Living and working in Qatar

Qatar has become a hot spot for the international community. Many foreigners leave their jobs and families back in their home countries and move to Qatar in search of greener pastures. The fact that incomes in Qatar are not taxed is definitely a catch for the majority.

But before anyone jumps to the opportunity, It is always a good idea to get a good review of the company that one is coming to work for. Also, read and understand your contract, and ask a lot of questions where you have any doubts, before signing it. It is obvious that not much can change after you accept the job offer, therefore you have a better bargaining power when you receive your offer of employment, and of course before accepting it.

 I know for a fact that while here, the foreigners have a higher buying power than back in their home countries. Because most companies provide facilities like  medical, housing and transport, expenditures trickle down to almost zero. This means that almost every expatriate has got a decent amount of disposable income. It also means that they have better chances of investing back in their home countries, or also go for holidays to other countries.

In my case, I work in the staff accommodation office as an administrative assistant. My office is literally a stone throw away from my accommodation. Consequently, I seldom leave the compound unless I have run out of groceries and other supplies. In a week, I would go out only once or twice. I get a day of on Fridays and that is the only time I get to spend on transport. However, I still use the staff bus in the morning up to a designated area where the bus picks and drops all the staff everyday. Given that most of my colleagues are also off on the same day, we car pull to the religious complex where we all attend church and cost share the taxi fare which totals to about 3 Riyals per person. Still quite cheap. In a nutshell, I barely have to spend a dime. My long term goal is to be able to pay for my own postgraduate studies.

As I mentioned earlier, employees enjoy free health care. Well, depending on what their contract states. In my company, we have a clinic and round the clock nurses within the accommodation facility. We are also are provided with health cards that allow us to access medical facilities from all government hospitals. Health care can be very costly, especially if it has to come directly from one's pocket. Therefore, free health care is indeed a plus for those looking to come and work in Qatar.

Most companies will provide transport for their staff, at least to designated areas. If they choose to visit other locations, then there are Karwa Buses that are available to ferry people across town. Taxis are also available round the clock. Uber taxis are more common options for the majority because they are presumed to be much cheaper. In the case of the company that I work for, there is very high strictness for lateness. For instance, the last bus back to the accommodation leaves at 9.30 pm. That means if you miss the bus, then you have to use a taxi back. However, this comes with serious consequences, including some deductions from ones monthly salary.

I have heard from so many people working in Qatar, that through the years, they get more and more opportunities to travel to other countries  for holidays, going up to four different destinations in a single year. This is a very interesting factor, considering the fact that back home, speaking for myself, this would be a piped dream. Even when I got sponsored to travel, I still wasn't able to obtain a visa, because I was considered high risk. And why was that? Because of the balance on my bank statement and also the much i was earning on salaries, which was a clear indication that I would not wan't to come back home. Now, with a tax free salary, free transport, medical and accommodation facilities, I should have a pretty good reflection my bank statement at the end of 6 months, and finally my daughter and I will have the chance to travel to Europe for the first time.