Middle East salaries
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Middle East salaries
So, what do the rest of the gulf ATCOs think of the new GCAA package in Abu Dhabi??
40,000 dhms per month...plus a few extras along the way.
40,000 dhms per month...plus a few extras along the way.
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Me thinks a little tete-a-tete with various beverages should be arranged at the Cantankerous Bovine to discuss this prickly issue.
The first of many nails in SERCO's coffin. Yippeeeee.
The first of many nails in SERCO's coffin. Yippeeeee.
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Verc,
"given the current instability in the GCAA whereby the Project Manager, SOTO, CAISO, CATCO, GCAA Deputy Director, Director Finance & Admin, Manager HR and the Engineer Manager Sheikh Zayed Centre have all been culled in the last six months..."
Where do you think they got the money for the raises from??
Wouldn't have to run away from banks with that kind of money. C'mon home guys.
"given the current instability in the GCAA whereby the Project Manager, SOTO, CAISO, CATCO, GCAA Deputy Director, Director Finance & Admin, Manager HR and the Engineer Manager Sheikh Zayed Centre have all been culled in the last six months..."
Where do you think they got the money for the raises from??
Wouldn't have to run away from banks with that kind of money. C'mon home guys.
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Damn happy bout the new package....but realistically you could double my salary again and I'd still be broke! 
I need a moral guidance officer and a director of home finances
Now where is that next grand Prix on at......
I need a moral guidance officer and a director of home finances
Now where is that next grand Prix on at......
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Bluesky....(assumes Darth Vader voice) come and join us on the dark side....it is your destiny!
The Crabbit Coo is open all hours, as was evidenced last night
Bit of a thick head this morning...the others didn't look too flash either!
Verci, welcome back...you said initially that it wasn't enough, I will say that like all journey's it is a good step in the right direction.
Wonder how many bites we will now get from Muscat...I hear that the newbies are none too pleased down there, when they do the conversion, they will see 4200 of the earth rials per month, plus overtimes if you want them may reflect upon their own packages poorly.
Foxxy...you need a good woman...or a bad one you can give up F1 now...your boy has had his podium finish
The Crabbit Coo is open all hours, as was evidenced last night
Bit of a thick head this morning...the others didn't look too flash either!Verci, welcome back...you said initially that it wasn't enough, I will say that like all journey's it is a good step in the right direction.
Wonder how many bites we will now get from Muscat...I hear that the newbies are none too pleased down there, when they do the conversion, they will see 4200 of the earth rials per month, plus overtimes if you want them may reflect upon their own packages poorly.
Foxxy...you need a good woman...or a bad one
you can give up F1 now...your boy has had his podium finish
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The 40K includes everything. Housing, schooling, watering, lighting, traveling, drinking. There might be a bonus every year if you are a good boy (sorry Fox) and the housing allowance can be discussed with GCAA up to a point.
As 36DD said, a step in the right direction. A well timed "price war" every now and then never hurt anyone. Serco may pay on time, but they pay less. I feel an invisible pull from the dark side. Must be my father calling.
As 36DD said, a step in the right direction. A well timed "price war" every now and then never hurt anyone. Serco may pay on time, but they pay less. I feel an invisible pull from the dark side. Must be my father calling.
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I was wondering how long it would take for someone to start this one up. A good thing too.
I know our Contract ManageR doesn't read this but maybe someone will pass on the message that it is about time that Serco dipped into those deep pockets of theirs and started to share a bit of that wealth rather than shrugging their shoulders and saying "What can we do???".
I have it on good authority that Serco got over a 50% price rise from GCAA on each and every controller spot at the last contract renegotiation, and skimmed that increase before passing on less to the controllers. They also for years have scammed the guys when they first arrive by paying them a training salary for the first 3 months even though GCAA pay Serco full money from the time the guy steps of the aircraft. There is a nice profit there if they want to dip into it, and don't believe that there is not.
The ball is well and truly in Serco's court and the clock is ticking very loudly. The question is do Serco really want to stay in the ATC game in Abu Dhabi or not? I guess in the next couple of weeks we will find out. Personally I have to wait till Princess Leia and the Ewoks get back from Summer holiday before we do the figures and decide whether to cross over to the dark side, but 40K plus end of service benefit, annual increases of 3-5 % and a yearly bonus of a months salary makes it a no brainer of a decision right now.
