Salary Raise

With the recent news on salary adjustment in NBB of 15% and ABC's matching 1% increase, now we all have a serious raise in our salary expectations!

The raise must have come from the pressure exertion by the voices of employees of NBB (Bravo if so); otherwise if it was the bankers' union, we would all be happy with a raise (whatever the percentage really, you can't complain). Will all banks or companies go under pressure for adjustments too?

Should our organisations really be affected by whatever pressure to make any adjustement if not equivalent? Personally, I would love for an adjustment to be made (who wouldn't?) but if I was the CEO, I think I might be tempted to resist raising any expectations within my organisation in the very short run. However, that's a very political situation for a decision maker; "Should I or should I not?", "What if I do, and what if I don't?". It would be an interesting period ahead of us I must say.

How would any organisation play this given the expected 9% GOSI deduction within the next 2 years, unpredictable stability in the region, inflation (Aaaahh, our new age sorrow) and the general workers' mood in this country? I think while the cries of the worker class seems to get louder, the situation may only server a tiny proportion of that class. To the rest of us, god bless us!

Bahrain is swelling

You know things in the country are sort of itching everyone these days. In almost every conversation I hear someone complaining about prices and life in this place.

Let's go over some of the events:
The Universal Pain: Land prices have risen at least 400% in the last 3 - 4 years!! Figuratively, lands in A'ali jumped from around 3 BD to over 12 BD and sometimes 15BD or 16BD. The previous trend has completely transformed from people trying to get the enough 20K-25K loan to secure a land and make a living to a master plan of Housing Loan - hehehe coming shortly - preferably a 40K and then try in get another 15K or 20K to buy a descent 80X60 ft land. People are trying to make a life living in flats now. Were we really short of lands to allow foreign investment in our residential lands?

The Couples' Dream: A.K.A the famous housing loan. Aside from its previous problems like a long wait to get it (For those who got financed during the bull land phase, they were probably the biggest losers!). I personally applied for one but got rejected because the housing ministry have introduced a new rule by which one does not qualify for a property buying loan if one's salary - including the spouse - exceeds 1,200BD which as I have been told might still get even lower to 1,000BD. So those like me, I will have to finance my property by a mortgage loan. Lets say I will be needing 70K to 90K and scheduled over 20 to 25 years I'll have to pay a whooping 600BD in installments on monthly basis and total repayment of 110K!!!!!! Let's not forget schooling fees, other expenses!!!

Crazy Inflation: With 10,000 construction projects it's no wonder to see just iron prices hit from 1BD to 1.3BD in just a quarter! Iron rod prices where much lower 2 years ago. Materials have increased by at least 200% - 300% over the last 3 years too. I won't say much about other goods and services since the whole country is complaining about rice, fish and poultry. Let's not forget the poor sellers in the Central Market whom we see articles and interviews about once in a while (No air conditioning, low meat stock, not as much buyers)

Bloody Traffic: Has anyone noticed that the general mood for going out has completely changed? I remember people going out almost everyday for car cruises. Some just cruise around and some take their children for cruises. I, personally, hate this these days because the whole place is invested with 2 things; Cars and Traffic lights.

The Extra Terrestrial: This is shady! So you've heard of the minority societies introduced significantly in the country where their children have entered the education system and sooner or later all your sons and daughters will have to compete for jobs - inshallah when they graduate - and lands -if any remains till then - with them. People must have heard about the school bullying incidents in Riffa and Hamad Town.

This is what a descent income ranged individual is saying. I think the view is even different for those with low income.

I think I can go on mentioning more things but I hate politics and I'd rather leave the floor for those who know it better.

I'll be back with more pain, Asta Lavista

Playing with Great Whites

Out of the many shark species that dwell the waters, you would probably think -because of Jaws - that Great Whites are by far the most aggressive. Trust me they are, but I wouldn't say they're the most aggressive since bull sharks and tigers come into the competition.

There are cage dive trips for tourists in South Africa, Australia and the US which give those seeking a close and safe encounter with great white sharks one hell of an experience (I would certainly love to try it). The key word here is safe and behind a cage. Basically you know you can see the beast and not get hurt - unless you're stupid enough to leave a limb or an arm out -.

Guess what, some people go beyond cages. Actually no cages: http://fleander.blogspot.com/search/label/Mike%20Rutzen

Watch the video and smile.