Doha, 29^th April 2014: With rental prices increasing at an unprecedented rate in Qatar, companies are implementing new measures to shift their budget allocation; making organizations in Qatar one of the highest spending in terms of allowances and benefits in the GCC. This is according to the latest GCC Allowances and Benefits Survey conducted by Aon Hewitt, the global talent, retirement and health solutions business of Aon plc (NYSE: AON).

The largest report of its kind in the GCC, the Aon Hewitt Allowances and Benefits Survey is based on an analysis of over 100 companies across different sectors. The findings revealed that:

• Compared to the rest of the GCC, housing allowance is highest in Qatar and ranges between US$21,000 to US$53,000 across job roles.
• Housing allowance in Qatar and the UAE is in the region of 35-40% of basic pay; this is usually only 25% for the rest of the GCC.
• Children’s education assistance is also highest in Qatar and ranges from US$8,000 to US$17,000 per child across job roles.

Robert Richter, Compensation Survey Manager at Aon Hewitt Middle East, said: “Increased demand spurred by a surging population[i] means Qatar rent and house prices are also on the rise. At Aon Hewitt we help companies attract and retain the right talent and inevitably some companies will not be able to afford to keep up with the change in demand, resulting in the migration of talent between organizations. However, we do anticipate that organizations will start revising their allowances such as housing in the interest of talent retention.”

The most commonly provided allowances and benefits in the GCC are housing, transportation, children’s education assistance and home leave benefits. Housing and transportation is typically provided on a monthly basis as a cash payment; children’s education and home leave benefits are usually provided at actual cost of the school fees or the cost of the ticket respectively.

The report also measures, furniture and relocation allowance, end of service benefits, life and accident assurance, long term disability, private medical benefits, loans, mobile phones, home leave benefit and annual leave entitlements. 

To purchase the full report please contact Aon Hewitt on: (971) 43896300.

About Aon Hewitt

Aon Hewitt empowers organizations and individuals to secure a better future through innovative talent, retirement and health solutions. We advise, design and execute a wide range of solutions that enable clients to cultivate talent to drive organizational and personal performance and growth, navigate retirement risk while providing new levels of financial security, and redefine health solutions for greater choice, affordability and wellness.  Aon Hewitt is the global leader in human resource solutions, with over 30,000 professionals in 90 countries serving more than 20,000 clients worldwide. 

For more information on Aon Hewitt, please visit www.aonhewitt.com.

About Aon

Aon plc (NYSE:AON) is the leading global provider of risk management, insurance and reinsurancebrokerage, and human resources solutions and outsourcing services. Through its more than 66,000 colleagues worldwide, Aon unites to empower results for clients in over 120 countries via innovativeand effective risk and people solutions and through industry-leading global resources and technical expertise. Aon has been named repeatedly as the world’s best broker, best insurance intermediary, reinsurance intermediary, captives manager and best employee benefits consulting firm by multiple industry sources. Visit www.aon.com for more information on Aon andwww.aon.com/manchesterunited to learn about Aon’s global partnership and shirt sponsorship withManchester United. 

Media Contact:

Joanna MacAdie
DABO & CO
+97150 9843473
joanna.m@daboandco.com