I've just had a call from an agent about a few weeks of software engineering work in Haiti for the government. The rate is good, flights are included, and they say they'll provide me with VIP treatment including personal security and a driver. I know very little about Haiti; to me it's "that island in the Caribbean where they had that big earthquake", and this talk of personal security is a little concerning. I'm physically fit, but I wouldn't go looking for trouble; I'd stick to whatever touristy areas there might be. Is there any obvious reason to shy away from this? Is it likely to be dodgy? Anyone know Haiti well enough to give me some idea of what to expect? I don't have any information about the work itself. So far, all that's been agreed is for the agent to put my CV forward. Any advice the community can give me would be much appreciated.
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Short term work in Haiti - a good idea?
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Sorry can't help with any actual info about Haiti, but you're a long way from home if it all goes t*ts up and you want/need to bale out. OTOH if it's only a few weeks...
That's what I would be considering. -
Originally posted by TimBeattie View PostIs there any obvious reason to shy away from this?Comment
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Sounds like a blast during hurricane season.
qhHe had a negative bluety on a quackhandle and was quadraspazzed on a lifeglug.
I look forward to your all knowing and likely sarcastic and unhelpful reply.
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Watch the Anthony Bourdain "No Reservations" episode on Haiti, and its not likely to be a place high on your Bucket ListI was an IPSE Consultative Council Member, until the BoD abolished it. I am not an IPSE Member, since they have no longer have any relevance to me, as an IT Contractor. Read my lips...I recommend QDOS for ALL your Insurance requirements (Contact me for a referral code).Comment
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From https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/haiti
The FCO advise against all travel to parts of the country.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advise against all travel to slum
districts of Port-au-Prince, including Carrefour, Cite Soleil, Martissant and
Bel Air.
You should take great care due to the risk of criminal activity throughout
the country. In Port-au-Prince there is a growing problem of kidnapping. Take
professional security advice and make arrangements for your security throughout
your stay. See Crime.Comment
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Haiti
Ross Kemp also did a special on the situation there, including the poverty, corruption and crime......
I know this is the case in a lot of countries but from what I saw and other news articles I've read/heard i don't know if any money would be worth it!
The other thing to consider is the 'security' etc they are offering........You won't really know what that, how good it is and how much it is needed until you set foot over there.......and then it's probably too late!
Very difficult situation.......But I always think that, as a foreigner, to these sorts of places it is always high risk IMO........ I work as a finance contractor and I've worked in a few different countries, also had offers for the likes of Nigeria etc but for the same reasons as above I turned them down.......They offered security etc as well and to me it's an immediate no go.......
I had several friends who went over for a project (Nothing relating to Finance......) and they were literally told to stay within their complex and were escorting to and from their workplace........It was like a prison.....
As for the touristy parts of Haiti, I'm not sure if there are any and I certainly wouldn't fancy wandering down there on my own!Comment
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More Important than wealth, health
Mate
Before you go anywhere get a handle on the country from:
https://www.cia.gov/library/publicat...k/geos/ha.html
As others have said, think very carefully, do search for British IT contractor who went for a contract few years ago (I forget which country, Iraq possibly) his 5/6 guards killed, was kidnapped for few years, then luckily got released.....
No rate on earth worth that!!!Comment
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Security
Just to add to my earlier post and comment on the post above, that's sort of what I was getting at.......
The problem with security though is that the security that Joe Bloggs gets is never high end FBI type stuff......
It tends to be some poor sod(s) who's paid peanuts to drive around with a gun who doesn't stand a chance against a genuine ambush/hostage taking attack......
I think the only way I'd be comfortable with it would be if they put the same measures in place that the President of the USA would get on a visit.........But even then i wouldn't probably take it as they might try to lower my rate to pay for it allComment
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Originally posted by TimBeattie View PostI've just had a call from an agent about a few weeks of software engineering work in Haiti for the government. The rate is good, flights are included, and they say they'll provide me with VIP treatment including personal security and a driver. I know very little about Haiti; to me it's "that island in the Caribbean where they had that big earthquake", and this talk of personal security is a little concerning. I'm physically fit, but I wouldn't go looking for trouble; I'd stick to whatever touristy areas there might be. Is there any obvious reason to shy away from this? Is it likely to be dodgy? Anyone know Haiti well enough to give me some idea of what to expect? I don't have any information about the work itself. So far, all that's been agreed is for the agent to put my CV forward. Any advice the community can give me would be much appreciated.
Is there no possibility of remote working?Contracting: more of the money, less of the sh1tComment
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