Idiocracy

Coming to Doha for a short trip around the beginning of February and I was wondering where I could find a reasonable priced car hire company?

Any suggestions?

lol shouldn't this be in a 'new' thread.

Wow the way things have moved into a tangent as usual in this very thread is so ironic.

On a side note, it's great to see Barwa doing that. I was suggesting that very same idea not two months ago.

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Will the companies could afford to rent the house for their labour from Barwa?

City within a city

Web posted at: 1/22/2008 2:40:26

Source ::: The Peninsula / by Mohamed Ahmed Salem

Barwa plans housing for 50,000 labourers

Doha ـ The Qatar government-backed property developer and investor, Barwa Real Estate Company, announced yesterday it was building mass lodgings with modern amenities to house as many as 50,000 labourers.

The ّcity projectْ has been launched by Barwa, whose investments in various real estate ventures now stand at a staggering QR40bn, to help companies which are finding it increasingly difficult to provide accommodation for their workers with the basic amenities.

The focus of the city project is on ensuring that spacious rooms are not shared by more than six workers.

As the country witnesses an economic boom, more and more workers are flowing in from India, Pakistan and the Far East and housing them remains a major challenge for most employers.

Addressing the MEED Qatar Conference here yesterday, Ibrahim Fakhroo, Business Development Director of Barwa Real Estate, said: ôRight now a worker has to share a room with 25 others. In our project, we will have restrictions on the number.¤

A maximum of six workers will be allowed to share a room in Barwa's city project. The city will open in March, with the first 9,000 units spread over an area of two million square km. It will include a cricket field, football field and a commercial centre, Fakhroo said.

ôWe want them (workers) to feel "like" real humans," said the official. He admitted the aim of his company was to make profit from the project. ôWe are not greedy and we do play a social role, but at the same time we do make it clear that we are here to make profits,¤ he said.

Welcoming the decision, prominent businessman, Ahmed Hassan Al Khalaf, told this newspaper that Barwa's mass housing scheme for low-income workers would ease the problem. ôI won't say it would solve the problem completely, but would definitely help.¤

He said there was so much shortage of housing and the rentals were so high that several low-income workers were forced to share a small room. The housing shortage for all segments of users would take at least three to four years to ease, he said.

But Barwa has at least taken the initiative and is building mass housing for workers to help companies ride over the crisis being faced in this key labour housing segment, said Al Khalaf.

City within a city

Web posted at: 1/22/2008 2:40:26

Source ::: The Peninsula / by Mohamed Ahmed Salem

Barwa plans housing for 50,000 labourers

Doha ـ The Qatar government-backed property developer and investor, Barwa Real Estate Company, announced yesterday it was building mass lodgings with modern amenities to house as many as 50,000 labourers.

The ّcity projectْ has been launched by Barwa, whose investments in various real estate ventures now stand at a staggering QR40bn, to help companies which are finding it increasingly difficult to provide accommodation for their workers with the basic amenities.

The focus of the city project is on ensuring that spacious rooms are not shared by more than six workers.

As the country witnesses an economic boom, more and more workers are flowing in from India, Pakistan and the Far East and housing them remains a major challenge for most employers.

Addressing the MEED Qatar Conference here yesterday, Ibrahim Fakhroo, Business Development Director of Barwa Real Estate, said: ôRight now a worker has to share a room with 25 others. In our project, we will have restrictions on the number.¤

A maximum of six workers will be allowed to share a room in Barwa's city project. The city will open in March, with the first 9,000 units spread over an area of two million square km. It will include a cricket field, football field and a commercial centre, Fakhroo said.

ôWe want them (workers) feel "like" real humans," said the official. He admitted the aim of his company was to make profit from the project. ôWe are not greedy and we do play a social role, but at the same time we do make it clear that we are here to make profits,¤ he said.

