Living and working abroad

[Joanne]

Aren't jobs in 'first world' coutries (and the EU) supposed to be to the same standard and interchangeable?
I know there was a clause in jobs from people from 'third world' countries from when I worked at the hospital in the pharmacy in that in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh in particular, you cannot practise here because the 'dynamics' are totally different and they're supposed to re-do the degree.
Perhaps in the UK they can't get the calibre of workers that they can from europe although I don't know how, when a lot don't read english, how they can read health and safety law, diagrams etc when we're not on the same electrical system etc as they are in central europe. Or is it that other countries 'look after their own'?

[John]

Aren't jobs in 'first world' coutries (and the EU) supposed to be to the same standard and interchangeable?
I know there was a clause in jobs from people from 'third world' countries from when I worked at the hospital in the pharmacy in that in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh in particular, you cannot practise here because the 'dynamics' are totally different and they're supposed to re-do the degree.
Perhaps in the UK they can't get the calibre of workers that they can from europe although I don't know how, when a lot don't read english, how they can read health and safety law, diagrams etc when we're not on the same electrical system etc as they are in central europe. Or is it that other countries 'look after their own'?

If I am being honest the Spanish look upon UK qualifications as if they are second rate.  I will give you another example.

Before I opened my first Estate Agency office in Spain the office had to be checked out by a surveyor.  I pointed out that I was qualified to do this but because I wasn't part of the Spanish clique it wouldn't count.  I later established that all they wanted was the €200 plus fee.  I soon found out that you have to play them at their own game in Spicland!

And YES!  They look after their own.

[Joanne]

We need a button like 'like' on f/b but with something like 'yes I've read it but it doesn't need an answer', 'acknowledged', 'agree' or something 

[Harvey]

My younger brother went out to Palma to stay with some friends and thought he wold get a job in the hospital there but he says they just looked at him funny like and more or less said toddle off sonny.  It is a disgrace, they wouldn't even entertain him and he is a qualified anaesthetist.   He felt so small, it was embarassing too.

[John]

My younger brother went out to Palma to stay with some friends and thought he wold get a job in the hospital there but he says they just looked at him funny like and more or less said toddle off sonny.  It is a disgrace, they wouldn't even entertain him and he is a qualified anaesthetist.   He felt so small, it was embarassing too.

It has got a lot worse now Harters since the credit crunch.  Unemployment in Spain is now over 25% which for the non mathematicians equates to more than 1 in 4 people.  It is woeful out there at the moment.  Every other house is for sale and nobody wants to buy, cannot buy and cannot get mortgages because all the Spanish banks are bust!

[Claudia]

My younger brother went out to Palma to stay with some friends and thought he wold get a job in the hospital there but he says they just looked at him funny like and more or less said toddle off sonny.  It is a disgrace, they wouldn't even entertain him and he is a qualified anaesthetist.   He felt so small, it was embarassing too.

It has got a lot worse now Harters since the credit crunch.  Unemployment in Spain is now over 25% which for the non mathematicians equates to more than 1 in 4 people.  It is woeful out there at the moment.  Every other house is for sale and nobody wants to buy, cannot buy and cannot get mortgages because all the Spanish banks are bust!

do you think it woud be a good time to buy if you had the cash?    8-)(--)     

[starryian]

Aren't jobs in 'first world' coutries (and the EU) supposed to be to the same standard and interchangeable?
I know there was a clause in jobs from people from 'third world' countries from when I worked at the hospital in the pharmacy in that in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh in particular, you cannot practise here because the 'dynamics' are totally different and they're supposed to re-do the degree.
Perhaps in the UK they can't get the calibre of workers that they can from europe although I don't know how, when a lot don't read english, how they can read health and safety law, diagrams etc when we're not on the same electrical system etc as they are in central europe. Or is it that other countries 'look after their own'?

You would have thought so would you Joanna? But the truth is, is that some countries still do not recognise qualifications that are obtained in other countries due to fraud or the content of the course that they studied may not be the same standard as that of another country. However, to combat fraud the potential employee must have their qualifications certified by a registered solicitor. This is then send to a government department who acts as an 'apostille' and certifies it with an official seal once checks have been completed. I understand that this is standard practice across EU countries now.

