Financial Times: Come to hell with Halliburton - the pay's good

"The company has not had an easy time of it in Iraq, where it has been accused of overcharging the US government for services and had a string of employees kidnapped and killed.
Halliburton would not specify what pay they were offering. But the 84-hour working week promised considerable overtime pay on top of comparable US salaries for 40-hour weeks. KBR also promised bonuses for working in a hazardous zone. The applicants were certain the overall package would easily double what they earn in the US for the jobs, ranging from truck drivers to human resources professionals.
Maryanne Vaughn, 57, admitted the money drew her. "I just got laid off," said the dangerous goods spill specialist. "It's hard to find a job." A friend of hers in her field in Iraq is earning more than $100,000 for a job that pays $40,000 in the US. . . .
KBR recruiters do not put a gloss on the situation awaiting those chosen to work in Iraq. "This is what it's going to look like," said Chris Ward, a recruiter, pointing to a slide of a grey tent with a "KBR" sign hanging on the front flap. "This is home for a while."
Some tents have no air-conditioning, and summer temperatures can rise to more than 150°F, he said, offering proof with a photo of a thermometer reading just that. He showed them camel spiders, as big as a man's hand, and warned of scorpions, snakes, mice, ticks, fleas and even sandflies that have left former workers with bites so badly infected they have had to return home.
"We do guarantee three meals a day," Mr Ward said. "We just do not guarantee what you are going to be eating." Those meals could be freeze-dried military meals, for months at a time. "If you're on the fence at the end of this presentation as to whether you should go or not, my advice is not." Still, nobody got up and left. . . .
Before any of the applicants are sent to Iraq, they have to resign their jobs and spend up to three weeks in unpaid orientation in Houston.
Mr Ward predicted 50 per cent would fail that process, which includes a behavioural test, drug test, medical screening, and seven-year background check, and have to return home."