200% increase in public sector salaries and pensions

Syria announced a 200 percent increase in public sector salaries and pensions on Sunday, amid a severe economic crisis following a recent easing of international sanctions. More than a decade of civil war has severely affected the Syrian economy and damaged the country's infrastructure. Before the conflict began in 2011, one dollar was worth about 50 pounds. The local currency has since lost more than 90 percent of its value.

According to the UN, more than 90% of the population now lives in poverty. In a decree published by state media, President Ahmad al-Shareh ordered a 200% salary increase for all civil and military personnel in ministries, departments, and public institutions. The decree raises the minimum wage for civil servants to 750,000 Syrian pounds per month, or about $75, up from $25 previously.

A second decree grants the same 200% increase in retirement pensions. Since the 2011 civil war, triggered by the former regime's repression of pro-democracy protests, Syria has faced a severe economic crisis, exacerbated by international sanctions.

Last month, the United States and the European Union announced an easing of economic sanctions to support the recovery initiated by the new Islamist regime.

In May, Syrian Finance Minister Mohammed Barnieh announced that Qatar, the new government's main supporter, had pledged to finance part of public sector salaries. The decrees published Sunday did not specify the source of funding for the new increases.

Syria has approximately 1.25 million civil servants, according to official figures. Many Syrians have to wait long hours at banks or ATMs to withdraw money due to cash shortages amid rising inflation.