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
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Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
Sole survivors
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The bio
Favourite vegetable: Broccoli
Favourite food: Seafood
Favourite thing to cook: Duck l'orange
Favourite book: Give and Take by Adam Grant, one of his professors at University of Pennsylvania
Favourite place to travel: Home in Kuwait.
Favourite place in the UAE: Al Qudra lakes
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
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Key facilities
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4.
5.
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Chef Nobu's advice for eating sushi
“One mistake people always make is adding extra wasabi. There is no need for this, because it should already be there between the rice and the fish.
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“Chopsticks are acceptable, but really, I recommend using your fingers for sushi. Do use chopsticks for sashimi, though.
“The ginger should be eaten separately as a palette cleanser and used to clear the mouth when switching between different pieces of fish.”
Specs
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The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.
The tours
A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages.
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Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
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Banned items
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Drones
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Animals
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Fireworks/ flares
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Radios or power banks
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Laser pointers
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Glass
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Selfie sticks/ umbrellas
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Sharp objects
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Political flags or banners
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Bikes, skateboards or scooters
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
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Studied up to grade 12 in Vatanappally, a village in India’s southern Thrissur district
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Name: Colm McLoughlin
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