Around 200 Tunisian bakers went on strike this week following the government’s recent ban on buying subsidized flour, which could mean closures for many of them. The ban affects around 1,500 bakeries that produce European-style bread. Flour had been subsidized for more than 10 years. The move means that bakers can no longer produce baguettes, The Association of Modern Bakeries told AFP.

President Kais Saied announced that there should only be “one type of bread for all Tunisians”.

The affected bakeries, which employ around 18,000 people, have been able to work since the beginning of August, AFP reports. Protesters demand “bread, freedom, national dignity”, as the ban will leave some of them unable to pay rent, loans and salaries.

Around 3,700 bakeries of a distinct network were faced with flour shortages in the last months. They were selling only subsidized baguettes, for around USD 0.07 (a stable price since 1984), according to the same source.

Tunisian bakers were also on strike over subsidies in December last year, for overdue subsidies worth USD 80 million (News Central).

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