The following opportunity in Kuwait carries these benefits and salary. Since I don't know the baseline to compare with, I am looking to know if the package is considered decent for the position. Any pointers?

Position - Asst Prof at an Univ.
Starting salary - 1800 dinars (negotiable) / month
60 day leave
Paid school fee for upto 2 kids
Annual air tickets for a family of 4
Life insurance for the employee
Medical insurance for a family of 4
Salary includes housing (what does that mean?)
First month housing and transportation paid by employer.

Thanks.

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Dimple2001

It means you have to arrange for your own housing from the 1800 you get. Additional housing allowance is not included. A decent furnished accommodation will cost you 400-1000 KD, based on how far you are from Kuwait City.

A decent non-furnished accomodation will cost you around 250-750, also depending on how far you are from the city.

The above info is as per 2006.

You may want to google the website / forum, "Indians in Kuwait" for more info. Another interesting blog for Kuwait is 248am.com

The package is decent, but that is a very relative term.

Good luck.

Thanks musketeer. Is there income tax on the wages or is Kuwait one of the tax free countries?

The Univ is located in Al Ahmadi, per google, 30 kms south of the center of Kuwait city and about 25 kms east of the international airport. So, is this location still considered within Kuwait city or am I screwing up the understanding of Kuwait's geography?

Also, a lot of industry based positions (ex: Proj Mgr) appear to pay anywhere between 700 and 1300 KD with similar benefits. I guess what I am trying to understand is if this is an offer to look at deeper for a 14 year experienced engineering (non-IT) professional.

Thanks again.

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Dimple2001

Sorry, I replied under musketeer previously which is my dormant username...this is actually G13.

No, there are no taxes on income in Kuwait.

Ahmadi is far away from the city (considering the size of Kuwait) and is one of the cheaper places to live (in terms of rent).

IMO, 1800 is not a reasonable compensation for a 14 years experienced engineering professional, but yes, you will find engineers working for less than this amount in Middle East .

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Ahmedi is Oil suburb ( headqarter ) of KOC. yes, offer is decent with all the perks like free medical, no income tax, anual leave with paid travel etc. in my filed , a engineer will get 1800 KD + free Housing + free children education. ( with 15 years experience) so, if if everything is paid & all cheap petrol etc. ( 5-7 liters per dollars), person is able to save 1000 KD per month or so. Ask the employer to give you free housing ( furnished ) . You may go for this offer.

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Driller the thriller

G13 and desi_driller - Thanks for your feedback.

I just realized, after researching further, they were offering the lowest rank in the faculty grade and figured it is not worth it. No wonder the salary felt low. No use starting at the bottom after 14 years.

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Dimple2001

Dimple,
As you see interested even in low salary(Gulf) offers, it looks like you are impressed with Gulf salaries and benefits.
If you want a job in the Gulf, then you may try to see the job postings at Oil companies in Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Abu Dhabi.
If, by the grace of God, you can get an employment in any of the Oil companies, it is like a dream come true. COmpensation would be very good and besides life will be much easier in the desert countries. No one expects you to work hard in these countries.
All the best in your search and possible relocation.
Peace

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