Welcoming the decision, prominent businessman, Ahmed Hassan Al Khalaf, told this newspaper that Barwa's mass housing scheme for low-income workers would ease the problem. ôI won't say it would solve the problem completely, but would definitely help.¤

He said there was so much shortage of housing and the rentals were so high that several low-income workers were forced to share a small room. The housing shortage for all segments of users would take at least three to four years to ease, he said.

But Barwa has at least taken the initiative and is building mass housing for workers to help companies ride over the crisis being faced in this key labour housing segment, said Al Khalaf.

I can't believe this.

Knox, this is NOT about offence, it's about sticking on topic.

THE WHOLE THREAD IS ABOUT STAYING ON TOPIC.

I give up. Talk among yourselves, ruin every thread if you like. It doesn't bother me when people refuse to listen clearly.

Oh and in case you didn't realize, SARCASM IS ALSO OFFENSIVE TO PEOPLE.

@frog, this has nothing to do with people agreeing with me. This topic is about people STAYING ON TOPIC. Nothing to do with labour unions, the price of rice, or why rent is so high. *sighs*

Those belong in relevant topics! What's even MORE funny, is that I actually agreed with your post! I was pointing that it has nothing to do with the subject though.

1+1=2 do you agree with that? Yes? It still doesn't have anything to do with this post.

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Knox... Man Chill out...

We are only sharing our views... do not turn this into a fight against Evil :D.

I admire Mr. Amnisia for even listening to us, impersonating the other side and its views.

we are here to change stuff, and discuss how can we make things better, Not forming a rebble against the state :D. come on guys. lets keep it cool

peace out

Amnesia ,

It's amazing how you see all people that do not agree with you as deviating or out of subject :)

[AT]knox, you are totally deviating from the point. Let's stick on topic.

[AT]frog, thanks for sharing your views. However again I should point out that it's not related to the topic at hand :P

[img_assist|nid=61287|title=|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=|height=0]

Some are Wise ... Some are ...Otherwise

I tried my level best not to say anything bad about Qatar in your thread but looks as if I have failed and I have offended you. So would you like to hang me or shoot me for not obeying your orders? or would you like to kill me slowly starting by skinning me?

lol no that's alright.

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Does that make me wrong Amnesia? :D

Who Said that Qatar is a bad place...

Qatar is a land of opportunities, but it could turn to become a prison for some if they didn't Do their homework before coming here.

there are many opportunities for people to come and work. but make sure to have a good one before coming, otherwise you will end up whining.

My last point was an answer to some of Amnesia inquires, and i agree that I diverted a little from the subject.

I'll take that as a compliment. We need them sometimes to stop us from pulling our (undyed...lol) hair out after reading some of these threads.

*** Light travels faster than sound. That's why most people appear bright until they open their mouths.

it is clear that Knoxcollege reads something and understands something totally different.

Or am I alone in this :P Knox is talking stupid now.

Here I'll put it in CAPS for you.

WHEN SOMEONE ASKS A QUESTION, ANSWER THE QUESTION THAT IS ASKED AND DON'T GO OFF IN A TANGENT. THAT IS THE POINT OF MY THREAD!

@boer, wherever you are working, they're lucky to have someone who understands.

@alexa, you're right :)

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as regards the original thread, I might add that I agree with all those other points you raised. I understand the difficulties faced by many as well as the fact that often promises are broken once you arrive in Qatar and it is too late to turn back.

There is a lot to be done to make the place perfect, or less of a prison for some.

*** Light travels faster than sound. That's why most people appear bright until they open their mouths.

I understand and totally agree... saying Do not come to qatar is never my answer to anyone cause no one will know what the future hides...

But For me I would say Be sure of what you are going to get here before leaving your previous life, cause your expectations may not be enough.

Make sure that you arrive to your distination country -wherever that is-on solid ground and do not Come before fully studying and thinking it through.

Bro... I heard stories about some Nepalies that Paid more than 5000 Riyals to come to Qatar hoping to get a better life here, but they are shocked when reality is not even half of what they expected... where the salaries that they get are around 600 Riyals a month + accomodation.

