Is a QR3,000 salary fair?

louiecat
By louiecat

A pleasant day to everyone.

I've been offered a job by Al Jaber Trading Contracting, Co. W.L.L. as a Document Controller with a basic salary of QR2,100 plus QR900 allowance, free transportation and accommodation. I am not quite sure if this is acceptable and so I am thinking if I should accept the offer or not.

I am a Filipino who applied through a local agenct here in Manila. I have Filipino friends who are already working in Qatar with the same capacities as mine whose salaries range from QR4,500 to QR8,000 that's why I'm kinda hesitant because of the disparity. I have been advised by them to re-negotiate to up the offer to at least QR4,500.

But due the world-wide recession and the fact that many Filipino OFW's are being laid-off and sent back home nowadays (which is quite everyday news here), I'm also thinking that I'm lucky to receive an offer like this. Am I right in thinking this? Or am I just being naive?

I'm 33 years old and currently working for the National Golf Association of the Philippines (www.ngapgolf.com) which is the national sports association for golf here as Handicapping and Website Administrator, my current salary is around Php20,000 only.

I've been looking for an over-seas job along the lines of my current field which is "Golf" (handicapping, computerized scoring, tournaments) but offers are hard to come by, hence, the shift to Document Controller, Secretarial Jobs and the like.

I could enumerate my qualifications here but I know that is not something you all would bother to read and so without meaning to brag, I know for a fact that I'm much qualified for a better job, hence, a better salary than this. But as I've mentioned, because of the recession, I'm pondering if this is a right time to be choosy or not.

Any advise would be gladly appreciated.

Thank you.

By louiecat• 11 Jan 2009 21:08
louiecat

Hi guys!

Thank you very much for all your comments and suggestions. It has helped me a lot in the process of deciding. I've been scheduled for medical tests this week and I've decided to go and see what happens. Anyway, I haven't seen the final draft of the contract yet or talked with the employer directly since my first interview. So I guess, I'll see what comes up.

Again, many thanks and God bless.

louiecat

By qsc• 8 Jan 2009 09:50
Rating: 5/5
qsc

If you can wait for another offer, please do. QR 3,000 is ok if it only concerns your necessities but if your family is included then you cannot managed to save for yourself. Raise of salary for private company will take sometime probably a year. By that time you'll be in huge debt if your salary is that kind. You'll end up paying those debts.

I am not discouraging you not to accept the offer but I am only giving the possibilities. There is so many Filipinos here that are having regrets why they accepted such offer like yours.

I am lucky that I have an opportunity working in Government Company which is giving good salary but at this time they are terminating employees because of financial crisis.

Search for jobs in Government Companies here in Qatar. I'm sure you'll be qualified in such positions.

Recession here in Qatar at this moment is too high. It's everywhere. Many Filipinos are sent home because they were terminated.

Think very hard before you accept the offer.

Life in Qatar is simple not like in the Philippines. Purely your life here will evolve in work and home plus little recreation for yourself.

Goodluck KABAYAN!!!!

By carlo4273• 8 Jan 2009 09:01
Rating: 5/5
carlo4273

Kabayan dont compare yourself to other of your friends working here in qatar it depends upon the the company and experience abroad, if this your first time its fairly enough what they been offer to you. I started working before as a document controller too with a salary package of 2,500 QR only free transportation still i can save and send money to my family it depends with your lifestyle how to save your money but now with the experience that i have im working now in a good company with almost 5 times of my salary before for me its a good start and your lucky enough to have an offer like that.still 99% is for you to decide if you will grab it? were just telling you the reality.Goodluck

By cherukkan• 8 Jan 2009 08:47
Rating: 5/5
cherukkan

Dont expect more from Al Jabor Trading as there are plenty of staff working with them for many years who are not getting more than Qr. 3000/-. There are many Filipinos and Indians working here in the same capacity or above for less than Qr. 3000/ plus accommodation and transportation. If you are confident that you can find a job in the GCC countries with a higher salary with your job capacity, dont accept the offer. If you think that it will be difficult to find another job and you can save Qr. 2000/- every month which will be more than what you are earning now then accept the offer.

Please note that you will find many of your friends earning above your line and below your line. It depends on the profession and the companies who are offering the job.

People who are low paid and expecting more will tell you that the offer is not good. People who are well paid and getting a huge salary will also tell you that the offer is not good. It does not mean that the offer is pretty good.

If you think that you will be happy with the present job in Philippines stay there and continue your job with all the facilities you may get and if you feel that Qr. 3000/- from which you can save a good amount accept the offer. I dont think Al Jabor will give you a better offer so look for another job with a higher salary package if you fee that the offer is too low.

