His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, has approved a new system that will allow 1,000 senior citizens to return to government offices for part-time work.
The programme will offer two flexible options for the elderly, their spouses, and retirees. Senior citizens could either work three non-consecutive days a week, or for an hour or two a day based on their preferences.
Speaking on the Direct Line programme, His Highness said the move is not aimed to gain full-time employees, but to give senior citizens who have "little left to look forward to" a reason to "get out, see the world around them, meet people, and interact with visitors and customers again" while earning a wage.
"This programme doesn't fall under the financial calculations of the Human Resources Department; it has its own special system, which I created myself," the Sharjah Ruler added.
Sheikh Dr Sultan also approved a pay rise for 3,270 senior Sharjah government employees, capped at AED 160 million annually, and a higher pension for 1,470 retirees. He also authorised an AED 60 million increase in support for 1,473 beneficiaries of social services.
He also directed a faster recruitment process to fill 1,200 job openings in 2026 to meet the 3,000-yearly target.
Dubai private schools rank among world's top 10 in PISA 2025
UAE strongly condemns Houthi attacks on Saudi civilian, economic facilities
Sharjah arrests two for stealing prayer beads worth $100,000
Fire breaks out at factory in Abu Dhabi's Musaffah area
