Over 17,700 Sharjah government employees, pensioners and families set to benefit.
Sharjah: All Sharjah government employees will receive salary increases, including those already earning higher salaries, as part of a broad package aimed at raising the minimum decent living standard to Dh20,000 a month.
His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, said salary allocations would be increased across the government workforce, while a separate study is being prepared to determine appropriate increases for higher-paid categories.
The measures will take effect in September and are expected to cost more than Dh1.187 billion annually.
The package will cover 17,776 Sharjah government employees, at an annual cost of more than Dh720 million.
It will also raise the minimum decent living standard for families receiving social assistance. A total of 6,652 families are expected to benefit, at an annual cost of around Dh195.1 million.
The same minimum threshold will apply to 2,251 Sharjah government pensioners, with the measure expected to cost about Dh113.1 million a year.
A further 5,300 Emirati pensioners who did not retire from the Sharjah government will receive supplementary grants to bring their income up to the minimum level, at an annual cost of Dh159 million.
Speaking during a phone-in on the Direct Line programme, Sheikh Sultan said the government had acted as quickly as possible to approve the increases, initially prioritising those most in need.
“No employee will be left without a salary increase, including those on high salaries,” he said, adding that a study covering higher salary categories was being prepared and would be reviewed next week.
Sheikh Sultan also urged citizens to manage their finances responsibly following the salary changes and avoid unnecessary borrowing, saying that saving and prudent spending could help improve household finances.
Separately, he directed a 50 per cent reduction in fees for services related to marine vessel berths, with the remaining fees to be collected by fishermen’s associations.
The measure is intended to support the maintenance and regulation of the berths, ensure they remain available to fishermen and other eligible users, and enable fishermen’s associations to manage the facilities and related services.
Sheikh Sultan concluded by stressing the importance of raising children with wisdom, kindness and respect for their dignity.
