Business Desk :
Bidi workers have warned countrywide shutdown to protest the conspiracy and tax increase on their industry. The announcement was made at a rally held at the Engineers Institute Auditorium at on Thursday. President of Bangladesh BidiWorkers Federation MK Bangali presided over the program while Awami League MP AKM Sarwar Jahan Badshah was present as the chief guest, says a press release.
Executive President Amir Uddin BSC, Vice President Lokman Hossain, General Secretary Abdur Rahman, Organizing Secretary Abdul Gafur, Joint Secretary Harik Hossain, Vice Organizing Secretary Abul Hasnat Lavlu, Publicity Secretary Shamim Islam, Education Secretary Golam Mostafa and leaders of the workers, coming from across the country, including Maya Begum spoke to the program with five thousands Bidi workers being present.
Speaking as the chief guest, AKM Sarwar Jahan Badshah MP said, “Bidi is a cottage industry. This industry involves more than 2 million workers. Authority should have thought about them while crafting policy for the industry. But unfair policy has been designed for Bidi industry. It cannot be acceptable that the multinational companies got time until 2040 to shut down their operation; which is10 years higher than that of Bidi industry”.
He also said that in order to curb smoking, both cigarettes and Bidi will have to be banned. Foreign companies should not be allowed to carry out exclusive business for 10 years.
He said at the rally that he would discuss the discriminatory policies for Bidi industry and the wages problem of Bidi workers at the parliament. He also urged Bidi owners to increase the wages.
Federation’s President MK Bangali said, “If there is smoking in the country, Bidi will remain. The conspiracy to terminate only the Bidi industry will not be tolerated in any way. If there is any plan to increase the taxes on the Bidi in the budget for the fiscal year 2019-20, we will form a rigid movement with 20 lakh Bidi workers.” He requested NBR chairman to reduce taxes on the Bidi industry considering the unemployment of the river erosion and starvation stricken people.
Bidi workers coming from different parts of the country hoped that the Prime Minister and Bangabandhu’s daughter will pay heed on this issue. They said, “You are the leader of the poor. We believe you will not let any harm to us while in power. Please revoke increased taxes on Bidi considering the fate of 2 million workers.”
Bidi workers have warned countrywide shutdown to protest the conspiracy and tax increase on their industry. The announcement was made at a rally held at the Engineers Institute Auditorium at on Thursday. President of Bangladesh BidiWorkers Federation MK Bangali presided over the program while Awami League MP AKM Sarwar Jahan Badshah was present as the chief guest, says a press release.
Executive President Amir Uddin BSC, Vice President Lokman Hossain, General Secretary Abdur Rahman, Organizing Secretary Abdul Gafur, Joint Secretary Harik Hossain, Vice Organizing Secretary Abul Hasnat Lavlu, Publicity Secretary Shamim Islam, Education Secretary Golam Mostafa and leaders of the workers, coming from across the country, including Maya Begum spoke to the program with five thousands Bidi workers being present.
Speaking as the chief guest, AKM Sarwar Jahan Badshah MP said, “Bidi is a cottage industry. This industry involves more than 2 million workers. Authority should have thought about them while crafting policy for the industry. But unfair policy has been designed for Bidi industry. It cannot be acceptable that the multinational companies got time until 2040 to shut down their operation; which is10 years higher than that of Bidi industry”.
He also said that in order to curb smoking, both cigarettes and Bidi will have to be banned. Foreign companies should not be allowed to carry out exclusive business for 10 years.
He said at the rally that he would discuss the discriminatory policies for Bidi industry and the wages problem of Bidi workers at the parliament. He also urged Bidi owners to increase the wages.
Federation’s President MK Bangali said, “If there is smoking in the country, Bidi will remain. The conspiracy to terminate only the Bidi industry will not be tolerated in any way. If there is any plan to increase the taxes on the Bidi in the budget for the fiscal year 2019-20, we will form a rigid movement with 20 lakh Bidi workers.” He requested NBR chairman to reduce taxes on the Bidi industry considering the unemployment of the river erosion and starvation stricken people.
Bidi workers coming from different parts of the country hoped that the Prime Minister and Bangabandhu’s daughter will pay heed on this issue. They said, “You are the leader of the poor. We believe you will not let any harm to us while in power. Please revoke increased taxes on Bidi considering the fate of 2 million workers.”
