Job problem
My wife was offered a job 2 months ago at the new Sidra hospital. Since then, they've been awaiting approval of her hiring from a government committee. The long delay is causing us serious problems, and we are wondering if anyone else has experienced something similar or can offer any advice. Sidra has apologized for the delay and says they are in contact "daily" with the govt but cannot tell us when they might get approval.
Any thoughts would be much appreciated.
MRST, that sounds about right. As long as the facade is up and they can call in the press for a photo op of the opening, it doesn't really matter how long it takes for completion.
Mandi
December is set to open but the place is not ready. they might open one door and a small service only. one might think it will take 12 more months for the full opening
Oh, I love Doha! We were in Oman for 6 years and it is the most gorgeous, friendly, genuine place on earth. But my job and circle of friends wasn't as wonderful as in Doha. So I've been very happy there in spite of all the homicidal moments. You can PM me for job information, I just can't say out loud!
Mandi.
Sorry!!! It's called a "Doha Day!" Well, Her Highness can certainly get things done! (Sheikha, not queen.) Sounds like one day you will be whisked away with breathtaking speed. Of course, it's easier getting the bricks and mortar done. I've been watching Sidra since it was a hole in the ground. i suspect they will have a "soft" opening at first. I know they are still recruiting faculty and staff from all over. Very few are now there. All of the layers of departments are still being sorted out and the reporting chains chewed over. The software isn't even completed and the inter-institutional relationships are still nebulous. If you can stand uncertainty, it's an exciting time!
Mandi
Mandi, can I ask what you do in qatar and how the experience has been? Thx.
God, now I AM depressed. ;)
She's sponsoring myself and the kids.
I've heard the queen has demanded the hospital opens on time and even flew in 8000 workers to get the building done. I'll just have to pray she can crush all opposition.
Let's see, it took us 8 months from first interview in Doha to boots on the ground. Three months from final contract signing.
Mandi
December? Oh, well, they'll probably have approval sometime in late November! I'm only half kidding. And Qatar is FULL of projects that have been promised years ago. The new airport was slated to open in 2008. It's now pushed back to what? 2015? But if she has a headhunter she's well ahead of the game. You got somebody watching your 6 in that case! And with a vested interest, to boot. All I can say is that it always takes longer than one would think humanly possible. And then to add insult to injury, it's always hurry up at the end. Is she going to sponsor you? Or will you do the visa-run thing? She will have to sponsor the kids. Be a little careful with self-employment, you cannot work without gov't approval. Should be OK if your work is outside Qatar, i.e., no financial remuneration coming from within the country. Ooooh, that does bring up those pesky Canadian taxes. Sounds like you'll have to pay them. I know, it hurts.
Mandi
Thanks, mandi. It's not just her, there are 30 or so approvals waiting in just her batch of folders submitted to the committee, both men and women. We do have young children. I'm self employed and will be working for myself over there. The headhunter has told us it's not a problem with her specifically; all 30 applicants are going through the same thing.
The hospital is supposed to open in December, which would theoretically mean they need to get key personnel in place soon. One would think.
Since she applied in January, we've essentially been waiting 5 months for word. Incredibly frustrating.
PS, hope you don't have kids, that's been a REAL nightmare lately! And you have a job? (Sorry, being snoopy here, there's such a fine line between trying to help and being nosey.)
Mandi
I expect that 90% of all those working in Qatar have experienced a delay or glitch of one kind or another. There are seemingly no good reasons and no real redress. All I can say is, I feel your pain. This can certainly be a warning of what is to come. Qatar is not for the impatient. I suspect some of it may be that Sidra is just getting up and running. Another issue may be that she is a woman and that is more unusual. If she is trying to sponsor you that may be a further complication. Don't know how that one will work out. Yes, it's certainly theoretically possible but ... It always seems to be much more of a hassle/obstacle. Insha'allah is sometimes a very long time.
Mandi