Abu Dhabi's working class hit by high cost of living.

[TeenDabbyWala]

Found this very interesting.

ABU DHABI — The spiralling costs of accommodation and a combination of factors arising from steadily rising costs of essential commodities, mainly food items, have sparked a wave of exodus of families in the low and middle-income groups, as breadwinners of the families are left behind to fend for themselves on bachelor status.

The one-bed room apartments have gone up from Dh25,000 to Dh32,000 while the three-bedroom units have registered a sharp rise from Dh36,000 to Dh46,000, even in this unpretentious locality, not to speak of other coveted areas in the heart of the city.

DH32000 = $8719
DH46000 = $12534

Is this the annual rent or the actual cost of the apartment?

The upswing in costs is a normal phenomenon worldwide, reasoned Rasheeda Sultan, a Pakistani housewife, who as a secretary in a private company brings home Dh1,250 a month, while her husband who is a salesman chips in Dh2,000.

DH1250 = $340
DH2000 = $544

DH2250 = $884 monthly salary?

Here is a question, how much would a UAE local with the same experience and education get paid? I know they have the whole paying foreigners less thing over there, so I am just curious.

So if they have to pay locals more, why would a company even hire a local? Just hire a foreigner and pay them less.

It is also not viable to move to residential apartments on the outskirts of the city, as such Mussafah, Shahama and Khalifa City, as to-and-fro transport charges will prove prohibitory, considering that there is no orderly public transport in place, noted a resident, who shares a room with three others on Hamdan Street, each one paying Dh850 per month, besides sharing equally the water and electricity bills.

Is DH850 considered a high rent or low rent?

I thought companies shared the cost of their foreign employees’ living?

UAE Latest News, Breaking News, Local News | Khaleej Times

[PakistaniAbroad]

Re: Abu Dhabi's working class hit by high cost of living.

well the Arabobo land always was for the live-eight-to-a-room malloo brigade. Self respecting Pakistanis packed up and left a long time ago.. the Bharatis have no shame as the living conditions are light years better than what they have at home.. so no problem for them.

besides the Arabobos love the Bharatis way more.. too bad our own nation is so hung up on them, they just can't say no to dir-hams

[WitchDr]

Re: Abu Dhabi’s working class hit by high cost of living.

@TeenDabbyWala

Is DH850 considered a high rent or low rent?

I thought companies shared the cost of their foreign employees’ living?

http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle.asp?xfile=data/theuae/2005/August/theuae_August392.xml&section=theuae

Yes. Almost all the good companies either share the cost of accomodation or totally take it up. If you are working for a good company, you are paid well and all other living necessaties (medical, housing, tution, etc) are taken care by your employer.

Living decently in a good neighbourhood in Abu Dhabi costs at least US $ 1800/= per month. If you are planning to take up a job in Abu Dhabi and your employer is not taking up or sharing the cost of accomodation, then don’t even think about it.

A good few years back, I got selected for a job in Abu Dhabi which I declined after hearing the renumerations. I was being offered AED 5600/= month and I found out that a U.A.E. national just out of the university with no experience will start at AED 9000/=. I later worked with a different company there which took up the accomodation expenses.

The house rents for the nationals is different as they don’t need to pay the sponsorship charges. Their government even helps them out.