Economic Overview, Levantine Commercial Crossroads & Agriculture
Syria occupies a historic Mediterranean trading location with established agricultural and industrial production.
Key Economic Clusters
- Textiles & Light Manufacturing: Historic cotton spinning, weaving, and textile apparel manufacturing.
- Mediterranean Agriculture: Premium olive oil, citrus, wheat, and pistachio cultivation.
- Humanitarian Logistics & Development: UN agencies and international NGO relief operations.
Employment Contracts, Labour Law No. 17/2010 & Probation
Regulated by Labour Law No. 17 of 2010.
- Written Contracts: Mandatory in Arabic (or bilingual) detailing job terms.
- Probation Period: Maximum statutory probation is 3 months.
Working Hours, Leave & Social Insurance (GOSI)
- Standard Hours: 40 to 48 hours per week (8 hours/day over 5 or 6 days).
- Annual Leave: Minimum 14 calendar days (tenure < 5 yrs), 21 calendar days (5–10 yrs), and 30 calendar days (10+ yrs service).
- Public Holidays: 13 official national and religious public holidays.
- Maternity Leave: 120 calendar days for 1st child (90 days for 2nd, 75 days for 3rd) fully paid.
- Social Security (GOSI): Employers contribute 14.0% and employees contribute 7.0% of gross wages (21% total).
Why Use an Employer of Record (EOR) in Syria
- Rapid Humanitarian Deployment: Onboard project directors and relief coordinators in Damascus or Latakia in days.
- GOSI & Tax Compliance: Automated management of 14% employer social security and local salary tax declarations.
Hiring in Syria? Key Resources
Whether you are evaluating entity setup vs. using an Employer of Record, or looking for the best international payroll solution, our guides give you transparent benchmarks:
