Ena

Hi to all!

My husband has an offer to work in Iraq, in Basra region, for a big international construction company.
I am so worried, so please, please, share some info on how safe is to work there?
Thanks

Millhouse

I've not been to Basra, but I have been to almost every conceivable war zone in the region and my take on it is that it's never as bad as the media make it out to be, or what you imagine it to me.

weasel decentral

I have been to a few war zones and I have some friends in Basra at the moment. But I would have to say Basra is on the lively end of the scale, its not like Syria but its certainly more dangerous than just about any other ME location right now.

Mogs

As he is working for a big international construction company, you can probably gain some comfort in the knowledge that they will a provide a safe working environment (as far as possible). I would imagine 24 hour armed security protection, etc.

Large international companies have a reputation to maintain and typically they will do their utmost to protect their employees from any danger.

From my limited experience of working in less hospitable places (not any active war zones), the most dangerous part of the time spent is the travel between airport and worksite/accommodation.

scrubbedexpat141

The only concern he should have is how it will affect his CV. Most people last a year there, get paid lots of cash and then struggle.

Especially if he goes to work for a big American firm or USACE

Ena

I am not sure that I understand what do you mean by 'it will affect his CV'?

scrubbedexpat141

Personally (note), I struggle to get anywhere with a CV from one of the big American firms after someone has lasted 12 months in Iraq. All they do is chuck up concrete or lay runways.

If your chap is into the O&G stuff then it's completely different.

weasel decentral

Things have changed a lot in Iraq this year, especially in some of the city governates. They have split up areas to invest in for schools, hospitals and a lot of more commercial works.
They now have some huge budgets and its not being spent through the usual American companies, all open tender stuff. Expect to see a lot of activity soon.

Ena

No, it's not American company, it's an international - middle east division.

Thanks for all your replies!

scrubbedexpat141

Oh, I must have missed the announcement of the high end resi towers and Hiltons and big commercial developments that are being built...

weasel decentral

Its because you lot are too busy trying to recruit for my lovely project in Kazakhstan, you have forgotten about Iraq.

scrubbedexpat141

Kazakhstan is the future, Iraq is history.

Meow

I thought Azerbaijan was the future? Or part of it.

scrubbedexpat141

Azerbaijan has been making money for a while.

co durham boy

Laying runways is one of the most complex specialised infrastructure projects a firm can take on .

Ive done 4 , Hong Kong , Dubai , T5 and the N.D.I.A .