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Expats...help!

23 replies

meowmix · 23/03/2006 09:53

Ok heres the deal - I've been asked to go to Bahrain and head up an office of the company I used to work for. I've never done the expat thing or even considered it. What are the pros and cons? What are other people's experiences? What should I consider when negotiating relocation packages etc?

Would really appreciate your thoughts!

OP posts:
meowmix · 23/03/2006 12:17

BUMP!(c'mon ladies I'm the impatient sort you know)

OP posts:
flashingnose · 23/03/2006 12:37

Wow, well done you!

Off the top of my head:

How much of the relocation would be done by yourselves and how much by your company?

Do you get a house?

What's the schooling like? What age are your kids? Will the company pay?

How much are flights back to the UK? Do you get a travel allowance as part of the deal?

What would your partner do? (sorry, don't know your situation or indeed if you are male or female Grin)

Will think some more...

meowmix · 23/03/2006 12:45

I'm a girl. Oh ok I'm an aged old hag.

However, DS is 2.5yo DH is a sahd/student. From a family point of view its very do-able but I have never been out there or even anywhere similar, tho obv. would before starting the job if I take it.

I'm bewildered and bothered today. Its ALL I can think about!

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flashingnose · 23/03/2006 12:49

I don't know anything about Bahrain, I'm afraid. However, there are plenty of expats on here who I'm sure will be able to help. If it's good for your family, good for your CV and good for your finances, it's a done deal in my book Grin

sharklet · 23/03/2006 13:54

I have been out there for work before and I really enjoyed it, but I didn't have to live there. I have a freind who lives out in Quatar with her DH and loves it.

\link{http://www.escapeartist.com/bahrain/jobs.htm\Bahrain Expat website} HTH

meowmix · 24/03/2006 14:19

thanks Sharklet - whats it like? I'm struggling to build a mental picture

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lucy5 · 24/03/2006 14:38

I think flashingnose has covered all the relevant questions. You've got to make sure that schooling is covered as International schools can be quite pricey. They should cover all your removals and pay for your accommodation. Most pay a certain number of trips home too. Well done and how exciting!

LIZS · 24/03/2006 14:40

Things to consider in a package would be
healthcare
housing
education for ds
flights to UK (think 2 return trips as a minimum standard)
relative cost of living

They may also pay for a local agent to find accomodation and organise some of the practicalities and a fact finding trip for you and your family to meet the agent , brief him/her and get a feel for the place.

Also bear in mind cultural differences such as how a European working woman/sahd situation may be viewed , there may be limited access to some familiar foods, tv and so on so you all need to be pretty flexible (although there are lots of UK brands available out there now I think) , how to cope in the heat and what is available for occupying preschoolers particularly when it is too hot to venture outside, if you are considering another child how would that affect your position, what will your dh do longer term ...

Definitely contact that expat site - nothing like hearing from those who have been through it themselves. Sounds a great opportunity ! hth

LIZS · 24/03/2006 14:42

oh yes and the cost of moving your belongings over (perhaps some by air freight )and/or putting a container into storage.

lua · 24/03/2006 15:09

I think flashingnose already cover the most important ones. But you might want to also consider what will it do to your retirement benefits?
Are you going to be located there but continue to be paid as in the UK?
I am an expat in UK, and it was very helpfull that there were tax agreements between my previous location and UK, so I only have to pay taxes in one place and the retirement is all together....

meowmix · 24/03/2006 16:56

lots to think about. I think it may be a direct contract with the business in the Gulf rather than via the UK. but its all really unclear

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LIZS · 24/03/2006 17:18

They may offer a tax adviser who can complete your forms for UK and over there on your behalf.

