the world of work islamabad

Tamseela Rafiq believes that being female is no obstacle to achieving her goals.

Aged 22 and born in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, she works as a receptionist and administrator at the international software company Oracle in Pakistan's capital city Islamabad. Life is settled - she is studying sociology and education part-time at a private college, enjoys her job, sees her friends at the weekend and lives with her family. Although she is concentrating on her career for the moment, family life in Pakistan always takes priority. Few moves are made without her parents' approval - with whom and where she socialises, to career decisions, to, eventually, choosing a husband.

A typical day at work Like many working women in Islamabad, Tamseela has a driver provided by the company to take her to and from work. This gives her more freedom: if she travelled on public transport, she would have to wear a head-covering. Her home is in Rawalpindi, a town of bazaars and street life, and an hour's drive away from the contrasting suburban bureaucratic centre of Islamabad. Her day starts at 9am, dealing with couriers, mail, phone calls and client email. Oracle's Islamabad office is responsible for clients in the capital and around northern Pakistan. All calls come through Tamseela, and although the language of business is generally conducted in English, Urdu is often spoken initially. Religion is a part of her daily life and, like most Muslims, she prays five times a day. After 1pm, Tamseela locks herself in a room at the office, separate from where the men pray, and recites her prayers. She then eats a hot lunch prepared each morning by her mother and taken to work in a tiffin box. Then it's back to the phones and attending reception until 5pm. Evenings and weekends "I've never been to the cinema. It's full of men so I wouldn't be permitted to go. I often go to friends, houses at the weekends and after work I study for two hours every night." Most of her friends are female so most of the parties are female- only or family gatherings. Social events could be anything from "bring-a-plate" dinner parties to a four-day wedding celebration. Tamseela has yet to consider taking a holiday after 10 months of working, but if she does, it would probably be to see relatives within the northern areas of Pakistan. Cost of living Although 4,000 Pakistani rupees a month (approximately GBP 50) seems like pocket money rather than a salary, Tamseela has few expenses. Her parents support her at home and transport is covered by her employer. If she decides to buy anything, it's usually a new tailor-made shalwar qamiz, the traditional three-piece outfit worn in Pakistan, at around 650 rupees (GBP 8). Five years from now Her parents have mentioned marriage, but for the moment, Tamseela is "not in the mood". She has plans to develop her computer skills and move into programming. "I enjoy my job and I've gained a lot of confidence from it. I have a nice boss and I've learnt a lot." She thinks she'll be married within three years, but the idea of ever living abroad is alien. Even after marriage she will continue to live close to her family. "I want to finish my studies first. As a woman in Pakistan I can do anything. It is confidence that is most important." Home Front Working life as an Oracle receptionist in the UK is almost identical to Tamseela's in Pakistan, writes Vance Kearney, Vice President of Human Resources at Oracle UK and Ireland. Of course there are cultural and socio-economic differences but that is only to be expected. A weekly wage of GBP 50 would be unheard of here.

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