SERCO's profit trough then, and only then, will SERCO respond with a response other than another delay tactic.
The letter appears to be an extremely weak attempt to call on SERCO ATCOs to stay with SERCO out of "loyalty".
In reality, the poorly drafted letter just helps reiterate the total disregard SERCO has towards it's ATCOs.Reading between the lines it looks like there will be no pay raise to SERCO ATCOs and they are willing to gamble that not many ATCOs will jump to the dark side thus ensuring that SERCO profits will not take a big hit.
Of course SERCO morale will be lowered once again but since when has that ever been a consideration?
For people wishing to join the Abu Dhabi gang, previous threads may have outlined that the SERCO package was slightly better than the one offered by the GCAA. That has recently been changed and, at the moment, the GCAA offer is much better.
LET YOUR FEELINGS FLOW, EMBRACE THE DARK SIDE.
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Verc,
What you are saying is generically true except that SERCO does NOT pay whatever it takes to fill seats. Hence the reason the GCAA got into the ATCO hiring business. SERCO pays what they feel they can "afford" to pay then hope that it is enough. For the last couple of years it has not been enough, now the GCAA is hoping their new package will be enough, not only to retain staff, but to entice people here. (Even if it means just fishing people away from other Middle East contracts.)
What you are saying is generically true except that SERCO does NOT pay whatever it takes to fill seats. Hence the reason the GCAA got into the ATCO hiring business. SERCO pays what they feel they can "afford" to pay then hope that it is enough. For the last couple of years it has not been enough, now the GCAA is hoping their new package will be enough, not only to retain staff, but to entice people here. (Even if it means just fishing people away from other Middle East contracts.)
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The forgotten outpost
SERCO ATCOs have received letters outlining SERCO's plan of action in response to the GCAA pay hike.
It would appear yet again that, despite being part of the Abu Dhabi contract, Al Ain has been left out of the loop.What letters??
Can somebody post the contents here please
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to; AFRICAN QUEEN
SERCO ATCOs have received letters outlining SERCO's plan of action in response to the GCAA pay hike.
"It would appear yet again that, despite being part of the Abu Dhabi contract, Al Ain has been left out of the loop.What letters??
Can somebody post the contents here please "
Well, lets say DUBAI is within SERCo's Contract, although a stone's throw away from ABU DHABI Contract, WE ALSO RECEIVED NOTHIN!!!
More DELAYING TACTICS
SERCO ATCOs have received letters outlining SERCO's plan of action in response to the GCAA pay hike.
"It would appear yet again that, despite being part of the Abu Dhabi contract, Al Ain has been left out of the loop.What letters??
Can somebody post the contents here please "
Well, lets say DUBAI is within SERCo's Contract, although a stone's throw away from ABU DHABI Contract, WE ALSO RECEIVED NOTHIN!!!
More DELAYING TACTICS