I had applied for an IT job in Afghanistan. It is below my level, but everything is better then having little to do. It looked promising and I thought we came to an agreement.
Questionable was however that the contract was running over Dubai. So no social security at all. In Dubai you do not pay any tax. To be clear this is a Dutch company that does business in this way. First I should have a training in Holland and after three weeks leave for Afghanistan.
They would sent me the contract and then on Thursday I would sign in the Dutch office the contract. I was told that the contract had to be signed by manager in Dubai. Thursday morning no contract however but I still should come to the office.
In the office was the contract not signed by the manager yet and names in the contract were still wrong. They went quickly over all the articles and not they did not give me the chance to read the contract.
They promised that Saturday I would receive the contract by post. You understand of course already that no contract was received.
At last on Monday after intervention of the between person they quickly sent me the contract by email.
If you read this contract, the company must not have a high opinion of me and must think I am stupid or must be desperate.
Amount agreed on was different than shown in the office.
The amount is in dollars and we agreed in Euros. They want me to be left with exchange risk.
It would be a contract for a year. I suddenly get a contract as an independent contractor and not as employee. And they can cancel by month. I have no problem working as independent contractor but then the amount has to be minimal doubled. For I have to pay taxes.
No mention in contract about free lodging. (Housing, food and drinks).
Working hours not specified. Nowhere is specified or mentioned the three months on and 6 weeks off. So they can let me work 365 days without a day off. Yes on request half a day on Sunday.
I can not take any legal action for they exclude that in the contract.
In case of death or disability they do nothing. They are not responsible.
Dubai law for this contract.
What was mentioned:
I am not allowed for any of their business partners for 3 years. Better said I can not work for 50% of Dutch companies.
They pay the ticket 2e class from home to Kabul
On internet I found information of this company. It was a good international company.
I am sorry, but for me this is not a good company. It leaves its employees and contractors in the cold. They must think I am stupid. You really must be desperate to sign this kind of contract. Probably they can get away with people in Afghanistan or Pakistan, but not with people in Europe.
I am astonished that the government even gives contracts to Dutch companies that work in this way. In the end if something happens the Dutch tax payer will pay for it in one or the other way.
The name of the company I have left out of the story. If somebody has questions because he is in a kind of situation like this he or she can always contact me by email.