I came to Dubai because of my dad’s invitation. I didn’t have any thoughts of working abroad during that time as I was really enjoying my community activities in Manila. But I trust my father, and took that invitation as an opportunity to help in the family finances SHOULD I find a good job.
But since it’s not in my heart, I didn’t have a plan. I didn’t even make an effort to research what Dubai looks like, its culture and the job opportunities. Sabi ko bahala na, I’ll give it TWO YEARS, then balik na ako Pinas.
In short, wala talaga akong pangarap mag-abroad.
My first three years were full of harrowing experiences at work. Coincidentally, that was the time of recession.
With fears of not getting any jobs during my 2-month visit visa period, I grabbed the first job offer that came, just nearly two weeks upon arriving in Dubai. It’s a web designer role. Jackpot I thought, but it turned out to be a horrible experience. Culture shock. One day, I found out that my boss locked me in a room in his home office. I called him fuming mad demanding that he open the door. I never returned the next day, not receiving my month’s pay. The rush of getting a job, without doing any background check, backfired on me.
I found another job not too long after. But 4 months into it, I was accused of stealing my own documents. I was fired.
After that, my uncle who just flew in to the city convinced me to join him and 2 friends to setup a web design business. It was exciting and overwhelming, but I ended up not having salary for SIX straight months. Not even a single dirham on my wallet. Good thing, my dad was there I have at least food every day. I had to leave that group to find a job.
Fighting for my rights
Luckily, I found one right away (this was the time I got into a relationship and eventually got married). It was a work-from-home setup fo a small web design company. I had a great experience while working until the salaries started to get delayed for a month, two months, and then THREE MONTHS. Three months. TWICE. I pleaded but it often fell on deaf ears. I sought for advice even up to the point of calling our then POLO-OWWA officials. They discouraged me to bring the case to higher authorities. They said, “Wala tayong magagawa dyan.” I did not take their NO as an answer. So I took the case to the Ministry of Labor by myself. The officer summoned my boss. But my boss did not show up. He instead agreed that we settle the issue off-court. Then he fired me. But he gave my 3 months salary + 3 months gratuity for termination without reason. He knew I would take the legal route if he won’t give my pay entitlements.
Then I found another job. It was with an online game startup. The salary delays happened again – three months also. Feels like my employer had no plans to pay. And the culture was very toxic. So I took the case again to the Ministry of Labor. The authority summoned my boss and he showed up. I thought I won’t win because they can talk in Arabic and I won’t understand at all. Appartently, the officer was able to convinced my boss to settle the dispute off-court. He paid me the 3 months due salary. Then he fired me, and gave me the gratuity.
Both employers fired me for asking what is due to me.
Can you imagine how patient I had been with those salary delays? And can you also imagine how heart-pounding it was to go against the owners of the companies to fight for my rights?
Unemployment
Seven months of unemployment happened next. During this time, from “walang pangarap” natuto akong mangarap. The question, “how do you see yourself 10 years for now,” sank in. I took it personally.
I did a couple of freelance website projects to keep a cash flow. That was also the time I started blogging – I thought it’s a good idea to write stories about the situations I had to go through.
I sent my CV to all design job openings out there, not only in Dubai but also in Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and Ajman. This was the time I almost got duped by a so-called agency who promised to get me a job in exchange for money.
This was the time when job hunting was at the most difficult because of the recession. It was not very convenient in Dubai then. Buses were few and weren’t efficient. Taxis were hard to find. No Uber, no Careem. There was no Dubai Metro yet.
In addition to a number of blogs, I created a good LinkedIn profile. And rightly so, I started to receive job inquiries from headhunters.
Emirates Airline found me on LinkedIn and invited me to a series of interviews for an e-Commerce role. I got the offer! AND I injured my toe in celebration – because why not, it’s EMIRATES. But five days before the agreed start date, they called to say it won’t push through because top management says so. Felt really bad about my fate (and my feet).
Those were the years I had to do multiple exits to Kish.
Seven months after the last job, and 3 years since coming to Dubai, I finally found a work that appears pretty decent compared to the previous ones I had. This one offered a better role and a good pay and my first ever residence visa. FIRST RESIDENCE VISA IN 3 YEARS.
Just as I got the visa stamped on my passport. Emirates came calling. It was from another department. With a difficult heart, I had to decline the offer to honor the newly given visa to me.
Nine months after, the same guy from Emirates called me again to check if I can at least grant him a meeting. We had a couple of meetings and I ended taking the offer. (No jumping celebration this time).
After three attempts by Emirates to get me, I found myself working in the airline as a Senior Software Engineer for four good years. Quite a dream job for me to work in an airline company.
I resigned from Emirates because a better opportunity came. A reputable digital agency found my profile (you guessed it right, on LinkedIn). And after just one meeting, they gave me “an offer I can’t resist.”
I worked for the company for over two years only until another global consulting agency came calling (also via LinkedIn).
The opportunity was great, not only with the compensation but with career growth as well. Fifteen years ago, I dreamed to work for this company and I never have imagined that it will happen. For over 2 years now, I’m enjoying every bit of my work as a Digital Transformation Consultant here.
You may have known me only as a blogger, but not too many of you know what I do for work. So this is my story.
Why am I sharing this?
I’ve recently met people who are just at the beginning of their career, and yet they seem lost and overwhelmed already.
In whatever we do, things may seem unfavorable. But recognize that you are always part of a process. Know that there is a thrilling journey ahead of you. You may get frustrated with the type of work you do, or probably with the salary. But I encourage you to just play it well. Focus on things you can control, and leave the rest to God.
After all these years, I realize that all these happened not because of me but because of God’s grace. Truly indeed his plans are better than ours. We just need to put our trust in him.
We all have different timelines. It’s okay if some people made it earlier than you. It’s okay if you’re taking time. Slow progress is still a progress.
Just because it’s not happening in your life right now doesn’t mean it will not happen at all.
Top photo from pexels
