Poverty, division escalate in Syria

Syria is facing mounting economic and social challenges, with observers reporting rising poverty levels, deepening societal divisions, and waning confidence in the Interim Government.

According to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), nine out of every ten people in Syria live below the poverty line, while one in four suffers from unemployment.

In this context, social counselor Jihan al-Sayed explained that government departments have repeatedly witnessed cases of employee dismissals and sit-ins, attributing them to perceived salary discrimination between long-serving staff and newly appointed employees.

On February 14, ANHA agency reported that the management of the General Company for Cement Industry and Marketing (Omran – Central Region Branch) in Hama province had issued a decision to terminate the contracts of approximately 75 workers and employees who had been working under temporary annual contracts.

Al-Sayed noted that some newcomers to Damascus and other provinces described as supporters of the current authorities in Syria receive salaries in U.S. dollars reaching up to $700, while long-serving employees within government institutions, with decades of experience, are paid in Syrian pounds at rates equivalent to less than $100.

She also referred to interventions in administrative and personal affairs within certain institutions by management figures affiliated with supporters of the authorities. In addition, she described escalating religiously framed debates that have led, in her view, to divisions within the workplace environment. These include issues related to dress codes, restrictions on gatherings of veteran employees, cancellation of break periods, and repeated insinuations by some newcomers portraying themselves as “first-class” employees.

Furthermore, she stated that some newly appointed administrative officials appear to exercise their duties with what she described as a factional mindset, adopting strict monitoring of attendance and institutional activities an approach she believes reflects a lack of institutional experience.

Regarding living conditions, the social counselor explained that rising rental prices in Damascus are driven by increased demand for housing amid the growing number of newcomers to the capital, particularly those assigned roles within institutions linked to the new authorities. This has intensified financial pressures on families. She also noted that some families have become hesitant to send their children to university housing due to concerns over tensions and behaviors within certain student circles.

She added that courts in Damascus have reportedly seen a noticeable increase in divorce filings, attributing this trend to economic pressures that have contributed to the breakdown of both newly formed families and long-standing marriages.

Al-Sayed further indicated that, according to her estimates based on information from specialized human rights and humanitarian organizations, more than 500,000 families are experiencing insecurity and anxiety. These include families with detained relatives held by the Interim Government, individuals dismissed from their jobs, those facing restrictions related to civil documentation, retirees whose pensions have been suspended since 2011, and thousands of former workers in various civilian sectors.

In conclusion, Jihan al-Sayed stated that the current month of Ramadan is among the most difficult in terms of economic pressure. She pointed to a growing number of young women and female students resorting to modest forms of work to meet their basic needs, including selling bread at intersections and traffic lights, at a time when hotels in the capital are hosting various events and activities focused on investments directed toward the Syrian people.

ANHA