Oh and to all the GCAA guys, and most importantly to the local guys who have been horribly underpaid for a long time, a hearty congratulations on the increase. Well deserved and it's your shout for the GCAA sandwiches, extra chilli from Rolla next time we are on shift!!
I know our Contract ManageR doesn't read this but maybe someone will pass on the message that it is about time that Serco dipped into those deep pockets of theirs and started to share a bit of that wealth rather than shrugging their shoulders and saying "What can we do???".
I have it on good authority that Serco got over a 50% price rise from GCAA on each and every controller spot at the last contract renegotiation, and skimmed that increase before passing on less to the controllers. They also for years have scammed the guys when they first arrive by paying them a training salary for the first 3 months even though GCAA pay Serco full money from the time the guy steps of the aircraft. There is a nice profit there if they want to dip into it, and don't believe that there is not.
The ball is well and truly in Serco's court and the clock is ticking very loudly. The question is do Serco really want to stay in the ATC game in Abu Dhabi or not? I guess in the next couple of weeks we will find out. Personally I have to wait till Princess Leia and the Ewoks get back from Summer holiday before we do the figures and decide whether to cross over to the dark side, but 40K plus end of service benefit, annual increases of 3-5 % and a yearly bonus of a months salary makes it a no brainer of a decision right now.
Oh and to all the GCAA guys, and most importantly to the local guys who have been horribly underpaid for a long time, a hearty congratulations on the increase. Well deserved and it's your shout for the GCAA sandwiches, extra chilli from Rolla next time we are on shift!!
Last edited by AirNoServicesAustralia; 30th Jul 2007 at 06:05.
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Serco is well aware of the GCAA salary increases and there is a meeting this week to discuss their reply.
Since Serco stands to lose either way with their reaction: a) Don't give any salary increases and have controllers cross over to the dark side thus losing those controller positions (and $$ as result.) b) Increase the Serco package and take that money off the bottom line; I would anticipate Serco to delay their official response by at least a month (disguised as "high level meetings") to put off the inevitable.
"IF" Serco wanted to claim any sort of respectability in this situation, they should realize that they cannot find a winning edge in this predicament and make their decision promptly. This would show me, for one, that Serco had already anticipated the GCAA pay raise, (which they should have) and had already prepared a response plan ready to be actionned.
Since Serco stands to lose either way with their reaction: a) Don't give any salary increases and have controllers cross over to the dark side thus losing those controller positions (and $$ as result.) b) Increase the Serco package and take that money off the bottom line; I would anticipate Serco to delay their official response by at least a month (disguised as "high level meetings") to put off the inevitable.
"IF" Serco wanted to claim any sort of respectability in this situation, they should realize that they cannot find a winning edge in this predicament and make their decision promptly. This would show me, for one, that Serco had already anticipated the GCAA pay raise, (which they should have) and had already prepared a response plan ready to be actionned.
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Don't knock the SERCO package before you do your sums.
Minimum cost of a three bedroom flat in Abu Dhabi is 10,000 pcm month and more like 12,000 for anything up to the same standard as the Najdah Street flats. SERCO get the flats for 7,000 pcm?
Keep also in mind rent is paid yearly in advance. You have to be careful about how you time a voluntarily departure but what about a forced departure?
SERCO will give you a raise annually if you keep your nose clean. On past history the next GCAA review will be in seven years time.
Then there are utility bills, furniture, compassionate tickets, etc all of which should be factored into your equation.
I'm not saying SERCO is the better deal, only you must do your sums and your own risk assessment,
Sorry NASA but I don't think it’s the no brainer for all, only for some and have you factored in the risk assessment.
Minimum cost of a three bedroom flat in Abu Dhabi is 10,000 pcm month and more like 12,000 for anything up to the same standard as the Najdah Street flats. SERCO get the flats for 7,000 pcm?
Keep also in mind rent is paid yearly in advance. You have to be careful about how you time a voluntarily departure but what about a forced departure?
SERCO will give you a raise annually if you keep your nose clean. On past history the next GCAA review will be in seven years time.
Then there are utility bills, furniture, compassionate tickets, etc all of which should be factored into your equation.
I'm not saying SERCO is the better deal, only you must do your sums and your own risk assessment,
Sorry NASA but I don't think it’s the no brainer for all, only for some and have you factored in the risk assessment.
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I stand to be corrected but from what I have heard in the short time since the increases were announced, is that there will be a 3-5% increase annually to the salary dependant on appraisal results.
