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Compensation Package

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mrkhalife
  1/8/2002 19:30 EST

Hi, I am in the process of negotiating a compensation package. Any ideas what a fair salary and compensation package would be? I will be holding a management position. Thanks. I have been offered $2500 and 3X salary for housing and such. Is that about right?

mike120
  2/11/2002 17:42 EST

I hate to say this but that's not much. A normal package for a local hire manager would be a Base Salary in that range, three months salary for housing, a 10% allowance for transporation, and 30 days of vacation. You should make sure you get a health insurance policy, good at any hospital.....not an agreement with a local clinic.

The housing allowance is one of the main things you want to fight for. A house in a decent compound can cost $20K -$30K per year, payable in advance. With what you're being offered, you won't be able to afford much. Also keep in mind, that you will have to pay GOSI on all that. That takes away another 9%.

As an expat, you should also get an annual round-trip ticket home.

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mrkhalife
  2/12/2002 08:50 EST

Hi, thanks very much for your reply. I still have some questions:
1. What is GOSI?
2. I heard that I should ask for at least $3000 for salary for a Project Manager.
3. Do you know of any people who get the 3x salary in cash. i.e. my total net cash payout would be $2500 plus $7500 per month or a total of $120,000 per year?
4. Do you have any suggestions on good compounds? I am looking maybe for European or American community.
5. I got a quote on a compound that was SR 60,000 per year. Any idea what the total average amount would be per year with utilities, phone, etc?
6. Do you know if the roundtrip ticket home would be business or first? Also, can I ask for it in cash if I do not use the full amount?
7.Any other suggestions would be very helpful!!!

Thanks.

mrkhalife
  2/12/2002 08:50 EST

Hi, thanks very much for your reply. I still have some questions:
1. What is GOSI?
2. I heard that I should ask for at least $3000 for salary for a Project Manager.
3. Do you know of any people who get the 3x salary in cash. i.e. my total net cash payout would be $2500 plus $7500 per month or a total of $120,000 per year?
4. Do you have any suggestions on good compounds? I am looking maybe for European or American community.
5. I got a quote on a compound that was SR 60,000 per year. Any idea what the total average amount would be per year with utilities, phone, etc?
6. Do you know if the roundtrip ticket home would be business or first? Also, can I ask for it in cash if I do not use the full amount?
7.Any other suggestions would be very helpful!!!

Thanks.

mike120
  2/14/2002 20:48 EST

GOSI is the KSA version of Social Security and workmans compensation insurance rolled into one. You pay a percentage and the employer pays a percentage.

$3000 - $4000 is a decent number depending on what you are managing.

Be careful, with local hires they give them 3X monthly salary on an annual basis. That means 3 months pay is the housing allowance, Most expats just get housing paid for as many of the compounds want the years rent in advance.

SR60,000 is a lower end compound. Figure on about SR125/mo for utilities, cable is extra, telephone is extra. Most of the better compounds include everything in the rent price which is better as you DO NOT want to have to deal with the various providers. Usually the employer has to do much of that because everything requires that your KSA sponsor guarantees everything. Remember, when you get your KSA Iqaama you basically belong to your sponsor.

Where are you going to be working? There are a lot of very good compounds.

Usually they give you coach tickets. However, everything is a negotating point. Also ask for a Multiple Entry Visa so you can go to Bahrain without a hassle. Otherwise they take your passport and you have to fill out a lot of paperwork and get a single exit/entry visa everytime you want to escape the place.

mrkhalife
  2/15/2002 03:34 EST

Thanks again for your reply. Is there a way I can contact you directly via email? Mine is [email protected]. I have some more things I would like to ask.

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