How safe is to work in Iraq, Basra?
 

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

Re: How safe is to work in Iraq, Basra?
 

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.

Re: How safe is to work in Iraq, Basra?
 

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.

Re: How safe is to work in Iraq, Basra?
 

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.

Re: How safe is to work in Iraq, Basra?
 

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

Re: How safe is to work in Iraq, Basra?
 

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

Re: How safe is to work in Iraq, Basra?
 

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.

Re: How safe is to work in Iraq, Basra?
 

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.

Re: How safe is to work in Iraq, Basra?
 

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

Thanks for all your replies!:)

Re: How safe is to work in Iraq, Basra?
 

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

Re: How safe is to work in Iraq, Basra?
 

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

Re: How safe is to work in Iraq, Basra?
 

Kazakhstan is the future, Iraq is history.

Re: How safe is to work in Iraq, Basra?
 

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

Re: How safe is to work in Iraq, Basra?
 

Azerbaijan has been making money for a while.

Re: How safe is to work in Iraq, Basra?
 

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 .

Re: How safe is to work in Iraq, Basra?
 

You forgot one, NDIA only has 1 or has the other been built?

Re: How safe is to work in Iraq, Basra?
 

I don't know about that there was a $90Bn budget agreed in Basra for works a couple a month ago, it easily dwarfs the ADP budget in Astana or whatever other works they are trying to do for the expo.

Re: How safe is to work in Iraq, Basra?
 

One of the most complex specialised infrastructure works for you civil guys only :p

Re: How safe is to work in Iraq, Basra?
 

Oh yeah, people are flocking there.

Companies love building shit for it to get blown up.

Re: How safe is to work in Iraq, Basra?
 

It's not a popular spot that's for sure and it's off the radar for most companies with a western-centric point of view but my crowd are making some serious efforts to break back in there.
The big companies working there like locals, lebanese, turkish etc are out of our normal field of contact or competition and most likely anyone used to dealing with the main ME companies but for certain it's a much bigger market.

(Actually just looked up the budget it was 113bn of which 40% is investment in capital expenditure not shabby in anyone's terms really)

Re: How safe is to work in Iraq, Basra?
 

I think big western firms look at it as more trouble than it's worth?

Re: How safe is to work in Iraq, Basra?
 

Its a magnificently corrupt market so maybe that is the sticking point. One tender I carried out as a side job for a Dubai based consultancy included some kind of deal where a fake subcontract was set up basically to pay some guy in the ministry.

Re: How safe is to work in Iraq, Basra?
 

Probably less Somalis there than in London so your hubbys head may remain attached to his neck
They do some to like holy places and markets for trouble causing which if your husband isn't into frequenting then his odds of coming back would surely be improved ?
My last but one mob had a presence in Rumaila and the guys had no dramas at all. In fact they all wanted more of it as the uplift was so good.

I think these places are for the young and foolish or ruinously divorced.

Re: How safe is to work in Iraq, Basra?
 

:(:unsure:

Please guys, give some more details on security situation.

Re: How safe is to work in Iraq, Basra?
 

It's not very secure if you wander around the place, I expect.

It can be safe enough if the company have the right systems, procedures and people (+ equipment) then it should be safe enough.

I really think you should be getting him to ask the firm.

Re: How safe is to work in Iraq, Basra?
 

Absolutely ridiculous comment.

Re: How safe is to work in Iraq, Basra?
 

I work in Basra now. Ive been in Iraq for 3 years having spent time in the military when it was dangerous.

There is no longer a threat of camps getting rocketed or mortared. Incidents across the country are probably less than incidents across London per day.

Yes you read the papers and hear bombs go off, but they go off against Civilian and Government of Iraq Targets. We have seen maybe 6 incidents in the last 6 months, NONE of which killed any ex pats.

Your husband isn't going to be allowed to go "down town" he will get picked up from the International airport where Emirates/Turkish/Qatar airways all fly into (would they fly in if it was dangerous?) He will get picked up by a security team and taken to a secure camp that has guards and security. No camp has been attacked.

Iraq during 2006/2007 was crazy. Afghan is crazy. Basra is the jewel in the crown for Iraq, it is a hub of activity with International companies coming in daily. Hotels are being built, new roads, basra has a new football stadium being built for the Gulf Cup Nations tournament Jan next year. Basra Security forces want this place to remain safe. Because if anything targeted an International company they would just leave.

Is Iraq safe? not massively. Is Basra safe to work in ? YES. Because we don't put ourselves in situations that may be dangerous. We don't go out, drink,etc. Is London, New York etc Safe to work? muggings, stabbings, drunken idiots fighting, gangs........ If the security situation changed expats would be removed immediately. If your husband has the opportunity to do it and earn some money do it. It wont look bad on his CV, he will make contacts from around the world.

