Syria flag Syria: Operating a Business in Syria

Work conditions in Syria

The Active Population in Figures

201820192020
Labour Force 5,147,9535,224,0305,165,789

Source: International Labour Organization, ILOSTAT database

 
201720182019
Total activity rate 46.44%46.65%46.84%
Men activity rate 77.23%77.58%77.89%
Women activity rate 15.48%15.63%15.76%

Source: International Labour Organization, ILOSTAT database

 

Return to top

Working Conditions

Legal Weekly Duration
42 hours.
Retirement Age
60 in the civil service.
Working Contracts
The law is very specific and precise regarding the contracts of employment. The sources of labor legislation in the Syrian Arab Republic are law n°91 of  April 5, 1959 and legislative decree n°49 of  July 3, 1962. The contract must be drawn up in Arabic with a duplicate, with a copy for each party (art. 43, LC). The trial period is stated in the contract, but it cannot exceed 3 months (art. 44, LC). A contract of employment can be established for a short term period or for an unspecified period of time. If it is agreed for a short term period and both parties continue to comply with it after the expiration date, it must be renewed for an indefinite period of time (art. 71, LC).
Labour Laws
Consult Doing Business Website, to obtain a summary of the labor regulations that apply to local entreprises.

Return to top

Cost of Labour

Minimum Wage
SYP 37,600 per month for civil servants (source: Enab Baladi, 2020)
Average Wage
Gross average monthly wage for civil servants: SYP 149,000 (source: Enab Baladi, 2020)
Social Contributions
Social Security Contributions Paid By Employers: 17.1% of payroll costs, divided as follows: 14% to cover old age, disability and death benefits; 3% to the work injury benefits scheme; and 0.1% to a lump-sum disability benefits fund.
Social Security Contributions Paid By Employees: 7% of income.

Return to top

Social Partners

Employer Associations
SIBA - Syrian International Business Association
Social Dialogue and Involvement of Social Partners
The General Federation of Trade Unions (GFTU) is the organization which represents workers in Syria. Since 1968, a decree has obliged all the country's trade unions to belong to the GFTU. This organization is strictly controlled by the ruling Baath party. It coordinates most aspects of union activity and determines which sectors or activities may create a union or a federation. As a consequence, union action is minimal and strikes are very rare.
Unionisation Rate
The unionization rate in Syria is 100 %. Belonging to a trade union is mandatory in order to be employed.
Labour Regulation Bodies
Syrian Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor.

Return to top

Any Comment About This Content? Report It to Us.

 

© eexpand, All Rights Reserved.
Latest Update: March 2024