600 Riylas a month is not enough to feed a human or qatar.

The following point might be relivent somehow... (I've seen people here in doha spending more money on thier DOGs) than a full month salary paid for a Nepali!!!!

that drives me crazy.

One thing more about Qatar that I failed to mention.

is that people here are mostly getting paid according to their passpost, not their experience or qualifications, which is totally unacceptable.

In My Opinion if a country wants to become civilized and gain the respect of the international Community, it should do the following...

1. Employ All its Citizens: I agree with the qatarization, but I dont like it when they remove (Terminate) someone who has been is service for 15 years or so and replace him with a newly graduated Qatari, and tell him that your services are no logner required... thank you for your services and send him back to his country.

2. Stop Slavery working: Give a worker a salary that goes with the current living standards in the The country of employment, not the country of his origin!!!!.

3. Put the right person the right place regardless his nationality: Westerners were not born perfect... they are also replacable...

4. If you have two employees working for the same company with the same qualifications and experience, TREAT THEM THE SAME, PAY THEM THE SAME, pay them according to their qualifications, not according to their passport!!!!!.

there are many other points.

but it will take too long and I have to get back to work

From now on anyone who asks for my opinion about it will be like this.

Qatar is a great country. It is heaven. The natives are angels. The expats are saints. The people are very generous here. Everyone is happy and living peacefully. There are no problems in Qatar and whatever wrong your read about Qatar, is absolutely false. There is not even a grain of salt of truth about the people who claim that they have no rights in Qatar.

Inshort this is a bragging contest about Qatar and you are welcome to take part in this contest. And winners are requested to contact amnesia for their prizes.

Regards

Mullah KnoxCollege

Amnesia's thread is about relevance of the negative comments and not about saving or livibg in squalid conditions.

My point is that if someone asks whether there are good jobs available in Qatar, the answer should not be "don't come here, Qatar not a good place for you". The answer should (be it positive or negative) be related to jobs and the availability thereof.

If a job is offered, the person asks members' advice about the package. Most people will give relevant and helpful answers. Sadly, however, there will invariably be a few jerks who will throw in totally irrelevant and (almost) insulting comments about life in Qatar.

If the thread asks "How do people find life in Qatar" then you can unload all your bile.

I am here with my family. I spent a lot of money to move my personal possessions here so that I can call it home, at least for the foreseeable future.

Track my participation in the forum and you'll see that I try to offer only relevant and helpful comments. You may also notice that I do not post anything on the bunfights. I have no interest in them and I will not stoop to that level.

I trust you MIGHT now undertsand Amnesia's point (seconded by me in a big way).

*** Light travels faster than sound. That's why most people appear bright until they open their mouths.

you are right ochiha i agree with ur comments

Mr. Boer...

I believe you should calm down, we are just sharing opinions...

Okay...

Define happiness?

for me happiness is where you find love, settle down, Get marrid, Have a chiled or two, be able to save some money, send you kids to college and help them build their future.

I guess this definition applies to many people.

Now tell me...

- If you are a 25 years old person, getting 3000QR Per month (not talking about me, but talking a bout the Vast Majority of Workers in Doha) and you need to pay at least 1500 Riyals for a room (that is if you were lucky), not counting the bills. A normal Human eats 3 meals a day (according to Doctors) well lets say you eat two meals a day for 10 Riyals Each (600 Riyals A month)... ending up with about 600 Riyals a month...

All this covers your personal expenses ONLY!!!!!

well if you are not thinking of staying for the rest in your life in DOHA and you want to buy a house in your cuntry to settle down... you will need about 10 years to be able to aford that...

How the hell can you be happy!!!

Tell me...

This is what we are talking about... Moaning is all we can do!!!

P.S: 3000 Riyals is considered a Very High Expectation for a worker.

thank you

@alexa, I didn't mean it seriously, but if I think about it carefully, I'd say that I'd stand out, and being in the position that I am, it would probably be frowned upon.

