Bakers begin strike Tuesday as bread price increases weekly
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Bakers say they will begin another strike on Tuesday over rising costs of baking ingredients as consumers also lament the weekly hikes in the prices of every size of a loaf of bread.
Every year since at least 2020, bakers have warned against the consequences of rising costs in their industry, proffered solutions each time, and embarked on strike to press Abuja to tackle the problems.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) also plans a separate two-day protest against hunger in the land, starting on Tuesday.
The price of a family loaf of 900g of several bread brands rose thrice last week; first, from N850 to N950, then to N1,000. Other sizes now cost anything from N1,200.
The Association of Master Bakers and Caterers of Nigeria (AMBCON) announced in a statement that it will begin the nationwide strike on February 27.
The statement, signed by AMBCON National President Mansur Umar, said the strike will commence unless the federal government honours the agreement it made with the association in 2020.
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Demand for suspension of taxes on bakery industry
The statement also called for the temporary suspension of all types of taxation on the bakery industry at all levels of government – federal, state, and council.
“The Association of Master Bakers and Caterers of Nigeria have critically accessed the state of our business operation, consequently demand the liberalisation of flour and sugar importation, reduction or total removal of import duties on major baking materials such as flour, sugar, butter, yeast, etc as applicable to other commodities as have recently been done by the federal government and provision of concessionary forex exchange to flour millers and other stakeholders as well as reduction of tariff on imported wheat and sugar,” Umar explained.
He sought the setting up of a price control and monitoring committee as provided in the Constitution as well as other conditions that will enhance the ease of doing business in the country.
