We’ve often heard about our local talents working overseas for better opportunities and higher pay. However, those of us who still work here in Malaysia often wonder if the grass is actually greener on the other side. To answer our questions, this pilot shared his experience working in the Middle East versus Malaysia.
The unnamed pilot shared his perspective through the Malaysian Pay Gap Instagram page and included a summary of his current job as a first officer pilot for a Middle Eastern airline. According to the Instagram post, the pilot earned about RM50,000 to RM55,000 without tax, as many Middle Eastern countries are tax-free.
The pilot also revealed that he previously worked for a local low-cost airline and earned a monthly income of RM14,000 to RM18,000. While he admitted that his previous salary is on the higher end, he also believes that pilots in Malaysia are short-changed compared to other countries. The man added that he feels more appreciated at his current company.
The pilot stated the depreciation of the Ringgit as his main reason for moving, explaining that the living cost here has increased so much that he has to think twice before spending. He also shared that his current company offers better benefits, such as staff discounts and fee waivers for his children’s schools. As for the drawbacks, the pilot shared that he and his family often feel out of place because they are foreigners living in another country.
The Instagram post received tons of attention from netizens, with most talking about the pilot’s work and what goes into being a pilot. Some netizens also agreed with the pilot about the local aviation industry and the increasing living costs, saying he made the right move to pursue better opportunities.
We applaud the pilot for taking the risk to find a better job – and luckily for him, it’s also one where he’s appreciated for his work.
Source: Instagram
Adleena contributed to this article.
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