Sharjah Ruler Approves Dh20,000 Monthly Living Allowance for Government Employees

Sharjah Ruler approves Dh20,000 monthly living allowance

Sharjah Ruler approves Dh20,000 monthly living allowance for government employees and other eligible groups, with the enhanced benefits coming into effect from September 2026.

The decision was approved by Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the UAE Federal Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, as part of wider efforts to support the living standards and financial stability of Emirati families in the emirate.

Under the new directive, the annual cost of the dignified living allowances will exceed Dh1.187 billion. The package covers several categories, including government employees, retirees, families receiving social assistance and citizens receiving supplementary grants.

The decision follows in-depth studies directed by the Sharjah Ruler to assess the monthly consumption requirements of Emirati families and understand the range of expenses associated with maintaining a dignified standard of living.

6,652 families to benefit from higher allowance

One of the major components of the decision is an increase in the minimum dignified living allowance for families benefiting from social assistance from the Sharjah Government.

A total of 6,652 families are expected to benefit from the revised allowance. The annual cost of this support is estimated at Dh195,130,164.

The measure is designed to provide greater financial support to families facing higher household expenses and help ensure that eligible Emirati households can meet their essential and diverse needs.

Sharjah retirees receive higher living allowance

The new package also includes higher dignified living allowances for retirees from the Sharjah Government.

According to the announcement, 2,251 government retirees will benefit from the decision, with the annual financial cost reaching Dh113,056,572.

The measure adds to Sharjah’s broader efforts to provide financial security for citizens after retirement and strengthen support for people who have completed their government service.

Retirees who previously worked outside the Sharjah Government will also receive increased support through supplementary grants.

Around 5,300 citizens are expected to benefit from these grants, with an annual cost of approximately Dh159 million.

17,776 Sharjah Government employees to benefit

The allowance increase also extends to employees working for the Sharjah Government.

A total of 17,776 government employees are expected to benefit from the revised dignified living allowance. The annual cost of this component will exceed Dh720 million.

The increase represents the largest portion of the overall package and is intended to strengthen household financial stability among Emirati employees working across Sharjah’s government sector.

The decision comes as governments across the UAE continue to focus on improving quality of life, supporting citizens and creating stronger economic and social conditions for families.

Decision based on detailed study of family expenses

The Sharjah Ruler’s decision follows detailed studies into the monthly consumption of Emirati families.

The studies examined the different needs and expenses faced by families, allowing authorities to determine an allowance designed around the actual cost of maintaining a dignified standard of living.

Rather than being limited to a single category of beneficiary, the latest decision covers multiple groups, including employees, retirees and families receiving social assistance.

The combined annual cost of the measures demonstrates the scale of Sharjah’s financial commitment to citizen welfare.

Sharjah continues to strengthen retirement benefits

The latest allowance decision follows other measures introduced by the Sharjah Ruler to strengthen financial protection for citizens.

Last year, Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi enacted a new law concerning retirement pensions and end-of-service benefits for military personnel serving in the regular forces in the emirate.

Under the law, military personnel become entitled to either a monthly pension after completing their service or a reward that can be paid directly to them or their beneficiaries if it was not paid during their lifetime.

The monthly pension is designed to continue throughout the beneficiary’s lifetime and can subsequently be passed on to eligible beneficiaries after their death.

The measures form part of a broader approach to providing financial security to citizens during different stages of their lives.

717 Emiratis approved for government employment

The latest announcement is also part of a series of employment and financial support initiatives approved by the Sharjah Ruler during 2026.

Earlier this year, the Ruler approved the employment of 717 Emiratis in the Sharjah Government.

These appointments followed the employment of another 633 UAE nationals in the government sector during the first five months of 2026.

The emirate has also introduced programmes designed to prepare job seekers for employment and improve their skills.

Dh6,000 monthly stipend for job seekers

The Sharjah Programme for the Qualification and Training of Job Seekers is being implemented from June to November 2026.

The programme is expected to benefit 410 UAE nationals. Participants receive a monthly stipend of Dh6,000 while taking part in the qualification and training programme.

The total cost of the initiative is Dh14.76 million.

The programme is intended to provide UAE nationals with additional training and qualifications while supporting them financially as they prepare for employment opportunities.

Before that, the Sharjah Ruler approved the hiring of 200 Emirati citizens in the Sharjah Government.

Of those appointments, 100 were designated for newly launched development projects, while another 100 were set to join different government departments.

Promotions and performance bonuses for employees

The Sharjah Ruler has also approved measures to reward existing government employees.

A total of 238 employees across different administrative levels within the Sharjah Judicial Department were approved for promotion.

In addition, 56 employees were approved to receive performance-based bonuses.

The combined annual cost of the promotions and bonuses is Dh10,992,228.

These measures are aimed at recognising employee performance while providing opportunities for professional advancement within the government sector.

New Sharjah Government salary scale

In 2025, Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi approved a comprehensive new salary scale for public-sector jobs in Sharjah.

The salary structure introduced two new job grades, known as “Special A” and “Special B”.

It also established a standard four-year tenure in each job grade across employment levels.

The revised salary system was designed to strengthen job security and create clearer career progression opportunities for Emirati citizens employed by the Sharjah Government.

The changes to salaries, promotions and living allowances collectively represent a wider effort to strengthen employment conditions for citizens working in the public sector.

Thousands of scholarships approved for Emirati students

Support from the Sharjah Ruler also extends to education.

Last month, he approved 4,434 scholarships for Emirati students and the sons and daughters of Emirati women from Sharjah who had been accepted into eight higher education institutions.

The scholarships cover bachelor’s, master’s and PhD programmes, with the largest share allocated to undergraduate studies.

The initiative is intended to expand access to higher education and support students as they prepare for future careers.

Free education support for Sudanese students

In another recent decision, the Sharjah Ruler directed the Sharjah Private Education Authority (SPEA) not to collect fees from Sudanese students attending Sudan Private School.

He also directed the authority to refund any nominal fees that may already have been collected from parents.

Dr Sultan explained that he had established the school for members of Sharjah’s Sudanese community who could not afford to enrol their children at other schools in the emirate.

He said the intention was for the school to operate entirely free of charge and added that he continues to follow its affairs directly and regularly.

A wider focus on citizens’ quality of life

The Sharjah Ruler approves Dh20,000 monthly living allowance decision adds another significant measure to Sharjah’s expanding package of social, employment and financial support programmes.

With more than Dh1.187 billion in annual dignified living costs, the latest initiative will reach thousands of families, employees and retirees across the emirate.

The package comes alongside government employment initiatives, job-seeker training, salary reforms, promotions, retirement benefits and education scholarships.

Together, these measures underline Sharjah’s continued focus on supporting Emirati citizens through different stages of life, from education and employment to retirement and family welfare.