Frustrated and Depressed - Please help
Hey guys, sorry but this may turn out to be a rant and/or a long post. I have no idea how else to vent out my feelings but here goes.
I've been in Qatar for the past 10 months and came here due to my family's financial issues back at home. I was employed by an agency and sent to Qatar directly for work. I was happy that I finally got my break and things would change for the better for my family. I never expected the following to happen after I came to Qatar.
My employer made me sign a new contract. I had already signed a contract in my country with a higher pay and that was already sealed by embassy. When I questioned about the new contract, they lied to me saying it's the same contract as my previous but in Arabic and just to sign it. I reckon this is where everything started.
In my new contract, the salary was different and lower. I accept that this was a mistake on my part which I deeply regret but own to it. This is where I thought that things would hopefully get better but nope, it just got worse.
Every week I was given only one off day and had to work 6 days. In this 6 days I had to work 12 hours with a one hour break included. This added up to 72 or 66 hours per week (am unsure as to how it'll be calculated due to the break). In my new contract it stated that I would work only 48 hours per week and any additional hours would fall into overtime. Yet so far, I have only recieved a salary and never recieved any overtime pay. To make things worse, the current basic pay am recieving is actually lower than my new contract.
I bared all this, for the sake of my family as I've heard that the employees have less power over the employers here. But the problems didn't stop here, even on my off day many curfews were placed and I wasn't able to spend my off day leisurely. And on the other days, I wasn't able to go out anywhere during the hours where I was not at work.
I was baring all this pain but the final nail on the coffin was that I was not provided any healthcare or any medical benifits (my contract stated I would be). When I fell sick, my employer told me to bare the pain and go to the clinic on my off day only. This was unacceptable and I suffered a lot due to this.
All of these built up over time and I have no idea what to do. I have been unfairly employed and never compensated for the work I did. I know I can't do anything much about this as my employer has the power over me and also might have the power over me legally as I'm just another poor worker stuck in here. I'm also unable to leave as they are forcing me to pay a huge amount as compensation if I want to leave. I've not been able to sleep and have been crying all night since the day I got here. I just hope that God gives me strength not be get into suicidal tendencies due to problems am facing currently.
Guys, I apologize for telling you all these but I have no one to talk about this as I'm in a new country with no friends. I'm sorry.
Struggles are a part of life but they are not the totality of what life. you can check depression quotes
U feel bad search job in Qatar change if possible
Ur designation, ur degree u r from
Actually, business in Qatar is really down, maybe that is the reason for lower benefits. Does not look as if it will improve anytime soon.
This is the vacation season, so many people on leave. Maybe another reason for extra working to attract customers.
I do empathise with you, however, there are many in similar circumstances and some even worse. All the best though
Don't mean to be rude.
Have you spoken to your countrymen at your work place and see how they get along.
If all are in the same boat, why not approach your embassy, are they not here to assist you? The first point your embassy can pick on is the change in contract. Working hours etc etc. Go to the NHRC.
Repaying your sponsor is out of the question.
If you are really not happy, better to find another job, go on vacation and do not return.
Sorry, venting your sorry, may alleviate some of your pain, but you need to take action to remedy the wrong you have been put through.
Or, be thankful for your plate, it could have been worse.
There is always a better opportunity hidden behind such difficulties, and those who want to come out of such pitfalls, would focus and exert their energies on exploring those hidden opportunities.
Regretfully those who are not brave enough to challenge the difficulties, tend to run towards frustration.
It is all about your mindset, either you challenge the difficulty or go down in front of it, without offering any fight.
There is a universal rule, when you start exploring alternatives, things will start changing dramatically, just try and see by your self.
If your personality is submissive and not ready to fight for your right, then there will be no solution except increased "Frustration" leading to suicide.
There is many many big things with you, to be proud of, just tune in Imran Pratabgarhi's poem 'Mein Musalman Houn" and let us know, if you are still a frustrated man.
Dear,
Don't be stupid and go for suicide attempt, because your job and money is not your life, outside your career you have a personal life remember that always, and i am not sure you have parents, but if they are alive, no parents force their kids to earn for them, they need kids love, not money, but as a kid, we always want to sacrifice for family,
so we shouldnot take bad decisions and hurt them further,
Take me as an example, I am a asian, and my family was a very poor family and we didn't even have a house to stay, its 26 my age now, but for 24 years in my life, my family was living in a rented house, and for food we suffer always, and some how with the help of nurture, with our own vegetable farm, we managed to live our life,
in 2011, I managed to come to Qatar for a lower paid job, I couldnot event save 1000 riyal per month, but I kept patient, I know allah will open me a path for atleast my family, in my first company I have went through all the things you are facing now, I had a total shitty life and sometime i felt my self why I born here, because they didnot give me event a vacation, no gratuity, no end of service, I didnot event have power to talk againt my company,
But alhamdullilah, in 2 years the company got closed and i begged my sponsor for NOC, and only good thing he did was he provided me NOC,
and then I found a second Job, I stayed there only 3 months and again that company also went in crisis and they terminated many including my self,
today I am at my 3rd company which i am working almost 3 years now, but still am not satisfied with my job in the way how they treat may like a third class person, no proper over time, only friday off, and so and so ,
but i am still patient, because this world is not where we meant to live, but its a test for me as per my religion islam, I have a life hereafter and I have to prepare for it,
so I am just living here for my family,
I donot have money to do any entertainment here, I always sleep after my work including friday , this is my life.,
since today I am not given a proper vacation and its totally fucked up life,,
but still I am managed to lead my life..
I have been thru same. However it's been 3 years & now im used to it. Dear im also working 7 days a week without any off or overtime. In starting i gave got the same thoughts that my life is destroyed. But thanks to my friends and love of my family i survived & still doing that with a hope of getting better. Hope for the best for you.
Don't do any foolish thing. U r lucky enough to have family.
If ur employer is doing with all ur staff then why do u think too much and being frustrated... U r not alone..
If it is personal then
make more new friends and spend good time... again u r not alone..
Remember life is precious and be positive and stay strong..
Sorry, I misunderstood. But even then, I firmly believe that suicide does not help solve problems of life. If you are in that sort of terrible and painful situation, you can seek the help of National Human Rights Committee. They will advise you and guide you. They may even call your employer. This action may result in your employer terminating your services in retaliation and sending you home but they will not be able to force you to pay any amount as compensation. You can mention this in your petition form if you decide to go to NHRC. They will take care of this.
It's not easy, especially being a lady.
No, suicide is definitely not an option and you should get this out of your mind state away. I firmly believe that any person who commits a suicide to be a coward. Do you believe that your leaving the world in this way would end the sufferings of your family for whom you took the trouble to come here? Their troubles will simply multiply. Just think of that. YOU must live for THEM.
Having said that, you are new to the Middle East and are not aware how things work here. While the government tries its best to protect workers and their rights, there are many black sheep who find ways to beat the laws. Surely, you can lodge a complaint against your sponsor with organizations such as a National Human Rights Committee but then your sponsor may retaliate by cancelling your visa and sending you home. That is usually the case here as this sends a message to other employees in the company. Also, if you just look around, you will get to realize that there are many out here who are in a much worse condition than you and yet they keep surviving, just for their loved ones back home.
Yes, do go about making some friends. Loneliness also makes people begin to hate life. Loneliness allows the devil to become your friend. If you don't find a friend, just send me a message on my PM with your contact details, and you will find a hand of friendship extending towards you.
Lastly, remember: Every man has his secret sorrows. A POSITIVE ATTITUDE gives you the power over circumstances. Don't allow the circumstances have power over you.