Dubai Forums Dubai Expat Forums Dubai Expat Help Forum

Hello All from London

I posted this earlier in the General Chat forum, but I think it should be here...sorry

Here is my situation:

I am a civil Engineer specialising in Water, and I have recently been on a job interview in Dubai with a local Water Authority. I was very impressed with Dubai, Sharjah and the whole thing. I obviously got the job, and now am thinking of taking it. My concerns are as follows:

1- The job offers DHS. 18,000 per month with no benefits except ticket for me and medical insurance for the whole family.(forget about 45 days anual leave and so on).

2- I have a family of three boys, 4, 2,5 years and 3 months baby.

I asked around how this wage would compare to the expenses, and most of the people say it's a bit tight, meaning that I would be able to live ok without being able to save much. (Schooling for two for now, accommodation, car, etc.)

I am on stable job here in London, with a normal above average wage, but my problem is that I have to move from Kent to West London, and I am sure you imagine how the house prices are there.

So, the question is:

Is it worth for me to go? using this as a stepping stone for a year or so before moving to another company (better offer) bearing in mind I have the professional and language skills for my type of work? If so are there any visa implication? I hear you have to spend a year with a company before being able to move on.


I really would appreciate your valuable advice on this, and drinks will be on me in Dubai

Much appreciated and many thanks.


Zino

Zino;

The comments you have received so far, "it is a bit tight" are correct.

You don't mention how old you are / qualifications / experience / lifestyle etc. however making some wild assumptions I would suggest you probably 'need' about 25k here if you don't want to feel disappointed.

You _might_ be able to get a much better job when you get here - or you might not. Certainly such a hope shouldn't be the reason for you + family coming. There are also lifestyle questions.

School (in the near future) can be very expensive (depending on the education you want to provide) although the Sharjah side of town is about 20% cheaper.

Speak to some recruitment agencies to find out what they think your CV is worth.

HTH - Stuart (once lived in Canterbury)

Thank you Stuart for your valuable opinion. I perfectly understand that this offer is on the edge, and hence, every day I have a different vue, meaning some days I decided I am better off there, others I say it's not worth the shot.

Now as for info about me, I am 37 with three young kids. I have nearly 9 years experience in the water industry (I worked for Mid kent water and know pretty well Thanington, Howfield, Mickleburgh, Radfall, Blean etc.).
I hold Master degree in Civil Engineering, and the positive point that is giving me optimisim is that I can speak fluently in four languages: Arabic being originally arab, English for being British, French for being North african, and Russian for having done my first degree in Russia.

Now my thinking is if I accept to sacrifice the first year and struggle a bit, would I be able to move onto another company without having residency problems? The reason being agencies and emloyers would prefer you to be in Dubai as it's easiers to get an interview.

Liban has posted an annoucement about sponsorship transfers, stating that being a master degree holder, you can transfer your sponsorship as many times as you wish provided you work for a year for the original employer.

Any toughts any one?

Cheers

Zino


I read in one of the posts (

Zino;

In your current situation I would suggest the following scenario. And if it doesn't work for you, I would suggest you do not accept the 18k offer ...

a) come out for now on your own (don't close the UK home). Yes this will be more expensive initially, but it will also give you MUCH more opportunity for "back up" plans.
b) let your wife / kids visit ... see if they like "the Dubai lifestyle" (some people don't)
c) give yourself time to find out about Dubai - especially schooling etc. No amount of forum messages will be the same as you visiting schools in person.
d) Find out about your employer (once your here). Maybe there'll be an opportunity for internal promotion (although this is unusual in Dubai)
e) Find out what other job opportunities might be available for YOU in the Dubai market - I have recommended you contact employment agencies already (you can do this from the UK) and this will give you a very good idea. Still, there is nothing much to stop you looking once you're here.
f) If you're here 'on your own' you can spend less on accommodation (in your first year). It would probably be 'wise' to be sure that you'll be happy before you invest in a decent-sized flat, two cars, furniture, school fees, etc.

But if the above strikes you as 'scary' then I don't think you should come to Dubai just yet.

Just my opinion, of course - and I agree with the opinions in the other thread that you started.

HTH - Stuart

PS. I'm in construction, also in my late 30's - so have some idea of your sector and market potential. Keep shopping around would be my advice, you should be able to do better than 18k if you look hard enough.

First, i would like to say that i think you can get a better offer.
I'm a single guy, 24 y.o 1.5 y of experience in Engineering, got a job with XX k all included and i was hesitant to take this offer because the high accomodation fees.
In your case, i think it is better to do as Stuart suggested.
I will be there after a month or more and i can give you more sense of kind of expances. but i can say that you will be living very tight if you took this offer.
I'll PM you a name of water treatment company that i know work in Abu dahbi, it might be useful. i don't know how good they pay, but it can be just the begining.

Good luck

Why don't you go back to the company and tell them you're worth more than their original offer? You can wrangle over contracts and should never sell yourself short.

Tell them the package you currently have in the UK and for you and your family to come over, they have to make it worth your while, if they are interested in you enough they'll re-negotiate the contract. You could ask for things like an extra months salary as a relocation allowance, accomodation provided for the first 3 months until you're sorted. Definately go back and ask for something like 22K a month.

All companies will negotiate if they think you're worth it, the offer they normally give you is their lowest one and they can definately come up on that.

As I always say 'If you don't ask, you don't get!'