Rents hit energy sector as staff seek greener pastures
Source ::: The Peninsula / BY RABIN GUPTA
Doha • Several projects, especially in the core oil and gas sectors, have been delayed simply because of personnel unable to afford the high rents prevailing in the country.A source in the energy industry here said: “The Human Resources Department (HRD) in various companies is not doing their job by not informing new recruits about the cost of living here. We are also being taxed in our home countries on the salaries made here.”
He said that some projects have been held up because many people are leaving the country, either due to the high cost of living or because their contracts are up. “The HR people should be honest. Projects here are suffering because of a lack of professionals. Unfortunately the people in HR do not realise what is going on so people become disillusioned,” he said.
Although many of the energy firms operating here do offer accommodation and the like, some do not offer the basics to many staffers. Basically, they are kept and made to fend for themselves and often seek greener pastrures in other places as their salaries simply do not match the cost of living here.
“Lots of people here are getting better offers as well, so they choose to leave,” the source said. It has been learnt that energy majors Total, Maersk, ExxonMobil and Chevron for example, hold regular meetings to discuss remuneration packages of their employees. Should the managements of these companies see the cost of living moving up, the salaries will be similarly adjusted to ensure the staffers are comfortable.
A company like Qatar Petroleum (QP), however, may offer contracts valid for three to four years. These contracts are binding and make no allowances for increases in the cost of living. The source said: “There are many people who come to work for projects in the short-term and they do so for a set number of hours. When they (the Qataris) see people leaving, they realise people are actually leaving. The HR people should be honest. Projects are suffering due to a lack of professionals,” he said.
Does anyone care? no. They dont even bat an eyelid
"If your number one goal is to make sure that everyone likes and approves of you, then you risk sacrificing your uniqueness and, therefore, your excellence."
Yes, I'm not sure they are thinking thoroughly about consequences … is it naivety?
Whoever is running things isn't doing a very good job looking at the classifieds on this site. So many leaving.
"If your number one goal is to make sure that everyone likes and approves of you, then you risk sacrificing your uniqueness and, therefore, your excellence."
Not just some westerners but even some indians are very bad in this matter.
"If your number one goal is to make sure that everyone likes and approves of you, then you risk sacrificing your uniqueness and, therefore, your excellence."
I agree with stealth over this!
it dependz what passport you hold, even you r a mix..
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HKR-Hassen
"Think Different, Think ME"
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Over here most of the HR's give preference to their local countrymen than others.
The colour of your passport matters more than your education level and experience.
"If your number one goal is to make sure that everyone likes and approves of you, then you risk sacrificing your uniqueness and, therefore, your excellence."
What is fair in love & war? Everybody is here to dig gold - whether it is the labourer or HR or Manager.
Yesterday they dug in Barhain, Today they dig in Qatar tomorrow in Dubai dayafter back in Qatar and on the next day somewhere else.
the Companies are trying to maximize their profits.
The Qataris are trying to maximize their rents.
And the employees are trying to maximize their savings.
Why talk about pay when an average labourer works for a minimum of 12 hours that too in the HOT-Summer, and no one cares (except reporters).
Sadly anybody who has the advantage is going to use it.
Although previously it was difficult to find well paying jobs for a educated guy in Mumbai, now I can vouch that is not the case. Similarly in Banglore & Hydrabad. The Call-Centre industry has literally turned the whole market upside down. The new generation is not intrested to apply for a job in the gulf whereas previously it was mandatory for guys to learn Air-con, welding & fitting.
I m sure this is the same case in all other Asian Countries.
And slowly in about 5yrs time the guys comming to the Gulf will be the most untalanted & medicore.
Take a look at the KARWA taxi drivers- most of them are drivers in their countries, but in a small place like Doha, even after 3 mths training & GPS satellite maps they are entirely lost. Some are even plain Dumb.
If Qatar thinks they are going to get any better workers (in all field of life) they are wrong.
Make hay while the Oil burns , when new fuel comes dump the Gulf - after all thats what all the Qataris & the Govt want us to do.
I accept that you must have remained impartial with respect to western and asian staff as far as compensation package is concerned but believe me, you are an exception and it is not the other way round.
Sadly, I think you have experienced a bad apple if he will not even discuss the issue with you.
In my own career, I have always insisted on maintaining the
integrity of any compensation system that I have introduced, applied, overseen or administered This has included applying the same rules to national staff, something that didn't go down too well.
