How safe is to work in Iraq, Basra?
Aug 29th 2017, 6:18 am
#136
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Re: How safe is to work in Iraq, Basra?
Same question here, I recently signed with one of the contractors in Rumaila, and I was wondering about details about how my first landing and transfer to Rumaila will be. I'll really appreciate some details about things to happen after I will collect my luggage and enter Iraqi side of the airport. Anyone? Thanks!
Aug 29th 2017, 8:09 am
#137
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Re: How safe is to work in Iraq, Basra?
If the Company that you are going to work for has not covered all this in the offer letter /Orientation then I would seriously consider if they are a professional outfit!! All this should be explained prior to travel and would be in an orientation by any reputable company!!
Have you asked these questions of the HR department or whoever signed off on your offer???
Have you asked these questions of the HR department or whoever signed off on your offer???
Aug 29th 2017, 9:18 am
#138
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Re: How safe is to work in Iraq, Basra?
If the Company that you are going to work for has not covered all this in the offer letter /Orientation then I would seriously consider if they are a professional outfit!! All this should be explained prior to travel and would be in an orientation by any reputable company!!
Have you asked these questions of the HR department or whoever signed off on your offer???
Have you asked these questions of the HR department or whoever signed off on your offer???
. The contractor is a huge one, topping the list of the contractors here in GCC, and it is actually a british contractor... so they are a professional outfit... but I really do think that they have some issues at the communication level. Anyway, I'll try to sort out this matter to the finest detail, so every detail counts.
Aug 29th 2017, 9:58 am
#139
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Re: How safe is to work in Iraq, Basra?
Thanks for the answer . The contractor is a huge one, topping the list of the contractors here in GCC, and it is actually a british contractor... so they are a professional outfit... but I really do think that they have some issues at the communication level. Anyway, I'll try to sort out this matter to the finest detail, so every detail counts.
. The contractor is a huge one, topping the list of the contractors here in GCC, and it is actually a british contractor... so they are a professional outfit... but I really do think that they have some issues at the communication level. Anyway, I'll try to sort out this matter to the finest detail, so every detail counts.I would get on to the HR Dept and ask them to sort it out and get you the info, this should be part and parcel of any new starters going out there. If they are the size you say then that should not be a problem maybe as you say a communication error!!
Aug 29th 2017, 10:32 am
#140
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Re: How safe is to work in Iraq, Basra?
You are perfectly right... I will go visit them next week...
Oct 6th 2017, 8:08 am
#141
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Re: How safe is to work in Iraq, Basra?
... and another question... how much time it takes for the Iraqi work visa to be issued? I know that in theory it will take about 4 weeks, but I am looking for your personal experience. Thanks!
Oct 6th 2017, 2:12 pm
#142
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Re: How safe is to work in Iraq, Basra?
If I was you I would be seriously worried if there was a job or not as it seems to have been an awful long time and you have not even started yet!!!!!!
Oct 7th 2017, 1:14 am
#143
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Re: How safe is to work in Iraq, Basra?
Standard practise in those areas is that someone should pick this person up at the airport and drive them to wherever the compound is. Should not be a problem for HR to confirm that as HR staff do travel regularly to sites and would know. I do know people who occasionally wave that off and chance taxis but under no circumstances would I advise OP to do that without knowing the lay of the land and using a driver you know (not random cabbie).
Though I have never been to Basra specifically, the ride to and from the airport (generically in conflict zones) is one of the most dangerous parts of being in a conflict zone because quite often there are only limited routes to get there, thus creating a bottleneck. Someone wanting to pick off a foreigner can just plant themselves at one or two locations and eventually get someone.
I do prefer to ride around in a local-looking unmarked vehicle (the more Soviet it looks or is, the better, like a Lada or a Volga) as anyone targeting a foreigner is going to look for the fancy-looking SUV that says "UN" on the side, or some other Western organisation (though, again, don't do that until you know the lay of the land). When I stutter by in my Lada by the time they realise it's a foreigner I'm long gone.
Follow security rules stringently, don't make yourself low-hanging fruit and everything will probably be fine.
Oct 7th 2017, 5:05 am
#144
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Re: How safe is to work in Iraq, Basra?
I work extensively in conflict zones.
Standard practise in those areas is that someone should pick this person up at the airport and drive them to wherever the compound is. Should not be a problem for HR to confirm that as HR staff do travel regularly to sites and would know. I do know people who occasionally wave that off and chance taxis but under no circumstances would I advise OP to do that without knowing the lay of the land and using a driver you know (not random cabbie).
