Salary package

Thanks again to everybody for there constructive comments.

Freon.

Very enlightening article. Thanks.

***The biggest risk in life, is not taking one!***

if the housing is free with no bills then it is a deal. Without that benefit, you are just treading water. Free housing or stay where you are is my opinion. But it is your life and you know what you are doing with it, I bet....

Qatar can be fun, frustrating and liberating but only at the right price. With your experience try and get more cash, if not the Qatar is not for you but at least you found out before you arrived !!!

Thanks everybody for you comments.

It seems that my pacakge offer is way off what is required, It may be difficult for them to increase the offer because of the grading system in the ME, from what i understand unless my job title is for a manager's position there is a maximum salary level i can receive. This is regardless of experience and technical knowledge.

Regards Freon.

As per QNB report min. cost of living in Qatar should not be less than QR.29,000. Details as follows:

Gulf Times: Doha Feb 2007: An Expatriate executive requires QR.29,000 a month to maintain his family in Qatar now, Qatar National Bank (QN report has said highlighting the exorbitant rise in living costs in State of Qatar in the recent past. In the latest report entitled " Doing Business in Qatar", QNB said an executive bachelor needs about QR12,000 for monthly living. QNB said it has not taking into account large-scale entertainment and travel expenses while compiling the report. It said the married couple with two children require about QR12,000 a month for rent and utilities. For monthly food and domestic requisities, they require QR6,000. They need to set apart 1,500 a month for transport and communication expenses. And to meet the school fees and other educational expenses of their children, they need about QR5,600 a month. Their clothing and sundry expenses have been put at QR2,300 a month. Clubs and sports activities take about QR900 and QR700 for healthcare. In case of executive bachelor, QR6,000 was required a month for rent and utilities. For food and domestic requisites requiresQR3,000 per month, transport and communication have been put at QR800 andd QR600 for clubs and sports activities, clothing and sundry expenses at QR1,100 and QR500 a month for healthcare.

Apparently, higher living costs are a direct result of inflation, which has gone up to 8.2% in the 1st half of 2006 from around 2% in 2000. Soaring rent has been the main driver of inflation in Qatar in the last few years, until about 2000, the annual rate of inflation hovered around 2%. In 2005, the rate of inflation was 12.62% and in 2004 it stood at 8.48%. Essentially what inflation means is that the value of money goes down and it takes more to buy commodities and to pay for services. Therefore an 8.2% inflation means that the price level for a given year has risen 8.2% from a certain measuring year. Clearly a consumer's purchasing power loses with inflation. Many analysts believe the only way to rein the inflation is to contain rent spiral for which a multi-prolonged approach becomes inevitable. Key to this will be the provision of adequate commercial space and residential units, which are still in short supply in Qatar. The prices of most essential items have gone up in Qatar in the last few months (from Feb 2007) primarily because of the impact of rent spike on commercial and trading establishments. For same reason the cost of services has also shot up. The 50% increase in cooking gas prices last year and the markup in petrol tariff in 2005 have also push up the prices of essential commodities and foodstuff in the last couple of years. The situation has become so grave that many expatriate have sent back their families and moved to sharing accommodation. Private companies have been lamenting about their inability to bring in qualified professional employees due to the housing problem. Not very many private companies can effort to bear the entire housing costs of their employees.

Kawe in Doha

I agree with previous comments, it does look light.

Such as QP give a one off furniture grant of QR45,000 that depreciates over 4 years.

I would have anticipated a salary higher than what was offered although it does obviously depend on the level of the job.

It may be possible to make some cash on the trips depending on the frequency and how they pay you for those trips (a per diem allowance or against receipts) but you shouldn't have to mke up salary in that way.

The housing allowance appears way out of touch with the market.

Thanks aviduser, imz,

Your comments are apreciated.

Regards Freon.

Minimum package should be approx QR 35k+ or else dont take it.. else try somewhere else, I'm sure 25 yrs experience is a hell lot.. there are ppl with 10 yrs exp earning more than what u've been offered. Trust me!

The housing allowance is a JOKE. You will need double that. Plus the salary if your are that experienced is way too low. Even without kids you want a decent flat. Prices for rent are akin to London right now.

A decent car is gonna cost you minimum 60,00 Rials.

Go back and negotiate because other wise you will regret it.

You want min 2 grand in your pocket. And the housing allowance as I say double minimum.

The housing allowance is not enough, believe me. Check all the other housing threads. As for the transportation, it depends what you want to drive. Assuming you get a vehicle loan you can get a decent Japanese 4-door for that kind of installment.

Thanks e46M3

Apreciate your reply,

I did think it was a light on base salary but thought the housing would be enough. Would that car allowance afford me anything decent ?

In answer to your question we do not have any kids.

Regards Freon.

Your salary offer is ok, not great. Your experience should get you more than that.

The housing allowance is borderline. You need to increase it by at least 3000 Riyals for a nice apartment, and a minimum of 6000-8000 for a villa.

I know many employers who pay more than that housing allowance.

You don't mention school-age kids. Tuition is expensive.

Good luck.