Zaman al-Wasl obtained a copy of the new contract for the Syrian Petroleum Company, which some employees have signed, and is publishing it for public discussion and scrutiny.
Before reviewing the contract and its legal flaws, Zaman al-Wasl would like to highlight two observations it made while monitoring the contract signing process within the Syrian Petroleum Holding Company:
- First observation: Syrian Petroleum Company contracts and signing blank fields
Zaman al-Wasl has learned that the contracts signed with employees are done without specifying a monetary value, leaving them blank. The signing process has already begun, but employees are not signing for the contract value and do not know its value.
The essential fields in the contract—most notably the monthly salary in dollars—are left blank upon signing. This means that employees are signing a blank document, omitting their most valuable right, without any knowledge of the amount the company will pay them for their work, or even their job title and work location.
- Second observation: Redundant employees... prevented from signing
The signing process did not include all company employees. Some employees, when they went to sign their contracts, were surprised to find their names missing from the signing lists and that they were considered "redundant."
According to informed sources speaking to Zaman al-Wasl, these employees' managers did not include them in their departments' needs, which led to them being prevented from signing the contracts. Exclusive reports
These employees now await their uncertain fate: Will they be transferred to the Ministry of Energy? Or to the Ministry of Social Affairs? Or will other measures be taken against them? Meanwhile, their employment contracts remain suspended, leaving them at the mercy of administrative decisions.
Here is the text of the contract: Syria News
???? Renewable Employment Contract
No. (_____)
First Party: Syrian Petroleum Holding Company
Head Office Address: New Damascus - Western Damascus, Group No. (19), P.O. Box 7660.
Represented by the CEO of the Syrian Petroleum Holding Company
(hereinafter referred to as "the Company")
Second Party:
Full Name: __________
Father's Name: __________
Mother's Name and Surname: __________
Nationality: __________
Place and Date of Birth: __________
Civil Registry: __________
National Number: __________
Educational Qualification: __________
(hereinafter referred to as "the Employee")
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Contract Preamble
Based on the provisions of Labor Law No. 17 of 2010 (Note: This law is repealed; the currently applicable law is Legislative Decree No. 134 of 2014), and on Decree No. 189 of 2025 establishing the Syrian Petroleum Holding Company, and on the provisions of the Company's Internal Regulations and the requirements of the work interest Therein.
Whereas the employee submitted the necessary documents expressing his desire to work for the company in the required job title, in accordance with its approved work system, and acknowledged and accepted its terms.
The two parties have agreed as follows:
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Article 1: Preamble and Interpretations
The preamble to this contract is an integral part thereof.
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Article 2: Purpose of the Contract
The employee undertakes to work for the company in the position of (__________), or in any other job title as required by the company's interests and within the employee's capabilities, qualifications, and experience, in accordance with the terms of this contract, the company's internal work regulations, and the applicable labor law (particularly Article 151 thereof).
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Article 3: Workplace
3-1: The employee's designated work location is (__________).
3-2: The company has the right to determine the employee's work location and transfer them to any of its other work sites or activity locations throughout the territory of the Syrian Arab Republic, in accordance with Article (51) (Paragraph D) and Article (52) of the applicable Labor Law.
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Article 4: Contract Duration, Probationary Period, and Termination
4-1: This is a fixed-term annual contract, commencing on / / 2026 and ending on / / 2026, and is automatically renewed for a similar period unless either party notifies the other of their desire to terminate it, in accordance with Article (62) of the applicable Labor Law.
4-2: The employee is subject to a three-month probationary period from the contract commencement date. During this period, either party may terminate the contract without notice or compensation, and the employee is entitled only to wages for the actual days worked.
4-3: The employee may resign during the contract term in accordance with the procedures specified in the company's internal regulations and the applicable Labor Law.
4-4: Any services performed by the employee after the termination of this contract (as per the paragraph above) are considered voluntary and unpaid. Such work does not create any obligations or liabilities for the company. Under no circumstances shall it be considered an implied renewal or extension of this contract in the absence of an express written agreement. Any work performed without such agreement is considered a donation and has no legal or financial effect.
4-5: Termination, expiration, and suspension of employment are subject to the provisions of the applicable labor law.
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Article 5: Basic Salary
5-1: The company shall pay the employee, in return for services rendered under this contract, a fixed monthly gross salary of (_____ US Dollars) or its equivalent in the new Syrian Pound. This salary, along with all allowances and benefits due under the company's approved employee services regulations, is paid at the end of each calendar month, either in cash, via bank transfer through a public bank in the Syrian Arab Republic, through a Sham Cash account, or by any other method approved by the company.
5-2: A diligent employee is entitled to a periodic salary increase in accordance with the company's internal regulations, or as deemed appropriate by the company's management based on the employee's performance and professional conduct.
Article 6: Compensation and Benefits
6-1: In addition to the salary specified in Article (5) above, the employee receives the allowances stipulated in the company's approved employee services regulations.
6-2: The employee is entitled to the monetary and in-kind benefits stipulated in the company's internal regulations.
