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| Bolivia turns its soldiers into bread makers during 48-hour bakers' strike - video | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A strike by bakers in Bolivia has seen the government turn to its soldiers to help combat the nation’s bread shortage. | A strike by bakers in Bolivia has seen the government turn to its soldiers to help combat the nation’s bread shortage. |
| The government called in troops on Monday to become makeshift bread makers after bakers went on a 48-hour strike to to protest against the government’s decision scrap subsidies on wheat flour. | The government called in troops on Monday to become makeshift bread makers after bakers went on a 48-hour strike to to protest against the government’s decision scrap subsidies on wheat flour. |
| The soldiers dressed in aprons hit the kitchens in their La Paz barracks yesterday and set about making over 70,000 bread rolls to feed the nation. Development Minister Veronic Ramos said: “We have, indeed, suffered some shortages. But we will produce 70,000 rolls today and we have the capacity to increase this output if necessary.” | The soldiers dressed in aprons hit the kitchens in their La Paz barracks yesterday and set about making over 70,000 bread rolls to feed the nation. Development Minister Veronic Ramos said: “We have, indeed, suffered some shortages. But we will produce 70,000 rolls today and we have the capacity to increase this output if necessary.” |
| The strike began on Monday, and saw bakers take to the streets across Bolivia’s major cities to protest against the government's scrapping of the flour subsidies. | The strike began on Monday, and saw bakers take to the streets across Bolivia’s major cities to protest against the government's scrapping of the flour subsidies. |
| According to the bakers, the removal of the subsidy has doubled the cost of flour and severely impacted on their profits. | According to the bakers, the removal of the subsidy has doubled the cost of flour and severely impacted on their profits. |
| The government has said that an abundance of cheap flour from neighbouring Argentina has meant that flour prices have remained low. | The government has said that an abundance of cheap flour from neighbouring Argentina has meant that flour prices have remained low. |
| Speaking at the announcement of the removal of the subsidies, Ms Ramos said: “Bolivian bakers have benefitted from subsidies for many years. They are strong now and can walk with their own legs.” | Speaking at the announcement of the removal of the subsidies, Ms Ramos said: “Bolivian bakers have benefitted from subsidies for many years. They are strong now and can walk with their own legs.” |
| Bakers in Bolivia are annoyed with president Evo Morales' decision to remove the flour subsidy (EPA) Bread is a staple diet of many Bolivians and the government have described the decision to strike by bakers as a “national emergency”. | Bakers in Bolivia are annoyed with president Evo Morales' decision to remove the flour subsidy (EPA) Bread is a staple diet of many Bolivians and the government have described the decision to strike by bakers as a “national emergency”. |
| The decision to scrap flour subsidies is the second attempt to take away a government subsidy in the last few years. | The decision to scrap flour subsidies is the second attempt to take away a government subsidy in the last few years. |
| In 2011, president Evo Morales attempted to remove a government fuel subsidy, but after fervent nationwide protests he decided to reverse his decision. | In 2011, president Evo Morales attempted to remove a government fuel subsidy, but after fervent nationwide protests he decided to reverse his decision. |