Sharjah introduces 8-day paid marriage leave for government employees under new HR reform

In a landmark move to modernize workplace policies and enhance employee welfare, the Government of Sharjah has introduced marriage leave for employees in government agencies, granting eight days of paid leave for those entering matrimony.

This policy is part of a broader reform initiative under a new decree-law on human resources in the emirate. The decree was issued by His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, and represents a significant step in expanding government employee benefits.

According to Abdullah Ibrahim Al Zaabi, Chairman of the Sharjah Human Resources Department, who spoke on the popular radio program "Direct Line", the decree-law includes a wide range of updates aimed at improving flexibility, inclusivity, and efficiency in the public sector. Key elements include:

Marriage Leave: Government employees are now entitled to eight days of paid marriage leave, a benefit introduced for the first time in the emirate.

• Care Leave for Mothers: Earlier this year, Sharjah approved a "care leave" provision for female government employees who give birth to a sick or disabled child requiring continuous care. This leave begins after the completion of regular maternity leave and can be extended annually for up to three years.
  
  
• Part-Time Work System: A new system is being implemented to support part-time employment, allowing greater flexibility for government workers.
  
  
• Appointment Priority: The law emphasizes priority in government job appointments for citizens and children of female citizens. Non-citizens may still be appointed, but only on contractual terms in accordance with executive regulations.
  
  
• Grade System (A–B): A classification system has been introduced to structure government job appointments and define roles more clearly across departments.
  
  
• Veterinary System: In a less-publicized but equally significant move, the decree-law includes the introduction of a new veterinary system in Sharjah, aimed at modernizing veterinary services and public health management in the emirate.

The human resources reforms are part of a broader strategic vision championed by the Sharjah leadership to ensure that employee wellbeing, family support, and citizen empowerment remain at the center of public policy. The new benefits, particularly the introduction of marriage leave and extended care leave, reflect the emirate’s family-first ethos and commitment to inclusive employment practices.

These reforms align with similar initiatives seen in the UAE in recent years, where public sector employee welfare is increasingly recognized as a key factor in institutional efficiency and social stability.