Government Urged to Prepare for Migrants' Return

More 300,000 Syrian migrant workers are expected to return from the Gulf states this year, placing a strain on the already struggling economy, the pro-government website Syria Tomorrow reports.



There are more than half a million Syrians working in Gulf states such as Saudi Arabia and Oman.



At least 50,000 workers returned to Syria last year as jobs were cut as a result of the global financial crisis, reported the website on March 28.



Officials fear that if migrants start returning in even larger numbers, they could push the unemployment rate up to 20 per cent.



In addition, the economy will lose out on the remittances that these workers send home to their families.



The website urged the government to prepare for the return of these workers, urging the economy ministry to consider creating jobs in the financial and insurance sectors for people who have learned valuable skills in these areas from their time in the Gulf.



In addition, the site suggested that “if these workers are coming back with some money in their pockets, they should be encouraged to invest in our new stock market”.



Earlier this month, Syria launched the Damascus Securities Exchange as part of an economic liberalisation initiative aimed at attracting foreign investment and encouraging private sector growth.