Hawkers strike in Ghatal disrupts bakery supply ahead of Christmas rush

A strike by hawkers in Ghatal, West Medinipur, has caused significant disruption to the supply of bakery products, particularly bread, biscuits, and cakes, in the region. The strike, which began five days ago, is affecting the delivery of these items to tea shops and local markets in both urban and rural areas. This disruption is occurring at a critical time, just before the Christmas holiday season, when demand for bakery goods traditionally increases.

The Ghatal subdivision is home to 15 bakeries, which employ approximately 700 workers. These bakeries produce various baked goods, including bread, cakes, and biscuits, which are distributed by around 300 hawkers to towns and villages in the area. The hawkers, who are responsible for the distribution of these products, have gone on strike demanding a 5% increase in their commission. Currently, the hawkers receive a 3% commission, which they argue has not increased despite rising prices of bakery items.

Bakery owners have expressed their inability to meet the hawkers’ demand for a commission increase. They argue that increasing the commission would require either raising the prices of their products or reducing the quality of their baked goods. Both options, according to bakery owners, would result in significant losses for their businesses. They further stated that raising the commission could make the products unaffordable for customers, particularly during the festive season when consumer spending is crucial.

The strike has forced bakeries to halt production, with workers being sent home while still receiving their wages. This has led to operational challenges for the bakery owners, who are now facing mounting pressure to resolve the dispute before the Christmas season reaches its peak. Local bakeries are concerned about the impact on their ability to meet the increased demand for bakery products during the holiday period, as well as the potential financial losses due to the ongoing disruption.