Bidi workers of Jashore and Tangail districts formed human chain with 7-point demands aiming the production of bidi wouldn’t be stopped before providing alternative employment to the bidi workers.
The agitators formed the human chain separately in front of Jashore Press Club and Tangail Press Club around 12:00 Noon yesterday.
The workers raised seven-point demands includes not stopping the production and sales of bidi without providing alternative jobs for the workers, not increasing the tariff on the sector with
ensuring six-day work facilities for the bidi workers in a week.
Bazlur Rahman, Convener of South Zone Bidi Federation, Maya Begum, Central Women Affairs Secretary of Bidi Workers’ Federation, Mizanur Rahman, leader of Jashore District Bidi Workers’ Union, its members Saiful Alam, Hakimon Begum, Asadul Islam, among others spoke at the human chain programme in Jashore, while over one hundred leaders and activists of the Bidi Federation attended.
Besides, Mahmudul Hasan Manik Mia, President of Tangail District Bidi Workers’ Federation, its Secretary Mehedi Hasan, Organising Secretary M Tarik Mia among others delivered speech at the human chain held in Tangail and more than 100 leaders and activists of the federation were present.
While addressing the leaders they said, over 2 million people, including the underprivileged, widows and persons with disabilities are working in the bidi industry finding no other alternative jobs.
The workers will face financial hardship if the industry is shut without arranging alternative employment for them, they added.
