Syria discusses its national report on the rights of migrant workers

Geneva-Damascus (ST): Syria began discussing its second and third periodic report on the implementation of its obligations related to protecting the rights of all migrant workers and members of their families before the Committee on the Protection of Migrant Workers, in Geneva.

The Syrian delegation was led by the Head of the Permanent Mission of the Syrian Arab Republic in Geneva, Ambassador Hossam El-Din Ala and Dr. Khawla Youssef from the mission. The discussion took place via video from Damascus, Deputy Minister of Social Affairs and Labor Muhammad Firas Nabhan, President of the Syrian Commission for Family and Population Affairs, Eng. Samar Al-Sibai, and Dr. Yasser Kalzy, representing the Ministry of Interior.

Ambassador Ala indicated that the report before the committee is the result of a broad national consultative process that was conducted in order to reflect the challenges related to the implementation of the Convention at the national level, noting that Syria is keen to implement its national obligations under the international instruments to which it is a party.

Ala added, “Syria is determined to continue its efforts to strengthen its international commitments in national legislation and policies, stressing the importance of cooperation and dialogue at all bilateral, regional and international levels in migration and labor issues, noting that discussing the report is an opportunity for a meaningful and constructive dialogue in accordance with the frameworks and concepts included in the agreement and the mandate entrusted to the committee.”

From Damascus, Deputy Minister Nabhan stated in response to some questions that Syria had issued a number of legislations in harmony with the Convention on the Protection of the Rights of Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families, noting that Labor Law No. 17 of 2010 includes the prevention of violating the principle of equal opportunities or equal treatment and discrimination among workers, indicating that the Ministry is working within the framework of developing national legislation with a comprehensive amendment to the Labor Law and Decree 65 of 2013 regarding the organization of domestic service for non-Syrians in line with the provisions of the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families.

K.Q.