Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, the Ruler of Sharjah, has instructed the Sharjah Directorate of Human Resources to ensure job opportunities for all eligible UAE citizens aged 18 to 60.
This directive comes after the misapplication of a law issued by His Highness in 2018 regarding the Social Security Fund, which led to the suspension of hiring individuals above 30 years old.
In a statement released on Sunday, the Ruler clarified that the law, issued in 2018, requires the employment of all eligible individuals aged 18 to 60 without specifying any specific period of employment. However, the law’s intended application was not followed correctly, resulting in the Human Resources Directorate ceasing the hiring of those over 30.
“I issued this law in 2018, and it makes it clear that each eligible person between the ages of 18 and 60 should be employed; no specific period of employment has been stated. However, in practice, this law has been misinterpreted and has not been applied in the manner intended by the law; the Human Resources Directorate has stopped hiring those over the age of 30,” Al Qasimi said.
Addressing the issue of numerous job applications, the Ruler explained that Sharjah offers a fair standard of living, with attractive benefits such as four-day workweeks, maternity leave, and a yearly leave of sixty days. He also mentioned that a Sharjah University graduate can expect a competitive monthly salary of AED 25,000 along with housing allowances and other benefits.
Moreover, Al Qasimi highlighted the increase in salaries and adjustments made in the Emirate of Sharjah. Retirees from before the salary increases currently receive a monthly retirement salary of approximately AED 12,000, while new retirees receive AED 17,500. To ensure fairness, His Highness raised the pension salaries of the older retirees, acknowledging that their basic needs remain the same despite the increase in general salaries.
Meanwhile, the employment process for the Sharjah Police, Civil Defence, universities, and institutions is ongoing, with the final tally of employed individuals set to be announced by the end of the year.
