Sharjah grants paternity leave for fathers with children born outside the UAE

The move comes as salary increase has been enshrined in law

All government employees in Sharjah will now get three days of paternity leave even if their child was born outside the country.

Before, paternity leave was only granted if a child was born in the UAE.

The rule applies to Emiratis and residents and was part of a swathe of changes added to the emirate's human resources code on Wednesday.

Most of these have already been announced and include the pay rise for Government workers, the establishment of the Sharjah Social Security Fund for Emiratis, changes to housing allowances, workplace discipline and rules governing secondments.

Now if a married couple work for Sharjah Government, the housing allowance will be determined by whoever's basic salary is the highest.

Workplace discipline procedures have also been streamlined and it will be now easier for secondment of staff between the government and federal entities.

All rules apply only to Government employees.

An increase in wages and a new minimum salary of Dh17,500 was announced late last year by Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah.

The Government introduced eight pay grades, with grade 8 set as the lowest with a minimum salary of Dh17,500 per month for employees who do not have a secondary school certificate.

University graduates will start at grade 4, with a minimum salary of Dh25,000 per month.

Tariq bin Khadem, chairman of Sharjah's human resources department, said the new rules will create an environment that encourages creativity and innovation.

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