[Matthew Wyse]

Aren't jobs in 'first world' coutries (and the EU) supposed to be to the same standard and interchangeable?
I know there was a clause in jobs from people from 'third world' countries from when I worked at the hospital in the pharmacy in that in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh in particular, you cannot practise here because the 'dynamics' are totally different and they're supposed to re-do the degree.
Perhaps in the UK they can't get the calibre of workers that they can from europe although I don't know how, when a lot don't read english, how they can read health and safety law, diagrams etc when we're not on the same electrical system etc as they are in central europe. Or is it that other countries 'look after their own'?

You would have thought so would you Joanna? But the truth is, is that some countries still do not recognise qualifications that are obtained in other countries due to fraud or the content of the course that they studied may not be the same standard as that of another country. However, to combat fraud the potential employee must have their qualifications certified by a registered solicitor. This is then send to a government department who acts as an 'apostille' and certifies it with an official seal once checks have been completed. I understand that this is standard practice across EU countries now.

Its all to do with money over there.  You have to pay to sell your car, pay to buy a car, pay to go to the doctor, pay to see a consultant, pay back handers left right and centre too.  See if you crash your car you even have to pay to deregister it or they will charge you road tax automatically every six months.  That is because the police control the registration of cars in spain.

[John]

Aren't jobs in 'first world' coutries (and the EU) supposed to be to the same standard and interchangeable?
I know there was a clause in jobs from people from 'third world' countries from when I worked at the hospital in the pharmacy in that in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh in particular, you cannot practise here because the 'dynamics' are totally different and they're supposed to re-do the degree.
Perhaps in the UK they can't get the calibre of workers that they can from europe although I don't know how, when a lot don't read english, how they can read health and safety law, diagrams etc when we're not on the same electrical system etc as they are in central europe. Or is it that other countries 'look after their own'?

You would have thought so would you Joanna? But the truth is, is that some countries still do not recognise qualifications that are obtained in other countries due to fraud or the content of the course that they studied may not be the same standard as that of another country. However, to combat fraud the potential employee must have their qualifications certified by a registered solicitor. This is then send to a government department who acts as an 'apostille' and certifies it with an official seal once checks have been completed. I understand that this is standard practice across EU countries now.

Its all to do with money over there.  You have to pay to sell your car, pay to buy a car, pay to go to the doctor, pay to see a consultant, pay back handers left right and centre too.  See if you crash your car you even have to pay to deregister it or they will charge you road tax automatically every six months.  That is because the police control the registration of cars in spain.

Tell me about it Mark.  I have had nothing but bother with vehicle registrations in Spain.  My son sold a motorcycle to a Spanish lad and that was that as far as he was concerned only it wasn't.  I have had to pay road tax for the bike for several years because the Spanish boy who bought it never registered the purchase.  I have only recently managed to get it sorted.

In Spain you are allocated a personal finance number, an NIE (Número Identificatión de Extranjero) or foreigner's tax identification number.  You must have this to buy anything that goes on the road with a motor and for purchasing property.  You can also be asked for this when buying merchandise for which you are paying with a credit card.

If you live in Spain you are also expected to have a Spanish bank account, a British one doesn't count.  What they do is they embargo your account for any funds they deem you are due the State.  They can therefore take money out of your account any time they like.

Lovely people the Spanish!   

[John]

Aren't jobs in 'first world' coutries (and the EU) supposed to be to the same standard and interchangeable?
I know there was a clause in jobs from people from 'third world' countries from when I worked at the hospital in the pharmacy in that in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh in particular, you cannot practise here because the 'dynamics' are totally different and they're supposed to re-do the degree.
Perhaps in the UK they can't get the calibre of workers that they can from europe although I don't know how, when a lot don't read english, how they can read health and safety law, diagrams etc when we're not on the same electrical system etc as they are in central europe. Or is it that other countries 'look after their own'?

