Syria’s Finance Minister Unveils 400,000 ‘Ghost Employees’ in Public Sector
By Kardo Roj
DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – Syria’s caretaker Finance Minister, Mohammad Abazid, revealed on Friday that only 900,000 out of the 1.3 million government employees registered on the payroll are actually working, exposing the presence of approximately 400,000 “ghost employees.” The revelation, based on an initial review, underscores the depth of inefficiencies in the country’s war-torn economy.
In an interview with Reuters, Abazid stated that removing these fictitious names from the payroll could free up substantial financial resources. “This is a major step in restructuring the economy and ensuring that state funds are directed efficiently,” he said.
A Move Toward Market Reforms
Syria’s economy has been in freefall since the conflict erupted in 2011, with inflation soaring and state revenues dwindling. The current government, led by interim President Ahmed al-Shar’a, is attempting to shift toward a more competitive free-market economy. Minister of Economy Basil Abdelhanan, a former energy sector engineer, emphasized that the government is pushing for structural reforms aimed at attracting investments and revitalizing industries.
“There is now a significant move toward a competitive free-market economy,” Abdelhanan stated. The government has also announced plans to privatize state-owned industrial firms, many of which have been struggling for years. “Of the 107 state-owned industrial companies, most are operating at a loss,” he added.
Foreign Investment and Reconstruction Hopes
The interim government aims to boost both local and foreign investment to create jobs and support the country’s long-term reconstruction efforts. After 14 years of war, Syria’s infrastructure remains devastated, and economic recovery has been sluggish. Officials believe that by implementing tax reforms and offering amnesty for financial violations, they can encourage businesses to return.
Observers note that while these reforms signal a potential shift in economic policy, significant challenges remain, particularly in combating corruption and ensuring transparency in the privatization process. Critics argue that without strict oversight, privatization efforts could lead to monopolization by a small elite, further exacerbating inequality.
Syria’s economic woes are compounded by Western sanctions, a depreciating currency, and persistent security concerns. While some international firms have shown interest in re-entering the Syrian market, many remain hesitant due to political instability and legal uncertainties.
The latest revelations about fraudulent government salaries have reignited debates over the efficiency of Syria’s public sector. As the government moves forward with its economic reforms, questions remain about whether these measures will truly address the deep-rooted structural issues or merely serve as short-term fixes.