Strike and Sit-in in Daraa in Protest of the Dismissal of 700 Employees
January 7, 2025, 1:53 pm

Strike and Sit-in in Daraa in Protest of the Dismissal of 700 Employees

اعتصام في درعا

The Daraa Health Directorate witnessed a strike and sit-in this morning carried out by employees, protesting the Ministry of Health's decision to dismiss 700 staff members from the directorate. Participants raised banners denouncing the arbitrary dismissals, including the slogan: "Better to cut necks than to cut livelihoods."

According to informed sources, employees received notifications of their dismissal via phone calls and messages on WhatsApp, with the decision specifying a limit of 900 employees for the Daraa Health Directorate, down from a total of 1,781 employees.

The decision came based on directives from the Minister of Development through the Daraa Health Directorate as part of a plan to restructure the health sector in the province. The Ministry of Health in Damascus also requested that employees submit their identification documents to complete the necessary procedures.

Threat of a Catastrophe in the Health Sector

The Daraa Health Directorate includes 91 health centers, three medical complexes, six peripheral hospitals, as well as five specialized clinics and a main administrative building. Within these facilities, 1,781 employees form the backbone of the health sector in the province.

Closure of Other Institutions Concurrently

This decision coincides with the closure of other institutions and directorates in Daraa, including the Directorate of Culture, the Cultural Center, the Directorate of Tourism, and the Syrian Trade Directorate.

Outrage Among Employees

In exclusive statements to "Nabaa," one employee expressed their frustration, saying: "We do not oppose the restructuring of the directorate or changing its management, but the decision to dismiss workers while they are on duty is unjust. We support the dismissal of those who do not comply with work or have incorrect documentation, but the dismissal of effective staff is completely rejected."

Another female employee expressed her dissatisfaction, stating: "We served during the most challenging times of the war, and we did not abandon our duties during the COVID-19 pandemic. How can the ministry now demand that we submit our identification documents and then dismiss us afterward?" She added: "We have endured working for years despite low salaries that do not exceed $20 a month. We prefer to continue working despite the low pay rather than being dismissed, as we have no other financial resources. If we had the ability to leave the country, we would have done so a long time ago. We do not ask for a 400% salary increase in exchange for our dismissal; we want to keep our jobs and continue to fulfill our duty."

Calls for the Reinstatement of Dismissed Employees

In a related context, a former employee who was dismissed due to his pro-revolution stance told "Nabaa" that the directorate has not taken any steps to invite them back to work despite their right to do so. He added: "We sacrificed our jobs when we joined the revolution, and we deserve to return now more than anyone else."

Employees in the directorate continue their sit-in while waiting for the ministry to respond to their demands, amid concerns about the impact of this decision on the health services provided to the people of Daraa.

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).

Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.