Sharjah Ruler Approves Dh20,000 Monthly Allowance for Government Employees
Sharjah's ruler has sanctioned a Dh20,000 monthly living allowance for government employees and other groups starting September.
Sharjah's ruler, Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, has authorized a monthly living allowance of Dh20,000 for government employees and additional groups, effective from September. This decision follows comprehensive studies focused on the monthly expenses of Emirati families and their varied requirements.
The annual budget for the dignified living allowance will surpass Dh1.187 billion. This includes increasing the minimum allowance for families receiving social assistance within the Sharjah government, benefiting 6,652 families at an annual cost of Dh195,130,164.
Retirees from the government will also see an increase in their dignified living allowance, covering 2,251 individuals with an annual expenditure of Dh113,056,572. Furthermore, retirees from outside the Sharjah government will receive supplementary grants, aiding 5,300 citizens at a yearly cost of Dh159 million.
The allowance hike extends to 17,776 Sharjah government employees, with the annual cost exceeding Dh720 million.
Last year, Dr Sultan enacted legislation regarding retirement pensions and end-of-service benefits for military personnel in the emirate’s regular forces. The law entitles service members to either a lifelong monthly pension, which can be inherited by beneficiaries, or a lump-sum reward payable during their lifetime or to their beneficiaries.
This recent approval is part of ongoing efforts by the ruler to support employees, students, and citizens. Earlier in 2026, he approved the hiring of 717 Emiratis in the Sharjah government, adding to 633 nationals employed in the first five months of the year.
Additionally, the Sharjah Programme for the Qualification and Training of Job Seekers was launched from June to November 2026, providing monthly stipends of Dh6,000 to 410 UAE nationals at a total cost of Dh14.76 million.
Previous initiatives include the employment of 200 Emirati citizens for new development projects and various government departments, as well as promotions and performance bonuses for employees within the Sharjah Judicial Department, costing nearly Dh11 million annually.
In 2025, the ruler approved a new salary scale for public sector jobs introducing two new job grades and a four-year tenure per grade to enhance job security and career progression for Emiratis.
Beyond employment, Dr Sultan has also focused on education by approving 4,434 scholarships for Emirati students and children of Emirati women from Sharjah. These scholarships cover bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD programs, with the majority allocated to undergraduate studies.
In a recent directive, the Sharjah Private Education Authority was instructed not to collect fees from Sudanese students at Sudan Private School and to refund any fees already paid. The school was established by the ruler to provide free education to members of Sharjah’s Sudanese community who cannot afford other options, with ongoing direct oversight by Dr Sultan.