Bidi workers of various districts have staged demonstration over reducing the existing tariff of bidi and ensuring alternative jobs for the bidi workers soon.
The agitators from different places of the country raised 8 point demands at the human chain held differently including Moymansingh, Soriatpur and Potuakhali districts on Saturday.
In Moymansingh, a day-long human chain was held in front of opponent party leader Rouson Ershad ‘s house raising the demands in the morning.
M Asaduzzaman Sumon, President of Moymansingh Bidi Workers Federation, its Secretary M Hafizur Rahman, executive member Robin Miah, among others spoke out here while over hundred leaders and activists were present on the programme.
While addressing the leaders expressed their 8 points charter including the existing tariff of bidi industry should be reduced from the fiscal year 2020-21, alternative jobs should be ensured for the bidi workers if the authority take any step to stop bidi production and sale, the salary of them has to be increased,bidi industry should be declared as cottage industry like India and six day work facilities in a week must be ensured for the workers.
In Sariatpur and Potuakhali, the workers formed human chain separately with the same demands in front of Sariatpur Press Club and Potuakhali Press Club around 12:00pm.
Azizur Rahman, president of Sariatpur District Bidi Workers Federation, its Secretary Mozibur Rahman, members Bipul, Asad, Morzina and Masum, among others were delivered speech at the chain.
Monirul Islam, President of Potuakhali Bidi Workers Union, its secretary Mazharul Islam, among others attended the chain in Potuakhali.
The workers have threaten to go tough movement if their demands are not met as early as possible
M Asaduzzaman Sumon, President of Moymansingh Bidi Workers Federation said the millions of helpless people are living through working in bidi industry.
The workers are unemployed due to corona virus but they are not getting any financial help and cooperation officially yet y, he added.
The agitation comes after civil society members and a lawmaker recently wrote to the prime minister and the health minister demanding steps to stop production and sale of bidi.
