derien | ExpatWoman.com
 

derien

derien
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Latest post on 10 August 2011 - 14:36
In the DIFC, you can't work for a company without being on their sponsorship. If you are caught, the company is fined. There arn't many companies prepared to hire temps because they need to sponsor them and it doesn't make sense for such a short period. That makes temping illegal
derien
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Latest post on 10 August 2011 - 14:19
Yes of course. Everyone does. You are letting a stranger into your house. You must keep some form of security.
derien
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Latest post on 10 August 2011 - 14:16
Temp working is illegal so that's why it's not widely adverstised.
derien
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Latest post on 10 August 2011 - 14:01
Crystal, It's not just the UK, Australia, US etc... It's the rest of the world that operates this way. The Landlord pays an agency to rent out his property. The deposit is held by a notary rather than the landlord and it is all above board, fair and legal for all involved. Quite frankly, I am ****** sick to death of paying an agent to "find me a property" only to be kicked out the year after. I have been in Dubai for 4 years and have moved three times! Three sets of fees! If the landlord paid the fees, he would think twice about kicking people out.
derien
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Latest post on 10 August 2011 - 13:51
yes we will be paying school fees and housing with a pay review after 6 months so would think that it will be ok im not too worried about the savings to start with as i have none in the uk,its more about quality of life and the experience You should be more worried about savings here than in the UK. Why? Because here, if you loose your job, there is no social security to live on. You also need to factor in all the upfront expenses you will have to shell out ( 1 years rent up front, schools fees, cars, etc, etc) Just be careful
derien
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Latest post on 10 August 2011 - 13:49
You could live on that but you won't have much left at the end of the month
derien
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Latest post on 10 August 2011 - 11:56
I am back for the Summer but it wasn't me who told you about the cuisine.. I don't think I've ever discussed that topic on here. You are right, Arabic food here is to die for but the rest, quite frankly, bad, bad, bad.
derien
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Latest post on 09 August 2011 - 20:43
Put yourself for a moment in the shoes of the agent, please. All documents are signed, the keys are handed over - where does he/she stand? In my "other life" as an agent I have been in this situation - once, never to let it happen again! - where the new tenant intended to back out of paying the fees, then startet negotiating. A thoroughly unpleasant situation, I recall. The agency fees should fairly be paid at the document signing, together with the cheques for the landlord. If you have gone through all the right sources (i.e. registered agents, etc.) you have nothing to fear. edited by crystalsindubai on 09/08/2011 And in all other countries, there is protection for the tenant and the LL pays the fees. Here, you are taking the biggest risk of your life
derien
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Latest post on 09 August 2011 - 13:24
So ask him to show employees the same respect by paying them on time. Also, let him know that you have comittments with the bank etc and that if the pay goes in late, you are getting charged
derien
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Latest post on 09 August 2011 - 11:46
I wish the UAE would function like the rest of the world and standadise monhtly payments by bank transfer in the case of rental. It would make things alot easier
derien
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Latest post on 08 August 2011 - 15:06
36
derien
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Latest post on 08 August 2011 - 14:43
I have also been thinking about it. My kids are 4 and 7. I know I would have to give up my job but feel that another baby would make us complete. It's tough to decide
derien
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Latest post on 07 August 2011 - 12:04
Good luck!
derien
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Latest post on 07 August 2011 - 11:56
He doesn't need to attach himself to anything as he feels attached to you. This is a good sign why are you worried?
derien
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Latest post on 07 August 2011 - 11:12
His hair wasn't that long. It was neat. My MIL now thinks that it would be better for us only to call once a week as the kids were upset and cried after we skyped last night. My daughter actually had her bags packed and wanted to come home *******&%!!!***&&&!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!$$$$$$$$$****** How much longer will they be staying with them? Have you been Skypeing every day, so far? You can't do that to children, if they want to talk to their parents and you have the option there, it's cruel to stop them. As kavsmum says, your MIL may not realize it, but she has shot herself in the foot behaving like this, because now what are the chances of her having her grandchildren to herself ever again till they're adults? NONE, I would say :( She didn't say I couldn't skype or call, she was merely suggesting ( to my DH of course privately) that we should only call once a week. I of coures will be calling them tonight as I miss them too much.