PM me for further info if you require any more advice.

Its definitely not the worst Country in the middle east

Re: How safe is to work in Iraq, Basra?
 

Its been a long time since I went out in any other city for a few drinks and considered that I was going to be stabbed, mugged or hit with mortar fire :D

But I agree with you in general, I was trying to explain earlier in the thread about how busy Basra was getting but its good to hear direct from someone there.

Re: How safe is to work in Iraq, Basra?
 

I want to go and work there now :-)

Re: How safe is to work in Iraq, Basra?
 

Don't get me wrong, as seen in Egypt things can change dramatically overnight. However if it did there would be measures put in place to get Expats out.

If your husband has been offered a job he will be looked after accordingly. Plus he will get a lovely tan ;)

Re: How safe is to work in Iraq, Basra?
 

Me having a husband would involve a major lifestyle change

Re: How safe is to work in Iraq, Basra?
 

haha obviously not you but the young lady who started the thread!! but each to their own!

Re: How safe is to work in Iraq, Basra?
 

The N.D.I.A has had the new runway down for over 18 months . The exsisting airport the D.I.A has the ongoing facility .

N.D.I.A due to open anytime in the next 20 years ;)

Re: How safe is to work in Iraq, Basra?
 

I don't think you do. Asho7725 says they don't go out or drink. ;)

Re: How safe is to work in Iraq, Basra?
 

I wasn't sure if the western runway had been completed as the current interim aerodrome licence only covers the Eastern runway.

Re: How safe is to work in Iraq, Basra?
 

I worked in Basrah last year for 7 months. I wasn't in the city itself but just outside in the rumailah region which is about an hour outside

I work in O&G and security was top notch. We where transported everywhere in large convoys with very experienced ex military personnel. Body armours and helmets worn at all times outside the camp

I never once heard a rocket or mortar but we did get daily reports of bombings and problems on the roads. The main problem out there at the moment is kidnapping but with good security that should be an issue.

I left Iraq after 7 months not because of the security issue but because of the working enviroment. Corruption is massive over there and ive never ever came across so many difficulties and challenges. Ask your husband is it really worth it? My father just sent me an offer he received in Iraq and i told him straight up before looking at the package it isn't worth it.

Nigeria,Romania,Somalia etc ill do but Iraq again defo not!!

Re: How safe is to work in Iraq, Basra?
 

Have a read of my post again and then have a read of yours. I don't see a massive amount of difference bar the young, foolish or ruinously divorced and the fact you lack any sarcasm.

Now you may enjoy living your post squaddie existence and I am sure there are who many who adore the camaraderie, bunk beds, sharing communal showers, homo erotic fantasies of men confined in camps etc etc in some backwater toilet of the world but I suspect most people prefer to walk the streets safe at night, have a beer in a nice bar, enjoy spending time with one's partner and kids in the same country rather than on Skype etc. Now I guess you earn a good wedge and good luck to you so you must think its worth it.

So what was ridiculous ?

Re: How safe is to work in Iraq, Basra?
 

And I thought you were the type to try everything once...

Re: How safe is to work in Iraq, Basra?
 

You think Nigeria and Somalia are better option than Iraq?

Re: How safe is to work in Iraq, Basra?
 

The ridiculous comment was the young foolish or ruinously divorced. People aren't that young out here. ;)

But ill take the bait............... I do very much enjoy living my post squaddie "existence". The camaraderie is second to none, there are no bunk beds, we have en suite, and thoroughly enjoy the homo erotic fantasies of men in confined camps.
Yes most people would obviously prefer to walk the streets safe at night, have a nice beer in a bar, and obviously the kids and family thing Is a big issue.
However........... I get 4 months off a year. Where in civvy street can I get that? Normal people enjoy your beers in the bar, walking the streets at night but work a 9-5. Which for the majority of people I know means waking up at 6 getting a train to London coming home by 8 when the kids are already in bed then repeat til the weekend where they drink in the bars wishing for the 2 week holiday to spain to hurry up.

When I get home I get 1 whole month of quality time with no distractions, and can do everything I need to whilst safe in the knowledge I have a few extra quid in the bank to sit in a nice bar, buy nice things for the family.

Its each to their own. Do I want to work in sh1tholes for the rest of my life? of course not, however my post squaddie existence means I can exist, pay off my mortgage 15 years quicker than I would have and enjoy the finer things in life............. like 3 weeks in spain ;)