New Syrian workers’ committees launch coordinated protests at mass sackings of government employees
ILNSS
The international Labour Network of Solidarity and Struggles supports the independent committees formed in Syria.
Newly-formed independent workers’ committees in Syria organised demonstrations and vigils across the country in protest at caretaker government’s decision to sack thousands of public sector employees, and in response to the spiralling cost of living which is pushing millions of Syrians deeper into poverty.
Rallies took place on 15 February in Damascus, Aleppo, Suwayda, Latakia and Homs
The protests follow an initiative launched by the Workers’ Association for Democratic Change calling for the formation of peaceful democratic labour coordination committees in response to the worsening economic crisis, the erosion of workers’ rights, and the devastating impact of neoliberal policies on the working class. The WADC calls for mass worker mobilization, democratic self-organization, and unified action to resist layoffs, privatization, and economic injustice.
Statement from the Workers’ Association for Democratic Change
The Workers’ Association for Democratic Change announces the formation of independent, peaceful, and democratic labour coordination committees across all provinces. These committees aim to unify the ongoing and future labour movement, with each province establishing its own coordination body to organise activities locally. Each committee will include representatives from different labour sectors in the public sector to ensure that protests and sit-ins are held collectively at a unified time and place across all provinces. This effort aims to consolidate our rightful demands, which stem from the severe harm inflicted on our jobs, livelihoods, and children’s future due to hasty and unjust decisions that disregard the interests of the public sector, its institutions, economy, and human resources.
We take pride in the fact that, as a working class, we have always been and continue to be the truest representation of national unity and sovereignty to reach the following goals:
- Cancelling all decisions issued by the caretaker government regarding layoffs, dismissals, suspension, contract terminations, forced unpaid leaves, or any other unjust measures under any pretext.
- We demand the formation of specialised governmental committees that include labour union representatives to review all employment records, identify cases of corruption and ghost jobs, and refer violations to the judiciary for fair accountability.
- Grant permanent contracts to annual and seasonal workers whom the former regime refused to regularise as part of its evasion of responsibility.
- Restructure staffing and human resources to ensure that workers are not arbitrarily dismissed while investing in skills and continuous training to enhance efficiency.
- Increase wages fairly to align with the minimum standard of a dignified livelihood.
- Ensure that pensioners are included in any wage increase and are not excluded under any circumstances.
- Reverse privatisation policies and rely on national capabilities to revive and reform the public sector as a pillar of the national economy and social security.
- Reopen all public sector enterprises, particularly productive ones, and create new job opportunities across various sectors while reintegrating unemployed workers.
- Workers’ unions belong to the workers, and they alone have the right to determine their fate. We demand new elections free from external interference or control.
Who are we?
We are a group of workers from the public and private sectors, as well as labour activists from various Syrian provinces. Since 2012, we have put forward our program for democratic change and have fought for it despite the severe political and security restrictions imposed by the former regime. We have steadfastly defended workers’ rights and interests despite all attempts to sideline and intimidate us. Our efforts have gained the trust of large segments of workers in both sectors.
Organizational Structure of the Coordination Committees
The general coordination committee is based in Damascus and includes the heads of the provincial coordination committees. Each provincial committee includes coordination representatives from labour groups.
For example:
Damascus and Rural Damascus Coordination: Formed from the total delegates of the labour groups (electricity – health – media – banks – textile industries, etc.)
Homs Coordination – Daraa Coordination – Sweida Coordination – Hama Coordination – Quneitra Coordination – Aleppo Coordination – Tartous Coordination – Latakia Coordination, etc.
The final structure of these labour committees will be announced once all labour groups have been assembled. We call on all workers to organise their groups, select their representatives collectively, and ensure that delegates are qualified, trusted, and known for their integrity, selflessness, and strong national and class consciousness.
For now, communication with us will be limited to Facebook Messenger via our page (Democratic Workers’ Change).
Starting Saturday, February 15, 2025, we will launch weekly organised sit-ins every Saturday from 10 AM to 2 PM in front of labour union buildings across all provinces. This continuous mobilisation will be our primary path toward achieving the highest level of organisation and the largest peaceful mass movement capable of exerting its weight and securing its legitimate rights. Our ultimate goal is to become an active partner in building the new Syria that we all aspire to.
Slogans:
The main slogan: “Persistence, Persistence, Until the Decision is Overturned”
“One, One, The Syrian People Are One”
“One, One, Syrian Workers Are One”
“Syrian Workers are united”
“We Are State Workers, Not Regime Workers”
“Caretaker Government, Not Worker Layoffs”
“No to Arbitrary Dismissals”
“We Stand with the Law and Against Corruption”
“Livelihood is a Red Line”
“We Are Not Ghosts”
“We Are All Syrians, and We Will Rebuild Our Country with Love”
“Retirees Have Given Their Lives to This Country—We Must Preserve Their Dignity”
“Yes to Holding Corrupt Officials Accountable”
“Our Determination is Strong—We Want to Work”
“Yes to Raising Job Efficiency”
“We Need a Wage Increase That Sustains Us”
“Want a Strong Economy? You Can Rely on Us”
“Sorry, Gentlemen… Our Factories Are Not for Sale”
“No to Privatization—We Can Operate and Improve Our Industries”
“Our Jobs Are Our Dignity and Our Children’s Livelihood”
“We Are Tired of Injustice and Deprivation”
“Our Movement Is National… Our Movement Is Peaceful… We Will Change Everything Unjust”
“We Demand Social Justice”
“We Don’t Want Words—We Want Actions”
“We Won’t Stay Home—We Will Build a New Nation”
General Coordination Committee for Democratic Workers’ Change
