Sharjah Ruler Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Federal Supreme Council, has approved raising the “dignified living allowance” for Sharjah government employees and other beneficiaries to AED20,000 a month ($5,445.88), at an annual cost exceeding AED1.187 billion, effective September.

The allowance for Sharjah government employees has been raised, benefiting 17,776 employees at an annual cost exceeding AED720 million.

The decision will also raise the allowance to the minimum level for families receiving social assistance from the Sharjah government, benefiting 6,652 families at an annual cost of AED195.13 million.

For Sharjah government retirees, the allowance has been raised to the minimum level, benefiting 2,251 retirees at an annual cost of AED113.056 million.

The decision also covers retirees from outside the Sharjah government receiving supplementary grants. Raising their allowance to the minimum level will benefit 5,300 citizens at an annual cost of AED159 million.

The decision follows in-depth studies commissioned by Sheikh Sultan into the monthly consumption needs of Emirati families and their diverse requirements, the Sharjah Media Office said in a post on X.