derien
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Latest post on 07 August 2011 - 11:06
His hair wasn't that long. It was neat. My MIL now thinks that it would be better for us only to call once a week as the kids were upset and cried after we skyped last night. My daughter actually had her bags packed and wanted to come home *******&%!!!***&&&!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!$$$$$$$$$****** How much longer will they be staying with them? Have you been Skypeing every day, so far? You can't do that to children, if they want to talk to their parents and you have the option there, it's cruel to stop them. As kavsmum says, your MIL may not realize it, but she has shot herself in the foot behaving like this, because now what are the chances of her having her grandchildren to herself ever again till they're adults? NONE, I would say :( I would never drive a wedge between my Children and their Grand-Parents, EVER. Theya re welcome to come and visit us any time in Dubai. It was my idea to send them two weeks in the first place and I must now live with the consequences of that decision. However SimpsABC, you are absolutely right. I will not be sending them to my MIL again until both of them are old enough to stand up to her.
derien
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Latest post on 06 August 2011 - 22:32
Most people work in the DIFC so it's alive during the day
derien
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Latest post on 06 August 2011 - 22:29
His hair wasn't that long. It was neat. My MIL now thinks that it would be better for us only to call once a week as the kids were upset and cried after we skyped last night. My daughter actually had her bags packed and wanted to come home
derien
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Latest post on 05 August 2011 - 18:02
I do hope you ladies are being diagnosed by western trained GP's and changing your lifestyle habits. Vit D def seems to be quite the "in" thing to have in Dubai. Yes, it was the English Doctor at GMC. I was also miffed but apparently, it is common here. I wonder why?
derien
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Latest post on 05 August 2011 - 18:01
My count was 25 which is low but 17 is way under. I take it once a day
derien
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Latest post on 05 August 2011 - 17:59
Hi Assisi, Yes, I was diagnosed last month. I was told to take Vitamin D everyday. I am not sure if I feel a difference, apart from a little more energy
derien
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Latest post on 05 August 2011 - 17:55
What does DH say about all of this?? Can he stand up to his own mother??? Has he said anything to her yet? This is just so infuriating and so unacceptable!!!! I can't believe her audacity!!! She has to have the lines drawn again... and as for Tru Blu below withe the first solids - yikes!! Who do these women think they are? I have many a story to tell with mine so don't get me started.... the most recent being her acting as the Tooth Fairy and taking DD's first tooth and throwing it away. May sound gross, but I wanted to keep them.... it is a constant battle for me to get DH to keep her in her place but without me being the nagging wife. Aaaaaaaaaaaaaagh! Yes, my DH is supportive most of the time. He has his own issues with her. But again, he's in a tricky situation
derien
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Latest post on 05 August 2011 - 17:52
Thanks for all your replies ladies. Yes, I may have over reacted and yes it's hair and will grow back but it really isn't the first time my MIL has overstepped the boundaries. There is a history to this and she has in the past done other things to me knowing full well that I wouldn't agree. My kids are 4 and 6 and it was a very big step for me to send them to the Parent's in law for two weeks. I have not even left them with my own parents for more than a couple of nights. I can tell you that none of my female friends would ever, ever send their kids to the in-laws at that age and are categorically against it. I am a very sensitive person and have many feelings of guilt about having to work as well. All I ask from my MIL is that she respects the fact that I am their mother and that certain decisions regarding the kids must received my approval first and that she keeps me informed regarding the kids. I would never do something like that.
derien
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Latest post on 04 August 2011 - 23:12
Sorry to sound unsympathetic, but I've just found out that my mother-in-law has been summonsed to court for non-payment of thousands of euros on her credit cards, which she'd lied to us about paying off the minimum monthly amount and we're going to have to pay it all off ourselves. Your son's hair will grow back, we'll never get the tens of thousands of euros of our money my mother-in-law has spent over the last 20 years back, in fact we are in debt because of her.. Oh that is aweful, I'm so sorry to hear that. My problems are trival next to yours
derien
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Latest post on 04 August 2011 - 23:11
I did shout a lot and I am furious. My mother in law has overstepped the boundaries and she knew what her limits were. My son cried and screamed the whole way through as he loved his long hair.