By mishty• 8 Jan 2009 08:42
Rating: 5/5
mishty

i think its not fair i have been wrking as document controller too bt my salary was 4000 plus transport its up to u wat u decide bt if u dnt hav any other offers till nw thn dnt inore this and go for it and wrk until u dnt gt anyother good job "smething bettr thn nothing"

have a nice day

cheers....

By chenggay• 8 Jan 2009 08:42
Rating: 2/5
chenggay

I think QR 3,000 is not enough but it still depends on your lifestyle and unless they can give you an annual increase.. it will be better to try to negotiate with them again.. =)

By michoo123• 8 Jan 2009 08:36
michoo123

Hi,

As far i am concern if company does provide transport and accommodation 3000 is quite reasonable, if you don’t have overseas experience this is a good salary and please don’t compare you with other, Its entirely different the company they work experience and several other factor differs.

By hisashi_mitsui• 8 Jan 2009 08:35
Rating: 5/5
hisashi_mitsui

the offer is fair....

it's not a lowball offer,that's the normal rate, specially for contracting companies...

if you applied with a consulting company, you would have gotten a better offer, at least 2K or 3K higher.

if i were you, i'll grab it...

yes, the cost of living here is high, but if you think about it, you have free accomodation and transportation right?...which takes a huge chunk of our salary...

it means you just have to worry about food, clothing and other personal needs...i think 3K riyals is enough...

goodluck....

By achiles974• 8 Jan 2009 08:07
achiles974

I do not know if 3,000 is a good salary for this kind of job but the right question is : is this salary enough to live ??? I don't think so !

By Lovable40• 8 Jan 2009 07:14
Rating: 3/5
Lovable40

NO .... Look for other jobs. Cost of living are expensive... International call rates are expensive... You are not assured that they will give you an NOC. Weigh it down. Why don't you send your CV to Doha Golf Club since that is your line of work. www.dohagolfclub.com

By anonymous• 8 Jan 2009 06:53
Rating: 2/5
anonymous

Further to my answer earlier, I am sure that the 20K that you are earning in the Philippines is subject to an approximate rate of 15% INCOME TAX. Your earnings here in abroad are FREE OF TAX.

This additional fact can help you decide.

By anonymous• 8 Jan 2009 06:48
Rating: 5/5
anonymous

The Job Offer for Document Controller is enough since Transportation and Accommodation are FREE; however, makes sure that after probationary period they should adjust your salary within QR300 or more - this can be utilize as Food Allowance.

The position says it all, you can make have greater package; however, in this time of crisis I would advice you to grab this opportunity.

GOOD LUCK!!

By fairy_ael• 8 Jan 2009 04:36
Rating: 4/5
fairy_ael

Kabayan.. Everybody's suggestion is correct. I will suggest to you the same. I was working previously for 2years in qatar with the same salary that they offer to you,including free accom, transpo, food allow,to the point including the overtime allowance just to reach a monthly salary of 3K. You can save a very little amount of money, but still not enough to support the people you will left behind in our country.Alam mo naman ang kultura natin, mahirap tanggihan ang pamilya (kaarawan ng nanay at tatay mo,kapatid mo, tuition, pasko, new year,pasalubong etc..). Include also your personal needs and future savings.

Think it before you decide to accept the offer. Based on my experience,even I completed my 2years contract and decided to resign after completion, they will not grant an n.o.c.. Its better you ask your friends also who is already in doha, to know more about the rulings of qatar before your enter the country. Try to re-negotiate or be a little more patient to look and wait for another offer from qatar, since there will be no difference with what ur earning from the philippines.

By Kristine9582• 8 Jan 2009 04:20
Kristine9582

It will be pretty hard to come by with that salary.

By GodFather.• 8 Jan 2009 02:34
Rating: 2/5
GodFather.

not enough unless they give you company accomodation at and least QR5000

By SolidSnake9• 8 Jan 2009 01:09
Rating: 4/5
SolidSnake9

I encourage you not to come with that amount of salary you will get. Even if you get a transportation and accommodation. It's a straight answer..

By controlpas• 8 Jan 2009 00:11
Rating: 5/5
controlpas

Your salary is just fair but definitely not enough. If you are not happy with the offer dont take it, never risk working in Qatar and yet you are half sure. Going out of the country is not as easy as it looks like. If you accept the offer and lift ur feet on the ground of NAIA and only to find out later that you are not 100% sure you will have your longest day of your life thinking why you left the country. And also, never compare your salary with other people you know because different company have different salary structure.

Goodluck.

By weedmanblazin• 8 Jan 2009 00:06
Rating: 4/5
weedmanblazin

if ur single it's ok...but if ur earning 20k pesos/month, i think you should rather stay there becuase the cost of living here is very high...

By Omas ali• 8 Jan 2009 00:05
Omas ali

Plz don"t come here because 3500 is not a good salary Its rubbish They are making fun of u.

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