Asian Games Staff

Hey Andie and Fishboy,

Housing is becoming scarce again. I would suggest even if you signed up for DAGOC housing check the Gulf Times to see what else is available, as well as contact the list of agents HR sends you.

We got the chance to tour the housing the other day, it looks like it will be coming online in the next couple of weeks so we're keeping our fingers crossed.

On a side note, the temporary housing is all full so they are putting people into hotels for the time being. There are a few of us in the Hyde Park hotel, as well as a few other places around town.

Yet another side note on bussing from the office to the hotels is strict, timing is set to get through town even in the worst traffic, and traffic here can be a nightmare as the whole city seems to be under construction. Some of us are working at DAGOC 3 and they provide a shuttle to DAGOC 1 from there and if you miss it, you have to take a taxi or get rides for co-workers, this can be good and bad depending on how late you need to work or how late they're working.

All in all this is a great group of people, the locals are friendly and the expats are great.

Hi Andie, will be heading over to be a part of the venues team early June, looks like we shall be working together. I have signed on for DAGOC housing and will play it pear shaped - I guess we see what happens.

Swim on,

Fishboy

Hello fellow DAGOC workers,

I am heading to Doha at the end of this month (May) to work in venues department. Is there anyone else heading over in the next few weeks. I am still not sure what to do on accomodationn side of things. I have signed for DAGOC housing but will still be keen to have a look around when I arrive. I am really looking forward to heading over. See you all soon!

Andie

I would expect that to be considered non resident for tax purposes you would have to spend at least 6 months outside the country. There is normally a minimum amount of time (in australia 183 days) which you have to spend outside the country to be considered a non resident. Make sure you stay away at least this long then foreign earnings can be exempt.

DOn't even consider public transport or walking. Buy a cheap secondhand from someone (apparently there is a board somewhere in the DAGOC HR section which has ads?) or lease one (about QAR1700 per month).

Does anyone know if the units provided by the DAGOC are furnished or not? If they're not what places are available close by to pick up certain items.

Also does anyone have any opinions on vehicles? Should I get one, rent one, or just walk it / public transportation?

Cheers!

-Jude

Andie - The following is how I understand it, but you should consider getting your own tax advice from a tax consultant in Aus before you come. (This is just what I have managed to find out on my own so it might not be accurate.)

You still need to submit a tax return for the financial year in question (so, FY 2006-07), but you have the choice of declaring yourself a "Non-resident for tax purposes" (NRFTP).

If you do declare yourself a NRFTP, then money you earn in Qatar in that financial year is not taxed by the Australian Government.

HOWEVER:

a) there are tax inplications if you buy/own/sell Australian-based assets during that period (such as property or shares, for example); and

b) you need to consider how this will affect you when you return to Aus after the Games - ie if you then earn money in Australia before July 2007, that income will be taxed hard eg in the highest tax bracket or whatever, because you are officially a NRFTP for the *whole* of the financial year.

If you do not declare yourself a NRFTP, then technically you would have to pay taxes on your DAGOC earnings.

That is my understanding...

I am yet to work out if there are any tax on taking/transferring money back into Aus... would be interested to hear others' comments/ understanding as well...

Cheers

Does anyone know how the tax free salary works when you go back to Australia? If I come to Doha for 6 months and work for DAGOC - Does anyone know if I will be taxed when I return to Australia with what ever money I have left?

Cheers, I look forward to any assistance and look forward to meeting you all when I finally make it there. Is anyone else looking to move over in the next 6 weeks or so???

A word of warning!!

I had to renage on 3 months of a 12 month accommodation contract when I left DAGOC in 2004. I had the letter from DAGOC indicating that my employment was finished but it made little difference.

The lawyer for the agent threatened to stop me leaving the country by opening a case against me (yes, this can happen) if I didn't pay the balance. They eventually cashed my furniture deposit cheque without advising me and kept that in lieu of the rent.

