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February 27, 2005

Topic: Daily Life
Americans in Iraq officially work the "Muslim work week," which runs Sunday through Thursday. However, because there is so much work to do in Iraq, most people work seven days a week (though most people sleep in on Fridays).

Interestingly enough, until recently, the official weekend in Iraq only included one day - Friday, which is the Islamic holy day. The Iraqi Interim Government recently announced that every weekend would include two days - Friday and Saturday. Some Iraqis were happy to have an extra day off. Other were upset that the government did not make Thursday the extra day off. Most Muslim nations take Friday off, but it varies in whether Thursday or Saturday is the second day of the weekend.

(Follow up comment - Even though Iraqis now have two day weekend, most Americans are working seven days per week. Sigh . . . I guess that is why they pay me the "big bucks.")

Posted by alohafromtim at 11:19 PM EST
Updated: February 28, 2005 11:30 AM EST
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February 28, 2005 - 4:08 AM EST

Name: Anne Marie

Do you actually get two days off? Or will you still have to work?

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February 28, 2005 - 4:52 AM EST

Name: Slo-Mo the Row-Row

Do you Melicans work 40 hours a week? Do you get overtime pay, time and a half and/or double time pay? How often can you leave I-Rack for other countries?

You mentioned earlier that you get free food. Do you also get free housing? Free clothing? Free transportation commuting to and from work? Free airplane tickets to and from I-Rack? Free ammo for your weapons? Free medical and dental care? Free casket if you should get killed or die a natural death?

Maybe my questions can be treated as separate topics in your future posts.

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February 28, 2005 - 11:29 AM EST

Name: alohafromtim

Wow . . . lots of questions today. I will answer some of this stuff in a later post, but here are a few answers.

Do you actually get two days off? I guess the post wasn?t real clear. Most people are still work at least six days per week.

Do you get overtime pay, time and a half and/or double time pay? US direct hires receive overtime pay, danger pay, and a special hardship pay. While that might sound nice, just keep in mind that most contractors are making WAY more that the US government employees.

Housing? It's free, but it's not very fancy. Most US government employees are living in small metal boxes.

Free transportation commuting to and from work? Because the IZ is so dangerous, most US government employees live right next to their offices. Basically, we live in mini-bases inside the IZ.

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