Hundreds of workers at the Port of Lattakia have reportedly been forced to resign under extreme pressure. The mass resignations follow a major administrative restructuring that transferred port management to the General Authority for Land and Maritime Borders, which was later followed by a long-term investment agreement with a French corporation.
While worker testimonies and legal experts point to suspicious termination tactics, the General Authority denies any wrongdoing. Employees insist their resignations were obtained under duress. The Authority, for its part, claims that all procedures were strictly legal, though it has failed to provide detailed justifications.
Beyond the immediate loss of income, workers face severe restrictions in accessing their severance pay. These financial obstacles, combined with a collapsing economy, have made starting a small business or pursuing alternative employment nearly impossible.
Resignation Under Coercion
“Karim,” a safety and security supervisor with 15 years of experience, described how his career ended with a “mandatory” resignation request. He alleged that he and his colleagues were barred from leaving the port until they signed, facing threats that they would otherwise forfeit their benefits. Dozens of other workers echoed this, stating they were given a forced choice: sign the resignation or lose all entitlements.
These events unfolded after the port’s oversight was transferred from the Ministry of Transport to the General Authority for Land and Maritime Borders. In May 2025, a €230 million, 30-year agreement was signed with the French shipping giant CMA CGM. According to reports from Enab Baladi, the subsequent layoffs have affected approximately 400 contract employees, many of whom had years of technical expertise and were dismissed without clear cause.
“Firas,” another affected worker, noted that during the instability following the collapse of the previous Syrian regime, he worked up to 16 hours a day to secure the port. He was later let go without explanation. Now suffering from diabetes and without a steady income, he depends entirely on family support to get by.
Inadequate Compensation and Financial Barriers
The crisis is worsened by the “unfair” nature of the severance packages. Compensation was set at one month’s salary for every year of service. However, these funds are deposited into bank accounts subject to strict weekly withdrawal limits ranging from 100,000 to 200,000 SYP.
The Impact: For a worker entitled to a 20-million-pound payout, these withdrawal caps make it impossible to access the full amount as a lump sum to launch a small business or secure an alternative source of income.
Public sector employees have faced different pressures, including requirements to sign pledges promising not to challenge future administrative decisions, such as transfers to other provinces. Some reported receiving transfer notices via WhatsApp—a tactic seen as indirect pressure to force “voluntary” resignations. However, following legal action by the workers, 160 employees were recently reassigned to institutions within Lattakia province, offering a slight reprieve.
The General Authority for Land and Maritime Borders maintains that its actions are legally sound. Nevertheless, the lack of transparency surrounding the mass dismissals continues to invite scrutiny from legal and human rights advocates.
This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