derien
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Latest post on 04 August 2011 - 22:56
I sent me children to my Parents-in-law for two weeks as a favor for them ( and the kids) When we skyped the kids this afternoon, my MIL had thought it would be a good idea to get my son's hair cut without asking me. He had beautiful long hair. I am fuming, Would you be upset?
derien
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Latest post on 04 August 2011 - 16:04
Good articles MrsO. As I said before, Force Majeure in Dubai takes on a whole new meaning. Very interesting
derien
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Latest post on 04 August 2011 - 15:36
17. FORCE MAJEURE out of a contract from Nakheel “Event of Force Majeure” means an act of God including but not limited to fire, flood, earthquake, windstorm or other natural disaster; act of any sovereign including but not limited to war, invasion, act of foreign enemies, hostilities (whether war be declared or not), civil war, rebellion, revolution, insurrection, military or usurped power or confiscation, nationalisation, requisition, destruction or damage to property by or under the order of any government or public or local authority or imposition of government sanction embargo or similar action;labour dispute including but not limited to strike, lockout or boycott; interruption or failure of utility service including but not limited to electric power, gas, water or telephone service; failure of the transportation of any personnel, equipment, machinery or material required by the Seller for completion of the Building; delay for any reason by any contractor or subcontractor in carrying out their works or any matter; or cause beyond the control of the Seller Well, looks like every single scenario has been covered here to me? You sure Force Majeure in Dubai means the same things as everywhere else in the world?
derien
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Latest post on 04 August 2011 - 15:01
I think the hundreds and thousands of investors who are waiting for their properties to be handed over without compensation would disagree
derien
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Latest post on 04 August 2011 - 14:58
Anything can be invoked as Force Majeure... This is Dubai. Personnaly, I don't think that lack of water/power connection qualifies as force majeure as you can set up a generator. I really think they are just trying it on to avoid paying the penalties <em>edited by derien on 04/08/2011</em>
derien
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Latest post on 04 August 2011 - 12:23
Oh yes, there are so many examples. My bad habits started when my son was 7 months old and could hold his own bottle. Just to get 30 minutes extra sleep in the mornings, I used to put the bottle in his bed at night and he would wake up, see it and drink it himself..... ahh but the extra 30 minutes in bed was lovely. I also bribe my children with breadsticks vs good behaviour in the supermarket and by the time we get home they are not hungry!
derien
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Latest post on 03 August 2011 - 14:28
Wow. That is terrible. I hope she will be OK. How frightening
derien
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Latest post on 27 July 2011 - 21:13
Is there a contract in place between the sublet lady and your OH? If not, then your OH should just put a cardboard box over it and move out. Let the lady explain it to the real landlord with whom she has a contract. Unless she is holding your husbands deposit
derien
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Latest post on 27 July 2011 - 21:13
Is there a contract in place between the sublet lady and your OH? If not, then your OH should just put a cardboard box over it and move out. Let the lady explain it to the real landlord with whom she has a contract. Unless she is holding your husbands deposit
derien
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Latest post on 27 July 2011 - 21:13
Is there a contract in place between the sublet lady and your OH? If not, then your OH should just put a cardboard box over it and move out. Let the lady explain it to the real landlord with whom she has a contract. Unless she is holding your husbands deposit
derien
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Latest post on 27 July 2011 - 14:43
am stuck on the "how can you sign a rental contract without a residency visa" to be honest..... This whole thread has more holes than a collinder!! My husband had a visa when he signed the lease. Where did I say he did not? So now you have a visa without a contract? Are you sure this is a global company? HR sounds like cr*p
derien
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Latest post on 27 July 2011 - 14:38
Sorry but I also disagree. We just hired a lawyer and went through about a zillion CV's. all the salaries were high. Lawyers are well paid here.