6-3: Allowances and benefits are granted according toThis article is subject to the limits, percentages, and/or fixed amounts specified in the relevant laws and the company's approved employee services policy.
6-4: Amounts due to the employee as allowances and benefits under this article shall not, under any circumstances, be considered part of the basic salary.
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Article 7: Working Hours, Rest Days, and Holidays
7-1: Subject to the provisions of the applicable Labor Law, the employee's daily working hours (including start and end times) shall not exceed forty-eight (48) hours per week, with a maximum of ten (10) hours per day. The scheduling of weekly rest days, official holidays, annual leave, and other regular leave shall be subject to the company's internal work regulations and the applicable Labor Law.
7-2: The employee's preferences regarding the dates of annual leave shall be considered as much as possible, provided that they do not conflict with the interests of the company. The company reserves the right, when necessary, to recall the employee from their leave, provided that they are given in-kind or monetary compensation.
7-3: The employee is not entitled to carry over accrued annual leave balances or claim monetary compensation for them.
7-4: The employee is entitled to all paid leave stipulated in the applicable Labor Law.
7-5: The employee is not entitled to request unpaid special leave exceeding one month. However, the company may – upon a reasoned request from the employee and without prejudice to the continuity of work – extend this leave for a period not exceeding two months per year.
7-6: The company may assign the employee specific overtime hours as defined in its internal regulations, subject to prior and explicit written authorization. In this case, the employee is entitled to the compensation specified in the company's employee services regulations, in accordance with applicable Syrian laws and regulations.
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Article 8: Training
Taking into account the contract duration and work requirements, particularly when there is a genuine and necessary need to:
• Enhance the employee's efficiency and qualify them to perform tasks related to the project for which this contract was concluded.
• Enable the employee to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to use modern methods and technologies in their field of work.
• Implementing structural changes in operations and functions with the aim of developing work within the company.
The company has the right – with the employee's consent – to provide training (within or outside the Syrian Arab Republic).
During the training period, the employee will receive, in addition to their salary, transportation and accommodation expenses in accordance with company regulations.
8-1: Upon completion of the training course, the employee is obligated to serve the company for a period commensurate with the duration and cost of the course, to ensure that the company benefits from the acquired expertise and transfers it to other employees as the company deems appropriate.
8-2: If the employee fails to serve the company for the period stipulated in its employee regulations, they must pay the actual cost of the training course they attended, in addition to damages assessed by the company. A clearance certificate will not be issued until all financial dues to the company have been paid.
8-3: If the costs of the training course or any related expenses are denominated in foreign currency, the employee must pay them in the same foreign currency on the due date. —
Article 9: Employee Obligations
9-1: The employee is obligated to perform all duties and refrain from all prohibited acts stipulated in the applicable Labor Law and the company's regulations and instructions, including but not limited to:
• Dedicating full working hours and exerting their utmost effort to performing their duties to the fullest extent.
• Complying with the applicable work system and all instructions, orders, and internal regulations issued by management.
• Implementing supervisors' directives related to work.
• Maintaining strict confidentiality of all information, data, and statistics to which they have access by virtue of their position.
• Safeguarding all documents, machinery, devices, and equipment entrusted to them and returning them upon cessation of possession or upon termination of the contract, in accordance with company procedures.
• Refraining from undertaking any work or activity for others without prior written permission from the employer.
9-2: Any breach of the employee's obligations, duties, or prohibitions stipulated in this contract, the applicable Labor Law, or the company's regulations shall subject them to full liability under applicable Syrian laws. As a result of this breach, the company has the right to terminate the contract without notice and without any legal or financial consequences or obligations arising from such termination.
9-3: The employee bears full responsibility for the accuracy of all documents, certificates, and statements submitted when entering into this agreement or during its execution. The employee is obligated to notify the company in writing of any changes to these documents within one week of the date of such change.
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Article 10: Labor Disputes
The Administrative Courts in Syria shall have exclusive jurisdiction over disputes arising from the implementation of the provisions of this contract, in accordance with Law No. 77 dated December 21, 2002.
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Article 11: Chosen Domicile, Notifications, and Signature
11-1: The worker has designated their chosen domicile as follows:
City: __________
Area: __________
Mobile Number: __________
11-2: Notifications, notices, and communications related to the implementation of the provisions of this contract, and all matters connected to or arising therefrom, shall be considered valid and legal if sent to the worker's chosen domicile by open postcard, registered letter with return receipt requested, letter delivered by a notary public, or any other methods stipulated by applicable laws and regulations.
11-3: In the event of a change of chosen domicile, the worker must inform the company of the new domicile. Notifications shall then be made to this new address in accordance with the procedure specified in the preceding paragraph.
11-4: The official and valid signature of the employee of the company shall be the signature affixed to this contract document.
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Article 12: Language of the Contract
12-1: This contract has been drawn up in Arabic and English in three original copies, one for each party. The first party shall deposit the third copy with the Social Security Directorate and complete the social security form.
Zaman Al Wasl
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