You would have thought so would you Joanna? But the truth is, is that some countries still do not recognise qualifications that are obtained in other countries due to fraud or the content of the course that they studied may not be the same standard as that of another country. However, to combat fraud the potential employee must have their qualifications certified by a registered solicitor. This is then send to a government department who acts as an 'apostille' and certifies it with an official seal once checks have been completed. I understand that this is standard practice across EU countries now.

The one thing I do agree with about doing business in Spain is the way they sell their properties.  I think that if we introduced their system into the UK the gazumping problem in England would disappear overnight.

It is quite a simple system really.

If you want to buy a house and the price is agreed the buyer puts down a deposit of say around €2000 but it can be any amount, a matter of agreement.  The Estate Agent or lawyer holds this money.  Initial contracts are signed by both parties immediately in the estate agents office.  The buyer then has several weeks (again negotiable) to come up with the rest of the cash.

If the buyer fails to come up with the cash or pulls out the vendor keeps the deposit less a small fee to the estate agent.

If the seller pulls out the deposit goes back the buyer and the seller has to pay an amount equal to the deposit to the buyer again less a small fee to the estate agent.

If the seller fails to pay they don't get their deeds back!

Simple!!   

[John]

I knew one English lady who received deposits totalling well over €15,000 just because her house failed to sell three times.  She was loving it!!   

[Harvey]

I knew one English lady who received deposits totalling well over €15,000 just because her house failed to sell three times.  She was loving it!!   

Sounds like a scam to me??   8-)(--)

[John]

I knew one English lady who received deposits totalling well over €15,000 just because her house failed to sell three times.  She was loving it!!   

Sounds like a scam to me??   8-)(--)

No it was frustrating to begin with but lots of English buyers were struggling to sell their homes in the UK and so were unable to complete.  The English lady who was selling her villa didn't give a toss in the end, she just got a new car out of it all and I got 3 x fees.   

I must admit it never happened often.

[Harvey]

Aren't jobs in 'first world' coutries (and the EU) supposed to be to the same standard and interchangeable?
I know there was a clause in jobs from people from 'third world' countries from when I worked at the hospital in the pharmacy in that in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh in particular, you cannot practise here because the 'dynamics' are totally different and they're supposed to re-do the degree.
Perhaps in the UK they can't get the calibre of workers that they can from europe although I don't know how, when a lot don't read english, how they can read health and safety law, diagrams etc when we're not on the same electrical system etc as they are in central europe. Or is it that other countries 'look after their own'?

You would have thought so would you Joanna? But the truth is, is that some countries still do not recognise qualifications that are obtained in other countries due to fraud or the content of the course that they studied may not be the same standard as that of another country. However, to combat fraud the potential employee must have their qualifications certified by a registered solicitor. This is then send to a government department who acts as an 'apostille' and certifies it with an official seal once checks have been completed. I understand that this is standard practice across EU countries now.

The one thing I do agree with about doing business in Spain is the way they sell their properties.  I think that if we introduced their system into the UK the gazumping problem in England would disappear overnight.

It is quite a simple system really.

If you want to buy a house and the price is agreed the buyer puts down a deposit of say around €2000 but it can be any amount, a matter of agreement.  The Estate Agent or lawyer holds this money.  Initial contracts are signed by both parties immediately in the estate agents office.  The buyer then has several weeks (again negotiable) to come up with the rest of the cash.

If the buyer fails to come up with the cash or pulls out the vendor keeps the deposit less a small fee to the estate agent.

If the seller pulls out the deposit goes back the buyer and the seller has to pay an amount equal to the deposit to the buyer again less a small fee to the estate agent.

If the seller fails to pay they don't get their deeds back!

Simple!!   

I like the incentive bit to go through with the deal.  It's too easy over here for someone to say they are going to buy and agree to sell and then back out at the last moment.  Its criminal.

I remember once being in that situation and was gazumped at the last minute leaving us with nowhere to go.  We had to pay to stay in a guest house for ages and bought a house in the end which we really didn't like.   

[John]

The situation like many things in Scotland is worse again.  Up there all the bidders put their offer in a sealed envelope and it is only opened after the closing date.  You could be £thousands over or under...a bit of pot luck really.