Dr. Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah. ARCHIVE

Dr. Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, the Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, has removed the age restriction for jobs in the government sector, ordering the Sharjah Directorate of Human Resources to find employment for all UAE citizens between the ages of 18 and 60. The new directive came after the department misapplied a law concerning the Social Security Fund by deciding to stop hiring those over the age of 30, depriving applicants of job opportunities due to the age restriction. Any eligible citizen between the ages of 18 and 60 is entitled to have a job, Dr. Sheikh Sultan said during the “Direct Line” program aired on Sharjah Radio and Television on Monday (July 25), adding that the Directorate of Human Resources should strive to provide employment opportunities to every capable citizen, regardless of their age.

"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,” Dr. Sheikh Sultan said.

Addressing a concerned caller from Kalba named Umm Saeed who has not been hired in a government job despite applying since 2008, he clarified that the 2018 Social Security Law mandates employment for all citizens aged 18 to 60 who are eligible to work. Dr. Sheikh Sultan also emphasized that Sharjah offers attractive working conditions, including high salaries, a four-day workweek, 60-day maternity leave, annual leave, and various other benefits. University graduates in Sharjah receive a generous monthly salary of Dh25,000 along with housing grants. The ruler of Sharjah also highlighted the importance of ensuring fair treatment for retirees. Prior to salary adjustments, retirees received a monthly pension of around Dh12,000, while new retirees received Dh17,500. Dr. Sheikh Sultan recognized the discrepancy and took action to equalize pensions for retirees from local institutions and federal entities. Regarding social welfare, Sheikh Sultan addressed the challenges faced by individuals receiving aid from the Social Services Department. There are 9,511 people in Sharjah categorized as beneficiaries, such as widows, divorced women, people with disabilities, the unemployed, incapable patients, and others. The Sharjah ruler expressed his commitment to finding solutions for each case. He also acknowledged the elderly receiving aid from the Ministry of Community Development, where both men and women receive Dh8,400. Dr. Sheikh Sultan reassured that he is diligently working to improve the conditions of all beneficiaries, ensuring that every individual's needs are met. MFD/JG/Expat Media
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