Accomodation is getting pretty thin on the ground here now - unless you know someone out here who has saved a place for you, or you can quickly find a big group of people to share a villa, you will probably end up in the DAGOC apartments. These are 2 bedroom with 1 bathroom for QR3200 per month for 1 room or QR6400 for the whole apartment. Apparently it's a lucky dip who you share with as well - I heard smokers and non smokers have been put in together. They are already on their second building, which will be full soon, and aparently the building they have found for the 3rd lot of accom is not good. Individual rooms in villas etc are not as common now either. There are plenty of apartments and villas to rent, but the prices are rocketing up, and the landlords want a minimum 12 month, or in some cases, 2/3 years lease agreement. It is likely that the vast majority of DAGOC staff will be finished in Doha by Jan/Feb, and will either have to breach their contract and end up in a dispute with the landlord, or have to pay a penalty in lieu of notice. There's a rumour that you can end the lease agreement early with no penalty if your employer gives you a letter saying that your employment has ended, but no one at DAGOC HR is willing to say if this will work or not. They are also getting a bit tight about the guesthouse accom - unless you have signed up for the DAGOC accom, they will kick you out after 2 weeks as so many new starters are coming over. Therefore I recommend that all new DAGOC starters sign up for the DAGOC accom - you can always change your mind if you find somewhere else.

Someone mentioned spectacles. If you have the prescription for your specs, bring it with you. You can obtain specs to fit the prescription and they are much cheaper than in the UK.

DohaChick-

I have some real dumb questions (so dumb I don't want to post them) I needed answered can you drop me and email? [email protected]

Kindness is Timeless it only takes a moment to give someone your love.....India Arie

Hi, I've been working for DAGOC for just over 1 year now. The DAGOC housing is only temporary and you can usually stay there for up to 1 month (depending on availability). DAGOC now offer apartments close to the office (though not sure if there are any left, contact HR about that). Otherwise there tends to be rooms available in Villas all the time and these availabilities are posted in HR and also at the Guest House.

Things to ask HR before coming...

* 50Kg excess baggage allowance - sometimes they inform, sometimes they don't.

* About 15+ passport photos... if you wear glasses for driving bring a couple of them with you too. Lots of places to get them here but makes it easier to bring them with you.

Setting up bank accounts, etc is relatively easy, so do not worry.

If you have any specific questions about DAGOC or Doha just drop me an email and I'll be more than happy to help.

I have heard the DAGOC temporary housing is good - ie the place you stay for the first two weeks... not sure if those who don't find somewhere after that, and elect to stay in "DAGOC Housing" for longer, then move somewhere else, or whether they stay in the same place....

That's not much help, huh. Sorry... :)

Hi Andy

I am looking at the DAGOC housing too...but as I am not there yet - I dont know what is better - I arrive in the next two weeks as you know - so any info you could give me would be great. You have my personal email - you should send a pic so that I recognise you when I see you at DAGOC!!!

Cant wait to get there

S

Are any of you working for DAGOC staying in the DAGOC supplied housing that they offer? Any comments on the quality, location etc. would be appreciated.

BP

Thanks for the straight forward reply Butterfly!

BP

yes

Hi All,

Quick one for you - I'm led to believe that Qatar has the same plug sockets and voltage as the UK, meaning that UK purchased appliances (laptops, Playstations, MP3 etc) just plug straight in and work without the need for adaptors - is this true?

Thanks,

BP

When it rains, it really rains. If driving, dont trust puddles, they invariably conceal holes.......large holes.

It is not raining anymore Steve :)

Ayman

Rain!!!!!!!! Its only 3 degrees here and trying to snow. I thought Qatar didnt get any rain!

Steve

I'm don't know about DAGOC, but summer clothes (but not too revealing) and some light outerwear. It's freezing indoors from the A/C!!

Umbrella >>>>> it is raining here :)

Alot of summer cloths.

Welcome to Qatar...

Ayman

Help,

Just found out that my flight leaves 06:05 GMT arriving sat 25th 11:45 Qatar local time. Can anyone give a top ten list of essentials to bring with me. Cash? etc.

Steve

Asian Games New Joiners

hay guys, Doha is a really nice place to be. I am working in DAGOC, it is a good place to work, Doha is not a bad place at all, as long as you have a car or you dont have to wait too much for a taxi. the weather is perfect and you will like it ,especially if you coming from UK like me, where it is always dark and gloomy. Fresh air and a lot of sunlight. there is a lot here to get tanned.lol. if you need any more information drop an email on [email protected].

Cheerz

There are many posts here about people joining DAGOC asking mostly the same questions.

My advice, don't bring much winter cloths :)

As for accomodation you all are welcome to contact me in this regards.

Ayman

[email protected]

+974-555-2197

Hi all,

Arriving on the 26th to work for the DAGOC very suuden offer and all in a bit of a rush. Any tips on essentials to bring with me and preperations before I arrive?

Im thinking of doing just the same so any tips would be most helpfull

thankyou

Caroline