The bread crisis in Tunisia persists, provoking a massive sit-in in front of the Ministry of Commerce. Nearly 200 modern bakery owners gathered to express their dissatisfaction with the measures imposed by the government. Since August 1, these bakers have been on strike to protest against President Kaïs Saïed’s decision to limit their production to only subsidized baguettes.
The subsidized baguette is at the heart of the conflict in Tunisia. Bakers who own modern bakeries produce not only this baguette, but also other specialty breads. However, traditional and classified bakeries are only authorized to produce the subsidized baguette.
Modern bakers denounce an unfair decision which harms their business. They say they work in the same way as traditional bakers and fulfill their tax obligations. They therefore wonder why the government favors traditional bakeries and deprives them of subsidized flour quotas.
In response to the modern bakers’ strike, the Ministry of Commerce suspended the supply of flour and semolina to these bakeries. A measure which only worsens the situation and jeopardizes nearly 1,500 jobs, or around 15,000 employees.
The striking bakers organized a sit-in in front of the Ministry of Commerce in Tunis to express their dismay. They demand to be listened to and to be able to engage in constructive dialogue with the president and the government to find a fair solution.
This bread crisis in Tunisia exposes the social and economic tensions facing the country. It highlights the importance of dialogue and the search for balanced solutions to meet the needs of the different stakeholders in the baking industry.
It is essential to closely monitor the evolution of this crisis and support modern bakers in their legitimate demands. Only constructive dialogue and fair measures can resolve this complex situation and guarantee the supply of bread for all Tunisians.