The disappointing expat
Living in Qatar can be very suffocating to a lot of expats. I use to wonder why do expats even bother to come to Qatar?
There are two angles for why expats flock to Qatar;
Expats come to Qatar to obtain certain lifestyles, job opportunities, salary targets, etc.
Meanwhile Qatar outsources workers to diversify the community with people from different backgrounds and to develop the State & community.
What I find so disappointing here?
While I was in school I used to overhear many of the admin and professors complain about getting certain advisers into the university. I would constantly hear things like “those advisers are jobless in the West,” or “everything they say or do is done without questioning,”.
Regardless of their contributions or how qualified they are, those advisers retire and go back and wail over how Qatar is a mess in education, art, or other sectors. But, wasn't why they were brought here in the first place, to address those issues and help the country develop... not merely turn a blind eye, collect a pay cheque, and then vehemently deplore the country after they have left?
Are they even really qualified to develop the community? Or do we just work with whatever we can get?
I keep asking questions like a 5 year old as I try to make sense of all of this and I want to think the best of people. Every now and then we see expats going back home and start publishing really trashy articles about life in Qatar. From the scandalous stories at their workplace to their neighborhoods. It is disappointing because they didn't address these issues while they were here. Many may argue that it is probably a smart move for their own financial/professional security.
They even address how Qatar was spoiling them; living in 5 star hotels, access to cocktail parties, etc. And then talking about the levels of corruption institutionally after working here for 5 years or so.
I guess a lot of people would be indulged with that kind of trash. The problem is, Qatar invited them to change the community and develop it. Providing them with a good standard of living and the outcome is trashy news articles and publications on the hospitality and no strings attached privileges and salaries they would not dream of in their home countries.
The bright side is that I see a new emerging class of expats who are living here and addressing issues because they see Qatar as their home, whether it be temporarily or permanently. This class of expatriates is respectful and sometimes would adopt the traditional lifestyle here as well.
I see this new class of expatriates criticizing issues constructively, meanwhile displaying that they do indeed care and have concern for Qatar while being in Qatar.
I hope we can live in a community where we address problems as we see them and not leave Qatar and write articles that trash Qatar after digging all the gold.
WT: You are wrong with your views from many aspects.
The "reputation" of Qatar IS already damaged. It can't be damaged any further.
Totally agree. The people should bound to contract and leave when the time comes. More importantly concentrate on the job what we given and produce for the maximum.
But the Author, Needs to understand why the Expat voice from out side, rather giving their feed back constructively within the country during their stay.
The voices from out after staying here damaging the countries reputation.
ingeniero: Well said.. We are here on contract for a specific purpose. Do your job well, enjoy the lifestyle and leave when your time is up.
Qatar hire them for some specific job for fix duration as per contract. But after a while Expats want to change many things in Qatar, as they are not as per 'their standards' and then instead of focusing on their work , they whine about each and everything. From whining about Sponsorship law/exit permit to raising voice for the 'oppressed' hijabis each and everything.
It's too late for me now. I've spent 21 years here serving the country and all I've got (from the country) is an amount of money, but nothing else. Please note that I am not talking about individual Qataris here. Those I know have been the best friends one could ever have!
The author is asking a question why not develop Qatar when the expats, particularly western community already living in Qatar. (I thought western because, others may not attend for a live in five star)
I think the western community have issue's over here.
01. Cannot buy a house
02.May be not given permanent residency (Citizen ship)
I think the western expat should put forward the issues and freedom what they are looking for. Accordingly Qatar can nominate a panel consisting western expat to make a study and deliver the possibilities on an appropriate way.
All my guests from UK, US, Swiss, Germany, Aussies, etc., very clear in settling their hotel bills and I never requested them advance payment most of the time. They are trustworthy when it comes to my kind of business.
So, I think Qatar need to hear them. Make some adjustment like already did for on arrival visa.
Jazakallah / Thank you
I agree with Wild Turkey...
I can only repeat it: a qualified expert who is lured into Qatar with money will always only take the money and go. Qatar is not offering anything else but just that: money. How can they expect an expat to have feelings for Qatar when he is excluded from everything else?
I think the problem lies with Qataris who are not used to criticism and freedom of opinion and would always shy away from saying anything negative aout their country. Those expats who criticize Qatar are free to do so and their criticism should be analysed to see what sounds valid and useful and what looks more like a whinging fromn a digruntled person. Eventually Qatar will only evolve if it can questions what is wrong with the system here.
So rather than attacking an expat who voiced his criticism of a useuless institution (Qatar Museums, which is a joke of an institution), may be you should have requested an anwer from QM and investigated further the stories that the expat has mentiond.
Right. Qatar openly exploits the majority of expats. No wonder that most expats also try to exploit Qatar. Qatar Deserves the Best. Really? I guess it only deserves what it can pay for.
WT: Qatar does not make any promises whe n you come here.. We are hired as "Guest Workers" on temporary contracts to do a job at hand.. Pure and simple.
The problem is that many expats believe that they will be here for life, buy houses and settle here with their children and grad children ..... This is a falsehood.
Call the thread: THE DISAPPOINTED EXPAT, and it will be closer to the truth.
What'd I say. I would have been willing to buy a house in Qatar and stay here until I die. The country doesn't WANT that!! That's why I just do my job and take the money and go! It's actually very sad. But: do they care? NO!
Good View from one side, Lets get the Expat prospective..
Majority of Guest Workers in Qatar come from the sub-continent and mostly from India. Majority of these expat don't have much to complain about. They have been here for generations and most are employed from labour to middle management and even at high posts as doctors etc.
Another big group of Expat in the Middleast come from the Philipines. Mostly work in the service sector. They also have settled in and I guess don't complain much after leaving.
The Arab Expats also seem to be getting their share of opportunities here and guess are also grateful to be here.
Now this leaves the Western Expat, which I believe this article is intended at. Majority of western expat will be working in higher positions in order for them to justify their high salaries and perks. Most will be working for western based companies who are building Qatar with some also working for local companies.
Most are here because of the Tax free salaries. They have to compromise with adjusting to the local culture and customs and mostly do. However the host country does allow them the enjoy themselves in high end five star hotels which allow alcohol and clubs and bars.
Why don't the make things better here? They are only here for working with no rights or influence to the local politics or governance! how can they make any difference with not having any rights except as those of a guest worker.
just for a comparasion, A Qatari investor is allowed to buy a property any where in the UK, however the same is not possible for a British Investor apart for a specially allocated part of Qatar (The Pearl).
So if one wants the Expat to make a long lasting difference here in Qatar then they have to be given more rights rather than just high salaries, else every one will come and contribute and then leave.
Agree with you wholeheartedly.. However, I would also add that these expats who were not delivering , should have been sacked early in their tenure.
It is difficult to ask an expatriate to contribute to a country which doesn't consider letting him become a real part of it. It's your fault if I just take my money and then I go!!
Cheers,