Middle East salaries
Well whats the story
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Over the rainbow
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
From the horses mouth!
How about JANUARY?
EBM's proclomation yesterday fortold of pay increase in January NOT before!
The old chestnut of 'market forces' was rolled out yet again (good grief this is so tiresome). Does this guy know which planet he's on?
DCA still dithering with the idea of direct hire, but thats as far as it goes. It would appear that there's lots of palm greasing going on at a high level between the two parties, so don't get those hopes up too high.
Time for that one way ticket to reality methinks!
EBM's proclomation yesterday fortold of pay increase in January NOT before!
The old chestnut of 'market forces' was rolled out yet again (good grief this is so tiresome). Does this guy know which planet he's on?
DCA still dithering with the idea of direct hire, but thats as far as it goes. It would appear that there's lots of palm greasing going on at a high level between the two parties, so don't get those hopes up too high.
Time for that one way ticket to reality methinks!
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: In the Air
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Confirm the figures.....?
GCAA contract: 40,000 per month. Plus one extra month 40,000 so 13 pays per year. Plus gratuity extra month 40,000 (paid at end of contract) so in effect paid 14 months salary every 12 months? That's 560,000 per year. Plus 3-5% salary increase per year for the next 5 years? Is that annual increase based on the 40,000 or is that 40,000 broken down into a separate salary component?
Dividing that figure of 560,000 by ten as a worst case scenario into Rial, that's 56,000RO compared to 36,000RO annual salary.
Cost of housing in Muscat is about 75% that of AUH. I could rent in AUH for 200,000 per year and still have, in my pocket, what I earn total in Muscat. That makes the GCAA contract at least 15,000RO per year more worthwhile than the Oman contract.
Schooling costs in AUH are on a par with Muscat - for those with school kids.
So there you go, if I'm right with the GCAA figures, compared to what I'm on it's a much better contract. That's alot of money and when you convert to home currencies it hit's you in the face even more. It's not too hard to figure out what my next move is likely to be - reluctantly I might add. Moving is such a pain but working for peanuts rates a little higher.
Dividing that figure of 560,000 by ten as a worst case scenario into Rial, that's 56,000RO compared to 36,000RO annual salary.
Cost of housing in Muscat is about 75% that of AUH. I could rent in AUH for 200,000 per year and still have, in my pocket, what I earn total in Muscat. That makes the GCAA contract at least 15,000RO per year more worthwhile than the Oman contract.
Schooling costs in AUH are on a par with Muscat - for those with school kids.
So there you go, if I'm right with the GCAA figures, compared to what I'm on it's a much better contract. That's alot of money and when you convert to home currencies it hit's you in the face even more. It's not too hard to figure out what my next move is likely to be - reluctantly I might add. Moving is such a pain but working for peanuts rates a little higher.
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2001
Location: UAE
Age: 63
Posts: 516
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
V8
The figures are ok up to a point.
The bonus that we receive each year is based on the salary component of the package, currently 16,000 dirhams and change. I assume it is the same with the gratuity.
However, as has been said before, these numbers are guaranteed and the bonus is a minimum This year past we received 2 months "salary" in April.
As for saying that Muscat housing prices are 75% of Abu Dhabi
not sure about those numbers. Compare apples to apples. If you try getting a 5 bed villa near the waterfront in Ab Dab, it will set you back between 260 and 450,000 dirhams per year, payable in advance. I live in one of the cheapest places available...note that word, available...and it costs 155,000 per year.
School fees are marginally cheaper, but you have to be able to get your kid into school...wating lists everywhere here.
All that said, the GCAA contract is WAY better than being offered in Muscat, why do you think we are all here?
verci, cheery,yakkity, tweeter and pms et al, stop talking to yourselves
The bonus that we receive each year is based on the salary component of the package, currently 16,000 dirhams and change. I assume it is the same with the gratuity.
However, as has been said before, these numbers are guaranteed and the bonus is a minimum This year past we received 2 months "salary" in April.
As for saying that Muscat housing prices are 75% of Abu Dhabi
not sure about those numbers. Compare apples to apples. If you try getting a 5 bed villa near the waterfront in Ab Dab, it will set you back between 260 and 450,000 dirhams per year, payable in advance. I live in one of the cheapest places available...note that word, available...and it costs 155,000 per year.School fees are marginally cheaper, but you have to be able to get your kid into school...wating lists everywhere here.
All that said, the GCAA contract is WAY better than being offered in Muscat, why do you think we are all here?
verci, cheery,yakkity, tweeter and pms et al, stop talking to yourselves
Last edited by divingduck; 10th Sep 2007 at 15:39. Reason: to put the rest of the callsigns in :)
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: here and there
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
salaries and more
just a touch off the thread, but is related to ME salaries
ASA have a new company, that is in the process of structuring a bid for their first ME contract, in Bahrain.
It has been advertised on the ASA internal web...where the f
k are they getting these staff from? as it is they are bloody shortstaffed in Oz 
****e, if ASA's track record is anything to go by then look out if they get the contract from Serco. Could Jebel Ali be next.....anything is possible. Odds on they will attempt to underpay staff to make max profit.
