The Syrian Ministry of Industry announced the production of water cups, which stirred a wave of criticism among the people, who accused the government of seeking to maintain the deteriorating standard of living for most people.
Amid a suffocating drinking water crisis and the Syrian Trading Corporation’s monopoly of the products of the General Water Bottling Company affiliated with the Ministry of Industry, the citizens were surprised that the company offered a new product recently - a water cup with a capacity of 250 ml.
The introduction of the new product was met with criticism. A university graduate, who closely follows the situation in government-controlled areas, told Asharq Al-Awsat on Thursday: “It has become clear that the vast majority of people in government-controlled areas live below the poverty line, and the government with this product tells them to live on less than subsistence levels.”
He continued: “A family needs 1,000 liters of mazout, and the government gives them 50 liters, while public taxi drivers need 25 liters of gasoline per day, and the government gives them 25 liters every four days!”
Other people mocked the news about the water cups. A 40 year-old Syrian resident told Asharq Al-Awsat: “They give us water with a dropper, and after a little while, they will tell people there is no water at all.”
The General Company for Water Bottling commented on the criticism received on social media, saying that the Ain al-Fijah water bottling unit has had a project for producing the cups since 2011, and that the Syrian Arab Aviation Corporation and other airlines used its products in a size of 125 ml, and served them to passengers with meals on board.
“With the high volume of demand, the size of the product was converted from 125 ml to 250 ml and sold to agents, restaurants and cafes to meet the needs of the market,” the company added.
