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Dubai salaries - how long is a piece of string?

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Sticky Wicket36659

1511

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 17 February 2011 - 21:11

Often they keep the actual wage low because of gratuity when you leave but pad the monthy wage out with "allowances" Sorry I don't actually understand what you mean. What do you mean "because of gratuity"? So if he gets all of that plus housing, then we should be OK? And thanks SS, we'll def try to negotiate a bit higher ... hopefully to 25k. I really would like to stay at home with the kids for a little while longer, before returning to work myself. OK SM, this is what you need as a basic. Housing allowance; 150 K Aed per annum 4 sets of school fees look at 200 K per annum minimum Salary minimum of 30 K per month flights per year for all family to home country Medical insurance for all family (good cover) Car for DH provided by work All visa costs for family paid by company This is basic

Sugarbeach23383

1566

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 17 February 2011 - 21:11

Often they keep the actual wage low because of gratuity when you leave but pad the monthy wage out with "allowances" Sorry I don't actually understand what you mean. What do you mean "because of gratuity"? So if he gets all of that [b'>plus housing[/b'>, then we should be OK? Just need to clear that up with the potential employer then. And thanks SS, we'll def try to negotiate a bit higher ... hopefully to 25k. I really would like to stay at home with the kids for a little while longer, before returning to work myself. edited by Slummy Mummy on 17/02/2011 Even if car, housing, schooling, medical, utilities etc. etc. are paid for by the company. I still don't think the economics work for a family of 4.

455

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 17 February 2011 - 21:08

19K per month NO WAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Slummy Mummy37121

36

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 17 February 2011 - 21:08

Often they keep the actual wage low because of gratuity when you leave but pad the monthy wage out with "allowances" Sorry I don't actually understand what you mean. What do you mean "because of gratuity"? So if he gets all of that [b'>plus housing[/b'>, then we should be OK? Just need to clear that up with the potential employer then. And thanks SS, we'll def try to negotiate a bit higher ... hopefully to 25k. I really would like to stay at home with the kids for a little while longer, before returning to work myself. <em>edited by Slummy Mummy on 17/02/2011</em>

Sticky Wicket36659

1511

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 17 February 2011 - 21:06

Sorry Slummy Mummy have to agree with everyone here as a single you might make it but with no housing and 4 kids you would be insane to agree to that. Seriously 4 sets of school fees alone could cost you that here. Housing minimum 150000 needed. With a family of 6 to feed be looking at near on 7 k per month minimum. No No No

369

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 17 February 2011 - 21:01

Sorry but there is no way I could live on that amount of money per month and we have no children here. I think it is very very low. Are you sure that there are not allowances on top of that. Often they keep the actual wage low because of gratuity when you leave but pad the monthy wage out with "allowances"

Mrs J Lincoln37955

31

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 17 February 2011 - 20:57

DH has just landed a new job, with villa at AR and school fees, utility bills and entertainment allowance, plus car & petrol. Tickets twice a year (vacation has to be split into 2). Salary about double what you quoted, and we are hoping to save some. Entertainment allowance? I want one! what industry? the only people that i knew years ago to get that were the brit embassy. It is an Oil Company

4747

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 17 February 2011 - 20:55

DH has just landed a new job, with villa at AR and school fees, utility bills and entertainment allowance, plus car & petrol. Tickets twice a year (vacation has to be split into 2). Salary about double what you quoted, and we are hoping to save some. Entertainment allowance? I want one! what industry? the only people that i knew years ago to get that were the brit embassy.

Slummy Mummy37121

36

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 17 February 2011 - 20:54

Oh dear, it really sounds as if he's going to have to go for a job that pays a whole lot more.

