Offered a job in Afghanistan! Do I go?!
Discussion
I'd also check the living accomodation.
It's one thing if you are in something vaguely habitable, but quite another if it turns out "NATO Compound" still has you in what amounts to a tent, or if you're lucky a sweaty shipping container, shared with 18 other blokes and two stinky latrines.
It's one thing if you are in something vaguely habitable, but quite another if it turns out "NATO Compound" still has you in what amounts to a tent, or if you're lucky a sweaty shipping container, shared with 18 other blokes and two stinky latrines.
I was in a bit of a rut, wanted to go somewhere but was stuck. an oppo came up to spark out in Bosnia back in 1997, working on Army camps supporting the military. great money and good bonus at the end.
No food to buy accommodation paid and safe as safe could be on the camps. risk apportioned if I thought about driving up and down to Glasgow every day for a year and then 4 trips between Bosnia and the UK it kinda shrunk the odds in favour of Bosnia. Take out your day to day petrol and living expenses and that soon adds up, if its tax free that's an even bigger lift. so all things considered its a good un money wise.
But and its a huge but. ensure that you have full insurance in place and they they can repatriate you if it goes pete tong. insurance to help you if you get a leg or an arm blown off. Consider everything that could go wrong.
I went out happy go lucky but its not Britain. I was unlucky enough to be in an accident. a bad one. but hey ho
No food to buy accommodation paid and safe as safe could be on the camps. risk apportioned if I thought about driving up and down to Glasgow every day for a year and then 4 trips between Bosnia and the UK it kinda shrunk the odds in favour of Bosnia. Take out your day to day petrol and living expenses and that soon adds up, if its tax free that's an even bigger lift. so all things considered its a good un money wise.
But and its a huge but. ensure that you have full insurance in place and they they can repatriate you if it goes pete tong. insurance to help you if you get a leg or an arm blown off. Consider everything that could go wrong.
I went out happy go lucky but its not Britain. I was unlucky enough to be in an accident. a bad one. but hey ho
OP go for it. I spent 5 months there (Kabul) a few years ago. No days off but that was to be expected (RAF). Also doing IT and was my own boss, working alongside some of the Thales guys who managed the NATO system at the FOB. Absolutely loved it and would go back tomorrow. It was and probably still is a little risky, but you will more than likely be living within a secure compound with hardened accomodation. You will more than likely transit around by air. During my time there we had the odd mortar land nearby butt it wasn’t too bad. Everyone has body armour and helmet so make sure your company provides these.
You will have all the mod cons; Wi-fi, American or Brit TV, decent food and gym facilities, etc. Kabul is set in a stunning part of the world; absolutely amazing scenery (Hindu kush) and even the crappy parts of the city are a sight to behold.
I visited most of the locations during my time there so feel free to pm if you have any questions.
You will have all the mod cons; Wi-fi, American or Brit TV, decent food and gym facilities, etc. Kabul is set in a stunning part of the world; absolutely amazing scenery (Hindu kush) and even the crappy parts of the city are a sight to behold.
I visited most of the locations during my time there so feel free to pm if you have any questions.
I'm amazed that so many people claim that they'd be up for this.
It sounds terrible.
75 days straight doing IT work inside a secure compound? You're not going to get much opportunity for sight-seeing.
And that's before considering that could be on the same money as when you are at home...
By all means try to do more exciting things with your life/time, but this sounds rubbish to me.
It sounds terrible.
75 days straight doing IT work inside a secure compound? You're not going to get much opportunity for sight-seeing.
And that's before considering that could be on the same money as when you are at home...
By all means try to do more exciting things with your life/time, but this sounds rubbish to me.
johnwilliams77 said:
rsbmw said:
I agree, the only reason to do these kinds of things is the significant recompense.
ThisI'd want 4x net pay plus at least equal time
Better conditions are very common too.
I wouldnt do it for more than a year at the current salary unless I could figure a way to twist it to my favour.
Du1point8 said:
Maybe there are other areas of recompensation like it opening doors to new industry, etc.
I wouldnt do it for more than a year at the current salary unless I could figure a way to twist it to my favour.
There may well be and only he can decide but 75days and no break??? No thanks. Each to their own. I guess it hugely depends on current lifestyle as overall he will be better off with less tax or NI and no living costs.I wouldnt do it for more than a year at the current salary unless I could figure a way to twist it to my favour.
If you live in Leeds, you're already acclimatized to the culture and the language. Like you said, it's on base , it's probably tax free and all expenses are probably covered. If the idea is to save a bit of money, this is a good way to do it. It's sometimes okay to rough it for a bit if it gives you an opportunity to get ahead.
alabbasi said:
If you live in Leeds, you're already acclimatized to the culture and the language. Like you said, it's on base , it's probably tax free and all expenses are probably covered. If the idea is to save a bit of money, this is a good way to do it. It's sometimes okay to rough it for a bit if it gives you an opportunity to get ahead.
Tax will still be due to the U.K. if the 90day rule still exists The only reason to go to those gigs is money and the chance for a new experience. Even if you want the experience, you are having your pants down on the wages!
The money is usually 3-4 times the UK rate for my area (IT security). I would not even consider it for the same as a UK wage
. Even with tax benefits.
What 'IT role' is it? Anything specialised?
The money is usually 3-4 times the UK rate for my area (IT security). I would not even consider it for the same as a UK wage
. Even with tax benefits.What 'IT role' is it? Anything specialised?
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