Sharjah: His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, has announced an increase in salaries for the Sharjah government employees.

The government has allocated Dh600 million in the budget for this purpose, according to a press release by Sharjah Government Media Bureau on Thursday.

Dr Tariq Sultan Bin Khadim, member of the Sharjah Executive Council and Chairman of the Directorate of Human Resources, made the announcement during an interview with Sharjah TV and Radio.

“As part of his continuing concern for the well-being of the people of Sharjah and government employees, the Ruler of Sharjah has taken the extraordinary decision announcing an unprecedented increase in the salaries of all Sharjah government staff and dramatically revising the pay structure as of January 1, 2018,” said Dr Khadim.

Based on the new pay structure, the Sharjah government will have eight grades. Grade 8 has been fixed as the lowest grade with a minimum salary of Dh17,500 per month for employees who 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 start at Grade 4 with a minimum salary of Dh25,000 per month.

Dr Khadim said that besides focusing on boosting the standard of living of Sharjah government employees, the Sharjah Ruler is keen that all those who could not complete their education or get a college degree are able to continue their education.

Dr Khadim emphasised that the new pay structure will also apply to retirees who receive their pensions from the General Pension and Social Security Authority. He consequently called on anyone who retired between 2003 and November 2017 to update their details at the Directorate of Human Resources.

Thanking Shaikh Sultan for his generosity and benevolence towards his people and employees of the Government of Sharjah, Dr Khadim said that today is a historic day for the entire emirate.

He said that the Sharjah Ruler has always been keen to make his people happy and he has once again done it with this groundbreaking announcement. He prayed for the long life and well-being of Shaikh Sultan.

New grades and monthly salaries

Grade 1: Dh30,500

Grade 2: Dh28,500

Grade 3: Dh26,500

Grade 4: Dh25,000

Grade 5: Dh21,500

Grade 6: Dh19,500

Grade 7: Dh18,500

Grade 8: Dh17,500