Syrian President Bashar al-Assad issued two decrees today, Monday, to raise salaries in Syria by 50%, coinciding with an increase in fuel prices in the country. According to the Syrian news agency "SANA", Asad issued Decrees No. (7) and (8) which provide for adding 50% to the salaries and fixed wages of all civil and military employees, retirees in ministries, public administrations, public institutions, companies and public sector facilities, as well as other administrative units and public work entities, confiscated companies and facilities, private schools, and other public sector entities, including joint sector entities where the state’s contribution is at least 75% of the capital.
According to Article 3 of Decree No. (7), the general minimum wage and the minimum wages for professions for workers in the private, cooperative, and joint sectors not covered by the provisions of the State Workers' Basic Law No. (50) of 2004 and its amendments will be increased to 278,910 Syrian pounds per month. Meanwhile, Syrian Finance Minister Kinan Yaghi stated in an interview with the Syrian newspaper "Al-Watan" that "the cost of the current increase is 2.5 trillion pounds, which will be disbursed throughout the year as it will be part of the monthly salaries with the implementation of the decree upon the first salary payment."
He pointed out that the aim of the salary increase is to maintain the purchasing power of state employees, and that the government’s constant concern is to improve the living standards of citizens, striving to enhance incomes and wages as resources permit.
In the same context, the Syrian Ministry of Internal Trade reported an unprecedented rise in the daily cost of securing bread, exceeding 7,000 Syrian pounds per bundle. It explained that this price increase is due to several factors, including global issues related to rising wheat prices and the costs of bread production, complexities in maritime and land trade routes, as well as local factors linked to the consequences of years of war and blockade, the loss of vast areas designated for wheat cultivation, and oil production wells under American occupation. It also pointed out that the increase in the bill for repairing and restoring bakeries and infrastructure for bread production damaged by terrorism in various provinces has significantly impacted prices as well.
