The baker?s union (UMPHI) and the Ministry of Industry and Commerce have agreed to a two-week delay in the proposed price increases for bread products. Industry Minister Sonia Guzm?n and the head of the Union of Medium and Small Bakers, Pedro Pablo Grull?n, brokered the agreement. According to statements made by Grull?n at the press conference, Guzm?n requested that the bakers hold off on their increases until the effects of the IMF accords could be felt and the exchange rate starts to lower.
Grull?n said that at the present time the country?s bakers were losing RD$300 per sack of flour and with 2,000 bakeries making bread every day, the losses were as much as RD$12 million per day.
Guzm?n told the press that she was very pleased with the attitude of the bakers? union and praised their position as an example of ? sacrifice, social sensitivity, and patriotism.? She commended both the bakers and the flourmills for their positive response to the current situation.