In other news, earlier this month, the Collective Bakers Association unilaterally announced that they would be increasing the price of a 16 ounce pack of bread by 85 cents. It's a price controlled product, which means that to raise the cost without government approval would be breaking the law.
But, the bakers say they have no choice after months of waiting for the government to dialogue with them. And today, the PM says he understands their frustration, but insists that GOB has always done what it can to keep costs low.
John Briceno, Prime Minister
"You can't blame them. The fact is that the price of everything has gone up. The price of lard has gone up. The price of wheat or flour has gone up considerably. And we are doing everything possible to hold on the cost of living."
"You are loved to accuse us that we are not doing anything. When we're trying to do our best, a loaf of bread, a bimbo bread in Chetumal is about $3.50 -$4. So here we are struggling and doing our best. I need to remind you that our government in many instances have been with the little resources that have been providing some sort of subsidies."
"At one time we gave it to the bus, we gave it to the bread people. Now again they're coming again and we're trying to see what we can do. We are doing everything possible to hold on the cost of living in this country."
