Hi,

I've been offered a QMS consultation project in Sharjah. The scope is:

Two locations - Head Office and factory
Total work force - 300
Have to do an on-site gap analyses
Advise management on implemeting ISO 9001:2000 requirements
Develop procedures including quality manual
Expected mandays - 15-20 (including on0site and off site work)

I've been doing this sort of work but this would be my first international assignment.

Any adivce/ideas on how much to charge the company?

Any adivce/ideas on how much to charge the company?

What's different? You say you've already been doing this kind of work - I can't see what has changed, except for the location.

I don't charge extra per day/different rate if I travel to the work, but I do bill for reimbursement of all reasonable expenses, which would include the costs for:
- travel to/from
- accommodation
- being away from home (food, incidentals, etc).

THere are various ways this is organised - some companies do all the travel/accommodation themselves (I'd stipulate minimum requirements if necessary), & reimburse claims for 'away from home'. Others are happy for you to organise it & claim it back. I would never travel first class on someone else's dollar without clearing it with them first (not on mine either, but that's another story!)

You could advise them of a daily allowance you expect - presumably the actual amount varies in different countries depending on the costs involved. Here (Australia) it would probably be between $70 - $ 100 per day on top of accommodation. It is based on what it will reasonably (ie, not top of the line but not down at the rockbottom either) cost for breakfast, lunch & dinner per day, + a little extra for incidental costs.

My rule of thumb is: I don't expect travelling to work for a client to result in my being out of pocket. But my billing rate usually remains the same, unless the hours increase dramatically.

I worked in Dubai a couple of years ago… and as I’ve heard now, the overall salary have been upgraded to cope out with the current cost of living there… although, there might be slight differences between Dubai and Sharjah (because of probably the difference in life style between the two cities) but anyway, the thing you must remember is, that the rate should be given to you, should be more than from where you came from (i.e. from Pakistan)…

The average consultation there in UAE is Dh10K per month… (I knew some are receiving as high as 15K to 20K per month, but probably for integrated management system)… anyway, 10K would be Dh333 per day or Dh41.6 per hour… + food allowance (usually 25% of the rate), housing and transportation allowances if they will not provide you…

…and one more thing, be sure also that they are covering an insurance for you…

(you could probably add some allowances for being homesick... he he he... just kidding) :rolleyes:

…good luck…

Looking at things from my side, there are 2 important issues to consider - do you need a work permit and what is the tax structure in the other country like?

If you come to my Country for this kind of short term engagement, there is a withholding tax of 40% on your fees and the work permit may not be easily obtained.

Thanx Joshua. I now have a fair idea. The insurance bit is improtant.

Home sick? this is an opportunity to breath a different air .... lol.

Your's is a tough place to work Harry.... 40% tax....? OMG

40%!?! :mg: you should demand more public services from your government… :rolleyes:

…anyway, Middle East countries have no tax (as far as I concerned)…

…now you’ll have an idea why there are so many professional and skilled workers are going here… ;)

...masmir, don't mention it... maasalam

Totally agreed :yes:

Withholding tax is not the actual tax but as the name suggest, a certain amount is being with-hold pending clearing of proper documentations. Many countries have this practice (especially Commonwealth Countries). Many people are ignorant of it and I know of people who moved in and out for years without problems but once you are caught, there'll be hassles (imagine landing up on the wrong side of the law in a foreign country where you may not have any contacts.

Yeah you said it:agree1:. Knowing the local legislative/taxation requirements can save a lot of problems at a later stage.

Looking at things from my side, there are 2 important issues to consider - do you need a work permit and what is the tax structure in the other country like?

If you come to my Country for this kind of short term engagement, there is a withholding tax of 40% on your fees and the work permit may not be easily obtained.

Yikes - 40%! I had no idea. That would make a difference!

Yikes - 40%! I had no idea. That would make a difference!
A big difference, I’m sure…

…anyway, Middle East countries don’t want complications on their cultural system… that’s include taxation… :rolleyes:

…I met so many Americans, Europeans, English guys (etc.) here… and they’re really literally telling me that this place is paradise compare from where they came from… :cool:

What would I charge if I work in the field of quality in Dubai or Sharjah? or maybe Qatar?
Can anyone comment ?:thanks:

…honestly? :cool: depends on your nationality… really!!!

…if you belong to the countries considered supreme from the Middle East countries, you’ll have 3 to 4x more salary than those guys came from poor countries…

…even higher than the Middle East inhabitants themselves… :o

This is exactly what I have noticed, because I heard they are paying like 5k to 6 k per month. :confused:

:( ...as one of my American friend said…“That’s life dudes…” :)