Re: Working In Dubai

Mark Hedberg — Thu, 20 Jun 2013 10:22:34 GMT

Points to consier: pay is good, one of the more liberal areas of the middle east. As with any major cities, there are areas you should avoid. Find out from colleagues where you shouldn't go alone after dark. No offense intended, but a lot of new expats get in trouble because they don't take basic safety steps. Not saying it's a women thing - i've heard of men getting robbed because they did silly things like hitchhike, get in unmarked cabs, or find 'the real city'. Don't try this on your own in your first year. Dubai is as safe as any big city you care to name, as long as you look before you leap. Go with a friend who's been around a bit.

Your friends and family will tell you that they arrest foreigners in Dubai and put them in jail and flog them. True enough! However, the news articles on 'foreigners arrested in dubai' always seem to revolve around smuggling drugs ("I didn't know what was in the bag they gave me!!!") public drunkenness (remember, Dubai is modern, but it's still a very Islamic society) and public displays of affection. (Look, if you wouldn't have sex on the beach in Brighton, don't have it in Dubai, ok?)

Drinking, theatre, and social events are perfectly possible - even in ultraconservative Saudi Arabia, the annual Jeddah Panto and the Jeddah Light Opera were high points of the social season.

Dress more conservatively than you normally would until you get the hang of what is or isn't appropriate. (Remember, it's their country.) Dubai is only one of the United Arab Emirates, and some are more conservative than others. Check with friends or colleagues before you go someplace new.

(I repeat, this applies to both sexes, by the way.)

Random subject change - Bonus: Dubai is host to VetME and the Middle East Vet Congress - May and March, respectively. Don't miss it! Mainly vet based but they do get some good speakers out there.

(Source: I grew up in the Middle East and worked as a vet in Saudi for a few years.)

Re: Working In Dubai

Mark Hedberg — Thu, 20 Jun 2013 10:07:38 GMT

http://thenerdyvet.com/ - Chris Queen does, might be worth asking him. I worked in Saudi, bit of a different kettle of fish. The operative word in Dubai is 'tax free' - you keep what you make. Cost of living is cheaper than uk as well. (Housing does tend to be a bit expensive though.)

http://www.mol.gov.ae/newcontrolpanel2010/Attachments/21062012/labour%20law%20no.8%20year%201980.pdf is UAE Labor Law, contracts have to comply with this - most recent amendment is 2013.

http://www.dubaifaqs.com/labour-law-uae.php this is a guide to the law; gives you some pointers on the major parts of the law.

Points to look out for: housing allowance - is it offered?

Do you get an annual ticket paid to your home of record? (most reputable companies do this.) There is no LEGAL requirement for this, but either the ticket or a cash-in-lieu sum are something you should ask for.

While relocation expenses may not be paid; your initial flight out to dubai should be paid by the company.

Is your vacation calendar days or working days?

Are UAE Islamic religious holidays deducted from your vacation time or are they a separate bank of days? (Ramadan and Haj are the two big religious holidays; they both have a celebratory period called Eid after both of them that should legally be considered separate from your vacation.)

Most clinics that hire western expats (and nurses) probably aren't going to mess you around; it's hard to get good help out there sometimes. These are just good questions to ask.

Good luck!