How Safe Is Iraq For A Contractor?

What's the PROS and CONS working as an independent contractor in Iraq rather than an actual employee?

• I was hired by a company here in the states thay provide security in Iraq. They do offer you to come home for leave, but only after being in country for 6 months. Also, it's not paid for... Is it worth it if I have a wife and 4 month old? Is the money really worth it? All medical is paid by me. My pay doesn't begin until I'm actually on a post working....

• Answer:

  Unless this US Company has secured a contract that is not being paid for by the US Government they would have to provide Defense Base Act Workers' Comp. In order to do this you must be an employee of the company. If they pay your way over and back, provide your equipment, assign your work hours and tell you how to do your job, you drive their vehicles, etc, you would be considered by the IRS to be an employee. Many of these companies have misrepresented their hires as independent contractors for tax purposes but employees for the DBA insurance the contracts require. Is it worth it? My husband was blown up in Iraq in July 2003 working as a contractor in Iraq. We are very fortunate that he is alive and has recovered to the extent that he has. But the DBA insurance company, CNA has made our lives miserable for over six years now. He gets no disability pay, no medical, and we are having to fight like we were criminals in a biased DoL administrative law system for these things. Worth it? Never. Stay home with your wife and new baby. In the long run you'll be much better off. If you do decide to go I'll help you go over all the bases so you can cover yourself as well as possible.