HH Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohamed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, has announced an extraordinary New Year gift for all the government employees across the northern UAE emirate in the form of a massive pay hike by allocating Dh600 million ($163 million) for the purpose.

This came in an extraordinary announcement on Thursday on Sharjah TV by Dr Tariq Sultan bin Khadim, 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, of Sharjah's ruler has taken the extraordinary decision 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. Now 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 pointed out that besides focusing on boosting the standard of living of Sharjah employees, Dr Sheikh Sultan is keen that all those who could not complete their education or get a college degree are able to continue their education.

Following are the new grades
*Grade 1 - Dh30,500 per month
*Grade 2 - Dh 28,500 per month
*Grade 3 - Dh 26,500 per month
*Grade 4 - Dh 25,000 per month
*Grade 5 - Dh 21,500 per month
*Grade 6 - Dh 19,500 per month
*Grade 7 - Dh 18,500 per month
*Grade 8 - Dh 17,500 per month

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 urged all those employees who retired between 2003 and November 2017 to update their details at the Directorate of Human Resources.

Lauding the gesture, Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, the chairman of the Sharjah Media Council, said
this comes as one of many others made by Dr Sheikh Sultan for the purpose of providing the people of Sharjah with a decent life and helping them with the various burdens of life."

He pointed out that in addition to enhancing the living standards of Sharjah government employees, the salary increase would have a positive impact on their performance.

The investment in people and human resources has been the chief focus and concern of Dr Sheikh Sultan, he stated.

"The move is aimed at improving the conditions of all employees on the financial, educational and cultural levels and consequently provide them with family stability and a prosperous life in order to meet their aspirations and goals," he added.-TradeArabia News Service