بيان اليسار الثوري في سوريا باليوم العالمي للعمال

Statement

Statement of the Revolutionary Left in Syria on International Workers’ Day

Workers of the world, unite!
Workers of Syria, organize!

On the occasion of the 139th anniversary of International Workers’ Day, the Revolutionary Left Current in Syria extends its greetings and congratulations to the working class, artisans, and all toilers in Syria and around the world. We salute the workers on their day, which comes at a time when the struggle against the capitalist system—responsible for barbarism, wars, destruction, and relentless exploitation—is intensifying worldwide.

This year, Workers’ Day in Syria arrives under immense challenges resulting from major global, regional, and domestic transformations. The working class and laborers were at the heart of the Syrian revolution in 2011 and its driving force, paying a heavy price in confronting the oligarchic regime and counter-revolutionary forces. The Syrian working class has faced brutal extermination and displacement, bearing the brunt of suffering due to the collapse and reactionary backlash following the revolution’s defeat and the rise of the counter-revolution in 2013–2014.

With the collapse of the Assadist oligarchy in December of last year, before Syrians could recover from over a decade of killing, displacement, and oppression, the new authority began monopolizing power and excluding others, relying on sectarian militias and exclusionary religious ideologies. It is constructing a new system that reproduces the mechanisms of the old regime (economic, social, and political relations), turning the end of one chapter of Syria’s historical suffering into the beginning of another—marked by intensified oppression of the working class, impoverishment of the majority, ongoing genocide, and sectarian incitement that deepens divisions in an exhausted society.

Amid these changes, the working class finds itself in an extremely difficult position. Workers’ oppression continues under warlords and militias dominating the economy, pushing the country toward socioeconomic and political collapse. The new authority’s neoliberal policies devastate the working class and popular interests while submitting entirely to the dictates of international capitalism and regional powers.

A significant segment of Syria’s current bourgeoisie grew and thrived in a war economy of looting and “spoils.” With the oligarchy’s collapse, the entire country became “war spoils,” evident in the privatization of public property, confiscation of private assets, and arbitrary dismissal of hundreds of thousands of workers—systematically destroying Syria’s remaining productive forces. The policies of starvation, impoverishment, and plunder initiated by the old regime have become effective weapons in the hands of warlords against workers and toilers.

Today, the vast majority of Syrians have been turned into cheap labor exploited domestically and abroad.

On this anniversary, we cannot overlook Palestine, an integral part of our shared struggle against colonialism and imperialism. The brutal war on defenseless civilians in Gaza continues to claim lives. Palestinian workers, suffering under occupation and extreme exploitation, are at the heart of this struggle. Palestine remains a perpetual challenge for the working class in the region and the world, and the fight for its liberation—from the river to the sea—must be part of our struggle against all forms of colonialism and oppression.

Globally, the working class faces immense challenges due to imperialist wars and neoliberal economic policies, as seen under Trump’s policies, which worsened economic markets. These capitalist policies fuel more wars, oppression, exploitation, and environmental destruction, threatening humanity’s future. Thus, liberation movements and the global labor movement must unite and intensify their struggle against these catastrophic policies.

Workers of Syria,

The working class and laborers in Syria and worldwide are the creators of wealth and thus the core force of any emancipatory project. They are the most capable of leading the struggle for freedom and equality for all the oppressed. To achieve this, workers must organize themselves into unions, community groups, and political formations to fight for their immediate and broader demands. Success requires a conscious, organized working class that knows its rights and resists authoritarianism.

Workers and toilers of Syria,

The Revolutionary Left Current in Syria salutes you on your day and invites all who share our vision to join us in building a better future. We believe unity in labor struggle and popular organization across all fronts is the path to justice, freedom, and equality.

Long live the working class in Syria and the world!
Glory to the martyrs of the working class and toilers!
For justice, peace, independence, bread, and freedom!
All power and wealth to the people!

Revolutionary Left Current in Syria
May 1, 2025