Bidi workers of Jessore and Tangail district 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 12:00pm.
The workers raised seven points demand 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 Jessore Distric Bidi Workers Union, its members Saiful Alam, Hakimon Begum, Asadul Islam, among others spoke out at the chain in Jessore while over hundreds leaders and activist of the bidi federation attended here.
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 chain held in Tangail and more 100 leaders and activists of the federation were present.
While addressing the leaders said, over 2 million people, including the unprivileged, widows and persons with disabilities are working in the bidi industry finding no others alternative jobs.
The workers will face financial hardship if the industry is shut without arranging alternative employment for them, they added.
