Qatar - Anyone Worked There? - Contractor UK Bulletin Board

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Fred Bloggs replied

28 April 2011, 08:49
Originally posted by BlasterBates View Post

Whatever you do don't upset your employer. You need his permission to leave the country.

The dangers of working in Qatar - Business News, Business - The Independent

Very true. I know personally of a person who had a car accident with a local, naturally as ain expat worker it is your fault in their eyes. But his employer stopped paying him and refused to sign the exit visa. This resulted in the person being stuck in Qatar with no income and no way to leave. He only survived through the generosity of friends and colleagues who supported him financially until he got permission to leave. A very bad state of affairs indeed.
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BlasterBates replied

28 April 2011, 08:12
Whatever you do don't upset your employer. You need his permission to leave the country.

The dangers of working in Qatar - Business News, Business - The Independent
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Fred Bloggs replied

28 April 2011, 06:40
Originally posted by george99 View Post

Hmmm - I'll be pretty pissed off if I find I'm going to be paying UK taxes when I'm not even using UK services?!!

From what I understand these days, to qualify now for free of UK tax on all earmings you have to be out of the UK for at least a full tax year (you fail on that score if you leave today for 1 year contract) and you have to cut all ties with the UK. You can return for no more than 90 days per year. Having a family still here, a house here (unless long term rented out), having a golf club membership, a dentists, a doctors, UK bank account, credit card etc... will all see you still caught under the latest interpretations by HMRC. Good luck.
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george99 replied

27 April 2011, 23:20
Originally posted by BlasterBates View Post

Yep tax liability would be an issue. These days our bank accounts are pretty "see through". I don't see how you could actually repatriate it easily.

Take some advice before going out there.

Hmmm - I'll be pretty pissed off if I find I'm going to be paying UK taxes when I'm not even using UK services?!!
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BlasterBates replied

27 April 2011, 15:16
Yep tax liability would be an issue. These days our bank accounts are pretty "see through". I don't see how you could actually repatriate it easily.

Take some advice before going out there.

Last edited by BlasterBates; 27 April 2011, 15:20.
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Fred Bloggs replied

27 April 2011, 14:19
Originally posted by mailric View Post

Key is how you repatriate the cash, otherwise could be tax challenges - unless you use suitcase, jewelery, etc. (apparently)

I agree, if the OP goes for a 12 month contract now he is going to have a hard time not paying UK tax on his income IMO. Besides that, the rates have gone through the floor for engineers out there since the Qataris started filling as many jobs as they can with asian engineers at a fraction of western rates.

Last edited by Fred Bloggs; 27 April 2011, 14:22.
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mailric replied

27 April 2011, 11:51
Originally posted by Fred Bloggs View Post

Most obvious thing is money. Jobs out there pay no more than in the UK now in my line of work, and sometimes they pay less.

Key is how you repatriate the cash, otherwise could be tax challenges - unless you use suitcase, jewelery, etc. (apparently)
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george99 replied

27 April 2011, 11:24
Originally posted by Spacecadet View Post

Have you got a confirmed contract or are you just asking before applying?

I've been interviewed and put forward for their client to approve - this decision is expected in the next few days. I'm thinking about what package I should be looking for - I'll be providing PM, BA and Pharmacy related knowledge and services. Contract is likely to be 12months (possibly more)?
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Spacecadet replied

27 April 2011, 09:49
Originally posted by george99 View Post

YES.

Have you got a confirmed contract or are you just asking before applying?
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george99 replied

26 April 2011, 21:27
Originally posted by Spacecadet View Post

new hospital build?

YES.
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Spacecadet replied

24 April 2011, 14:08
Originally posted by george99 View Post

Has anyone worked in Qatar?
Anything I should look out for?

new hospital build?
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Fred Bloggs replied

24 April 2011, 09:12
Originally posted by george99 View Post

Has anyone worked in Qatar?
Anything I should look out for?

Most obvious thing is money. Jobs out there pay no more than in the UK now in my line of work, and sometimes they pay less.
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george99 started a topic Qatar - Anyone Worked There?

23 April 2011, 19:18
Qatar - Anyone Worked There?

Has anyone worked in Qatar?
Anything I should look out for?
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