Bashar Assad Orders 50% Wage Increase for Syrians

Syrian President Bashar Assad announced Monday a 50% increase in wages for the country’s civilians, military personnel, and retirees, the state-run Syrian Arab News Agency reported. This adjustment includes a broad spectrum of workers, from regular to seasonal, and extends to those receiving pensions under relevant laws. This move, marking the 10th such increase since the Syrian civil war began in 2011, comes as Syria faces persistent economic difficulties.

Prior to this decree, the monthly income for civil servants was notably low, ranging between approximately $20 to $40, amid the declining value of the Syrian pound. This latest wage hike is intended to alleviate the effects of soaring inflation, which has hit citizens across the country.

Concurrently, the Internal Trade and Consumer Protection Ministry has announced the doubling of subsidized bread prices and a 185.7% rise in diesel costs for both public and private bakeries. Syria’s economic challenges are compounded by factors including the destruction wrought by ongoing conflict, pervasive corruption, Western sanctions, the aftermath of last February’s earthquake, the control of key oil fields by US forces and their allies, and the continuous emigration of skilled labor.