War puts Syrians on unexpected career paths
Young graduates in Damascus are having a hard time securing a job in their field, thus turning to nongovernmental organizations and volunteer work.
DAMASCUS, Syria — Behind the Umayyad Mosque in the old city of Damascus, where the streets are still busy during the day, Abu Mohammed sits on a wooden chair in front of his gold shop playing backgammon most of the time. The gold trade is no longer in vogue as the number of customers has drastically decreased, and so he has time on his hands.
Al-Monitor met Abu Mohammed at his shop, which has become a place where he spends time at leisure instead of working. “Two years ago customers stopped visiting the shop, except for a few people who come in to sell their possessions or to ask about the constantly rising prices of gold, due to the Syrian pound’s drop against the US dollar,” he told Al-Monitor.
“This trade is no longer profitable. Many of the jewelry shop owners have closed down their shops and started new jobs. It seems I am next. I will look for another profession if things go on like this,” he added.
Not far from Abu Mohammed’s empty gold shop is his neighbor Adnan's accessory and gifts shop, which was once also a jewelry shop.
