MARGAO: On the occasion Bakers’ Day which was celebrated in Margao on Saturday, president of All Goa Bakers and Confectioners’ Association Peter Fernandes said they were forced to give their bakeries on rent due to no support from the government, besides the young generation moving overseas for jobs and justified the hike in the price of pao by Re 1.

Several members of the association gathered in Margao for the Eucharistic celebration.

Speaking to the media persons, Peter demanded that the government take stern action against the bakers, mostly outsiders doing business in unhygienic conditions.

“As no option left to survive, many traditional bakers were forced to give their bakeries on rent. We want subsidies from the government so that our traditional business is sustainable”, he said.

He said they are facing lot of hardship with regard to labour, wood, etc.

“The government failed to hear our grievances, despite giving representation several times. The government is not even acknowledging our memorandum”, said Peter.

The bakers’ association president said 90 percent of the traditional bakery business has been taken over by the outsiders, and at the moment only 8 percent Goans are left in the business.

He alleged that the outsiders involved in the bakery business are operating in unhygienic conditions and the government should take action against them at the earliest.

Reacting to the size and weight of pao, he said that there is no point in monitoring the weight of pao, as there is no support to the bakers to control the losses.

“We have noticed that the government is lending a helping hand to all the other businesses in Goa, and only the traditional bakers are left with no support. There are schemes and subsidies for farmers and all others and the government is hurting the bakery owners”, Peter complained.

He said the customer has a full right to question and initiate action against the bakery owners if pao is not of a proper weight.