nikhil2012

I have been offered the following package for a FMCG company based in Abu Dhabi.

Total package is for 28000AED per month. ( This includes housing, utilities & car allowance)

Education is covered 80% by the company. ( I have three kids but only 2 will be going to school)

Medical and Dental is 100%

Vacation is 25 days

Moving allowance is 18000AED (one time)

tickets back to Canada for the entire family once a year

End of employment benefits - 21 days per year

I am married and have three kids (7, 6 and 1) and needed some advise if this was a good package to consider for Abu Dhabi. I have over 10 years of experience in Supply Chain and it is a Manager position I have been offered.

Oyibopeppeh

I wouldn't even get out of bed for that kind of offer

nikhil2012

Wow...the company made it sound like it was a great offer. What would be a good offer according to you and how much do you think will be monthly expenses for someone like me with 3 kids in Abu Dhabi. Thanks for your help.

Oyibopeppeh

Put it this way...140,000 will get you a smallish 4 bedroom villa/townhouse. That's half your salary gone instantly. Then utilities on top.

Education for your older kids 40,000 PA plus uniforms and all the trappings. So you need to find a minimum of 14,000.

1 car minimum 2,500 per month....and that's just for the lease charges.

It doesn't add up, does it?

nikhil2012

What would be a good salary that I should be negotiating for this position? I need to call them back tomorrow.

Oyibopeppeh

I have no idea of the salary level for your job....but 28K with 10 years experience sounds reasonable.

At least the least you should ask for a housing allowance separate from the salary, I'd go for at least 150K.

Medical and Dental is 100% (medical insurance is a legal requirement)

Vacation is 25 days (about normal, make sure it's working days and doesn't include weekends)

Moving allowance is 18000AED (one time) (that won't even get you a 20ft container from Canada)

tickets back to Canada for the entire family once a year (normal)

End of employment benefits - 21 days per year (End of service gratuity is a legal requirement)

nikhil2012

Thanks. I will try to negotiate a better package. How much room is there for negotiations when it comes to the overall package in UAE. I would be asking for 40000+ package inclusive of housing which is much higher than what they are offering at the moment. The education allowance is 80%....hoping that should be fine if I can get them to give me 40000+AED per month. I will ask for a higher moving allowance. Anything else???

britexpat76

To give you an idea, When I lived there I had an apartment, Car meds etc all paid for and an 18000 AED per month salary with bonus. As a single guy I saved nothing...
There is a post on this forum titles cost of living in UAE. It is out of date now but gives you a good understanding of costs.

Miss Clinique

Sorry to steal your thread. Would a salary of $150,000 US per annum be a good salary? What sort of life style could a couple expect with that salary.

weasel decentral

per week it would just be about enough to live above the breadline, new car only every second year. As a recruiter you ought to know this stuff

britexpat76

or after 1600 posts

Miss Clinique

Thanks for your reply.

Miss Clinique

Not sure I get your point.

SAMS

its not bad but its not that great, and Abu Dhabi the rental and availability of appointment's is an issue, I wish all the best

spartans53

To the original poster I work in SC and 28k all in is not good. The only good bit is the dental 100% included so you can get your teeth fixed. 150% of that would be OK and doulble would be a good package.

The killer wil be housing in AD, also schooling will add up.