Recent years have seen a boom in the gas and oil industry. With the daily increase of petroleum, manufacturers of these products are rushing to expand their facilities, creating many jobs for pipe fitters. welders, electricians and those involved in automation and instrumentation. Many local companies, big and small have also joined the fray in getting contracts for jobs and labor supplies for bigger companies who has projects all over the world.
The most favorite destination these days are the Middle Eastern countries like Dubai, Qatar and China. Skilled labours heading to these places earns the pay of a local engineer. The going rate for an experienced pipe fitter is about Rm. 20.00 an hour for a 8 to 10 hour work day. That means he will be earning 6k a month excluding overtime and other allowances. Most companies subsidised an allowance of a bout 30 ringgit perday for their daily expenses which is not calculated into their pay. Whatever they make is banked into a local account and literally speaking, they don’t spend a cent of their take home pay while they are there.
Almost all companies need you to sign a 4 months contract. If you fulfill the 4 months commitment, all your air fares will be borne by your boss. If you don’t, your air fares and other processing fees will be deducted from your pay. If your boss decides that they want you longer, you still get to fly home for a holiday after the initial 4 months.
Some long serving ones who has earned the trust of their respective companies will be offered long term employment. They can easily make more than 10k per month provided they are willing to leave home for a greater part of the year.
The first step is always the hardest. You should enquire from people who are already involved and let them know that you are interested should there be an opening the next trip round. Once you make the first trip, the following trips will be easier. These people networks among themselves. If there are openings anywhere, they call each other and let them know. Some hardworking ones hardly have time for rest. They get offers throughout the year. Some lazier ones will take it easy. After they have worked for 4 months they will already have about 25k in their account, so they prefer to laze around for a month or so before they start going again.