Rise in cost of living taking toll on expatriates

Companies need to retain expatriate workers, readers say. Other topics: Shadi Ghanim's cartoon, Afghan boys, shopping malls

It’s important for companies to retain expatriate talent, readers say. Delores Johnson / The National
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Jennifer Bell's piece The expat dream turns sour (June 19) makes sad and salutary reading.

Expatriates are leaving the country in droves because either their jobs have disappeared or their salaries and conditions have been degraded.

This is a very short-sighted move by many companies as it will cost much more to re-recruit expatriate talent when the market hopefully begins to improve in the near future.

My family has been here for five years and we have seen the cost of living increase massively – rents, school fees, electricity, water and foodstuff – and no salary review to compensate. It’s no surprise that some very talented people are voting with their feet.

Donald Waight, Abu Dhabi

Expatriates pay more for their insurance and utilities. They will soon pay a tax on housing. In our organisation, we’ve had zero pay increases in the past five years, while the price of everything has gone up. We’ve had 23 days or so added to our school year for no useful reason.

So many of us travel halfway around the world to come here and teach and it seems like a slap in the face to have our family time taken with so little regard.

I love the UAE and its people, and my family and I have been enriched by living here. But it seems like all of the tax burden is put on the backs of expatriates.

We will ride it out a bit longer as I really love my job, but I do feel frustrated.

Name withheld by request

I feel bad for those who are losing their jobs.

Particularly Arabs who have lived here many years and whose countries are not stable. It’s true that many expatriates are leaving.

It will be interesting to see how the UAE fares when the workforce is gone.

Christina Murphy, Dubai

These immigrants are no different from the immigrants who are trying to enter the UK. Immigrants, no matter how educated and experienced in their home country, will always be at the bottom of the pile for UK employers. If an immigrant stays for five years and wants to become a national, he or she will have to pay the extortionate fees. Immigration itself is a huge business for the UK. So boohoo for the expatriates who complain.

Rabia Rana, Dubai

It is a fact that the cost of everything has increased, but our salaries haven’t, which means we are getting a reduced salary, although responsibilities have gone up.

Milena Migliori, Abu Dhabi

Moving cartoon on migrants

I follow your cartoons from faraway Scotland. The one showing a migrant with a child trying to avoid obstacles (June 17) is very moving.

Marjorie Mclay, Ireland

Dark chapter of the Afghan story

Regarding the article Taliban turn child sex slaves into Afghan police killers (June 20), it's unfortunate that young boys are becoming affiliated with the Taliban, but anyone indulging in a "bacha bazi" is a child rapist, an abductor and a sex trafficker. So they deserve whatever they get.

I hope these poor boys all have the courage to rise up and confront their rapists.

Ela Jayne, Australia

Are shopping malls boring?

Malls are boring with the same retailers and food franchises everywhere (The role of malls, June 19). And they are way too noisy with many shops playing a blasting and terrible so-called entertainment. I only go if I really need something from there.

Wiltrud Matthes, Dubai

Malls are a necessary evil – if you need to go to one for a social life then you need help.

Name withheld by request