In order to protest the closure of more than 1,500 of their bakeries, some 200 Tunisian bakers participated in a sit-in outside the Ministry of Commerce's headquarters in Tunis. The government's decision to stop providing flour with subsidies last week led to the closure of the bakeries.

Prior to this, the bakers' union had said the 15-day demonstration would take place in several locations.

"Today we are staging a sit-in because we are forbidden to carry out our normal activity, which is the production of baguettes. This was announced in a statement by the former head of government, Bouden (former prime minister Najla Bouden). Our businesses are now closed. The people you see today have not been working for a week." Mohamed Jamali, president of the Groupement des boulangeries modernes (Group of modern bakeries)

Tunisians frequently encounter shortages of essential commodities, which the government subsidizes. Currently, they are grappling with a fresh scarcity of bread, a vital staple in the daily routines of the North African populace.

During a meeting held on July 27, Kaïs Saïed advocated for the elimination of the categorization of bakeries as classified or non-classified, emphasizing that there should be a single type of bread for all Tunisians.

"We want to be able to source flour like all bakeries." Zayneb Becha, baker.

"I came here today because we have no income. 1,500 bakeries are closed and their owners are risking going to prison, as they are no longer able to pay their rents and leasing debts. 1,500 bakeries employing six to seven workers each! All of them are now jobless and homeless" Abdelbeki Abdellawi, baker said.

The Tunisian government led by a new prime minister Ahmed Hachani will be trying to contain the discontent in a country that experienced deadly "bread riots" 40 years ago.