derien
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Latest post on 27 July 2011 - 14:07
I would say in a firm that a 5 year qualified associate lawyer would earn around USD 160-180K per year + bonus. An in house role would fetach about 140 -145K and the bonus would be less but the hours would be much better edited by derien on 27/07/2011 <em>edited by derien on 27/07/2011</em>
derien
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Latest post on 27 July 2011 - 14:05
question my employer (private western-owned company) has said that we aren't doing ramadan hours for non-muslims, and 'of course we are going by the labour law - non-muslims are choosing to work a full day' the insinuation is that you could request to work ramadan hours, but this will be frowned upon, and if you can do your normal work in 6 hours by requesting ramadan hours, then you can take on additional work as clearly you have 2 hours a day spare.. any thoughts or suggestions on how to tackle this? or do we put up and shut-up Ask them to put it in writing
derien
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Latest post on 27 July 2011 - 14:04
This happened to my DH. He supposedly ran a red light but we know he didn't. They asked him to pay 2500 not to impound the car. You can negotiate with them. He also got 8 black points
derien
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Latest post on 27 July 2011 - 14:01
Mods?
derien
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Latest post on 27 July 2011 - 13:57
It would entirely depend on whether your friend works for a firm or as general counsel in-house. Salary difference is huge
derien
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Latest post on 27 July 2011 - 13:52
I work in the DIFC and we ger reduced hours for all, fasting or not.
derien
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Latest post on 27 July 2011 - 11:56
May I just also add that signing a contract that is not 100% water-tight on allowances and moving to Dubai at this particular juncture is VERY DANGEROUS. The world may be on the verge of a second Lehman Bros with many of the worlds major ecomomies faltering. It really is NOT the time to be moving to an economy that is a) in bed with the States and b) entirely driven by real estate and construction. Really, you should stay put <em>edited by derien on 27/07/2011</em>
derien
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Latest post on 27 July 2011 - 10:22
I am in HR. We don't put in clauses in our contracts that allow us to change policies and allowances at the drop of a hat, even if the law says we can. The way you are treated by a Company out here entirely depends on the integrity of your HR department and their ability to influence Management. Rotten HR, rotten policies, Good HR, Fair policies!
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Latest post on 24 July 2011 - 13:28
OMG ! Fairytales are based on folklore and mythology. They are an ancient art form and yes, before they were corrupted by Walt Disney and Co. not many of them had a "Happy Ending". They were tales of warning for children and teenagers, particularly females. The underlying morals of these fairytales remain and I think that hey are still and fantastic way to introduce the dangers of the world to little kids, without scaring the s**t out of them. It's relatable and pedagogical and I can't see any reason why a parent would not want their children to grow up with these stories. They as vaild today as they were 300 years ago. Jeez..
derien
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Latest post on 20 July 2011 - 10:54
It's funny you mention this because a friend of mine has been ill for three days now after eating chicken. She was shivering, vomitting etc and was just diagnosed with Campylobacter which is found in chicken. I think we need to be very careful.
derien
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Latest post on 19 July 2011 - 20:18
Shelly, Montmartre is not easy to get to and it is full of tourists BUT it is most definitively worth the visit. It is unlike any part of Paris that you will see and putting myself in a tourist's shoes, I would do it. Try to avoid La Place des Artistes as there are a lot of scam artists etc. Do not bother having lunch there or even a coffee as it's overpriced and a tourist trap. However, the views from up there are amazing and the most important thing is that you get the views of the other side of Paris which you don't see from La Seine doing the Bateau Mouche. Take the time to check out the little back streets where people actually live. There are actual semi detached houses rather than apartments in which most Parisiens live. It is really beautiful.
derien
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Latest post on 19 July 2011 - 15:30
Hi Shellly, I lived there most of my life. August and July are really the most hectic months to visit Paris as the tourists flock there and it is busy. Anyway, I would recommend the following places to see if you only have three days: 1. Montmartre /Sacré Coeur ( very cobbled and steep streets though so might be tricky with a baby in pushchair - recommended to get a taxi to this area rather than the metro) 2. Le Jardin des Tuilleries and if you want to brave it, Le Louvre for some art and history 3. Tour Eiffel and Les Champs de Mars ( Lovely Green Area where you can sit, relax and enjoy the tower without climbing it) 4. Bateau Mouche ride down the Seine so you can See Ile Saint Louis, Notre Dame etc.. 4. If you have time, try to go to the Chateau de Versailles which is also very beautiful and historical. Have a great time <em>edited by derien on 19/07/2011</em>
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Latest post on 18 July 2011 - 14:43
Yuck. UAE is junk food central. Can't wait to get back to Switzerland in Summer.
 
 
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