BTW ANSA (tf) you can lose that chip that is so obvious on your shoulder that is so obvious.
over and out
ASA have a new company, that is in the process of structuring a bid for their first ME contract, in Bahrain.
It has been advertised on the ASA internal web...where the fk are they getting these staff from? as it is they are bloody shortstaffed in Oz ****e, if ASA's track record is anything to go by then look out if they get the contract from Serco. Could Jebel Ali be next.....anything is possible. Odds on they will attempt to underpay staff to make max profit.
BTW ANSA (tf) you can lose that chip that is so obvious on your shoulder that is so obvious.
over and out
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: here and there
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
55,000 aed per mth in DXB?
according to rumour dubai are now offering 55,000 dhs per month...is this incl free accommodation, plus plus or no accommodation and nothing else?
is this with DCA (direct hire) or still with serco?
Looks like auh airport contract will need to up the ante now to stay in the race!
can anyone in dubai verify this as fact or is it really just that...a rumour?
maybe things are now moving faster than we expected? await the reponses from you guys in dubai
over and out
is this with DCA (direct hire) or still with serco?
Looks like auh airport contract will need to up the ante now to stay in the race!
can anyone in dubai verify this as fact or is it really just that...a rumour?
maybe things are now moving faster than we expected? await the reponses from you guys in dubai
over and out
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: The Gulf
Posts: 176
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The 55,000 is still rumour at this stage. No offers been made yet, and also no details as to what it includes. Only Serco resignees have been approached and no encouragement for anyone else to approach the DCA.
Almost certainly all inclusive though, which in Dubai isn't enough given rent, schooling etc. As with any 'lump sum' it won't favour anyone with 2 or more kids.
Expecting announcement soon of the revised Serco package to retain and attract more controllers. Again no details as to how much.
RD
Almost certainly all inclusive though, which in Dubai isn't enough given rent, schooling etc. As with any 'lump sum' it won't favour anyone with 2 or more kids.
Expecting announcement soon of the revised Serco package to retain and attract more controllers. Again no details as to how much.
RD
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Back in the Dark Ages
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The DCA would have to fork out a lot more than 55K all inclusive to stem the tide!!
The announcement on what the new offer is was supposed to have been this week, now we hear that the offer will only be made known at the end of the month!
What did apparently happen this week is that SERCO and the DCA came to an agreement, probably on ways to sew us around some more!
And IF there is a raise, it will only be effective from next year.
So don't hold your breath for too long, the hands are still most likely firmly tied!
FKD, how're the nuns????
The announcement on what the new offer is was supposed to have been this week, now we hear that the offer will only be made known at the end of the month!
What did apparently happen this week is that SERCO and the DCA came to an agreement, probably on ways to s
ew us around some more!And IF there is a raise, it will only be effective from next year.
So don't hold your breath for too long, the hands are still most likely firmly tied!
FKD, how're the nuns????
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Around
Age: 47
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Jesus guys, get a room 
Anyway, back to the thread.........I'm not sure if i've done my sums right, but 55,000dhms a month works out at just under £7.5k a month.....(I think...) Assuming that's tax free, that sounds pretty good to me......what are the catches?
Anyway, back to the thread.........I'm not sure if i've done my sums right, but 55,000dhms a month works out at just under £7.5k a month.....(I think...) Assuming that's tax free, that sounds pretty good to me......what are the catches?
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: 24 27 45.66N 54 22 42.28E
Posts: 987
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
mhk77, I'm with you on this one. How anyone can say that 55,000 dh's all inclusive is not more than enough to stay has clearly lost touch with reality. We are talking about 18,000 Australian dollars a month tax free!! Okay rent is expensive and so is education. Has anyone looked lately at the rental costs in the UK, Europe or Australia? In saying that it would take more than 55,000 dh's a month to make me move from Abu Dhabi to Dubai, but thats just a personal hatred for living in a traffic snarled, up itself, building site. For me I'll take laid back Abu Dhabi anyday even if our malls are a little smaller, our hookers a little less glamourous and our buildings a little shorter.
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Dune
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Too Greedy Perhaps??
I think 55,000 is not much more than what the Dubai guys are getting at the moment so its not going to make a lot of people stay. Its useless to compare to what we got back home, WE ARE NOT HOME and that does not mean we are homesick here but that we expect to be paid for coming and save enough money to account for our retirement if we ever get there. If we wanted equal pay we WOULD have stayed home thank you very much. 55,000 is still way below what some controllers are getting in Europe and the U.S.A. especially when you know how much of it actually ends up in the pocket of your friendly greedy landlord. If someone from DCA or Serco thinks that is the magic touch to get people coming here well ... dream on.
BTW guys stop hurling insults at each other, its not what this forum is for. Why not get together and throw a few punches and get it over with.
BTW guys stop hurling insults at each other, its not what this forum is for. Why not get together and throw a few punches and get it over with.
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: The Gulf
Posts: 176
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Vercing, Therat, Jonny Cash etc.....take your petty little squabble elsewhere. This isn't what this forum is for. Take it up in Expatwomen.com
mhk77,
The catches are what has to come out of that lump sum. The Serco pay plus benefits means that rent, schooling, medical, flghts home, travel etc are add ons. With a lump sum you are responsible for paying them and keeping up with increases in each.
