Sharjah Ruler Approves Dh20,000 Monthly Minimum Wage for Government Employees and Retirees Effective September 2026

Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah, approved a monthly minimum wage of Dh20,000 (USD 5,445) for government employees in the emirate, affecting approximately 17,776 workers at an annual cost exceeding Dh720 million, according to The National, Khaleej Times, Emirates 24/7, and Dubai Standard, all reporting September 3-4. The directive, effective September 2026, also extends a Dh20,000 monthly living allowance to 2,251 government retirees (annual cost Dh113 million), 5,300 citizens receiving supplementary grants (Dh159 million annually), and 6,652 families receiving social assistance (Dh195 million annually), bringing total annual expenditure to over Dh1.187 billion. New university graduates joining Sharjah government will receive an initial monthly salary of Dh27,125, while those joining straight from school will receive Dh20,950, up from the previous Dh17,750 baseline, according to The National. All Sharjah government employees will receive salary increases, including those already on higher salaries, with a separate study being prepared to determine appropriate increases for higher-paid categories, Sheikh Sultan told Sharjah Radio and Television during the Direct Line program on September 3. The measure raises the floor from previous minimum levels, including the Dh11,000 minimum set in earlier years.