Government employees praise Rulers for Ramadan bonus

As Government employees celebrated the news that they are to receive a bonus of one month’s salary this year, some described it as an additional Ramadan blessing.

On Saturday, President Sheikh Khalifa ordered that a month’s salary to be paid as a bonus for serving and retired government employees to mark 100 years since the birth of the country’s late founder, Sheikh Zayed. May 6 is celebrated as his birthday.

Dh1.6 billion has been allocated for the bonuses, state news state agency Wam reported. Rulers of the individual emirates followed by announcing similar bonuses for their local government employees.

Mona Hajaj, 42, an executive secretary at the UAE Space Agency, said: “The announcement made my day, especially as it came before Ramadan.”

She said she was watching a film with her children when her phone began beeping non-stop with “WhatsApp messages like crazy. At first, I thought they had announced that we would be receiving our salaries early ahead of Eid, but then I read the comments and my son was sitting beside me. I literally jumped [for joy] from the couch”.

“Every month I send cash to my mother in Jordan and I was hoping I could send her more money in Ramadan. And now I can give an extra amount.”

Her colleagues were equally pleased. “This morning, everybody arrived at work happy and hailing the Rulers for this beautiful initiative,” she said.

Salem Al Shehhi, a member of the Federal National Council representing Ras Al Khaimah, said the initiative marks the birth of the entire nation.

“Sheikh Khalifa has always made his citizens happy and for it to coincide with Sheikh Zayed’s 100th birthday is very significant because Sheikh Zayed’s legacy has instilled happiness and compassion within the entire nation. Even [some of] the private sector has followed,” he said.

Majid Hamad Al Shamsi, chairman of Union Co-op, announced an additional basic month’s salary to all employees to celebrate the occasion.

“The importance of a nation is always in the heart of the leadership. I used to work for the Armed Forces and our leaders were constantly seeking initiatives to honour their people,” he said.

Dubai FNC member Azza bin Suleiman said the move shows that “Zayed’s fruitful tree of giving continues”.

Every month I send my mother in Jordan money, now I can send her extra MONA HAJAJ Executive secretary