Hi,
I am Salil, Indian National, working here in Kuwait since last 13 years with US Army - 12 years for US Army and now working for a Private Company. I will provide you couple of information which is very helpful for you.
Kuwait is a peaceful country to live in. Its a small state, with Five Governorates, viz Fahaheel, Jahra, Farwaniya, Ahmadi & Hawally. Mixed nationalities are living here. Transport public Transport, KPTC, City Bus as well as KGL besides Call Taxi.
I am living in Abou Halifa, My Phone Number is 00965-66105874 Nearby Fahaheel. Brief about Kuwait Follows:
Living in Kuwait:
Kuwait is a tiny country. It is so small that driving for two hours in any direction from the center of the city puts you in another country. There are 2.5 million people in Kuwait and only 1 million of them are Kuwaitis. The remainder are imported labor, just as you will be if you choose to work there. Most of the laborers brought into Kuwait, except for female house servants, are males from Egypt, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and the Philippines. One of the most serious and pressing public policy issues in Kuwait (and Saudi Arabia, where similar conditions exist) is the country's over dependence on foreign labor. Most Kuwaitis, especially if they have college degrees, hold out for government jobs, which are essentially lifetime appointments with generous retirement benefits. Very few opt to work in the private sector, where wages are depressed as a result of the importation of inexpensive labor.
Certain articles are proscribed within Kuwait, including pork and alcohol. And lest you think bringing in a bottle or two of spirits is inviting a jail term. if you are entering Kuwait for the first time, I would advise you not to attempt to bring any alcohol into the country. More pernicious than the banning of alcohol, however, is the censoring of books, magazines, and films. These are the least objectionable in terms of content to the censors. Love stories and anything remotely related to sex is heavily censored or banned. Same applies to videos, though the music market seems to be a little bit more open. Print material is also censored for both graphic and editorial content. Pictures of women in swimsuits and low cut blouses, for example, are routinely marked over with the censor's black marker, as are articles, quotes or comments deemed politically or religiously offensive.
So, what is there to do in Kuwait? There isn't much- Shopping is also a favorite activity of the Kuwaitis, though you probably won't be interested in traveling halfway around the world to blow your salary on consumer goods. But if you want it, they have it. There are several upscale shopping malls, and the Salmiya high street features such shops.
The Friday market is a huge weekly open air market that is always fun to visit if for no other reason than to take in the sights. You'll find almost everything imaginable on sale here, including livestock, Persian rugs, antiques, furniture, household items (such as laundry detergent, kitchen ware, and other daily necessities), clothing, and just plain old junk that someone carted out of their garage, storage shed, or basement.
Gold is also a big item in the Gulf and there is plenty to be had in Kuwait. Most of the jewelry is imported from India and given the cheaper labor costs there you probably do save a little on labor and spend a greater proportion on the gold itself.
Driving around in your car is another favorite pastime of the Kuwaitis, especially the young. If you're going to participate, a cell phone is de rigor.
Outside of restaurants and coffee shops, there are very few places for informal social gatherings. There are no bars, discos, or music clubs. Many of the large hotels attempt to fill this gap with seasonal events such as bazaars, or weekly musical performances by local musicians.
With no bars or restaurants available for socializing, many expats become part of social circles that hold weekly gatherings, the meetings rotating amongst a circle of friends. Salary and Cost of Living
There is no legal minimum wage in the private sector. An informal two-tiered labor market ensures high wages for Kuwaiti nationals, most of who are in government white collar or executive positions, while foreign workers, even those in skilled positions, receive substantially lower wages. Recently a visiting Bangladeshi Foreign Minister reported that the Bangladeshi domestic workers earn as little as 20 KD (1 KD = 140 IRS Approx.) per month. There is no legal minimum wage in the country. Non citizens do not receive the same social benefits as citizens and must pay fees for education and health care, which are provided free for all citizens. Private sector wages range from as much 2,500 to 3,000 dinars each month for top managers of large companies to between 200 to 300 dinars for other skilled professionals and no skilled workers. The public sector minimum wage provides a decent standard of living for a worker and family. Wages of unskilled workers in the private sector do not always provide a decent standard of living, with housemaids often making less than 40 dinars per month. To be eligible to sponsor family members for residency, government and private sector workers must receive a minimum wage of 400 dinars per month.
