ADVICE REQUESTED ON JOB OFFER-1000 OR+ACCOM-JULY-AUG 2012 PERIOD

versace wrote:

Hi' everybody.
Sumitran your inputs are highly appreciated.

I have recently been offered a job in Muscat,plz advise as per details below:

Native-N India
Exp-7 years
Sector-Real estate-leasing/b.d.
Home earnings-75K-1 lac per month
Desig off-Manager

Base sal-1000 OMR
Accommodation by company
Other normal expat family benefits
Married with 2.5 year old kid
Scope for neg-Yes
Expenses/lifestyle-moderate

Kindly advise on foll:

Does accom imply utility cover too.What is lumpsum cost of elec+water+net+phone(daily 10 min to India)+cooking gas+sat tv

How much is cost for furnishing 1 bhk,what % of sal per month is normally claimed for such costs 1 time on moving?

Since driving license is hard to get what is advisable to ask at mgr level for commuting-comp paid car+fuel or loan types without interest?

My kid is gud for playschool,what shall be approx costs for initial 2 years in int school?

As widely seen what would you advise keeping in mind savings,to move single or with family for initial 6 months/year & what provisions are there for schooling offer if family joins later.

My calculations say as of current offer I shall be able to save not more than 400 OR If I pay for food+car+fuel+utilities+outing/entertainment/shpng+net+phone+school fee n transportation.Plz correct me with ur experiences.

Thx in advance

Hello versace,

Trust the following information and details are of help to you.

All the questions (Q) have been copied as is from your post. All the answers (A) are of course mine :

Q : Does accom imply utility cover too.

A : You must get it clarified by the company. Only they can tell as it varies from company to company.

Q : What is lumpsum cost of elec+water+net+phone(daily 10 min to India)+cooking gas+sat tv

A : Normal monthly usage of Electricity would cost approximately about  R.O. 15 - R.O. 20 per month in summer and in winters it would be about ½ that.

     Monthly water bill would come to about R.O. 8 – R.O. 10 per month.

    16GB download per month costs R.O. 14 (Nawras), while unlimited downloads cost R.O. 20 (Omantel).

    Approximate phone cost would come to around R.O. 8 – R.O. 10 per month. But other cost effective options are available too.

    The first cooking gas cylinder costs R.O. 30 for cylinder and R.O. 3 for every replenishment.

    It is better to bring your own Satellite TV Receiver from India and invest in a dish here for about R.O. 20 and renew your subscription online.

Q : How much is cost for furnishing 1 bhk,what % of sal per month is normally claimed for such costs 1 time on moving?

A : Cost of white goods (TV, Washing Machine, Cooking Range, Microwave Oven) would depend on varying specifications. Include furniture and you must easily set aside at least R.O.  1,500 minimum.

     I did not understand the second part of your question.

Q : Since drvng license is hard to get what is advisable to ask at mgr level for commuting-comp paid car+fuel or loan types without interest?

A : There’s nothing like being on your own. So if you don’t drive, you will always be dependent on someone else to drive you around. That is best avoided.

Q : My kid is gud for playschool,what shall be approx costs for initial 2 years in int school?

A : Each term would cost about R.O. 200 (registration fee + transport + miscellaneous). Monthly fee is about R.O. 35.

But if you’re talking of “International” school then just for your information here are the details of 2 :

(1)    The American International School of Muscat (TAISM) - Early Childhood Year 1 and Year 2 – R.O. 3,915

(2)    The American-British Academy (ABA), Muscat - Kindergarten 1 (3 years) – R.O. 3,975; Kindergarten 2 (4 years) – R.O. 4,800; Kindergarten 3 (5 years) – R.O. 5.265

Q : As widely seen what would you advise keeping in mind savings,to move single or with family for initial 6 months/year & what provisions are there for schooling offer if family joins later.

A : Better would be for you to come first and see for yourself if it’s all working out for you – the place, your job, office, colleagues, residence, neighbourhood etc. You will be in a better position to decide then whether or not you want to shift your family.

