Citizens laud Sharjah Ruler's call to increase salaries for government employees

His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, on Thursday ordered to allocate Dh600 million for increase in the salaries of the emirate's government employees.

This came in an extraordinary announcement on Sharjah TV by Dr Tariq Sultan bin Khadim, member of the Sharjah Executive Council and chairman of the Directorate of Human Resources.

"As part of his continuing concern for the well-being of the government employees, the Ruler of Sharjah has taken the extraordinary decision to increase the salaries of the Emirati staff under the Sharjah government and revised the pay structure," said Dr Khadim.

Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Sharjah Media Council, said this gesture comes as one of many others made by the Sharjah Ruler for providing the citizens with a decent life. He emphasized that in addition to enhancing the living standards of the government employees, the salary hike would have a positive impact on their performance.

"Investing in people and human resources has been the main focus and concern of Dr Sheikh Sultan. The decision proves his keenness to improve the conditions of all the employees on the financial, educational and cultural levels. This will also provide them with family stability and a prosperous life."

Top officials in Sharjah lauded the Ruler's decision as a generous gesture for the well being of the citizens.

As per the new pay structure, the Sharjah Government will have eight grades instead of the existing 14. Now, Grade 8 has been fixed as the lowest grade with a minimum salary of Dh17,500 per month even if they do not have a secondary school certificate.

Grade 7 has been fixed for people with secondary school certificate qualification with a minimum salary of Dh18,500 per month. As for university graduates, they would start at Grade 4 with a minimum salary of Dh25,000 per month.

Those on the first grade shall be entitled to a monthly salary of Dh30,500, including Dh21,375 as basic salary and Dh7,125 as COLA or cost of living allowance.

The employee, on the same grade, shall also be entitled to other benefits, including Dh2,000 as a social allowance, and Dh600 as a child allowance with no limit (for all employees), and an annual increment of Dh300.

Khamis bin Salem Al Suwaidi, chairman of the department of suburbs and rural affairs and member of the Sharjah Executive Council, affirmed that the gesture came on its time as the Ruler of Sharjah is always keen to take into account the needs of the citizens.

"The decision to increase the salary is taken after studying relevant statistics and following up personal views of employees," he added.

Sheikh Majid bin Sultan Al Qasimi, director of the department of suburbs and rural affairs, said that the gesture will attract the distinguished cadres to serve in the government for long period. "The gesture is important for the people of Sharjah to provide them with decent life and achieve social stability. It will encourage and motivate all employees to increase production and provide quality and efficient work."

Dr Tariq bin Khadem said that the Ruler of Sharjah has also ordered an increase in the pensions of Emirati government retirees.

"The government shall pay the difference between the due pensions and ordered increase for employees in service," he told a 'Live' radio programme. "The difference shall be deposited in the Sharjah government retirees' bank accounts."

ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com

afkarali@khaleejtimes.com

• Sharjah

Afkar Ali Ahmed

afkarali@khaleejtimes.com