Brussels VIII Conference: Fostering inclusive recovery in Syria through the private sector

Brussels (ILO News) - The ‘Unlocking Potential: The Civic and Economic Role of the Private Sector in Syria’ event was co-organized by UNDP and the ILO, the Embassy of Italy and the Embassy of Japan in Syria, as well as the London School of Economics and Political Science, on the margins of the Brussels VIII Conference Day of Dialogue. The side event, with the participation of civil society organizations, enterprises, and Syrian diaspora communities from across Syria and beyond, explored the interlink between the civic and economic roles of the Syrian private sector.

Participants emphasized that Syrian workers represent a valuable asset, and leveraging their skills could significantly contribute to economic recovery. However, they stressed the need to remove obstacles hindering their employment and ensure fair recruitment practices, transparency, and accountability.

The International Labour Organization (ILO) emphasized the significance of decent work conditions and labour rights, advocating for collective bargaining and the empowerment of workers within the private sector, while bringing together the voices of Employer and Business Membership Organizations (EBMOs).

Ms Lieve Verboven, Director of the ILO Office to the EU, said: “The private sector is vital for job creation, impacting entire families. Acknowledging its resilience, the ILO values input from its tripartite constituents. Investing in skills and safety programs is crucial for labour rights, and empowering workers to engage in dialogue enhances productivity.”

Mr Tomoki Watanabe, ILO Syria Country Coordinator, said: “Enhancing business profitability and ensuring decent work conditions do not contradict with each other. Syrian workers are faced with low wages and inadequate safety standards. Collective bargaining becomes essential in this context and can be institutionalized at the enterprise or industrial levels, too. Yet, workers’ representatives are notably absent within the private sector.”

The importance of collaboration between the private sector and NGOs was also underscored in providing support to MSMEs and EBMOs. Participants urged for meaningful conditionality on the operational level, emphasizing safety rights, good governance, and fair labour practices. They emphasized the need for continuous dialogue between stakeholders at all levels—government, employers, and employees—to address pressing issues and rebuild disrupted value chains, in support of ordinary Syrian population.

The meeting in Brussels served as a platform for fruitful discussions and collaborations aimed at fostering an inclusive and sustainable recovery of the private sector in Syria. It underscored the importance of collective efforts, innovative approaches, and international support in overcoming challenges and unlocking the full potential of MSMEs as engines of economic growth and social wellbeing.

Private Sector Dialogue

ILO had earlier co-organized a private sector dialogue with UNDP at ILO’s International Training Centre (ITC) in March, which led to the dialogue event in Brussels. This event at ITC built on UNDP’s longstanding support since 2018 in this domain. Prior to that, the ILO and UNDP convened a series of local workshops across various cities in Syria to capture the economic struggles facing Syrian businesses.

The workshops revealed critical insights into the Syrian economic landscape, highlighting the predominance of MSMEs within the informal economy. Participants highlighted the acute shortages in essential services such as fuel, transportation, and electricity, exacerbating operational inefficiencies and logistical constraints for businesses. In addition to these obstacles, market disruptions are deepening due to the effects of the overcompliance with the sanctions legislations to a large extent, which is pushing Syrian businesses further into informality. Discussions therefore centred on the detrimental repercussions of overcompliance on local industries and trade. The workshops emphasized the need for clear guidelines, advocating against overcompliance to mitigate adverse impacts.

Human resource constraints, particularly the exodus of young and skilled labour, emerged as another significant challenge. Participants stressed the urgent need for market-driven capacity building initiatives and vocational training programs to address skills shortages and enhance labour productivity.

In light of these challenges, participants called for comprehensive UN support to address the severe obstacles facing Syrian businesses. The ILO is committed to supporting the Syrian business community as part of early recovery efforts.