Breadmakers to embark on warning strike over high cost of materials
Breadmakers will commence a four-day warning strike on Thursday over the rising cost of baking materials.
According to the Premium Breadmakers Association of Nigeria (PBAN), the duration of the strike action would be extended if the government fails to positively step in.
In a statement by the PBAN’s spokesperson, Babalola Thomas, the association said their bakeries had been incurring a “huge loss” due to the continuous increase in baking materials and diesel, and that operating in the present environment was no longer sustainable.
He said: “Bread is a staple food and one of the cheapest ‘grab and go’ food that is available for both the poor and rich. It, therefore, behoves the Federal Government to be mindful of this and ensure the survival and sustainability of the industry.
“In a move to ensure the survival of the premium bread-making industry in Nigeria, we have decided to embark on a withdrawal of services beginning from Thursday 21 July 2022 for four days in the first instance, and where no intervention from the government, we shall escalate the duration of the withdrawal”, he further said.
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PBAN sought the government’s intervention to stop the 15 per cent “wheat development levy on wheat import”.
Among the PBAN’s demands is the downward review of the charges imposed by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in Nigeria.
Thomas further said: “We request NAFDAC to review downwards the N154,000 penalty charged bakeries on late renewal of certificates.
“Grant members access to grants and soft loans being given by the Central Bank of Nigeria to Minor, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises.
“Stoppage of multi-agencies regulation of the bread-making industry”.
He said that multiple meetings with the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment in 2021 did not yield any result.
“Therefore, the withdrawal of service is the only way we believe we can use to get to the Federal Government and Nigerians and let them know our plight and how difficult it has been with the breadmaking industry in Nigeria”, he explained.
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