US Lawmakers Welcome Syria’s Labor Law Reform, Urge DFC Support for Reconstruction
Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Joni Ernst and Representative Joe Wilson say updating labor protections could help unlock US development financing to support Syria’s economic recovery.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — Senior US lawmakers on Saturday welcomed the Syrian government’s efforts to update the country’s labor law, saying the reform could help pave the way for support from the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) to advance Syria’s economic recovery and improve living conditions.
In a joint statement published Oct. 10, US Senators Jeanne Shaheen, the ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Joni Ernst, alongside Representative Joe Wilson, co-chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, commended Syria’s Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour for updating the country’s labor law, which dates to the era of former President Bashar al-Assad.
The lawmakers credited Labor and Social Affairs Minister Hind Kabawat with leading the process in consultation with Syrian stakeholders and experts.
They said they looked forward to swift action once the proposed law is submitted to Syria’s new People’s Assembly.
Under US law, the DFC may support projects in countries taking steps to adopt and implement laws that extend internationally recognized worker rights, the lawmakers said, welcoming what they described as progress by Syria toward meeting those requirements.
They also said they looked forward to hearing how the DFC plans to support projects in Syria, describing the corporation’s involvement as critical to helping Syrians build a more prosperous and secure future after decades of dictatorship and civil war.
Wilson reiterated the message in a post on X on Saturday, thanking Shaheen and Ernst for joining him in commending the Syrian government’s efforts to update its labor laws.
He said the changes could further unlock Syria’s potential through DFC funding.
Grateful to join @SenatorShaheen and @SenJoniErnst in commending the Syrian Gov for taking steps to update its labor laws, further unlocking Syria’s potential through @DFCgov funding. The future is bright!
— Joe Wilson (@RepJoeWilson) October 10, 2026
The statements signal support among the three US lawmakers for linking improvements in labor protections to potential development financing for Syria, although they did not announce specific DFC projects or funding commitments.
The US International Development Finance Corporation is the US government’s development finance institution, established to mobilize private investment in developing countries through financing and other investment support.
Its potential role in Syria comes as the country faces the long-term economic and reconstruction challenges left by years of conflict and authoritarian rule.
Any support would depend on applicable legal requirements, project assessments, and the DFC’s decisions on individual investments.