Lowest pay rises expected in Qatar this year, despite rising costs

Lowest pay rises expected in Qatar this year, despite rising costs

QatarNews
By QatarNews

It looks like 2016 is not going to be a great year for Qatar, and the rest of the GCC. Apart from the job cuts in both government and private sectors, this year has also been predicted as the year with the lowest rise in salary.

According to a survey conducted by GulfTalent, average pay raise in Qatar and in the other GCC states are set to be lower in 2016 than at any time over the past ten years.

Although the cost of living in Qatar is not becoming any cheaper, the report explains that: "Many professionals in 2016 are likely to face a double-whammy of rising living costs coupled with stagnant wage growth. As a result, real salary increases net of inflation are expected to be significantly lower than in previous years".

The survey further reports that salaries across the GCC are forecast to increase at an average of just 5.2 percent in 2016, down from 5.7 percent in the previous year.

Moreover, while the recruitment process in Qatar is slowing down, workers are now being hired only for replacement purposes.

Sectors like oil & gas and construction, which depend heavily on government investment, appear to be recruiting very few workers this year.

On the other hand, retail has seen limited impact and healthcare is booming, driven by a combination of population growth and regulatory changes making healthcare provision mandatory for employers.

However, the study also noted that, despite a marked slowdown, the situation in Gulf countries remains far more stable than in most other oil-dependent economies.

GulfTalent’s report is based on an online survey of 700 employers and 25,000 professionals - the full report is available here:www.gulftalent.com.

Any thoughts? Comment below.

By Molten Metal• 18 Mar 2016 09:30
Molten Metal

So 75% people agree with staying here for long ...........

By britexpat• 17 Mar 2016 15:00
britexpat

omarm88: one must never forget their homeland.. We are only guests in Qatar

By omarm88• 17 Mar 2016 14:36
omarm88

that's true on any walk of life. Once you experience something better, you want it to stay like that. It's hard to go backwards

By britexpat• 17 Mar 2016 13:45
britexpat

This is the other issue .. People stay away from their homelands thinking they'll be here for ever - and then are afraid to go back because they don't fit in

By zackm• 17 Mar 2016 12:56
zackm

@MM, totally disagree, also I am not going back homeland, many places with opportunities exist, just have to be confident. Also, you must possess skills that are transferable to the places you are going to. This all takes place with careful planning and meeting people within your expertise and through your network.

By Molten Metal• 17 Mar 2016 12:51
Molten Metal

Zack, The situation is this, you have seen both places , it will be very tough for you to adjust in your home town back again if you are away more than a decade ........... this is for sure ......

By zackm• 17 Mar 2016 12:45
zackm

@MM, yes I agree best price of fuel and new cars, things we don't need if we have a great public transportation system, like most major cities around the world. Food prices can be variable and depending on what your preference is. Not everybody eats Khubas!

By Molten Metal• 17 Mar 2016 12:44
Molten Metal

Nobody punches in your face on a foot path / bus stop .......... which is not the case elsewhere .........

Look at US ......... daily shootings ...............

By Molten Metal• 17 Mar 2016 12:41
Molten Metal

Omarm, People also don't take into account ...... the price of fuel & new cars .... ........... ask anybody about the price of a packet of Khubas ......... and compare it with the similar item / food packet anywhere on the globe ........... it's almost free ...............

By zackm• 17 Mar 2016 11:57
zackm

@Omarm, yes you are right, other places might have high rates of all these crimes, because it is report and its public. Here you can half the truth or never make it to the news. Well Done!

By omarm88• 17 Mar 2016 11:53
omarm88

I can live with that zackm. Other places you have high rates of theft, murder, rape and abuse.

By zackm• 17 Mar 2016 10:58
zackm

There are Cats and Kittens being run over daily, because the city refuses to address the issue.... so if you are a cat lover think twice of what your decision will be. And the heavy spitting on the road sides every minute on the roads here.

By Molten Metal• 17 Mar 2016 10:55
Molten Metal

There are cities where 271 people are bitten by the stray dogs daily ............ so make informed decisions ..............

By zackm• 17 Mar 2016 10:54
zackm

@Brity: Hope everything will stay good for you Brity and for those opting to stay :)

By Molten Metal• 17 Mar 2016 10:53
Molten Metal

Story is similar all over the globe with a slight difference .......... except the Arabian Gulf ..................

By zackm• 17 Mar 2016 10:49
zackm

Somewhere not where you mentioned

By Molten Metal• 17 Mar 2016 10:48
Molten Metal

People in England, Canada, Australia or Zealand are not happy as well ...................................................... so where would you head to ?

By britexpat• 17 Mar 2016 10:47
britexpat

zackm: Most will continue to stay hoping that things will get better

By zackm• 17 Mar 2016 10:43
zackm

@MM, my replies hold no gossips, I state the factual. You guys must be living large and not bother by the rising cost of living here. For those, who really think this place is like heaven, you can stay here for the rest of your lives! The little difference of pay that they give me here compared to what I will benefit from elsewhere. I choose elsewhere!

By zackm• 17 Mar 2016 10:39
zackm

@ Omram, you consider lot of material things that you own, there are lot you can benefit from other places in other parts of the world, pay tax, get government subsidized benefits, better health care, education, quality of living and make similar money elsewhere. Or everyone would want to come to Qatar, if this was the best deal out there in this world of ours. You need to think of greener pastures my friend. At least I am, and also looking at what's good for my family. Saving, I will still make similar saving, when compared to the cost here, if you want to only consider material things. Hence, my time to leave this place will be soon!

By Molten Metal• 17 Mar 2016 10:36
Molten Metal

88, Do not trust the gossip ............. by Zack & pack ................

By omarm88• 17 Mar 2016 10:16
omarm88

Really Zack?. I don't believe you.

I don't pay Tax

I don't pay for housing and bills

I don't pay National insurance

I don't pay Car costs

I don't pay school transport

Get a tax free salary double what I got previously.

Get a big fat cheque every year for home allowance

so many paid holidays

I will not be packing my bags anytime soon

By zackm• 17 Mar 2016 09:08
zackm

Time to pack up and leave, cost of living is getting too much that now I am not seeing the difference, even if I pay tax to live elsewhere with my family.

By britexpat• 16 Mar 2016 17:09
britexpat

The saying is - 'just be grateful that you have a job'

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