11 February 2010 - The Philippine Embassy in Syria reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) about the implementation of Decision No. 27 (Regulation of Private Employment Employment Agnecy for Non Syrian [Domestic Helper], Conditions and Rules of their Employments in the Territories of the Syrian Arab Republic), which will regulate the employment of of foreign workers in Syria.
Philippine Ambassador to Syria Wilfredo R. Cuyugan said that the new directive regularizes the procedures and stipulates specific rules that employment agencies and employers must follow in order to avail of services of foreign workers.
"It contains specific provisions regarding the rights of the foreign worker, which includes the adequate salary and proper method of payment, social security coverage, suitable working conditions, annual leaves, clothing, food, medicine, standard working contracts and other entitlements and benefits," he explained.
Under Decision No. 27, the entry and license of all foreign workers into Syria must be done only through licensed employment agencies. Foreign workers are allowed to work in the country for no more than three years.
Agencies applying for a license must secure all pertinent documents to the Syrian Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor (MOSAL), and must pay a certain amount, which will serve as a financial guarantee to pay for fines and/or to repatriate foreign workers in coordination with its Ministry of Interior and Immigration.
It will be the employment agency's responsibility to provide a safe working environment for the worker, settling the worker's residency fee, and repatriation of pregnant women, the mentally unstable and sick workers, including those with contagious diseases.