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I don't like it here but am not unhappy about it, can manage it for a while, really appreciate that we are lucky enough to have a good package and all that, and look forward to moving on when the time comes. You can't just rush off because you don't like a place.

***********

"There's this thing called being so open-minded your brains drop out". - Richard Dawkins

alexa ... that would be cool.

@boer, you've done a great job of summarizing what I wanted to point out. You did a very good job explaining.

@knox, you are totally deviating from the point. Let's stick on topic.

@frog, thanks for sharing your views. However again I should point out that it's not related to the topic at hand :P

@novita, wouldn't that be awesome! I usually like to streak my hair. (Not blonde though, maybe a streak of red or blue)

@mystica, absolutely, people should moan, but I think they should moan if the topic deserves it.

@scarlett, well said.

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for the most part, I have to agree with your comments..however...I do feel that when most people say "leave Qatar" its because the person who did the posting was whining and moaning about how BAD it is...In that case, I do say..leave if you are so unhappy, and you CAN....some can not leave easily due to funds or sponsorships.

I also have to agree with the sad state in which the workers live. Its abhorrent to treat humans like that and let the companies get away with it. Not saying that its because they are Arabs or Qatari, but that its just WRONG in any place or any religion.

Like any country, Qatar has its good points and its bad points. Luckily the good outweigh the bad, in my opinion. Yes, it does take a little getting use to when coming from another country, but it does anywhere. If you just take the situation, smile and learn from your experiences, you'll be much happier. Yes, the truth SHOULD be told before someone up and comes over..such as the rising prices of living and groceries...nothing like coming over and being hit directly in the face with half truths.

Personally, I love Qatar (missing it even while being gone a week!) and can't wait to return. Yes, it has its drawbacks at times, but learn to roll with the punches and its a great place to live.

What I'm trying to say, rather than moaning and being biatcha about Qatar why not find a job somewhere else? Middle East is the only generous country I know, Anywhere else they cannot have the same benefits as Middle East offers. This is the main reason Filipino wants to work in Middle East they are here for money. The money they earn here, They can't earn it in our own country.

Amnesia remember this people in general, anywhere they are, they do moan! Only few of us know how to appreciate what is God has given to us!

It's great to be loved!

"[AT]schnazzy, I came from the UK, i can honestly say that the one thing I miss is the fact that I can't dye my hair a funky colour and not be stared at :P"

---> Now i am imagining a Qatari in a local attire with a blonde dye hair walking around in City Centre. No offence :D

... wherever all these expatriates lives / works ... they will always have something to complain about. So not only Qatar :D

i agree with u but sometimes the negative comments are related to thread.When someone asks for advice he gets both the pros and cons of the situation then he needs to decide whose advice to take.

sometimes ppl use that thread to let out their frustration which is wrong as then their opinions are no longer honest.

there was a thread recently where we were asked the positives of qatar and as usual ppl started qatar bashing! that was wrong.stick to the topic ppl.

[img_assist|nid=66198|title=|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=|height=0]

Salam all,

Amnesia ,

I'm fed up of one different thing that was expressed by our friend Mystica : "If they are not happy just move somewhere else!"

You said yourself that it's not that easy to move and quit a country even if you're not that happy.

On the other hand I didn't really like Ohisha 's last comment "2. Appreciation... not talking about all Qataris, But a great deal of qataris and Arabs mistreat humans just because they are from different cultures or (third world countries)..." on Qataris and Arabs mistreating other people from other countries. There should be cases like that but a great deal ????over-generalising is too bad . I should say , and I'm very honest with that, Qataris are the kindest and the most tolerant Arabs I've ever met. I do imagine myself sometimes as a Qatari living in my own country and watching that huge number of expatriates growing up every day. I think their reaction is of the nicest one.

