Introduction:
In light of the political and social transformations taking place in Syria, the importance of activating the role of unions emerges as one of the main levers for achieving a peaceful and sustainable political transition. Unions are mass organizations representing the interests of workers, employees, and those with diverse interests. They play a vital role in promoting democracy and popular participation in decision-making.
Activating the role of unions in Syria can contribute to achieving balance between various political forces, promoting national dialogue, and guaranteeing the rights of workers and citizens in light of political changes.
Unions are a social force capable of influencing public policy and contributing to building strong democratic institutions by organizing workers and defending their rights. Unions can be a powerful voice for civil society, working to achieve social justice and sustainable development. In this context, activating the role of unions in Syria becomes an urgent necessity for achieving a successful political transition and building a better future for the country.
History and Development of Trade Unions in Syria:
The emergence and development of unions in Syria dates back to the early 20th century, when trade unions began to emerge as a response to the difficult working and living conditions experienced by the working class. In the first decades of the 20th century, Syria witnessed the emergence of numerous labor unions, seeking to improve working conditions and secure better rights for workers.
In 1933, the General Federation of Syrian Workers was established, the country’s first official labor union. This federation worked to organize workers, defend their rights, and demand improved working conditions. In 1947, the General Federation of Syrian Workers was established, which became the primary body responsible for organizing labor unions in Syria.
Over time, labor unions in Syria witnessed significant development, beginning to include a broader range of social and professional groups. In 1963, the General Union of Syrian Workers was established, which worked to organize labor unions and defend workers’ rights in Syria.
However, in recent decades, after the Ba’ath Party took over and Assad’s rule, labor unions in Syria faced significant challenges, leading to their domestication, like all civil society organizations, and their subordination to the security authorities.
Thus, labor unions in Syria, as in many countries, perform several traditional roles that can be summarized as follows:
A. Defending workers’ rights:
Unions play a key role in defending workers’ rights and demanding improved working conditions and wages. Unions represent workers in negotiations with employers, whether these negotiations relate to wages, working hours, or working conditions.
B. Awareness and education:
Unions contribute to raising workers’ awareness of their rights and duties and familiarizing them with labor laws. They also organize workshops and training courses to enhance workers’ capabilities and develop their skills.
C. Providing social support:
Unions provide a range of social services to their members, such as health care, education, and housing. These services contribute to improving the quality of life for workers and their families.
D. Promoting unity and solidarity:
Unions promote the unity and solidarity of workers, enabling them to stand together to achieve their common interests. Often, unions are the collective voice that expresses workers’ demands.
E. Contribution to Decision-Making:
Unions play a role in participating in decision-making at the national level by lobbying the government and policymakers. They seek to achieve positive changes in labor-related legislation and policies.
The impact of unions on Syrian society stems from their role in defending workers’ rights and improving working conditions. Unions contribute to raising the standard of living for workers and their families.
Unions also seek to achieve social justice and reduce the gap between different social classes.
By representing and defending workers’ interests, unions contribute to achieving social stability and reducing conflict.
Unions also contribute to raising workers’ awareness of political and social issues, which enhances their participation in public life.
Unions and Political Transition:
Unions play a vital role during periods of political transition in many countries around the world. Through this role, unions contribute to achieving political stability and social justice. Among the most prominent roles played by unions during periods of political transition are:
Promoting democracy:
Unions work to promote democratic participation by encouraging workers to engage in the political process and vote in elections. Unions also encourage dialogue and cooperation among various social and political groups.
Defending workers’ rights:
Unions play a key role in defending workers’ rights during periods of political transition. They work to ensure that workers’ rights are not ignored in political processes and economic reforms.
Contributing to social stability:
By mediating disputes between workers and employers, unions contribute to achieving social stability and reducing labor disputes. This stability is essential for a successful political transition.
Pushing for political and economic reforms:
Unions leverage their numerical strength and political influence to push for political and economic reforms that benefit workers. These reforms include improving working conditions, increasing wages, and providing social protection.
Building alliances:
Unions work to build alliances with civil society organizations and political parties to achieve common goals. This cooperation can help strengthen unions’ influence in political processes.
