The Bakery Workers Union in Beirut and Mount Lebanon has called on the Minister of Economy to reverse the decision to raise the price of bread and to ensure the provision of flour and its necessary supplies.
The National News Agency reported today that the union demanded the Minister of Economy to immediately retract the decision to increase the price of bread, to ensure the provision of flour and its requirements, as well as to secure subsidized foodstuffs to reach all citizens without additional costs, and to avoid collusion against the livelihoods of the poor. The statement also called for the formation of a committee of qualified and competent experts to study the issue transparently and to determine the cost of a loaf of bread as quickly as possible.
The union clarified in its statement that the price of bread has increased for the second time in less than two months, noting that the first time the weight of the loaf was reduced by 100 grams, and yesterday its price increased by 250 Lebanese pounds. It pointed out that the pricing of a loaf of bread at 2000 pounds was based on an exchange rate of 8000 pounds per dollar, with 35% of the essential materials entering the bread-making process in dollars, while only the plastic bags are priced in dollars, and the rest of the basic components are priced in the local currency at the subsidized rate.
The union indicated that small bakery owners resorted to purchasing subsidized flour from the black market at prices exceeding 1,300,000 pounds per ton for regular flour, 1,400,000 for zero flour, and 1,500,000 for extra flour, which negatively impacted prices, causing the price of a single manakish to exceed 4000 pounds.
The union expressed hope in its statement that the minister would expedite addressing the crisis and initiate the establishment of community bakeries in the regions to alleviate the burden on the poor and provide them with health protection and access to bread, as it is an essential and vital staple for workers and the impoverished.
