Bread Producers Threaten Strike over Increase in Bakery Products
Bread producers and caterers in Nigeria have threatened to go on strike over the increase in bakery products and failure of Federal Government to look into the matter.
The Association of Master Bakers and Caterers of Nigeria (AMBCN) in a communique stated that the cost of sugar , flour and other baking materials used in bakeries have increased beyond the reach of many bakers.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), The communique which was issued after the National Executive Council meeting of the Association on Friday, stated that the bakers would commence a two-weeks warning strike from 13 July, 2022.
It was disclosed that all efforts to get government’s attention on the matter all proved abortive as there had been no positive reply from the concerned Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDA) of government.
The council members’ in communique, which was signed by the association executives led by Mansur Umar, the National President surveyed,
“The neglect of the Federal Government in addressing the challenges facing our sector as captured in our letters acknowledged by the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Federal Ministry of Finance, Central Bank of Nigeria and unproductive intervention of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.”
Increase in prices of bakery materials especially flour and sugar having reached unprecedented levels, for example, flour is now between N25,000 and N27,500, so also other ingredients.
“The National Wheat Cultivation Committee already constituted is yet to be inaugurated after over one year. NAFDAC, SON, NESREA have turned the bakers into money making machine by charging our members outrageous levies even at this very challenging moment.”
Consequently, the NEC in session resolved that all zones, state, Local Governments and units of our association should commence full mobilisation of our members nationwide to embark on withdrawal of services starting from Wednesday July 13, 2022 for an initial period of two weeks.”
However, the association told it’s members to await further directives.
This came when it was reported that the increase in bread and other flour products were as a result of increase in bakery products.