To discuss the findings of an extensive research study titled "Review of Wage Determination in Syria," the International Labour Organization (ILO) convened a meeting at the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor.The meeting was attended by Mr. Hassan Daboul, Treasurer of the Federation of Syrian Chambers of Industry; Khaldoun Dado, Director of the Federation; Dr. Raghda Zaidan, Deputy Minister of Social Affairs and Labor; and Mr. Hassan Al-Khatib, Director-General of the Public Institution for Social Insurance. Representatives from the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor, the Ministry of Finance, the Planning and International Cooperation Authority, the General Federation of Trade Unions, the Damascus Chamber of Commerce, and the National Social Insurance Institute were also present, alongside ILO representatives from Damascus, Beirut, and Geneva.During the session, Consultant Dr. Rasha Siroob highlighted that Syria has ratified 51 ILO conventions, including Convention No. 100 on Equal Remuneration and Convention No. 131 on Minimum Wage Fixing. She presented the findings of the research study regarding the minimum wage in Syria, detailing consultations held with representatives of all stakeholders across government, employers, and trade unions as part of reviewing Syria’s compliance with international labor standards in this regard.The study focused on the private sector in Syria, reviewing current mechanisms for setting the minimum wage. It highlighted a significant gap between existing minimum wages and the current average household expenditure. The study stressed the urgent need to establish a tripartite committee—comprising the government, employers, and trade unions, alongside social partners and experts—to review and update the minimum wage based on technical, neutral job evaluation methods, thereby ensuring a balance of interests among all three relevant parties.On his part, Mr. Hassan Daboul emphasized the social contributions of employers during the crisis years, noting their efforts to retain their workforce despite economic hardships. He called for incorporating proper mechanisms within the study that account for calculating profit taxes and social insurance contribution rates at their actual values, ensuring that the desired economic goals are successfully achieved
12/7/2026