Obviously I respect your views but feel they may be a little harsh if applied to all Western HR staff.
Dont take only my word for it. Ask any "non-westerner" bout this issue. One can still discuss issues related to salaries and perks with a local but where a westerner HR "EXECUTIVE" (**&^%$#) is involved, he/she will only favour their own.
My comment was made in respect of abc150's comment which appears to be a generalisation based on his (possibly limited) experience in the country.
It is my personal experience. You may have a different experience since you yourself are a westerner but this is what I have witnessed/experienced.
Don you are also wrong. These so called HR executives only implement policies selectively.
here without the proper incentives being worked out then it will just get worse. The current situation that I am noticing is that expats have had enough (the ones that have been here a while) and are just leaving. These HR's (if they do as their company tells them) will manage to replace them with someone less qualified and willing to take as much if not less.
It is up to the expats to put their foot down PRIOR to coming here. Once here, I can gaurantee that you will not get a penny more than what has been agreed upon and stipulated in the contract with your employer.
I will repeat it again.......come and scope it out first....then lay down your requirements to live comfortably. If they don't agree then so be it.
It's nice to bash on the HR's but in the end it's the company they work for that is greedy, not them.
Western expats, for example, take for granted (if they've never been expats before) that schooling is as inexpensive as home. Quite the contrary.
Renumeration packages for prospective expat employees (as made by companies like Exxon, Shell etc) should include every eventuality. Housing, Airfares, Medical, Schooling and End of Service benefits.
Look at Dubai today. The enormous exodus of expats has left a void which is difficult to fill with qualified personnel. People are more aware today than ever before. When your cost of living exceeds your budget; what is the point living away from your home country, your family network and just 'stuff' you like about home.
If an expat comes here to work, it has to be worth it. Simple as that. Companies have to start opening their eyes.
aimed at me unfortunatly.
Dweller, is it towards me? As an animal lover, I actually intended 'the animal', nothing else I promise. I know in the past this phrase has been used as a derogatory statement. Not my intention. Promise!
Maybe I should just edit it. :) Sorry
Dweller to the part about "administering them fairly"?
I take objection at you last comment.
There is of course many things involved. Remember that HR professionals (expats or locals) don't set the rules (although they have input). That's a Management Responsibility. HR's responsibility is to try to make the rules work and administer them fairly.
Western HR executives are bigger sh** than local ones.
in most of the companies thinks that thier function is to squeez the employees out of benifits and try to hire them as minimum packages as possible. Now, every one who moves to Qatar does not move because of a better package. In case of mostly muslim western expatriates of india, Pakistan, Bungladesh and arab countries, they move to Qatar to be close to their extended families in the respective conutries. The HR people are aware of this and try to take advantage of this. What they forget to note is as soon as the conditions that forces these expatriates to Qatar changes, they will fly out of here as they will find better options in other Gulf states or back in the western world. HR does not see their fuction to help the employee work their jobs effectively and with peace of mind.
Sadly, this is true for most "Q" companies and also the small fishes in the pond. The HR managers are mostly Qatari's who have no exposure to outside world's work ethics. If the coditions have to improve they should work in western world to understand what is required of them (assuming they ever find any job in western world). An intensive education is needed for the local HR managers so that they can better understand their job function.
Until their attitude changes, it's not likely that things will change. Employee's will keep banging their heads for sometime and will leave as soon as they get next opportunity.
Apache. Housing in Dukhan is free and of a very good quality
I am about to accept a job with QP in Dukhan. I have no idea what I will be paying for accommodation, family of 4. Could anybody shed some light if possible.
I agree with you on that issue. If the penny has only just dropped it's a sad reflection on HR staff.
However, it is possible that attention has previously been drawn to the situation and been ignored by those in charge. I left Qatar after 15 years with the top of my head flat, caused by attacking brick walls....if you know what I mean :)
HR people here are non professional, mediocre people who cannot get anything better themselves. Since they are thankful to get a mediocre job here, they think it is the best in the world and nothing more should be given. They are trying to show their efficiency by hiring unknowing staff at lesser salaries, they think they are doing a very good job.
and I'll be the next out of here should the situation stay the same ...
Thank you for posting. Lets hope this awareness will raise the standard of packages offered to expats who decide to move here.