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