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| Bolivia turns its soldiers into bread makers during 48-hour bakers' strike - video | Bolivia turns its soldiers into bread makers during 48-hour bakers' strike - video |
| (7 months 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 to become makeshift bread makers after bakers went on a 48-hour strike to protest against the government’s decision to scrap subsidies on wheat flour. | The government called in troops to become makeshift bread makers after bakers went on a 48-hour strike to protest against the government’s decision to scrap subsidies on wheat flour. |
| Watch the video below to see soldiers swap camouflage for aprons in the kitchens of La Paz: | Watch the video below to see soldiers swap camouflage for aprons in the kitchens of La Paz: |
| 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.” | 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.” |
| 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. |