Street view of Lima, Peru during an on-site survey. Photo taken by AIRINC surveyor Oscar Rasson.

Using Data to Fine-Tune Spending

Every year companies spend significant sums of money to house employees on global assignments. There is no easy way to assess the rationality of this spending within the context of the market. This is due to the limited access to industry-wide housing data and the limited ability to effectively analyze this data.

One of many alerts posted around the V&A Waterfront Mall in Cape Town, South Africa. Photo taken by AIRINC surveyor Eugene Kobiako.

Update on the Water Crisis

AIRINC’s onsite Surveyors investigate topics of international interest, including hardship situations. My colleague, Yimkwan Tsang, wrote about the water crisis in Cape Town after her February 2018 survey. At that time, Cape Town was expected to run out of water as early as June. However, this event, known as Day Zero, kept getting pushed back. 

Policy Analysis Saves!

Do you know how your policies measure up for cost-competitiveness, flexibility, employee experience, and more? Along with an understanding of general market trends, you need internal insights based on your organization's unique business needs.

City view of Doha, Qatar. Photo taken by AIRINC surveyor Samuel Pearl Schwartz.

Increased Incentives, Availability 

With the continuing diplomatic blockade, more expatriates are leaving than arriving in Doha. In addition to dropping rents, some landlords are offering incentives on one-year leases, such as one to three months of free rent on twelve-month leases.

A view of Kuwait City, Kuwait during an AIRINC cost-of-living survey.

Tobacco, Alcohol, and Rising Inflation

In Q4 2017 we reported on the emergence of sin taxes across Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.

The Gender Pay Gap is a hot topic for all types of companies

This past April, the U.K. required companies with 250 or more employees to report their gender pay gap. In the United States, asset management companies are putting pressure on companies like Starbucks and Google over gender pay equity.

Aerial view of Guyana en route to the capital city, Georgetown. Photo taken by AIRINC surveyor Rose Allen.

Guyana and the Discovery of Vast Oil Deposits

During our recent survey quarter, I traveled to Georgetown, Guyana. Flying over Guyana I was struck by its rural feel and dense forests. From the air, it looked like the most untouched land I’d ever seen, and I later learned that roughly 80% of Guyana is rainforest.

Exchange Rate Fluctuation and Economic Volatility

Cost of Living Allowances (COLA) are affected by complex economic factors like exchange rate fluctuation and economic volatility, which are highly unpredictable. For a COLA to be effective, the allowance must be reviewed and updated periodically to take these factors into account.