DS has been offered jobs in Qatar and UAE

[Sooptimisim]

DS is 26, he works in finance and has a good job in London. He has recently informed us that he has been offered jobs in both Doha and Dubai and is heavily considering taking them.
I know it’s not up to me but I really can’t settle at the thought of him moving to either of these countries. I associate them with poor women’s rights, little political freedom/freedom of speech etc.
I am trying to be supportive but I’m actually finding it very hard to be.
It isn’t about him moving away as my DD is in Australia doing a masters degree, it’s just the terrible women’s (and human) rights etc.

AIBU to ask him to consider all of this before making a decision?

This is the reality of the new world order. We need to get with it. While this country stagnates, the Middle East is attracting economic growth, jobs and people.

There must be a reason he is attracted to the jobs he has been offered. What are you asking him to consider? To forego better opportunities because you don’t agree with the politics of those countries. The way this country is on downward spiral economically, beggars can’t be choosers.

You need to let him forge his own path. I wouldn’t say anything. If he likes it he’ll stay. I lived in Dubai and loved it. Theres always worse places to go and the opportunities out there for him could be really positive

You're not being unreasonable for asking him to look into the rules and see whether he can follow them. I'm assuming he is not Muslim and also not in a relationship. Is that something he actively wants or not? That's the main way I can see the women's rights affecting him.

I'd encourage him to go and spend a 2 week holiday out there first to see what he thinks. If he owns property over here, get him to rent it out rather than sell so he has a clear and simple path back home if he needs it.

I agree with you OP and I think it's important to tell your DS you are worried (back up your opinion with a few facts though!) In the end of course it is his decision, but there's no harm in asking him to think carefully about what he'd be walking into. Personally you couldn't pay me enough millions even to visit Dubai.

Can't vote because your concerns are extremely reasonable, but it would be weird and inappropriate to ask your adult son to turn down a job on the basis of your own political viewpoint.

Were I you, I'd certainly tell him about these things and register my concern over the issues. I'd also make it crystal clear I wasn't trying to influence his career choices. "These sound like amazing offers; what's your thinking about living in either place? I don't think I could live over there, contributing to a system of inequalities & oppression of women - but I get that it's a great apartment, endless sunshine and plenty of cultural interest. Are you going over to check them out?"
... or something like that.

Good for him. No tax either. Let him make his own decision.

Presumably he, as most people do, already know about the negatives/drawbacks of both places, eg its restrictions and treatment of women. But the fun and opportunities for a young person are superb. Encourage him to accept the job.

And they can afford to cool their homes in the summer. Not like third world Britain, where people can no longer afford to turn their heating on the in the winter.

I voted YABU because it's your sons decision to make

He wouldn't necessarily know, @Oblomov25, a lot of people don't!

OP, unmarried sex is still illegal in Qatar. Homosexuality's barred in both countries.

@Anniedash " beggars can't be choosers" you say, but the OP says her son currently has a good job in London so he's hardly a beggar is he. The UK has many problems but there are many far worse places to live in terms of human rights, fair trials, free speech, women's rights, way of life etc. You seem to have a very low opinion of the UK.

I wonder if it were not women being oppressed but say, white men, and it were women wanting to move there for financial opportunities…would this still be so broadly encouraged? Or is that such a laughable scenario as to be impossible to even comprehend. People are just so used to women being trod upon no one really bats an eye anymore, I mean there’s money to be made after all!

I understand your concerns. I'd feel the same. All you can do is encourage him to properly do his research before making a decision.

Your son works in finance which in itself isn’t a moral place

Ah Luxury beliefs.

Whats it like to live your life without a bank account, mortgage, insurance. Do you live in the jungle off grid?

Ah, you don’t actually live in the UK, right? Since our economy is held up by financial services (and a bit of sticky tape).

No income tax, but always some knowledge/admin fee😂

Can't comment on Doha, but UAE. He can have absolutely amazing time exploring this part of the world. Lots of interest things to see. If the job will make him mingle with locals a lot (with emiratisation it most likely will) he will enjoy it. UAE folk are very friendly. I worked with many inluding women (women make up half a workforce anyway so of course) and had many nice long coffee breaks with them. GCC men have always been very cute to me (yeah I know, I am white, but EE). Bbqs on beaches with Phillipino colleagues, arab colleagues and friends etc. Mountain trips, bbq in a desert watching gazelles...
He can also have shit time if he just sticks with few people who do the brunch lifestyle and not much else (the price of brunches! 😱). Dubai is also incredibly busy and with that goes hellish traffic. I shifted out of Dubai for more peace.
Does it have issues? Absolutely. Is it a hell hole? Absolute not.

What he really needs to make sure is that the salary is really worth it. Lots of companies started scrapping bonuses and allowances and salaries are stagnating, while rents are skyrocketting. It's not what it was 10 years ago money wise. I've seen some really lowballing offer lately.

you seem to be confused about what morality means

We aren’t really much better. We have all sorts of regulations about worker and women’s rights and take the moral high ground but we just outsource our own guilt by getting most things we consume manufactured and farmed cheaply abroad where there are few rights.

I wouldn't be happy either. www.detainedindubai.org/

Please stop. This is not a thread for being islamaphobic.

As per @Ncncncncncncncncd he really needs to have a solid offer from a good company. If it is a contract role, he needs to make sure it’s the going rate. I’ve seen agencies taking 40% commission! Get on the local or Reddit forums to find out.
It’s a great opportunity to earn a lot of money relatively quickly.
What sort of finance is he in? It’s a simple way to describe a vast set of positions, like saying ‘IT’.