The grassroots movement empowering workers in Northeast Syria

However, today, Hanan speaks with a newfound clarity and confidence because of a new transformative movement in Northeast Syria that is empowering workers like her to reclaim their rights. The region's political landscape has allowed for increased civil society participation, with local organisations like SHAR taking the lead in advocating for workers' rights. This flexibility has provided an opportunity for grassroots movements to take root, particularly considering recent regional developments.

The "Know Your Rights" campaign, led by SHAR in partnership with Norwegian People's Aid under the Civil Society and People’s Participation Programme with funding from the Swedish International Development Agency, has been instrumental in pushing for improvements in working conditions and worker protections. With the help of labour unions and local media, SHAR launched this bold advocacy effort to push forward Workers' Law No. 19, a historic piece of legislation designed to improve working conditions and provide legal protections in the region.

Working under harsh conditions

The campaign began by listening to workers, a step often overlooked in traditional advocacy efforts. SHAR organised a series of consultation sessions, bringing together workers, legal professionals, and trade union representatives to identify gaps in employment practices.

In one session, Hanan shared her personal experience, echoing the voices of many others. "We worked long hours with no safety gear," she recalls. "The pay was low, and the environment was dangerous. I felt like I was invisible." For Hanan and her colleagues, “no safety gear” wasn’t a minor oversight— it meant enduring harsh conditions without the most basic protections: gloves to guard against burns and cuts, masks to filter the dust and fibres that filled the air, or protective footwear to prevent injury from heavy tools and sharp objects on the factory floor. Without proper ventilation or access to breaks, the risk of respiratory illnesses and exhaustion loomed large. Machines lacked safety guards, and emergency exits were either blocked or nonexistent. These were not abstract hazards—they were daily, tangible threats to health and life.

Hanan’s story was far from unique. A survey of 200 workers revealed widespread issues, including low wages, job insecurity, and unsafe working conditions. “It was empowering to hear everyone’s stories,” says Marwan, a fellow textile worker. “For the first time, we were not just workers—we were people with rights,” he added.

With these insights, SHAR helped revise Workers' Law No. 19 to better align with international labour standards while addressing the region’s specific needs- such as the absence of maternity protections for informal female workers, the lack of minimum wage guarantees in seasonal sectors, and the unsafe conditions prevalent in small, unregulated workshops.

This collaboration didn’t just stay in boardrooms. Public forums, awareness campaigns, and media broadcasts—spearheaded with the Free Media Union — amplified workers’ voices. Hanan, along with other workers, began to recognise their collective power. "When I first heard about my rights, it was like a weight lifted off me," she says. “It felt like the first time I truly had a voice.” For Hanan, the real turning point came when she started working with the labour union. "They guided me through the process of speaking up and negotiating," she says, a hint of pride in her voice. "I was terrified at first, but they gave me the strength to ask for safer working conditions and better pay."

Thanks to the union’s support, Hanan successfully negotiated better working hours and safer conditions. "My manager listened. At first, I thought it was impossible, but I insisted. And it worked," she says, a smile breaking through her normally reserved expression. Hanan’s journey is not isolated. As the campaign gained momentum, it sparked a broader cultural shift in the region. Workers began to realise that they were not alone in their struggles. "Before, we used to think we had to work in silence because we feared losing our jobs or being blacklisted if we complained, but now, we speak out together. We are stronger as a group," says Layla, another factory worker and activist." Layla, who has been part of the mobilisation, emphasises how vital it was for workers to organise and support one another. “The power of our collective voice is undeniable” she says.

Grassroots justice and worker’s empowerment

The impact of this movement is not limited to Hanan alone. Through SHAR's collaboration with PEL Civil Waves, another partner in the initiative, tangible improvements were made for marginalised daily wage earners. Their campaign introduced shaded rest areas, safety training, and protective gear for workers who previously had none.

As International Labour Day approaches, the strides made by NPA and its cooperating partners stand as powerful examples of grassroots justice and workers’ empowerment. For Hanan, the change is personal and profound. “I’m no longer afraid to speak up for my rights, Knowing my rights transformed more than just my work, it transformed how I see myself and my place in the world,” she says with conviction. Her fear stemmed from the possibility of retaliation, losing her job, or being ignored. However, with the support of the labour union, Hanan found the strength to advocate for herself, successfully negotiating for better working conditions and fairer pay.

According to SHAR’s Executive Director, the partnership with Norwegian People’s Aid has been a game-changer. “They offered more than funding— they brought strategic insight that helped us navigate a complex legal and social terrain,” he said.

In a region where laws are fragmented, no proper enforcement, and communities fractured by conflict and displacement, change does not come easy. It takes more than good intentions—it takes bold partnerships, strategy, and relentless commitment. Across Syria, as the country navigates its political future, movements like this are proof that change doesn’t always arrive in loud revolutions. Sometimes, it starts quietly threaded into the daily lives of those like Hanan who have spent years waiting for the chance to be heard.