A hike in wages and a new minimum salary of Dh17,500 was announced on Tuesday by Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohamed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, as a New Year gift to government employees in the emirate.
Dh600 million was allocated for the new pay structure and increased wages, which will be implemented from January 1, 2018.
Based on the ruling, the Sharjah Government will introduce eight pay 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 is for people with secondary school certification, with a minimum salary of Dh18,500 per month, while university graduates will start at Grade 4, with a minimum salary of Dh25,000 per month.
This came in an extraordinary announcement on Thursday on Sharjah TV by Dr Tariq Sultan bin Khadim, a member of Sharjah Executive Council and Chairman of Directorate of Human Resources.
“As part of his continuing concern for the wellbeing of the people of Sharjah and government employees, His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah has taken the extraordinary decision to announce an unprecedented increase in the salaries of all Sharjah government staff, dramatically revising the pay structure as of January 01, 2018,” said Dr Khadim.
Dr Khadim said that besides focusing on boosting the standard of living for Sharjah government employees, the Ruler of Sharjah 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.
He said the Ruler of Sharjah 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 wellbeing of HH the Ruler of Sharjah.
The new pay grades:
Grade 1 Dh30,500 per month
Grade 2 Dh28,500 per month
Grade 3 Dh26,500 per month
Grade 4 Dh25,000 per month
Grade 5 Dh21,500 per month
Grade 6 Dh19,500 per month
Grade 7 Dh18,500 per month
Grade 8 Dh17,500 per month