However,some expatriates in Qatar are really suffering from that sponsorship law and they are obliged to live in misery not having any possibility of change. This is quite hard to feel yourself living / working like a slave. The least Qatar could do is get rid of those slavery laws about Residence , exit, and changing job.

Some are Wise ... Some are ...Otherwise

"If an allegation to the contrary was for the purpose of spreading misinformation it will serve as an opportunity to dispel the myth"

So if I tell everyone that price of grocery is not increasing along with the rents, I'd probably be lying to myself.

to illustrate the fact that a number of short-sighted people on QL adopt an inherently negative attitude. They then proceed to make totally irrelevant comments that reflect Qatar and its quality of life in a bad light and still fail to answer the question that was asked.

BTW, it had nothing to do with salaries or living conditions. Again, it shows how you all grab onto a single word and use it to twist the entire thread beyond recognition.

If you have nothing relevant to say, for God's sake shut the f*** up!

Amnesia, I fully agree with your views.

*** Light travels faster than sound. That's why most people appear bright until they open their mouths.

That is something I forgot to talk about....

On that regards... Does anyone have a room for rent for a Human-bachelor, "I dont know under which catagory should I list my self"

around Najma, Montazah areas.

thank you

Don't comments on things which you have never seen. Go to the Industrial Area and see the living conditions of 90% workforce here. Never experienced this kind of Sub-Human treatment to Humans by other Humans

My friend...

All My friends say that I should Shut the hell up and leave things the way they are, because my mouth will get me in trouble...

But I always answer "How do you expect things to change if you keep things in your heart and do not speak your problems, keeping your thoughts censored and afraid of the unexpected"

well, I believe that things can change and Qatar is Doing a hell of Job... But still things can be better and We may reach to an Utopia Someday.

@butterfly, I guess what I'm advising YOU to do is READ the thread.

*sighs*

Perhaps someone can better explain what I've written.

On a side note, if someone asks, "Hey do you think I should leave Qatar" then I'd understand.

It's easy to give advice when nobody is taking their own, simple as that.

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here you go canary, you need an avatar :D

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I don't get your point...so basically you are telling us to don't advice other members to leave Qatar? And this is, why?

Certainly, If someone is unhappy here, I will advice the person to seek better opportunities elsewhere. Can't see what's wrong with that.

@knox, yes it's a public forum, my point is that we should work hard, be positive, search for solutions and MAINLY, answer questions that are related to the topic.

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@canary, I agree with you 100%, That's what I was saying. Let's be critical and try to solve a problem rather than advise people to run away ^_^

@ocih, you really thing that the expats are afraid? If they're afraid of an open and mixed (half British) nationality like myself, then they must be a pretty sorry bunch. I for one don't think they are afraid but that there are two possibilities, someone hasn't seen the thread or someone doesn't really care for it.

To answer a few points,

1) Yes it's sad that some people get low salaries, just as it's the case in EVERY country in the world. Yes everyone wants to be rich, but we're not in utopia.

2) Those who don't appreciate people are those that are remembered. How many people bring up the point that a Qatari (myself) made a thread saying thank you for the hard work that expatriates do.

3) We have those who abused the previous system, took benefits and fled to thank for that.

To be fair, you explained yourself in a very concise manner. THAT is what I like to see! Rather than someone moaning :D

@schnazzy, I came from the UK, i can honestly say that the one thing I miss is the fact that I can't dye my hair a funky colour and not be stared at :P

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This is a public forum, if you love Qatar from the bottom of your heart, there might be others who dont love Qatar for one reason or the other. So my suggestion would be to stop enforcing your opinion on others. If one speaks of the spiralling rents that doesnt automatically make him an enemy of the State of Qatar.

Guys,

No place in the world is perfect. I currently live in the UK (moving to Qatar soon) and many people in the UK are always complaining about the UK (expensive, low quality of life etc. etc.).