As far as the rent issues are concerned I agree that this is something to consider, but honestly the days of saying that the Sheikh Tahnoon and Subaru Builidings are acceptable accomodation are well and truly over, not to mention what they consider to be acceptable furniture.
Utility bills are currently deducted from our salary so they are not being paid by Serco but by us. And while on that point they deduct 500 dirhams a month and hold that money before returning the unused money annually even though the utility bills for all of us are well below that amount, ie. they pocket the interest earned on at least 2 or 3 thousand dirhams per controller per year.
Annual tickets back home are also paid by us and not Serco and this deducted from our salary each month. Compassionate flights home may be paid for by Serco but I know of only a few times this has been utilised by staff so not really a big factor in the calculations.
As I said the furniture is not worth considering, since most guys have given up living with furniture held together with gaffer tape and gone out to replace the furniture with their own purchases.
Finally I agree with you that each person has to do their own sums and work out what is best for them, but at the same time Serco needs to do their sums, and quickly, to decide if they really want to keep this contract and if so how far they are willing to dip into their own pockets.
As far as the rent issues are concerned I agree that this is something to consider, but honestly the days of saying that the Sheikh Tahnoon and Subaru Builidings are acceptable accomodation are well and truly over, not to mention what they consider to be acceptable furniture.
Utility bills are currently deducted from our salary so they are not being paid by Serco but by us. And while on that point they deduct 500 dirhams a month and hold that money before returning the unused money annually even though the utility bills for all of us are well below that amount, ie. they pocket the interest earned on at least 2 or 3 thousand dirhams per controller per year.
Annual tickets back home are also paid by us and not Serco and this deducted from our salary each month. Compassionate flights home may be paid for by Serco but I know of only a few times this has been utilised by staff so not really a big factor in the calculations.
As I said the furniture is not worth considering, since most guys have given up living with furniture held together with gaffer tape and gone out to replace the furniture with their own purchases.
Finally I agree with you that each person has to do their own sums and work out what is best for them, but at the same time Serco needs to do their sums, and quickly, to decide if they really want to keep this contract and if so how far they are willing to dip into their own pockets.
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Clipped...
Bolox mate.....your perceptions of GCAA are well off the mark. I have had an annual 3% + payrise since joining, received 2 months bonus salary this year and now the new package! My 117,000 DHS rental contract is all handled by GCAA and paid up front and I can assure you my admin cell is a well oiled machine compared to the bureaucracy of the admin nazis in Serco who seem to think your entitlements are coming out of their own pocket!
No regrets whatsoever, in fact I am so glad I made the move when I did....it has certainly paid off!
No regrets whatsoever, in fact I am so glad I made the move when I did....it has certainly paid off!
Last edited by Fox3snapshot; 31st Jul 2007 at 10:35.
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I am still amazed at the detractors from various countries. To get a 20 percent raise,in any "western" nation, even in the high inflation years of the late 80's one would have to have a union, go on strike, occupy govt offices and shut down a country. Here, you get the money before the official announcement!
And for good measure, they have now added an EOS benefit and Medical coverage.
Remember a certain Great Dane... 6-12-18 is dead!
4-0 thats a sweep!, I'm out of here!
40K baby...In the bank plus OT, i am happy!
And for good measure, they have now added an EOS benefit and Medical coverage.
Remember a certain Great Dane... 6-12-18 is dead!
4-0 thats a sweep!, I'm out of here!
40K baby...In the bank plus OT, i am happy!
Last edited by ShooTheGap; 1st Aug 2007 at 18:08.
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40K baby...In the bank plus OT, i am happy!
I'm slightly confused with some of the replies here. Shoothegap you say here 40K in the bank, does that mean housing and utilities etc are in fact paid over and above this amount? Blueskye mentions it covers everything, in which case it is not such a good package afterall.
Sounds pretty good if it is as per Shoothegap's comment, there will be several bites from down here in Muscat I'm sure. Annual bonus is all good too.
We are waiting with baited breath down here, what is the official package? Lay it on us
I'm slightly confused with some of the replies here. Shoothegap you say here 40K in the bank, does that mean housing and utilities etc are in fact paid over and above this amount? Blueskye mentions it covers everything, in which case it is not such a good package afterall.
Sounds pretty good if it is as per Shoothegap's comment, there will be several bites from down here in Muscat I'm sure. Annual bonus is all good too.
