Sharjah: His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, has approved raising the standard of decent living for employees of the Sharjah Government to AED 20,000 per month, at an annual cost exceeding AED 1.187 billion, effective from September.
His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah’s approval also includes raising the standard of decent living for families receiving social support from the Sharjah Government to a minimum level. The decision will benefit 6,652 families, at an annual cost of AED 195,130,164.

Following approval, the standard of decent living for Sharjah Government retirees has been raised to the minimum level, benefiting 2,251 retirees, at an annual cost of AED 113,056,572.

The approval also includes raising the standard of decent living for retirees from outside the Sharjah Government under the “Supplementary Grants” scheme to the minimum level. The decision will benefit 5,300 citizens at an annual cost of AED 159 million.

The approval also includes raising the standard of decent living for employees of the Sharjah Government, benefiting 17,776 employees, at an annual cost exceeding AED 720 million.

His Highness also directed a 50% reduction in fees for services related to marine vessel berths, with the remaining 50% to be collected for the benefit of fishermen’s societies. This aims to preserve the berths, regulate their use, ensure their sustainability and availability to eligible fishermen and users, and enable fishermen’s societies to fulfil their role in managing and maintaining these facilities and providing related services.

His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah said during a phone-in on the “Al Khat Al Mubasher” (Direct Line) programme: “We worked as quickly as possible to finalise and approve an increase in the minimum standard of decent living for beneficiaries of social support, Sharjah Government retirees, citizens who are retirees from outside the Sharjah Government, and Sharjah Government employees. We approved these increases immediately after they were prepared, and there will be no employee whose salary does not increase, including those with high salaries. We have prioritised those in need, who are the categories covered by the approval, as those with high salaries, thankfully, have the means. This work took up all of Wednesday and was completed at 2:30 am on Thursday. Today, we held a productive session, completed all these matters, and linked these approvals to the financial budget. God willing, joy will reach all Sharjah Government employees. A study is currently under way to increase the salaries of the higher-paid categories, and it will be reviewed next week. The allocations for all salaries will be increased. We have observed that salaries in the governments of Abu Dhabi and Dubai are good, and we are moving forward with them, as we are all in one ship protected by Almighty Allah.”

His Highness added: “We understand people’s needs and the changes in the markets. The market situation is currently undergoing continuous change. The Cabinet is closely monitoring the situation and does not allow violations, particularly with regard to food prices. However, prices have generally increased, not only for food but also for clothing and all essential and non-essential needs of life. Therefore, we have raised salaries to a level sufficient to cover citizens’ needs. We hope that citizens will save part of their salaries and not spend it all, but we do not require them to do so; this is their salary, and they are entitled to it as compensation for their efforts. However, we want them to regard their homes as a place of residence and a source of tranquillity, and not to take their homes lightly, as a home provides shelter for both body and soul. Likewise, a woman is a source of ‘sakan’ (tranquillity and comfort) for a man. We hope that, following these changes, God willing, every citizen will organise their affairs and avoid taking on unnecessary loans. When a person turns towards saving and frugality, many aspects of their life will improve. We hope that all our sons and daughters will raise their children well. No one should think that we do not notice how they raise their children. We observe every Emirati child from birth until they grow up, and we have not and will not abandon them. When someone asks me how much institutions dedicated to raising and nurturing children and young people cost, I tell them that I spend on raising, educating, entertaining, and keeping my sons and daughters occupied with everything beneficial. All these sports and cultural facilities are funded from the budget, and we have been investing in our children in these fields for around 52 years.”

His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah continued: “As we have seen, Sharjah’s summer was filled with purposeful activities and events. Officials at government departments and institutions played a major role in fulfilling their duty to protect our children from loitering in the streets and from the devices that have invaded our homes. Despite their benefits, spending long periods on these devices can undermine many positive values in individuals and society. We are therefore calling for a return to paper, notebooks, and books, and urging parents not to leave their children with devices for extended periods. We hope that fathers and mothers will help us raise the next generation, because children spend more time at home than they do in the centres and institutions under my supervision. I do everything possible through these centres, keeping children and young people engaged in purposeful activities and events until late in the evening. Throughout the time children spend in our institutions, they remain under our watch, care, and supervision.”

His Highness continued: “We care for our children from the moment they are born. We have set maternity leave for working mothers at three months, recognising the newborn’s need for their mother’s care and direct breastfeeding. We have also established nurseries across the Emirate of Sharjah for infants to attend after maternity leave. We meet all their needs and ensure they continue to receive direct breastfeeding from their mothers. The government grants mothers permission to leave work for two hours daily for six months to breastfeed their children, followed by one hour daily for another six months. If a mother chooses not to breastfeed directly, the nursery requires her to provide her breast milk in feeding bottles so it can be given to the child, ensuring the child does not consume formula milk. “We also take responsibility for preparing healthy meals for children during their time at the nursery. We tell every father and mother whose child attends our nurseries: ‘We will take care of your children’s food at the nursery. We will cover the greater part of the cost, and you will only contribute a small amount.’ We purchase fresh food in bulk and prepare nutritious, healthy meals in kitchens operated by us. “I personally involve myself in even the smallest details of raising and caring for my children from birth, throughout their childhood and youth, and at every stage of their lives. Even when they grow up and become adults, they remain my children in my eyes, and I will continue to care for them.”

His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah concluded his remarks by emphasising that good upbringing must be accompanied by wisdom, kindness, and the preservation of dignity. He cited an incident, saying: “Someone made false allegations, and I heard him on television making statements that were untrue. They wanted to punish him and respond to him, so I told them I would not allow them to do so, because if they did, they would break him, and I will not accept that a citizen be broken or have his dignity diminished. Instead, I wanted you to speak with him and tell him that Sheikh Sultan had heard what he said and wanted him to choose his words carefully when speaking, refrain from lying, and uphold the truth. The person I am referring to is 60 years old. I believe in educating and guiding people even when they are adults. We pray to Allah to grant us success in serving our country, and, praise be to Almighty Allah, we are entrusted with this responsibility.”