Albert · 25/03/2006 00:06

You should consider contacting the British Embassy in Bahrain and ask if they have a Community Liaison Officer (CLO) to whom you can talk. I'm the CLO in Brazil and basically I'm here to make the transition easy for the families, offer support on anything, show them around, advise what things they might want to bring before they get here, show them around when they arrive etc, Officially we are only here for the diplomats but I'm sure if they can't help directly they might be able to advise in some way.

scienceteacher · 25/03/2006 08:06

You first have to find out what your company's relocation policy is, and what the typical expat arrangements are in the Middle East.

The kind of things to look for are:

housing - expect them to pay for all your housing and help towards utility bills in the host country. You continue to pay for your housing in your home country, but you could expect help from the company in paying fees to your agent. They may also guarantee you a minimum monthly rent (ie pay you something when your property is empty). The rental allowance in your host country should give you the kind of property where people at your level in the company live, and not based on your UK house.

Money: you should expect a premium to your baisc salary (eg 5 - 10%) just for the hassle of it all. You should expect paid economy class flights for your whole family back to the UK once a year. You should expect a cash amount (maybe around one or two month's salary) to cover your little moving costs (such as buying new small electrical goods, curtains, etc.). You should expect a cash free loan to cover large expenses, such as a car, appliances, TV etc., and a guaranteed minimum sell back price on these when you return home. They should incorporate things like UK child benefit into your salary and give you the services of a private banker (paying banking fees for you, including the cost of regular wires back to the UK).

Education: you go by whatever the local expat culture is. If it is for private schools, they pay the full expenses. They may also give you an opportunity to board in the UK, and then pay for flights in the holidays.

Healthcare: they pay your insurance policy and/or pay your medical bills in full.

Pension: usually continue your UK pension

moondog · 25/03/2006 08:43

It will be a doddle.
Bahrain is very comfortable indeed,with loads of home comforts and expats.
We live in far flung places with zero expat. network and find it just great!
All to do with your frame of mind.

LIZS · 25/03/2006 10:49

scienceteacher I think in the Middle East/UAE etc the local tax advantages are often seen as a trade off for any pay increase.

inthepink · 25/03/2006 10:59

We are ex-pats in the middle-east (not Bahrain) and we have our housing and bills paid, the company also provides private medical cover for the whole family, school fees for the children, and economy flights back home each year, we get the cost of the flights so we can choose what to do with the money or we can go elsewhere and not back home iyswim, quite often managers get business class travel for the family it all depends on your company and what they offer.

My main concern coming here was the medical insurance, housing and school fees, everything else is a bonus. HTH

scienceteacher · 25/03/2006 20:10

A lot of companies have tax equalisation policies, Liz, that means the employee receives a hypothetical after tax income based on their home country's system.

LIZS · 25/03/2006 20:31

Agree scienceteacher that that happens in some cases (didn't in ours as it wasn't company policy then). However where the local tax rate is significantly less than in UK and you are paid locally, the greater benefit may come from a relative cost of living adjustment rather than a hypothetical equalisation.

MeowMelange · 27/03/2006 16:50

wow. Thanks thats really helpful. Do you think I'm entitled to the relocation stuff as a new employee? I used to work for the company but don't now? all confused....!

LIZS · 27/03/2006 16:53

They should pay relocation unless you are "local hire" ie. already in situ. This can be either the actual costs, an allowance of a fixed % of salary , or both. Plus it is up to them to sort out any visa/work permit requirements.

MeowMelange · 27/03/2006 16:58

lordy I'm glad I mumsnet. I'd be going into this completely blind.

Well fingers crossed it comes off. Anything has to be better than Victoria in the rush hour!

LadyPenelope · 27/03/2006 17:17

will it be expat terms (ie still paid from UK) or local terms (local salary.) If local salary, what are the arrangements for pensions ... you may lose out big time if you have to leave Uk pension scheme.
if you plan on more kids ... what will maternity benefits be, what about medical etc for maternity
what kind of support will they give your patner? (It is still harder for males who follow partner than for women ... but not impossible providing Bahrain has things for him to do, and providing your partner is OK with the adventure too..)
All of the above from personal experience (but not in middle east)
Good luck!

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