Head of General Labor Union, Bechara Al-Asmar, considered, in a statement, that “the continuous price hike reflects determination and complicity between parties and black chambers that are pushing the country towards the big explosion.” Otherwise, what does it mean for the price of a can of gasoline to jump around 25,000 pounds overnight and become above 500,000 pounds, and diesel fuel 10,000 pounds, bringing the price of the canister to 600,000 pounds? What is happening is nothing but a continuation of crimes against the Lebanese people in all its categories (workers, employees, military, retirees and people with limited income) whose money has evaporated due to wrong policies, looting and money smuggling.

He pointed out that “the General Labor Union, which has long called for dialogue to stop this criminal series, sees today, after this dangerous development, that there does not seem to be any benefit from rational dialogue, and demands the government to continue to support wheat to raise the transport allowance immediately to 150 thousand pounds for each day.”

He added, “The union also calls on the Minister of Labor to call upon the Index Committee to an immediate meeting for a serious and decisive discussion of the issue of the minimum wage, its annexes and parts.”

Asmar concluded: “The Union affirms that, whether before or after the parliamentary elections on May 15th, that it will not be satisfied with issuing statements, but will resort to the street as the only remaining means for the workers and people, in order to put an end to this crime that led to this great collapse.”