user wroteI don't know what my coworkers get, that is my problem, no one talks numbers.
I didn't know either, but I wanted to get a point across to the manager that I want what is fair for me and my colleagues. Apparently, he did not believe me, but later on he did and we became good friends afterwards.
user wroteI am making 1400$ after 2 years (coming on a third now) some people I talk to tell me you should ask for 2 k minimum while all employers seem to offer 1200 to 1400, and in fact 1400 I had to put my foot down and shit for it. And yeah living in Lebanon and approaching 30, I don't want to be paid less than 2 k.
I know someone who is qualified for more than 2.5k but asking for 2.5k, she was getting 5k outside of Lebanon. The best she was able to find (at big names) was 1.5k. One time even the interviewer (manager) who really wanted her on the team said: "We really want you in the team, but how can we match your salary expectation if my own salary as manager of the team is 1.8k"; according to her, he was really frustrated but there's nothing he was able to do about it.
user wroteHence my confusion. And no I am not easily replaceable, sure many people have a computer science degree, but few people write good code.
Everyone is replaceable, most Lebanese companies I have known (directly or through someone) are concerned with putting down any potential uprising than actual efficiency or having a skilled team. Sometimes they lose so much money that you'd think they are stupid for not giving you that tiny raise instead of having to search for a person from scratch, but they don't care. They want complete obedience and a sense of gratitude from you that without them you will beg on the streets.
Of course by now you realize that my second job was not in Lebanon, but the horror stories I hear from close friends and family about employment here are unsettling.