Protest in Homs against new electricity prices

ANHA correspondent reported that dozens of citizens and civil activists gathered in front of the Homs Governorate building in a peaceful protest to express their rejection of the decision to raise electricity prices. This comes amidst ongoing protests and public anger over the transitional government's decision to increase electricity prices.

The protesters held banners that read: "Electricity is a right, not a business," "I don't have a salary, how can I pay?" and "The ministry profits while the citizen goes hungry," in addition to other slogans expressing the people's suffering and pain due to this difficult decision.

One of the participants in the sit-in said their presence was to show solidarity with the suffering of the citizens, emphasizing that this decision adds heavy burdens to their daily lives instead of helping them improve their circumstances.

The protesters called for urgent action to cancel this decision, which is incompatible with the dire economic and living conditions in the areas controlled by the interim government. They argued that it places significant pressure on citizens and is a severe blow to society.

The interim government in Syria decided to raise electricity prices, increasing the price per kilowatt-hour for residential use from 10 Syrian pounds to between 600 and 1400 pounds.

The authorities described this as being "within the framework of a project to reform the electricity sector, achieve sustainability, and improve service."

The average residential consumption is about 1,000 kilowatt-hours per month, meaning that the bill could exceed 1.4 million Syrian pounds (approximately $120), while the minimum wage is 750,000 Syrian pounds (approximately $75) in the areas controlled by the interim government.

Many producing and exporting institutions, companies, and commercial events announced their closure and the dismissal of their workers, citing their inability to bear operating expenses and compete in the local market.

ANHA