Employers often exploit workers' willingness to accept substandard conditions. Some foreign workers, especially unskilled or semiskilled South Asian workers, live and work much like indentured servants, are unaware of their legal rights, and generally lack the means to pursue a legal remedy. They frequently face contractual disputes and poor working conditions, and may face physical and sexual abuse. Most are in debt to their employers before they arrive in the country and have little choice but to accept the employer's conditions, even if they breach the contractual terms. It is not uncommon for wages to be withheld for a period of months, or to be decreased substantially. Many foreign workers are forced to live in "housing camps," which generally are overcrowded and lack adequate cooking and bathroom facilities. Workers are housed 10 or more to a room in squalid conditions, many without access to adequate running water. The workers are only allowed off the camp compound on company transport or by permission of the employer. Foreign workers' ability to change their employment is limited, and, in some cases, employers' possession of foreign workers' passports allows them to exercise control over such employees. Many foreign workers go heavily into debt and cannot afford to return home.
Cost of living
You can definitely sock away several thousand a year living prudently - not frugally. Cost of living is not unreasonable
Kuwait laws do not allow expatriates to buy house or other properties. Monthly rent for a single bed room flat with a hall and kitchen is about 100 to 150 KD depending on the locality. a two bed room flat with a hall and kitchen will be around 180 to 250 KD. There are many Indian families living in a shared apartment which means two families together will buy a two bedroom flat for rent. This is more economical expect for top managers and other such professionals. Bachelor can share a room/apartment with other 3-4 bachelors for a monthly rent of 25-35 KD per person. There are many Indian messes where bachelors can stay with food for a monthly rent of KD 35 - 50 with 2-3 people in a room. Usually for a single person the monthly food expense will come around 30 - 50 KD.
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Transporting
Most people have a car, especially women. However, to get a driving license the required minimum salary is KD 400. You can get a good second hand car for a cost of around 700 - 1000 KD. Most of the people depend entirely on public transport. However, buses don't run on schedule, and are used largely by the laboring class, workers from Egypt, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and India. Taxis get a bit expensive if you try to use them everyday. Minimum fare is 1kd. You can make arrangements with a private driver to take you to and from work on a daily basis for a flat fee of around 30KD a month (depend on the location and distance).
.For a single bachelor, in this current salary scenario, if you are getting a salary of around 200 KD, your monthly spending will be as follows:
Room rent: 35.000 (Sharing with other bachelors)
Food : 30.000 KD
Transport : 30.000 KD
Other expenses : 20.000 KD
Total : 115.000
Your savings : 85.000 KD = 12,000 IRS (Approx.)
If you are with your family, the minimum recommended salary range is 450 KD.
This is only a rough data and the exact expense is totally individual.
The New Traffic law governing the Points system in effect from 1st Nov 2001. There is now a specific number of points assigned for every traffic violation and upon reaching a certain amount of points action is taken against the violator. Below is a summary taken from the Official Gazette.
•14 points - withdrawal of driving permit for 1month for 1st time violators
•12 points – second time violation, 6months withdrawal of driving permit
•10 points – third time violation, 9months withdrawal of driving permit
•8 points – one year withdrawal of driving permit for 4the time violators
•6 points – permanent withdrawal of driving license for 5th time violators
The points will be automatically deleted under the following 2 conditions.
•upon withdrawal of a driving permit
•non-repetition of any other violation within a year of the last violation
Table of violations Points.
Crossing red traffic signal 4
Exceeding speed limit 4
Driving on opposite direction 3
Driving a permit not suitable for that category 3
Driving with a withdrawn or invalid driving permit 3
Reckless driving 4
Driving an unlicensed vehicle 3
Driving a vehicle without its number plate 3
Using private car for transportation 2
Intentionally obstructing traffic 2
Driving a vehicle without proper function of brakes 2
Violation loading regulations 1
Exceeding vehicle stipulated weight, width, and length 1
Non – adherence to traffic lines and sign 1
Wrong ‘U’ turns 1
Driving without the compulsory insurance document 1
Invalid car permit 1
Vehicle emitting smoke or bad odor 1
Please note traffic fines and detention has likewise increased: Violation Maximum Fine Maximum detention
Over speeding KD 100.000 3 months
Passing red signal KD 300.000 3 months
Driving under effect of alcohol KD 500.000 1 year plus withdrawal of license
Anything else you want to know please feel free to ask
Regards
Salil
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How to drive in Kuwait
Leisure activities in Kuwait
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Languages spoken in Kuwait
Find the best location to live in Kuwait
The healthcare system in Kuwait
Finding jobs in Kuwait
The Difference in Living Costs between Kuwait and the UK
