AlJazeera English - Any info?
My husband has been offered work with Aljazeera. I have just read in private eye that employees are leaving Qatar, fed up with their working conditions. does anyone know anything about this? the offered package is £30,000 p.a with accomodation,utility bills thrown in, one flight home a year but no school fees ( we have one school age child, one baby). Thanks for your time.
What do you mean by that Kittyhawk?
well, what do you expect?
How many people do you thinbk have left AJE
Anything positive to say about Al Jazeera English from anyone??
DO NOT WORK FOR THEM. They may pay better than anyone else but unless your below thirty and are willing to take the risk, AJI is the worste when it comes to employee relations.
Here's some up to date information from the Guardian that you might be interested in reading.
Al-Jazeera's troubled English language news channel is facing a "serious staffing crisis" after scores of journalists left or have not had contracts renewed amid claims of a revolt over working conditions.
Staff at the Doha-based 24-hour news channel - which only reached its first birthday in November - have told MediaGuardian.co.uk of a series of issues including the removal of benefits and a lack of pay rises which have led many to resign or look to leave.
The staff unrest comes amid speculation that al-Jazeera English is set to relaunch in the second quarter of this year with new schedules and new studios in Gaza and Nairobi.
According to insiders, resignations have occurred across the board, including the director of human resources, the director of operations, producers, senior camera operators and editors.
One source said that the general belief among staff was that the English language rolling news service "cost so much to set up that they are now cutting costs at the expense of quality and quantity".
There are also renewed reports of tensions between al-Jazeera's Arabic language channel, which has been on air since 1996, and the more recently launched English outlet.
Sources have added that executives on the main Arabic al-Jazeera network are trying to exert more control over the English language outlet, which is mainly staffed by western journalists.
One source said the al-Jazeera editor-in-chief, Ibrahim Hilal, was pushing for the English channel to take a more Islamic slant, quoting the example of the recent furore surrounding British teacher Gillian Gibbons who was arrested in Sudan for allowing her class to name a teddy bear Muhammad.
"He [Hilal] sent an email banning the story from being run on al-Jazeera English because it would upset Muslims," the source added. "It was only covered when there were riots in Sudan."
Al-Jazeera is also embroiled in two employment disputes, including one in London with the former al-Jazeera English head of planning, Jo Burgin, who is claiming sex, race and religious discrimination.
Sources have said that the Washington-based former financial controller Clive Brady is also taking legal action in the US after being dismissed.
Another source described the working environment at al-Jazeera English as "hateful".
"I have never worked anywhere where morale was so low," one former staff member said. "Some people have worked very hard to produce a channel but there is no recognition whatsoever."
In the employment tribunal case involving Burgin, the former staff member was given leave to continue her case alleging sex, race and religious discrimination, although her claim for unfair dismissal was dismissed after the London tribunal ruled it did not have jurisdiction.
The allegations are being contested by al-Jazeera.
MediaGuardian.co.uk put the detailed allegations to al-Jazeera's Doha-based head of media relations, Satnam Mapharu.
In a statement, he said: "Al-Jazeera's mission and vision has always been based on the values of human dignity, equality, and diversity.
"This applies not only to our coverage but also to our organisation. The commitment to diversity is the reason we have over 2,500 staff and journalists from over 40 different nationalities and from many different faiths working across all parts of the world.
"In a global organisation such as ours all employee grievances have a channel for resolution and we have an open door policy to resolve all issues.
"We assure you that any employee issues that have arisen in al-Jazeera English's short one-year history are being attended to and resolved with the dignity they deserve.
"Needless to say, al-Jazeera English will not negotiate contract deals with aggrieved employees neither in the media nor in the public square."
More than 100 staff attended a meeting with the al-Jazeera English managing director, Nigel Parsons, on December 20 to vent their anger at which he is said to have listed a number of staff complaints including journalists who had still not received contracts since being recruited and the removal of benefits.
He is also said to have expressed his "frustration" at trying to resolve issues.
Insiders said school fees for expats were stopped a year ago because of budgetary constraints, although pressure from staff has seen them start to be re-introduced.
There is also understood to be no pension scheme or health insurance despite being in staff contracts.
Al-Jazeera English began transmitting on November 1 2006 after an 18-month delay and a last minute name change from al-Jazeera International.
Good luck to all you future employees!!
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/jan/30/tvnews.television
Your links are very informative, thank you!
PM, Sorry for repeating myself, actually I was hoping to get some live chat, like I've seen in some othewr threads. I am listening to you and really appreciate you taking the time to give me the benefit of your experience. Kindest Regards, I will let you know what we decide. I look forward to meeting some of you if we make our way to Qatar.
I've also been offered a job with Al Jazeera and have heard/read things about many people in the Doha newsroom being very unhappy with their contracts not being honoured... a little worrying.
Inflation rate here in Qatar is around 13% which is maximum in Middle East.
Anyway make sure appart from the accomodation if you are provided medical insurance, transportation,education allownce etc.
http://www.qatarliving.com/node/61144
It has been reported that Al Jazeera English is not honoring contracts even reducing benefits mid-contract. Many families are leaving. Do a search on here.
People are not fed up with working condition exactly but of course living condition.