As a guide:
Rent in Dubai will cost you around 2000GBP a month
Schooling - 2000-3000GBP per term per child.
Medical - don't know but figure on around 1000GBP per year for a family of four.
Utilities - around 2500GBP per year.
Plus flights home and travel expenses.
So as you can see, anyone with 2 or more kids is left with between 3500 - 4000 per month. And remember its expensive to live here. Sure, single guys will be better off, but historically don't stay as long as those with kids.
Is it really worth uprooting from home and possibly leaving a lucrative pension scheme for that? Those at near top of scale at a band 5 unit in UK would be making around the same money after tax.
mhk77,
The catches are what has to come out of that lump sum. The Serco pay plus benefits means that rent, schooling, medical, flghts home, travel etc are add ons. With a lump sum you are responsible for paying them and keeping up with increases in each.
As a guide:
Rent in Dubai will cost you around 2000GBP a month
Schooling - 2000-3000GBP per term per child.
Medical - don't know but figure on around 1000GBP per year for a family of four.
Utilities - around 2500GBP per year.
Plus flights home and travel expenses.
So as you can see, anyone with 2 or more kids is left with between 3500 - 4000 per month. And remember its expensive to live here. Sure, single guys will be better off, but historically don't stay as long as those with kids.
Is it really worth uprooting from home and possibly leaving a lucrative pension scheme for that? Those at near top of scale at a band 5 unit in UK would be making around the same money after tax.
Join Date: May 2005
Location: a Najdastreet sewer
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
et al
I didn't come to the Gulf to make similar $ I can get back home. ( The English might want to swop Sunshine for half-pay , but not me ! )
I came out here to make MONEY !
AD is still surviving, for the moment, Dubai is getting close to sink or swim and Bahrain is fast becoming the Middle East's first MIDAIR waiting to happen .
Dh 55 000 a month ? - latest Serco offer I heard is +_ DH 42 000.00 - All in!
Fasten your seatbelts !
Verci - incorrect
Maximus
I came out here to make MONEY !
AD is still surviving, for the moment, Dubai is getting close to sink or swim and Bahrain is fast becoming the Middle East's first MIDAIR waiting to happen .
Dh 55 000 a month ? - latest Serco offer I heard is +_ DH 42 000.00 - All in!
Fasten your seatbelts !
Verci - incorrect
Maximus
Last edited by therat; 13th Sep 2007 at 02:18.
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: 24 27 45.66N 54 22 42.28E
Posts: 987
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Ok us humble people down in Abu Dhabi I guess are used to living in apartments now so based on living in a 3 bedroom apartment and sending them to a good (but not most expensive western school) and paying utilities for a 3 bedroom apartment, you are looking at even in Dubai,
Rent - 120,000 dh's a year (I am talking DH's cos we are in the UAE not the mother country)
Schooling - for 2 kids 100,000 dh's a year.
Utilities - 3,000 dh's a year (plus another 3,000 dh's to cover phone calls (a lot less if you are smart enough to use a VOIP phone)
flights home for the family even all the way to Australia - 16,000 dh's (less to the UK)
Medical insurance - free provided as per the federal law to all employees by employer (but if you insist on topping this up to a higher level of coverage then I have heard you are looking at a further 10,000 dh's a year).
Travel expenses - other than flights I don't count that as a UAE specific expense cos surely you had holidays when back home as well.
Bottom line is 55,000 a month is 660,000 dh's a year.
Total expenses of 252,000 dh's a year.
That leaves 408,000 dh's a year in your hand to buy food, beer and toys with.
That is 34,000 dh's a month or 11,000 AUDs to the tall, tanned, strong amongst us, 4,500 GBPs to the pale, sickly, bad toothed amongst us, 6,600 EURs to the naked, dope smokers amongst us and 13,000 NZDs for the ....well those that have these in their bedroom
Rent - 120,000 dh's a year (I am talking DH's cos we are in the UAE not the mother country)
Schooling - for 2 kids 100,000 dh's a year.
Utilities - 3,000 dh's a year (plus another 3,000 dh's to cover phone calls (a lot less if you are smart enough to use a VOIP phone)
flights home for the family even all the way to Australia - 16,000 dh's (less to the UK)
Medical insurance - free provided as per the federal law to all employees by employer (but if you insist on topping this up to a higher level of coverage then I have heard you are looking at a further 10,000 dh's a year).
Travel expenses - other than flights I don't count that as a UAE specific expense cos surely you had holidays when back home as well.
Bottom line is 55,000 a month is 660,000 dh's a year.
Total expenses of 252,000 dh's a year.
That leaves 408,000 dh's a year in your hand to buy food, beer and toys with.
That is 34,000 dh's a month or 11,000 AUDs to the tall, tanned, strong amongst us, 4,500 GBPs to the pale, sickly, bad toothed amongst us, 6,600 EURs to the naked, dope smokers amongst us and 13,000 NZDs for the ....well those that have these in their bedroom