We are waiting with baited breath down here, what is the official package? Lay it on us
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Alladin's Cave... Abu Dhabi
The new salary in Abu Dhabi is almost exactly the equivalent of a $250,000 salary before tax in Australia... well done boys!
(Calculated using the www.ato.gov.au website simple tax and Medicare Levy calculator, assuming the person is single, without children and with no Medicare exemptions, no Fringe Benefits and no Salary Sacrifice arrangements)
(Calculated using the www.ato.gov.au website simple tax and Medicare Levy calculator, assuming the person is single, without children and with no Medicare exemptions, no Fringe Benefits and no Salary Sacrifice arrangements)
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Ab Dab salaries
Hey small rat like marsupial...how's Muscat?
That 250K sounds about right, slightly over 150K tax free given the current currency rates. If the USD goes up and the AUD goes back down where it belongs, this will start to look really good.
5 years ago, the rial was worth $5.55 aussie...it's currently 3.05. Both the Dirham and the rial are pegged to the dollar, so pray for GWB to get out of office before doing anything else stupid, the Dems to get in there and John Howard to get tossed out of office and Labor to get up.
Shoo the gap seems to be on some kind of medication...we all looked at his post at length last night and couldn't make head nor tail out if it. Maybe I'm just the dumb farm boy that I am regularly accused of being?
The only thing I understood was the 2000 dirhams for every overtime shift worked. One of our controllers did 3 last month, so will get 46000 next payday!
heywa, the 40k (4205 rials to you guys down there) is all in.
Unlike Muscat there is a guaranteed bonus each year (minimum 16K), a 3-5% increase every year, and a End of Service benefit. Not sure about the health insurance, haven't been back from leave long enough to find out, the one provided to all government employees is basically similar to the one in Oman. To get very good worldwide insurance, the GCAA has a deal that for 2000 dirhams per year, you get private coverage, and that includes prescriptions.
That is a system that I have used a few times and is very user friendly.
Come to the dark side....it is your destiny!
That 250K sounds about right, slightly over 150K tax free given the current currency rates. If the USD goes up and the AUD goes back down where it belongs, this will start to look really good.
5 years ago, the rial was worth $5.55 aussie...it's currently 3.05. Both the Dirham and the rial are pegged to the dollar, so pray for GWB to get out of office before doing anything else stupid, the Dems to get in there and John Howard to get tossed out of office and Labor to get up.
Shoo the gap seems to be on some kind of medication...we all looked at his post at length last night and couldn't make head nor tail out if it. Maybe I'm just the dumb farm boy that I am regularly accused of being?
The only thing I understood was the 2000 dirhams for every overtime shift worked. One of our controllers did 3 last month, so will get 46000 next payday!
heywa, the 40k (4205 rials to you guys down there) is all in.
Unlike Muscat there is a guaranteed bonus each year (minimum 16K), a 3-5% increase every year, and a End of Service benefit. Not sure about the health insurance, haven't been back from leave long enough to find out, the one provided to all government employees is basically similar to the one in Oman. To get very good worldwide insurance, the GCAA has a deal that for 2000 dirhams per year, you get private coverage, and that includes prescriptions.
That is a system that I have used a few times and is very user friendly.
Come to the dark side....it is your destiny!
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DD ..your the man!
DD, I would never call you a farm boy. I did not mention anything about 2000 OT. Lets do this together. 40K-33K=7K OK? 7K raise is 20%+ raise. Thats it.
Where i come from the govt do not give me housing, they take taxes. What goes in my account is nowhere close to my salary. So In the Bank, means that all my salary makes it to my bank. Sure I pay to live where I want, but no one shoves a Subaru down my throat!
And now we also get 3 weeks per year of service EOS benefits which quantifies to another 1000 dhs per month or so.
So I quit my meds and i can say thank you and I am happy. I know it is hard to imagine that in the ME.
Sorry you all had to scratch your heads about it last night...it was not a riddle!
P.S. I like the new management too! can you believe that!
Where i come from the govt do not give me housing, they take taxes. What goes in my account is nowhere close to my salary. So In the Bank, means that all my salary makes it to my bank. Sure I pay to live where I want, but no one shoves a Subaru down my throat!
And now we also get 3 weeks per year of service EOS benefits which quantifies to another 1000 dhs per month or so.
So I quit my meds and i can say thank you and I am happy. I know it is hard to imagine that in the ME.
Sorry you all had to scratch your heads about it last night...it was not a riddle!
P.S. I like the new management too! can you believe that!