Brussels, SANA – Chairman of the General Federation of Trade Unions Jamal al-Qadiri highlighted the large scale of the “catastrophic” repercussions of the US and Western imposed sanctions and coercive measures on Syria’s people in general and its workers in particular.
Al-Qadiri took part in the international symposium of the World Federation of Trade Unions, which was held on the sidelines of the International Labor Conference in the Swiss city of Geneva.
The sanctions have targeted the various sectors in Syria and coincided with foreign-backed terrorist acts that have taken a severe toll on all aspects of life in the country.
Economic and industrial facilities and equipment have been either destroyed and heavily damaged or robbed and spare parts necessary for maintenance are difficult to get due to the economic blockade.
Besides those who lost their lives in terrorist acts, many workers have lost their jobs and can hardly provide for their families.
Al-Qadiri called on representatives of the states participating in the conference to pressure their governments and the International Labor Organization to take action to the effect of breaking the blockade on Syria, imposed since 2011.
He called on the Organization to act upon its “ethical role” to ensure the rights of the Syrian workers who have been forced to leave Syria to settle abroad.
Unions from Lebanon, Greece, Turkey, Russia, Ukraine, Serbia, Brazil, Lithuania, Cuba, Sudan, Portugal and Venezuela took part in the symposium.
The conference, which kicked off yesterday, will continue for two weeks with the participation of representatives from185 countries. It discusses issues related to international labor criteria and means to establish proper work conditions.
H. Said