Run your business seamlessly with Neeyamo as we help you go beyond borders to manage your international payroll and hire new talent in Syria.
Overview
Syria is a country of fertile plains, high mountains, and deserts. The coastal plain along the Mediterranean Sea is a fertile area known for its agriculture. The eastern highlands are the home of the Anti-Lebanon Mountains, which form a natural barrier between Syria and Lebanon.
Syria's economy is heavily reliant on agriculture, which accounts for about 25% of GDP. Other important sectors include oil and gas, industry, and tourism.
Do your organization's expansion plans require hiring employees in Syria? Do you lack a physical entity in the country – a key requisite to hire local talent? Neeyamo – one of the top Global payroll providers, assists organizations worldwide with onboarding and managing employees in Syria- processing payroll, managing local compliance requirements, benefits, and more.
Facts And Stats
Capital
Damascus
Currency
Syrian Pound (SYP)
Official Language
Arabic
Fiscal Year
1 January - 31 December
Date Format
DD/MM/YYYY
Country Calling Code
+963
Other Languages
Time Zone
UTC + 02:00
Global Payroll
Overview
Handling payroll for a widespread workforce can pose a significant challenge for any organization, and the added complication of compliance can make things worse. If companies spend more time processing payroll, it directly impacts day-to-day operations and their overall productivity.
Over the years, Neeyamo has observed these complexities and strived to provide a global payroll solution through a single technology platform - Neeyamo Payroll. Cloud based payroll service providers, like Neeyamo, assess payroll industry trends and offer a consolidated solution in its Global Payroll Technology Stack making outsourcing payroll cost per employee easier.
Payroll Taxes
Payroll tax is the percentage amount retained from an employee's salary and paid to the government to invest in the general population's welfare. These are statutory in nature and are levied from both the employer and employee. Additional statutory contributions are made by employers towards aiding both short-term and long-term benefits for their employees. Neeyamo aids you in completing all your payroll and tax accounting needs.
Employee Taxes
The personal income tax rate in Syria for 2023 is 22%
Employer Taxes
In Syria, the social security contributions for employees and employers are as follows:
Employees:
Old age, disability, and survivors: 14%
Work injury: 3%
Lump-sum disability benefits: 0.10%
Employers:
Old age, disability, and survivors: 7%
voluntary supplemental disability and death benefits: 1%
Payroll Cycle
Overview
Undoubtedly, payroll is a critical aspect of any organization. The Pay cycle is a notable feature that provides a sense of accountability for an employee to be paid consistently for their work.
Frequency
The payroll cycle is Monthly.
13th Month Cycle
There is no statutory requirement to pay the 13th or the 14th month salary.
Global Work
Overview
An Employer of Record service provider helps you get rid of the hassle of handling the complexities that come with setting up a new employee in remote locations. They act as legal employers, facilitate salary payments, and handle everything from health insurance. payroll taxes, and employee benefits to comply with local tax laws and regulations.
This ensures that the client company can focus on the employee’s everyday tasks safely in the knowledge that they have a cost-effective solution as they continue their global expansion.
HR Mandates and Practices
Minimum Wage
Average Wages in Syria range between SYP 71,515.00 to SYP 185,940.00 per month
Overtime
Employers are required to compensate workers for overtime hours at the standard hourly wage plus a 25% supplement for day work and a 50% supplement for night work. This rate is doubled for overtime hours worked during official holidays.
Data Retention Policy
Companies must retain employee records for a minimum of five years.
Hiring and Onboarding Requirements
Hiring
The Syrian constitution prohibits discrimination based on race, religion, and gender, but there are no specific laws against discrimination in employment.
Here are some of the factors that are typically considered when hiring employees in Syria:
- Syrian Nationality
- Fluent in Syrian
Onboarding
Some common onboarding documents include:
- Employment contract: This document outlines the terms and conditions of the employee's employment, including their salary, benefits, and termination provisions.
- Tax form: This form is used to collect the employee's tax information.
- Background check authorization form: This form authorizes the company to conduct a background check on the employee.
- Company handbook: This document outlines the company's policies and procedures.
- Job description: This document outlines the duties and responsibilities of the employee's position.
New employees in Syria may also be required to provide the following:
- Copy of their passport or national ID card.
- Copy of their educational qualifications.
- Copy of their work permit
- Copy of their medical certificate
Probation
The maximum probation period for workers in Syria is three months. This applies to all employees, regardless of their position or experience
Leave
Public Holidays
Syria observes the following holidays:
- 1 January - New Year's Day
- 8 March - Revolution Day
- 21 Mar - Mother's Day
- 9 April - Easter Sunday
- 16 April - Orthodox Easter Sunday
- 17 April - Independence Day
- 21 April - Eid al-Fitr Holiday
- 23 April - Eid al-Fitr Holiday
- 22 April - Eid al-Fitr Holiday
- 1 May - Labour Day
- 6 May - Martyrs' Day
- 28 June - Eid al-Adha Holiday
- 29 June - Eid al-Adha Holiday
- 30 June - Eid al-Adha Holiday
- 1 July - Eid al-Adha Holiday
- 19 July - Islamic New Year
- 27 September - Prophet Muhammad's Birthday
- 6 October - Tishreen Liberation Day
- 25 December - Christmas Day
Annual Leave
Employees in Syria are entitled to 15 days of paid annual leave per year for the first five years of service, and 21 days of paid annual leave per year for more than five years of service. Annual leave can be taken in one or more blocks, but it must be taken within a three-year period.
Sick Leave
Employees in Syria are entitled to paid sick leave for up to 14 days per year. Sick leave is only available for employees who are certified sick by a doctor.
Maternity Leave
Female employees in Syria are entitled to 14 weeks of paid maternity leave, which can be taken before or after the birth of the child
Adoption Leave
Employees are also entitled to an additional four weeks of paid leave if they adopt a child.
Pilgrimage Leave
Employees have the right to pilgrimage leave with full pay, once during their entire employment, based on the following terms:
- 30 days for Muslims
- 7 days for Christians
The pilgrimage leave is granted after a minimum of five years of continuous employment with the same employer.
Bereavement Leave
Workers shall be entitled to death leave of five days, with full pay, for the death of an ascendant, descendant, sibling or spouse.
Marriage Leave
Termination
Notice Period
- Less than one year - One month
- One to five years - Two months
- More than five years - Three months
Severance Pay
Severance pay is calculated based on the employee's length of service. For each year of service, the employee is entitled to one month's salary.
Visa
Overview
To obtain a work permit in Syria, foreign nationals must follow a specific process and provide the necessary documents:
- Passport: A valid passport with at least six months of remaining validity beyond the intended date of departure from Syria is mandatory.
- Visa: Foreign nationals, except citizens of Jordan and Lebanon, require a visa to enter Syria. Visas can be obtained at Syrian embassies or consulates abroad or upon arrival at Damascus International Airport.
- Employment Contract: A signed employment contract outlining the terms and conditions of employment, including salary, benefits, and job duties, is required.
- Medical Certificate
- Police Clearance Certificate
- Photo
- Visa Application Form
Employee Background Checks
Legal and Background Checks
Most common types of legal and background checks conducted in Syria are:
- Employment Verification
- Identity Verification
- Education Verification
- Medical Examinations
Last updated on December 01, 2023
If you have any queries or suggestions, reach out to us at irene.jones@neeyamo.com
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