Why do people work in the Middle East?

[The Mystery Machine]

1) I know people that HAVE TO go or lose their jobs.
2) Humanitarianism. Some folks like to go into devastation and rebuild.
3) Reporting. A great pull to witness and report the news.
4) That is where they can get a job. Times are pretty tough right now.
5) And of course, money.

Could I do it? I don't know but I would go if it was necessary. Yes it is putting yourself in harm's way but as another poster said it is about the same as joining a police, fire, CIA, security group.

Bottom line...someone HAS to do it.

 

[mtblujeans]

I have heard people in the construction business and health care professionals talk about working over there for the money. Because they don't pay taxes, it is considered a "quick income" for both of them. No one thinks danger will come their way!

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Well with one of the ds former classmates I would say it was definetely for the money, even though I didnt ask the dw personally. I took ds to their house for a b party. It was like a mansion compared to our little home. The kids had a play set probably bigger than mickey d's. I asked the mom, oh is that your sister over there, she said, oh no, thats my kids nanny. O.K. The mom definetely didnt look happy. They only allowed her dh to come home for like about 3 months. I think he works for an oil related employer. But I can see the money is definetely not buying her happiness, just lots of "things" and poor kids who barely know their dad. I am sure he wouldnt have trouble finding a job in the states and I am definetely sure they would not be hurting financially for a long time to come.

 

[minniepumpernickel]

I wouldn't work there either. I was once offered a job with Greenpeace that payed quite a lot, and offered free housing. I don't believe in their methods enough, to subject myself to abuse for their cause.

 

[N.Bailey]

Originally posted by 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.

It is sad, but I bet she's looking at it like, if I work here for 2 years, then I'll be able to spend all my time with my son once I get back home. He's also with his Daddy, so I'm sure he's in good hands.

Could I do it? Probably not, but I certainly can see the benefit of it all to this mother.

 

[DukeStreetKing]

Originally posted by 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.

Perhaps, but when mommy returns and is able to provide a much better living situation for herself and her son, the longing for mommy will have disappeared. Sometimes in life, we have to make difficult decisions where are families are concerned. Not everyone has to agree with these decisions, and in fact, it's really nobody elses business.

 

[OhMari]

I posted a ways back about Public radio doing an interview.

The lady interviewer also interviewed electricians, trying to put together the electrical system in Iraq. The said the Iraq government literally have been putting together their electrical system with duct tape the last 20 years. She said many of these men will be making a ton of money, but they knew there life was in danger getting to these electrical plants. That was the danger. I guess these electrical plants are just unreal. These men also said they have been fired upon numerous times going to these electrical plants. It was almost a daily occurence.

It was reported that many Americans in the last month, started to boycott or not leave the green areas to go to there jobs, cause it is getting more and more dangerous.

This Monday morning, June 14, they are reporting 5 construction workers going to an electrical plant were blown up with a bomb as they passed thru a green zone which is suppose to be the safest zone.

Sorry for posting such a long post. It is just becoming so unreal.

 

[vernon]

IMHO there are two issues here ( both have been touched on)

1) Is about going to work in a war zone. which Iraq certainly is and Saudi is rapidly approaching for Westerners.

I think the answer for most people is $$$$, for some it's $$$ and a little bit of the thrill, a small minority it's about "doing good" and for a smaller minority of nutters it's purely the thrill.

2) Working in the Middle East in general is a different case.

$$$ will be a large motivator for many of the people working in the Middle East, but there will also be a large percentage who go there to experience a different lifestyle. I lived in Bahrain and Kuwait, I visited Saudi, The UAE, Qatar and Omen many times. The culture is interesting, the people mostly friendly, the pay is good and the benefits excellent. I feel I learned a lot about the world and the way it works. Far more than if I'd stayed at home in England. Even when the Iran/Iraq war kicked off in a major fashion I was only a couple of hundred miles or so from the action. When you're "in the area" your appreciation and understanding of the danger levels is different than if you're viewing the news from the other side of the world. Afterall if you just went by the newspapers NO ONE would have visited New York city 10-15 years ago. Saudi was considered a relatively safe place in which to work, even if the regime and some of the people have little time for the West. Many of the people in Saudi will have already been working there on exisiting contracts. It's likely a combination of that "local knowledge", wanting to see out their contract, $$$ and thinking it's going to be hard to get a job back in the US would account for their reluctance to leave.

There are plenty of dangerous jobs that people get well paid to do, I don't think it odd that there are deep sea fishermen, police, firemen (particularly those lunatics that jump into forest fires) etc etc. I agree with a previous comment it's about risk and reward. For some people the opportunity to set themselves up for life with a couple of years work is a worthwhile risk.