November 5, 2026
The decision to reduce the weight of a bundle of bread in Lebanon sparked a widespread wave of union dissatisfaction, amid serious warnings of its direct repercussions on citizens’ purchasing power and food security, especially in light of the extremely difficult economic and living conditions that the country is going through.
In this context, the head of the Bakery Workers Union in Beirut and Mount Lebanon, Shehadeh Al-Masry, expressed his categorical rejection of the decision, describing it as “an actual increase in the price of bread” and issued at a “catastrophic” time that coincides with the aggravation of economic and social crises, and the escalation of fears of renewed war, waves of displacement, high rates of unemployment, and loss of sources of livelihood.
Al-Masry confirmed, in a statement he issued, that the union received the decision “with great concern and condemnation,” stressing that bread is not just a commercial commodity subject to the logic of profit and loss, but rather it is a “red line” and the daily food for the overwhelming majority of citizens, especially the poorest groups.
He pointed out that the concerned authorities have ignored, over the past years, the union’s repeated demands to conduct a transparent and objective study of the cost of producing a loaf of bread, expressing his regret for continuing to deal non-seriously with a file that directly affects the livelihood of citizens.
Al-Masry renewed his call for the formation of a higher committee that includes experts and specialists in the financial and technical fields, to conduct an accurate and transparent study that determines the true cost of producing a loaf of bread, starting from the grain of wheat all the way to the consumer, considering relying on undeclared accounts to be unacceptable.
He explained that these demands aim to establish a fair balance that protects the rights of workers and consumers and preserves purchasing power, in parallel with ensuring the continuity of the operation of ovens and bakeries and preventing the realization of illegal profits at the expense of the poor classes.
Al-Masry concluded his statement by calling on the concerned authorities to immediately retract the decision, warning of its social and living consequences, stressing that confronting crises and wars does not come about by impoverishing and starving the people. He also called on the forces and union and civil society bodies to unite ranks and raise their voices to protect the livelihood as a non-negotiable national priority.
