ILNA news agency reacted to the Ministry of Health's proposal to reduce subsidies for sugar and bread to control diabetes in the country, stating that the share of sugar and bread in people's food baskets has increased, replacing meat and dairy products, with bread consumption specifically rising more than fivefold over six years. This increase in bread consumption is due to the food poverty of workers and other vulnerable groups in society. Many workers, due to financial issues, are unable to provide sufficient and healthy food. They often go without a hot meal during the day, consuming bread and sugar as substitutes for meat and dairy. Akbar Ghorbani, the executive secretary of the Workers' House in West Tehran, stated: "Most workers suffer from extreme hunger by 10 or 11 AM due to poor nutrition, insufficient breakfast, and lack of lunch, gradually losing their productivity." He also mentioned that studies show many workers are deprived of a hot meal throughout the day. This food poverty has put workers at risk of various diseases. The lack of valuable food in workers' diets has led them to suffer from diseases like osteoporosis at relatively young ages. According to Mostafa Sharif, an economics professor at Allameh Tabatabai University, the government is seeking to control budgetary pressure, but there are various ways to manage subsidies that should not harm vulnerable groups. He suggested that the government provide more cash subsidies to help workers and other vulnerable groups. A researcher at the Research Center of the Parliament stated that two-thirds of the poor lack the ability to escape poverty. There are warnings of inflation in the proposed budget bill for 2024; inflation is expected to exceed 50 percent. There is ambiguity regarding the livelihood situation; the path to the poverty line; a 200 percent increase in wages. Media reported on "absolute misery"; eggs have become the only food for workers. Economic experts warn that public dissatisfaction will increase due to livelihood problems.
Workers in Food Poverty; Bread and Sugar Replace Meat and Dairy on Tables
The article discusses the rising food poverty among Iranian workers, who are increasingly substituting bread and sugar for meat and dairy due to financial constraints. This situation has led to health risks and calls for government intervention in the form of increased cash subsidies for vulnerable groups. It highlights the broader economic challenges facing Iran as inflation rises and public dissatisfaction grows.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
The Iranian Ministry of Health proposed reducing subsidies for sugar and bread to control diabetes, but this has led to increased food poverty among workers, who are now relying more on bread and sugar instead of meat and dairy. This shift in diet has raised health concerns and calls for government intervention to support vulnerable groups.
- Bread consumption among workers has increased more than fivefold over six years.
- Two-thirds of the poor in Iran lack the ability to escape poverty.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Iran has been facing significant economic difficulties, including high inflation and unemployment, which have worsened living conditions for many citizens.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →
Translation confidence: 85%