Instead of complaining people should contribute towards the society they live in. Obviously, there are issues (which countries doesnt?), however, from what I read, things are moving in a right direction in Qatar. Nothing changes overnight. It takes time so be patient. If people moan and complain all the time, then the society cant progress. So the best one can do is to be positive, play their individual role to improve the society and also help others who are in need of support.

Noice One Man Noice one :D

If you want my advice, you should just leave the country.

--nigel

Hello All...

in the name of expats...

As you may have noticed... your comment has not yet gained any responses from expat persons... because they everyone is afraid to say his opinion.

If you want to hear my opinion... this is it

I came from my country because I needed to enhance my life style just like every other expatriate... Qatar is a nice place to be in (I am not kissing anyone's butt Let me finish) but I have the following comments.

1. Salaries... do you know that there are people working for 300 riyals a month in doha... where they have to work 3 other jobs to be able to save 200 riyals a month? I hear honorable stories from people living here.

We Respect your country for one thing only (that it takes care of its residents unlike our countries)

2. Appreciation... not talking about all Qataris, But a great deal of qataris and Arabs mistreat humans just because they are from different cultures or (third world countries)... they treat them as if they are stupid or do not understand, show them faces, and even sometimes hit them!!! Guys, they are also humans, where is our values as Islamic Society (All Men are created Equal?).

3. residency... ( I understand that one,) but they could make it easier for expats to change their sponsorship without giving the right to the sponsor to kick them out of the country...

Well... I hope these points do not get me kicked out of the country. but Somebody has to speak.

thanks

As you know and to be quite frank there are a lot of issues in Qatar to better but at the same time many things have improved over such a short period it fascinates me how they managed especially the traffic situation. The new road constuctions and many other things. It is not wrong to be critical of your environement and it does not stop you from loving it at the same time. What do you think??

Anyway I am off home I am the last in the office just now lol.

Hello All...

in the name of expats...

As you may have noticed... your comment has not yet gained any responses from expat persons... because they everyone is afraid to say his opinion.

If you want to hear my opinion... this is it

I came from my country because I needed to enhance my life style just like every other expatriate... Qatar is a nice place to be in (I am not kissing anyone's butt Let me finish) but I have the following comments.

1. Salaries... do you know that there are people working for 300 riyals a month in doha... where they have to work 3 other jobs to be able to save 200 riyals a month? I hear honorable stories from people living here.

We Respect your country for one thing only (that it takes care of its residents unlike our countries)

2. Appreciation... not talking about all Qataris, But a great deal of qataris and Arabs mistreat humans just because they are from different cultures or (third world countries)... they treat them as if they are stupid or do not understand, show them faces, and even sometimes hit them!!! Guys, they are also humans, where is our values as Islamic Society (All Men are created Equal?).

3. residency... ( I understand that one,) but they could make it easier for expats to change their sponsorship without giving the right to the sponsor to kick them out of the country...

Well... I hope these points do not get me kicked out of the country. but Somebody has to speak.

thanks

As you know and to be quite frank there are a lot of issues in Qatar to better but at the same time many things have improved over such a short period it fascinates me how they managed especially the traffic situation. The new road constuctions and many other things. It is not wrong to be critical of your environement and it does not stop you from loving it at the same time. What do you think??

Anyway I am off home I am the last in the office just now lol.

Agree with you Amnesia, I see so many comments which is not helping at all to the person who looking some answer.

Everybody is right and Everybody is wrong, its depend where you stand

I also had enough of reading people's comment who are ungrateful and YET they are still here. If they are not happy just move somewhere else! People will never be happy unless they learn to think positive.

It's great to be loved!

Quite the point, I think that everyone should come and make and take their own impression with them from Qatar.

Qatar has a lot to offer for those who are a little bit adventurous and the truth is wherever you go to live in the world you have to take the good with the bad.

Like you I think if someone wants to come and knows they will find something or somekind of work good for them.

I don't know anywhere I have been that was perfect but in any case I enjoyed all the countries I lived in.

I would do it all again if I had my life over, and I am a great believer in Qatar.