Mrs J Lincoln37955

31

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 17 February 2011 - 20:53

DH has just landed a new job, with villa at AR and school fees, utility bills and entertainment allowance, plus car & petrol. Tickets twice a year (vacation has to be split into 2). Salary about double what you quoted, and we are hoping to save some. Entertainment allowance? I want one! Company dinner parties etc

353

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 17 February 2011 - 20:53

DH has just landed a new job, with villa at AR and school fees, utility bills and entertainment allowance, plus car & petrol. Tickets twice a year (vacation has to be split into 2). Salary about double what you quoted, and we are hoping to save some. Entertainment allowance? I want one!

4747

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 17 February 2011 - 20:52

Eeeek gosh I didn't realise this! Thanks guys. Yes they're giving a housing allowance ... sorry didn't mention that as I thought it was expected of the employer? Isn't it? I really don't know. nope not always.

Mrs J Lincoln37955

31

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 17 February 2011 - 20:52

DH has just landed a new job, with villa at AR and school fees, utility bills and entertainment allowance, plus car & petrol. Tickets twice a year (vacation has to be split into 2). Salary about double what you quoted, and we are hoping to save some.

4747

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 17 February 2011 - 20:52

Oh yes and regarding school fees .... is this something that [i'>some [/i'>companies pay, but not all? Something he could negotiate, perhaps? I think all companies pay it or at least give an allowance as there are no 'public' schools for expats here as far as I know? no they dont. in the past a lot of companies paid it but a lot didnt, now a lot of companies give you a lump sum so you have to pay everything out of it.

Pomegranate35436

867

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 17 February 2011 - 20:49

Oh yes and regarding school fees .... is this something that [i'>some [/i'>companies pay, but not all? Something he could negotiate, perhaps? Yes correct, some companies do pay 100%, some pay 80% and some pay nothing. Even a nursery school is outrageously expensive, absolutely have it negotiated in. (For example, some nursery schools charge 30,000dhs a year)

353

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 17 February 2011 - 20:48

Oh yes and regarding school fees .... is this something that [i'>some [/i'>companies pay, but not all? Something he could negotiate, perhaps? I think all companies pay it or at least give an allowance as there are no 'public' schools for expats here as far as I know?

249

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 17 February 2011 - 20:47

it depends what kind of allowance and what you would be thinking of as a good place to live. Better if they gave you the accomodation....

353

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 17 February 2011 - 20:46

Make sure you get a decent utility allowance too.

Slummy Mummy37121

36

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 17 February 2011 - 20:46

Oh yes and regarding school fees .... is this something that [i'>some [/i'>companies pay, but not all? Something he could negotiate, perhaps?

Slummy Mummy37121

36

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 17 February 2011 - 20:45

Eeeek gosh I didn't realise this! Thanks guys. Yes they're giving a housing allowance ... sorry didn't mention that as I thought it was expected of the employer? Isn't it? I really don't know.

249

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 17 February 2011 - 20:40

What about accomodation and school fees? 19K does not go far in a month...(a week perhaps?)

Pomegranate35436

867

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 17 February 2011 - 20:39

For a family of four, no, it would not be enough if you want to live an average life and have savings. But If everything else is provided (schooling, housing, electricity, water in particular), you could scrape by if "very" careful.

353

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 17 February 2011 - 20:39

I'd be really very grateful for your input here, Ladies. So we're in London at the moment and DH is going to have an interview for a job in Dubai over Skype on Sunday morning. Oh I really hope that this is it for us and that we can move soon! Anyway, so I was wondering about the salary that's on offer for the job. In the British ad here, they're offering £39,000 per year, plus car, petrol, phone, health insurance etc. Would you say that this is a reasonable salary that a family of 4 (kids are 1 & 3 years old) could live on? The £39k would translate to roughly AED230k per year ... just over AED19k per month. As I said in the title, I do realise of course that this is a "how long is a piece of string" kind of question, as it obviously depends on how much you generally splash out & we all have different views as to what is a good quality of life. He works with video conferencing, by the way. He's a senior tech at the moment with quite a few years experience, but seems to be quite well qualified to apply for this managers position. Are they not giving you a housing allowance?

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