Nationality/Ethnicity
*** I posted this in the ANSWERS section and thought I'd put it in a FORUM as well ***
Salaams and hi!
I joined Qatar Living about a week ago and have been reading as much as I can about the place I may be calling home in a few months.
One thing that I noticed is that it appears salaries and benefits are often based on a person's nationality instead of their work experience. Is this true? Does that mean if A is from Uganda and B is from Australia, B may get a better package?
Are people treated differently based on their ethnicity?
I am a born and raised Canadian who only speaks English (and I only say "eh" when I'm reciting the alphabet), Muslim, my parents are Pakistani, I don't look Pakistani, I have an Arabic first name, and I'll be working for an American company.
Am I going to get the same package as everyone else? Am I going to be looked at and treated as a Canadian or a Muslim or a Pakistani or a woman?
Thoughts?
I'm not worried about spending my own money! However, if someone should happen to want to buy me things with no strings attached, I'm not going to say "no"! :-)
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Veni, Vedi, Visa ~ I came, I saw, I shopped
If your worried abt spending your own money then I am sure you can always find someone with a big wallet..lol
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HE WHO DARES WINS
....I guess it wouldn't be revenge if it's my own wallet that may be depleted!
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Veni, Vedi, Visa ~ I came, I saw, I shopped
Naw, scrap the boxing lessons, let's just go to the mall. Shopping well is the best revenge!
Mandi
Beela Madame ........
Welcome to Qatar and QL.....
as Mandi said, Deck em or them....:)
Cheerz and have a great Stay !!
Mandi, I guess I should take some boxing lessons!
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Veni, Vedi, Visa ~ I came, I saw, I shopped
yes it does exist in the US..BUT..when it does, and can be proven, a company usually is sued for the discrimination and will loose and have to pay MUCH money for being so naughty...
Oh, Beela, I don't think you will experience discrimination personally. Like you, I am surprised at the ethnicity question by your prospective employer but some things are different here. I'm afraid that a lot of the discrimination in the Gulf is socio-economic. Sad to say, if you dress and speak as an educated, prosperous person you won't encounter blatant racism in Doha. And if you do, just deck 'em.
Mandi
...for everyone's feedback. I'll be getting final details regarding a package within the next few days.
I was curious about the nationality issue as the person I chatted with on the phone asked me what my ethnicity was. I was so surprised, as legally - at least in Canada - you're not allowed to ask, that I told her. I'm just going to tell people I'm Canadian, and leave it at that.
In regards to looking or not looking like a certain ethnic group, I was thinking more along the lines of when I'm out and about. I'm not used to being discriminated against and have never experienced racism, but based on what I've read and heard, it seems like that is a possibility in Doha.
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Veni, Vedi, Visa ~ I came, I saw, I shopped
it's not that "companies have different packages for different nationalities". It's all about yourself! for HOW MUCH a month you are willing to leave your own country and to relocate to...hhmm... don't know where
That's it.
...minimum salary In Canada is about $1400-1500.. so why on the earth one would go to nowhere for let's say $1200-1300??
but.. there are a lot of people from other countries who would be more than happy to work for $1200-1300.
you only can blame on the government of your country where ppl getting $100-$300-$500 a month, and therefore the offer of $1200 in qatar is considered as a huge luck.
Beela,
"Am I going to get the same package as everyone else?"
there is no such thing like "the same package as everyone else". You will get as much as you and your employer will agree about.
so, by the way, no matter how much is the original offer, try to negotiate!
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“You become responsible forever for what you have tamed”. Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
In the USA , it may be an equal opportunities company, but in the Middle East, I doubt it. By the way, Gender inequality and Race inequality also exists in the USA.
The bottom line is that we all negotiate a contract which we sign once we are happy with it.
If you don't feel you are getting a good deal, don't sign..
Very true Stallion and UKeng!
Brit..Guess she is worried if it’s an equal opportunity Company...which is hard to find in Qatar.
It’s a sad fact that gender equality and racial equality don’t exist in this country!
I always worry about posts like yours..
" ...I don't look Pakistani, I have an Arabic first name, and I'll be working for an American company."
What has looking or not looking Pakistani have to do with things ??
Also, you say you will be working for an American company.. this means that you have already probably discussed the package with them..
So where is the problem ???
The HR people in most big companies do not look at you as Professional with experience contributing to wellbeing of the company, but they are only bothered with the passport you are holding. Like they say here in my company that you are only another number..It is very sad..
So my dear yes I am afraid the passport you are holding will play a big part in your proffesional life and package you are offered.
However the ethinicity part and how you look only comes when you deal with people either in public or in proffessional environment.
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HE WHO DARES WINS
It is unfortunate but human resources departments in Qatar are a bunch of clowns...I have seen talented HR professionals but the majority are retards.
You will be treated depending on how you treat others..
The packages are usually by passport..
a Canadian package if you are being hired from Canada by a North American firm and hold a Canadian passport.
Yes , it depends on nationality, ethnicity etc.
There r few companies who do not base on person's nationality.
As for u , u will be treated as a canadian, thats my opinion.
I think some companies give salary based on education i.e canadian education has more value than pakistan education.
As u have studied in canada and ur a canadian , u will be treated as a Canadian but if ur a canadian and have pakistan education , I dont think u will get the same package as u would get for being educated in canadian curriculum.
It depends on where you work. Some companies have different packages for different nationalities. It is not fair but it does happen. So yes a Canadian, British, American, Or Aastarlian ... will get a better package than others. Where I work we don't have that problem, cause all get the same package regardless of nationality.
Welcome to Doha...
You might be treated as any of the things you mentioned and you might not.