Why do people work in the Middle East?

[kpgclark]

I just don't know why people risk their lives to work in the Middle East. I would be out of there soooooo fast. I know they get paid big bucks, but I wouldn't want to take the risk. Do you think it is strictly money motivated?

 

[Pin Wizard]

Maybe they're the ones with the dare devil personality. I know of someone going over there to work for a year. But I don't know him personally. Just heard about it through a friend. My friend is a dare devil!

 

[dumboiu]

Originally posted by kpgclark
I just don't know why people risk their lives to work in the Middle East. I would be out of there soooooo fast. I know they get paid big bucks, but I wouldn't want to take the risk. Do you think it is strictly money motivated?

I think it is not anyone's business except that of the person choosing to work there! Why are you judging others?????

 

[Saffron]

No, I don't think it's strictly money motivated. I think lots of people work in the Middle East for humanitarian reasons or journalistic reasons etc. I know I'm not brave enough to do it, hat's for sure. I'm not even brave enough to travel anywhere outside of the US and Caribbean Islands though. And even here or there could be dangerous at any given time.

 

[Pooh Girl 71]

omg she just asked a question. I don't see her judging anyone!

I think money can be a very big motivator for many people. That guy that was held hostage (can't remember his name, but he did get away ok) was only making like $20,000 and the job in Iraq paif $100,000 tax free. Plus he needed money for his wife's surgery/illness. I would never do it. Money isn't that important to me.

 

[bumcat]

A coworkers husband works in the middle east. She will tell you right out he does it for the money. Geez it's just a question no one has to answer if they don't want to.
My husband thought about it once in the mid 80's when jobs were scarce here but we both decided no way could we be apart for so long.

 

[tiggersmom2]

I have a patient that is leaving for the middle east to work in about a month. He made no bones about letting everyone know he was doing it strictly for MONEY He said he will be making about 50,000 dollars every three months and he plans to stay as long as they will let him.

 

[Keli]

I think most people go for the money but then there is a group of folks that do it because they want every country to have the freedoms we have here in America (I'm not speaking of military personell). I know of a few that feel like they are doing their part to help the people in Middle Eastern countries get and keep those freedoms. And then a few of them work in the middle east, in the oil industry, to help supply our country with the fuel on which our economy depends. Some feel that if all the Americans pull out of Saudia Arabia that fuel availability would be cut, prices would soar and our economy would take a dive. I don't know if they are right or not (but I suspect they are).

 

[OhMari]

Wow, I cannot believe this thread came up.

Did anyone listen to public radio last Sunday. A lady reporter spent the end of March, beginning of April in Iraq. She interviewed many U.S. people working in Iraq. Many are working for security firms for the government.

One Lady was interviewed. She is a divorced mom with one 11 year old child. She was job searching after her divorce with minimum wage jobs. She finally found a job in Lousianna at the international airport. She said one day the airport announced they were looking for security people for the airport in Iraq. She took the job and her husband has temporary custody of her son. But she says she made more money in one month in Iraq than she ever earned in one year. But she lives in the airport and never ventures out. She started out as security luggage inspector and now she made her way up to HR in charge of luggage security personnel. She will be there a year in October and she wants to sign on another year. She figures she will be able to almost retire when she comes back home.

Money motivated-um ya.

I know two sheriffs, one is my from my own county I live in, has signed on for 1 year. The other is a retired police captain-he was also quoted as saying (he couldn't pass up the pay.) I never knew what they were talking about until I heard this report last Sunday. Both are going to work for private security firms, hired by the government of USA and Iraq.

 

[kpgclark]

I just don't understand how someone could leave their child for money. If you asked her son whether he'd rather have mommy around or have a Nintendo, I can guarantee he'd say mommy. That is really sad.

 

[Aurora63]

Not all of the Middle East is an awful place to work or live.

Iraq, at the time, yes, is dangerous. But try a place like Kuwait or some of the cities in the UAE (United Arab Emirates) like Dubai or Abu Dhabi. Beautiful and safe.

Lets not pidgeonhole the whole reigon.

 

[MeanLaureen]

Originally posted by dumboiu
I think it is not anyone's business except that of the person choosing to work there! Why are you judging others?????

In the immortal words of Sgt. Hulka - Lighten up Francis!!

She's not judging, just wondering why people are motivated to work in dangerous areas of the world. All she said was that she couldn't do it.

 

[gina2000]

I've always wanted to work and travel in the Middle East. I find the culture fascinating. Now, it will probably never be a reality for me.

 

[TinkBoo&ElliesMum]

My BIL is going back to work in Morrocco - not the Middle East, but Northern Africa can have it's moments too.

Honestly he's going back because he can't get a job at home. He's been going on interviews for the last 6 months and can't get anything. He did his internship in Morrocco - arrived in Cassablanca two days before the bombings, which he felt and saw from his apartment. He's certainly not going for the money, he'll barely make enough to get by, but a job is a job and he needs one.

 

[BriarfoxinWA]

My DH considered going. A firm was looking for truck drivers to transport from Iraq to Afganistan. Pay was over $300,000 for a years worth of work. I talked him out of it - would be different if our kids were grown. He wanted to do it as much for the "adventure" as for the $$. They provide security & possibly military escort - but the drivers have to provide whatever weapon they want to carry themselves

 

[dmadman43]

Why does anyone work? I mean, really? Would you do what you do for free? If you could make more doing what you like to to and can make it work, wouldn't you do it?

 

[kpgclark]

Not if my life would be in danger.

 

[mkcp91]

Originally posted by dmadman43
Why does anyone work? I mean, really? Would you do what you do for free? If you could make more doing what you like to to and can make it work, wouldn't you do it?

I work for free! I was offered a salary and I turned it down. I would guess I'm the exception here - it's totally not about the money for me.

I'm the director of children's ministries at my church and I love what I do. It is the most fulfilling work I've ever done! My current position was previously a full-time (paid) staff position; I put in an average of 30 hours per week. I left a high paying flex time engineering job (which I also loved!) to do this. I don't need the money and I would rather see the money that would have been my salary go to teach children about God's love.

Sorry to hijack the thread - I realize that not everyone has this option, but I just wanted to point out that money doesn't have to be the only motivation for working.

~Heather

 

[jennyanydots]

I guess it's a question of weighing the risks against the rewards. why do people join the military? Or the police force? I suppose working in dangerous parts of the world comes into the same category.

 

[olena]

My BIL doesn't have a choice. He's an electrical engineer and his company sends most of their employees to Saudi Arabia on occasion. When he goes, we all hold our breath and pray for his safe return.