Following the fall of President al-Assad’s government, thousands of Syrian public sector workers were dismissed, leading to nationwide protests. The new government under President Ahmad al-Sharaa seeks to privatize state-run industries, provoking significant backlash from affected employees. Advocates argue that reforms must prioritize the welfare of impoverished Syrians, while experts warn of the risks associated with the proposed economic shifts.
Following the fall of President Bashar al-Assad’s government, numerous public sector employees in Syria, including Ahlam Hassanien, a former manager at Syrian Telecom, faced job dismissals. Hassanien, who supported her family on a mere $30 per month, is now struggling to meet her financial obligations after being fired. She articulates her distress, stating that losing her job has left her without an income or social support.
The new Syrian government, led by President Ahmad al-Sharaa, aims to privatize state-run enterprises in a bid to improve efficiency and reduce corruption in the economy, which has historically favored a centralized public sector. However, this privatization initiative has drawn widespread criticism, particularly as up to 250,000 workers face job losses, leading to nationwide protests organized through social media platforms.
In response to government reforms, the Democratic Change Workers (DCW) have emerged, advocating for the reinstatement of dismissed employees and opposing privatization. Their statement emphasizes the deep dependency of impoverished Syrians on state services, warning that privatization would jeopardize their access to essential resources. Humanitarian reports indicate that 90 percent of Syrians are living in poverty due to continued economic decline and civil unrest.
Economists, including Joseph Daher, warn against the negative impacts of both the proposed austerity measures and the drive toward privatization, stating that these policies could further impoverish the population. Thus, the DCW argues that any governmental decisions regarding public sector employment and economic policies lack legitimacy without broader democratic participation. The ongoing protests signal deep discontent and the need for reforms that cater to the public’s welfare and economic stability in post-conflict Syria.
The dismissal of public sector employees in Syria has provoked widespread protests as economic reforms under the new government threaten job security and social welfare. The Democratic Change Workers organization is leading the push for employee reinstatement, highlighting the tenuous link between the state sector and the livelihoods of many Syrians. With calls for accountability and wider democratic engagement in economic policies, the future of Syria’s workforce remains uncertain amidst calls for a free-market approach that risks further deepening poverty.
Original Source: www.middleeasteye.net
