UAQ Ruler doubles wages for workers in the public sector

The Ruler of the least populous emirate doubled the salaries of government workers in a gesture to mark 100 years since the birth of Sheikh Zayed.

Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mualla, Ruler of Umm Al Quwain, issued the decree yesterday.

The move is the latest gesture by the country’s leaders to mark the Year of Zayed in 2018, during which the Founding Father would have celebrated his 100th birthday.

In May, serving and retired government employees across the Emirates were handed a month’s salary as a bonus ahead of Ramadan – Dh1.6 billion from the federal budget was set aside.

Umm Al Quwain has the smallest population of the seven emirates with about 70,000 residents. Public sector workers said they were overjoyed at the news, with many saying they have not received a

salary increase in many years.

“It was an unexpected joyful surprise that spread happiness and appreciation among all of us,” said Mahmoud Al Zahir, an Egyptian, who works in the communications office at UAQ Municipality.

“I saw the announcement on social media and couldn’t believe the percentage, I thought it might reach 25 per cent – but when I noticed that it’s 100 per cent my eyes went wide.

“It is a very generous gesture by our beloved Ruler, Sheikh Saud, who always cares about his people.”

Mr Al Zahir said the raise came at a time when the cost of living was rising, in smaller communities and in the main cities.

“It will definitely encourage employees to provide their best performance and help them cover their monthly expenses,” he said.

Another public worker, Alia Al Ali, an Emirati graphic designer for the municipality, said: “I couldn’t believe my eyes when I read the message and I went straight away to my manager’s desk to check if it’s really true.

“This is the first increase in years and we didn’t expect it to be 100 per cent.

“The announcement brought joy to our hearts and it shows how much our Ruler thinks about us and about our happiness. We are very grateful.”

Public sector salaries vary considerably across the seven emirates.

UAQ government salaries are not publicly known, but Sharjah pays Emirati recruits at least Dh17,500.

There are efforts to modernise the emirate and attract more tourists, particularly to visit its historic buildings and abundance of wildlife.

But the economy remains rooted in fishing, with catches sold domestically and exported, and several large chicken farms.