Historical examples of the role of unions in contributing to the success of political transitions include:
It played a key role in the struggle against apartheid and in supporting the democratic transition in South Africa. The Confederation of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) was a key member of the opposition coalition that led to the end of apartheid.
b. Poland: The Solidarity trade union, led by Lech Walesa, was a major catalyst in the transition from communist rule to democracy in the late 1980s.
c. Tunisia: The Tunisian General Labour Union (UGTT) played a major role in the political transition following the 2011 Tunisian revolution. The union was part of the “National Dialogue Quartet,” which won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2015 for its role in facilitating national dialogue and promoting stability and democracy.
These and other examples demonstrate how unions can be a driving force for positive change during periods of political transition.
Challenges and Difficulties:
Trade unions in Syria face numerous challenges that affect their ability to represent workers and defend their rights. Perhaps the most important challenges are:
A. Legal and Political Challenges:
Strict laws: The former Syrian government, which was affiliated with the former Assad regime, prohibited the formation of free unions and restricted workers’ rights to demonstrate and protest. Even after the liberation, these laws still require urgent amendments.
Political Pressure: Trade unions face significant pressures seeking to limit their influence and restrict the scope of their work.
Rebellion and Unrest: Armed conflicts and internal unrest hinder the work of unions and make it difficult for them to carry out their duties effectively.
B. Economic and Social Challenges:
Inflation and worsening economic conditions. Difficult economic conditions affect unions’ ability to provide financial support to workers.
Unemployment and Informal Employment: Increasing rates of unemployment and informal employment mean that unions face difficulty representing all workers.
Social Changes: Social and political changes in the country affect the relationship between unions and workers and make it difficult for unions to maintain their support. The Role of Unions in Promoting Democracy and Political Participation:
Unions play a vital role in promoting democracy and political participation during periods of political transition. These periods are often crucial to the future of democracy in a country. Hence, the important role of unions:
Stimulating political participation: Unions encourage workers and members of society to engage in the political process, whether through voting in elections or participating in peaceful demonstrations and protests.
Community awareness: Unions educate workers and society about their political rights and duties. This includes spreading awareness of laws and rights related to labor and political participation.
Political lobbying: Unions use their numerical strength and political influence to pressure governments to adopt democratic policies and implement necessary reforms. Through organizing and peaceful protest, unions can be a powerful voice for civil society.
National dialogue: Unions contribute to promoting national dialogue among various political and social groups, contributing to reaching a comprehensive national consensus on vital issues.
Therefore, it can be said that unions contribute to building democratic and sustainable institutions through the following:
Transparency and accountability in government and private institutions. By monitoring policies and practices and working to expose corruption, unions help build fair and effective institutions.
Ensuring workers’ rights and improving working conditions. This includes negotiating wages and working conditions, and providing legal support to workers in the event of disputes. Through these efforts, unions can improve the quality of life for workers and their families.
Promoting sustainable development by defending workers’ rights and participating in the formulation of economic policies. This can contribute to achieving sustainable and balanced economic growth that ensures social justice.
Strengthening the unity and solidarity of society, which contributes to building a strong social fabric capable of facing challenges. By providing support to workers and participating in social work, unions play a vital role in building a cohesive and sustainable society.
Therefore, activating the role of unions in Syria during the transitional period is not just an option; it is a necessity for achieving a successful political transition and building a sustainable and democratic future for the country. Unions as a Social and Political Force:
Unions play a vital role as a social and political force in societies, organizing and unifying workers and contributing to political and social change.
Let us review how unions can be transformed into a lobbying force for political change and their role in promoting national dialogue and reconciliation.
A. How to transform unions into a lobbying force for political change through:
Organization and Unification: Effective organization and unification are among the most important steps in transforming unions into a lobbying force. By organizing workers into strong, unified union units, unions can achieve greater influence in the political process.
Education and Awareness: Educating union members about their rights and duties and educating them about political and social issues can contribute to strengthening the role of unions as a lobbying force. Unions can organize workshops and training programs to raise awareness among their members.
Alliances and Collaboration: Building alliances with civil society organizations and political parties can increase unions’ power to influence public policy. By collaborating with diverse partners, unions can strengthen their bargaining power.
Peaceful Demonstrations and Protests: Organizing peaceful demonstrations and protests as a pressure tool can have a significant impact on political decision-making. These protests highlight workers’ demands and attract the attention of the government and public opinion.
ParticipationA. South Africa, where it played a
