Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2016, published 106th ILC session (2017)

Fee-Charging Employment Agencies Convention (Revised), 1949 (No. 96) - Syrian Arab Republic (Ratification: 1957)

Part II of the Convention. Progressive abolition of fee-charging employment agencies conducted with a view to profit. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in its report indicating that it intends to submit the Private Employment Agencies Convention, 1997 (No. 181), to the competent authorities via the Advisory Council for Social Dialogue. The Government explains that the Council will re-examine Convention No. 181 in preparation for its ratification, given the promulgation of new regulations with regard to Syrian and non-Syrian domestic workers. The Committee reiterates its previous comments noting that the current situation is not in conformity with the requirements of Part II of Convention No. 96 accepted by the Syrian Arab Republic at the time of its ratification in 1957. The Committee recalls that the Governing Body, at its 273rd Session in November 1998, invited the State parties to Convention No. 96 to contemplate ratifying, as appropriate, Convention No. 181 (GB.273/LILS/4(Rev.1)). Such ratification would entail the immediate denunciation of Convention No. 96. Consequently, as long as Convention No. 181 has not been ratified by the Syrian Arab Republic, Convention No. 96 remains in force in the country and the Committee will continue to examine its application. The Committee requests the Government to provide a copy of the regulations concerning domestic workers referred to in its report once they are promulgated. The Committee once again expresses the hope that the Government will soon be in a position to ratify Convention No. 181.

While acknowledging the complexity of the situation on the ground due to the presence of armed groups and armed conflict in the country, the Committee trusts that the Government will make all efforts to bring its law and practice into conformity with the Convention.