Comment 10 for bug 170901

> Doesn't the shell mode serve this purpose?

Yes, it's a bit heavier but it works:

1. Create a commands.txt file with you commands:
-j -i layer1 -e layer1.png document.svg
-j -i layer2 -e layer2.png document.svg
quit
2. Run Inkscape in Shell mode:
# inkscape --shell < commands.txt