Ruler of Sharjah Approves Increase in Cost-of-Living Allowance to 20,000 Dirhams Monthly - Sarmad
• We hope that every citizen will organize their affairs and refrain from taking on unnecessary debt.
The Ruler of Sharjah, Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, has approved an increase in the cost-of-living allowance within the Sharjah government, raising it to 20,000 dirhams per month, at an annual cost exceeding 1.187 billion dirhams, effective from September of this year.
The Ruler’s approval includes raising the cost-of-living allowance for families benefiting from social assistance under the Sharjah government to the minimum level. This decision will benefit 6,652 families, at an annual cost of 195,130,164 dirhams.
According to the approval, the cost-of-living allowance for retirees of the Sharjah government has been raised to the minimum level, covering 2,251 retirees at an annual cost of 113,056,572 dirhams.
The approval also raised the cost-of-living allowance for retirees outside the Sharjah government (“supplementary grants”) to the minimum level, benefiting 5,300 citizens at an annual cost of 159 million dirhams.
Additionally, the approval covers the cost-of-living allowance for employees of the Sharjah government, benefiting 17,776 employees at an annual cost exceeding 720 million dirhams.
His Highness also directed a 50% reduction in fees related to marine vessel berthing facilities. The remaining portion will be collected for fishermen’s associations, with the aim of preserving these facilities, regulating their use, ensuring their sustainability, and making them available to entitled fishermen and users. This measure also empowers fishermen’s associations to manage these facilities, maintain them, and provide related services.
In a phone intervention on the “Direct Line” program, the Ruler of Sharjah stated: “We have worked at the maximum possible speed to finalize and approve the increase in the minimum cost-of-living allowance for recipients of social assistance, retirees of the Sharjah government, retired citizens outside the Sharjah government, and employees of the Sharjah government. We approved these increases immediately upon preparation. No employee will be left out; their salaries will increase, including those with high salaries. We have prioritized those in need, which are the categories that have been approved.”
He added: “A study is currently underway to increase salaries for higher-income categories, which will be reviewed next week. All salary allowances will be increased.”
He said: “We hope that after these changes, every citizen will organize their affairs and avoid unnecessary borrowing. If individuals focus on saving and economizing, many aspects of their lives will improve. We wish for all our sons and daughters to raise their children with good upbringing.”
The Ruler of Sharjah concluded his remarks, emphasizing that good upbringing must be accompanied by wisdom, gentleness, and the preservation of dignity.