Though I have never been to Basra specifically, the ride to and from the airport (generically in conflict zones) is one of the most dangerous parts of being in a conflict zone because quite often there are only limited routes to get there, thus creating a bottleneck. Someone wanting to pick off a foreigner can just plant themselves at one or two locations and eventually get someone.
I do prefer to ride around in a local-looking unmarked vehicle (the more Soviet it looks or is, the better, like a Lada or a Volga) as anyone targeting a foreigner is going to look for the fancy-looking SUV that says "UN" on the side, or some other Western organisation (though, again, don't do that until you know the lay of the land). When I stutter by in my Lada by the time they realise it's a foreigner I'm long gone.
Follow security rules stringently, don't make yourself low-hanging fruit and everything will probably be fine.
Standard practise in those areas is that someone should pick this person up at the airport and drive them to wherever the compound is. Should not be a problem for HR to confirm that as HR staff do travel regularly to sites and would know. I do know people who occasionally wave that off and chance taxis but under no circumstances would I advise OP to do that without knowing the lay of the land and using a driver you know (not random cabbie).
Though I have never been to Basra specifically, the ride to and from the airport (generically in conflict zones) is one of the most dangerous parts of being in a conflict zone because quite often there are only limited routes to get there, thus creating a bottleneck. Someone wanting to pick off a foreigner can just plant themselves at one or two locations and eventually get someone.
I do prefer to ride around in a local-looking unmarked vehicle (the more Soviet it looks or is, the better, like a Lada or a Volga) as anyone targeting a foreigner is going to look for the fancy-looking SUV that says "UN" on the side, or some other Western organisation (though, again, don't do that until you know the lay of the land). When I stutter by in my Lada by the time they realise it's a foreigner I'm long gone.
Follow security rules stringently, don't make yourself low-hanging fruit and everything will probably be fine.
Getting Visa`s approved usually depends on how much Wasta (power) your local guy has, and especially in Basra, they will want some folding as well, so to give an exact time frame is nigh on impossible...never needed one myself as I work on Military contracts!
The above poster is quite correct in what he says, but I would restrict that to old hands and newbies should not be trying it at all!! Stick with your PSD team and follow all their directions to the letter...that is what they are there for!!
Oct 18th 2017, 4:48 am
#145
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Re: How safe is to work in Iraq, Basra?
As I have said in previous posts, all this should have been covered by your HR department in the initial Orientation, if it has not, or you did not ask the questions, I suggest that you revert to them.
Getting Visa`s approved usually depends on how much Wasta (power) your local guy has, and especially in Basra, they will want some folding as well, so to give an exact time frame is nigh on impossible...never needed one myself as I work on Military contracts!
The above poster is quite correct in what he says, but I would restrict that to old hands and newbies should not be trying it at all!! Stick with your PSD team and follow all their directions to the letter...that is what they are there for!!
Getting Visa`s approved usually depends on how much Wasta (power) your local guy has, and especially in Basra, they will want some folding as well, so to give an exact time frame is nigh on impossible...never needed one myself as I work on Military contracts!
The above poster is quite correct in what he says, but I would restrict that to old hands and newbies should not be trying it at all!! Stick with your PSD team and follow all their directions to the letter...that is what they are there for!!
Cabs in Basra?... No way
Last edited by JustMyself; Oct 18th 2017 at 4:52 am.
Sep 11th 2018, 8:10 am
#148
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Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 3
Re: How safe is to work in Iraq, Basra?
Hi
I realise this is an old thread,but I've just been offered a position in Basra with Kuwait energy.
how is safety there now,with all the civil unrest?
anyone know what Kuwait energy are like ? They are smaller operator unlike bp/shell etc....
thanks
I realise this is an old thread,but I've just been offered a position in Basra with Kuwait energy.
how is safety there now,with all the civil unrest?
anyone know what Kuwait energy are like ? They are smaller operator unlike bp/shell etc....
thanks
Nov 14th 2018, 2:06 pm
#149
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Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 1
Re: How safe is to work in Iraq, Basra?
Read in the British embassy website saying there's a Riot and curfew in Barsa.
Any idea what's the current situation?
I have been ask if I am keen to work with Kbr at Manjoon.
Thanks
Any idea what's the current situation?
I have been ask if I am keen to work with Kbr at Manjoon.
Thanks
Last edited by rogerp; Nov 14th 2018 at 2:08 pm.
