BEIRUT: Bakeries will go on strike on Feb. 20 if the government fails to increase quantities of subsidized wheat flour, the association said at a news conference Wednesday.
“There is a shortage of wheat flour, particularly after the number of Syrian refugees increased rapidly,” a statement said. “We will be forced to stop working if the quantities of subsidized flour are not increased by the Economy Ministry,” the statement added.
In December, the Cabinet decided to maintain subsidies on wheat flour intended for bread production until the end of February.
The Cabinet said it would be forming a committee tasked with reassessing the subsidies.
The Bakeries Association has previously said that subsidized bread was being smuggled to Syria, warning that Lebanon could face a bread shortage if the government fails to increase quantities of subsidized wheat flour.