Q : My calculations say as of current offer I shall be able to save not more than 400 OR If I pay for food+car+fuel+utilities+outing/entertainment/shpng+net+phone+school fee n transportation.Plz correct me with ur experiences.

A : You may be right in your assumption, if you don’t invest in your child’s education in an International school !

Best of luck !

Thanks much for the reply.

The typical car rentals per month/half yearly basis for mi range cars I assume are 180-200 OR p.m.What is included in this-rent/petrol for x km/insurance/maintenance?

Int school costs seem beyond budget for early expats like me.What board is OR 35 one & it's acceptance in other countries?

I assume if I can negotiate utilities,kids education & car with fuel in package,it would justify the move keeping in mind2/3x multiplier theory via increased savings.
Expenses
Food-200
Personal-100

Savings-700

Ur comments!

BTW if my employer pays for my kid's education do they pay subsidized amount,looking a these humongous costs ~4k OR p.a. > expats package.

What is %cut involved in money transfer of my tax free salary to India?

Lastly in view of my prof background info provided + Asian base,how would u grade the offering vis-a-vis other similar offers to expats.Any other info/suggestion to my neg advantage is welcome.

hello everone..!!
  myself ahmed from chennai, INDIA. as i've completed my engineering(CIVIL) degree recently ive been offered a site engineering job in one of the reputed construction company.!!

dilemma is to whether go fr it or nt ??

i would be happy if anyone replies 2 my following questions :

1)wat r the actual working hours per day in oman ??

2)wat r d monthly expenses for fud alone(  non veg stuff 3 days and 4 days veg fud in a  week) ?

3)is 354 OR a fair sum for a single person if accomodation,transport, nd one tym food is provided ?

4) as i am a sports freak do i find any gud shutlle badminton courts fr a monthly memberships ?

dear SUMITRAN SIR. u r reply is awaited..!!

ahmedomani wrote:

hello everone..!!
  myself ahmed from chennai, INDIA. as i've completed my engineering(CIVIL) degree recently ive been offered a site engineering job in one of the reputed construction company.!!

dilemma is to whether go fr it or nt ??

i would be happy if anyone replies 2 my following questions :

1)wat r the actual working hours per day in oman ??

2)wat r d monthly expenses for fud alone(  non veg stuff 3 days and 4 days veg fud in a  week) ?

3)is 354 OR a fair sum for a single person if accomodation,transport, nd one tym food is provided ?

4) as i am a sports freak do i find any gud shutlle badminton courts fr a monthly memberships ?

dear SUMITRAN SIR. u r reply is awaited..!!

Hi Ahmed,

Here are some answers to your queries. Trust you’ll find them useful.

Work Timings for Private Sector

Work starts by 8:00 or 08:30 a.m.

Lunch break is 1 hour – either from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. or from 01:30 – 02:30 p.m. Some organisations even have a ½-hour lunch break and close earlier.

Work for the day ends by 5:30 or 6:00 p.m. depending on when work starts.

Work Timings for Ministries and other Government Sectors

Work starts at 7:30 a.m. and ends at 2:30 p.m. straight, with no lunch break.

Work Timings for Banks

Work starts at 7:45 a.m. and ends at 2:30 p.m. again without a lunch break.

Ramadhan timings for fasting Muslim employees in the private sector are from 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Banking Hours during Ramadhan month is from 9:00 a.m. - 01:00 p.m.

During Ramadhan month the daily work hours for fasting Muslims are reduced from 8 hours a day to 6 hours a day.

Weekends are on Thursday and Friday. But Banks are closed on Friday and Saturday.

The Oman Ministry of Manpower has declared that companies must not make its employees work for more than 45 hours / week. So companies make the most convenient daily timings usually decided in consultations with its employees.

For monthly food expenses see the post above.

R.O. 354 / month for a single person is good indeed – with all that you’ve mentioned being provided !

I’ve seen a lot of residents play Shuttle / Badminton outside their apartment buildings mostly in residential areas. For more formal arrangements you should contact the recreation clubs in hotels.

Best wishes !