Bidi workers form human chain demanding withdrawal of bidi duty
Business Report :
The Bangladesh Bidi Workers Federation has held a human chain program in front of the National Press Club at 11:30 am on Thursday demanding five points, including the withdrawal of bidi duty and advance income tax.
During this time, the workers demanded the removal of BAT ‘s illegal cigarette factory from the residential area of Dhaka Cantonment , the enactment of a law to protect the health of workers, a ban on the production and sale of fake bidis, and the formation of a committee to prevent fake bidis and cigarettes under the leadership of the Deputy Commissioner.
Bidi Workers Federation President Amin Uddin BSC said, Bidi is a domestic labor-dependent industry.
Since its inception, there was no duty on Bidi. But due to the conspiracy of some domestic and foreign NGOs and foreign multinational companies, Bidi factories are gradually closing down.
As a result, the industry is on the verge of collapse today and millions of helpless male and female workers are spending their days in fear of unemployment. Conspiracies against the Bidi industry will not be tolerated in any way.
If there is any plan to increase duty on the Bidi industry in the 2025-26 fiscal year budget, we will launch a strong movement with 1.8 million Bidi workers from all over the country.
In addition, a fake Bidi prevention committee should be formed at the district level to stop the production and sale of fake Bidi.
General Secretary Harik Hossain said, BAT ‘s cigarette factory in the residential area of Dhaka Cantonment has become a serious threat to the environment and public health.
Currently, BAT is running an illegal cigarette factory in the residential area by ignoring the court verdict.
Our question is, is BAT more powerful than the government? Therefore, BAT’s illegal cigarette factory, including tax evasion, must be removed very soon and all their aggressions must be stopped.
The human chain was presided over by Bangladesh Bidi Workers Federation General Secretary Harik Hossain and chaired by Bangladesh Bidi Workers Federation President Amin Uddin BSC.
Federation Vice Presidents Nazim Uddin, Lutfar Rahman, Anwar Hossain, Joint Secretary Abdul Gafur, Abul Hasnat Lablu, Organizing Secretary Shamim Islam, etc. spoke at the human chain.
