Bidi workers formed a human chain program today in Rangpur. Photo: BSS

RANGPUR, May 15 (BSS) - Bidi workers form a human chain programme today called for reducing duty on bidis in the next 2025-26 fiscal year budget to save the bidi industry. 

They forwarded their four-point demand from the programme organized by the Bangladesh Bidi Sramik Federation (BBSF) greater Rangpur unit in front of the Deputy Commissioner's office here. 

Their four demands include the reduction of tax on the bidi industry and withdrawal of advance income tax, enactment of health protection law for bidi workers, stopping the production and sale of fake bidis without increasing the duty on bidis and formation of a committee to prevent fake bidis.

Later, they presented a memorandum containing the demands to the Chief Adviser through the Rangpur Deputy Commissioner. 

With BBSF Federation President Amin Uddin BSc in the chair, its Rangpur regional unit Vice-president Nazim Uddin, central committee General Secretary Harik Hossain, Joint Secretary Abdul Gofur leaders Abul Hasnat Lavlu, Shamim Islam, addressed the programme, among others.

The speakers said that thousands of bidi workers including the helpless, disadvantaged, extremely poor, and physically handicapped and widows have been making a living by working in the bidi sector. 

However, the country's ancient labor-intensive industry is being destroyed gradually by the conspiracy of a section of foreign multinational companies. 

Amin Uddin BSc said multinational companies were smuggling crores of money abroad from the country after earning huge money by selling their cigarettes. 

Some corrupt local officials are taking advantage of foreign multinational companies and imposing excessive taxes on bidis. 

'As a result, the bidi workers are living a dehumanized life," he said. 

Besides, advance income tax on cigarettes is three percent and advance income tax on bidis is 10 percent. 

He urged the interim government to repeal this discriminatory advance income tax.

Harik Hossain said some unfair traders are making fake bidis and marketing them to evade the tariff, depriving the government of huge revenue. 

He urged the customs authorities to take necessary steps to halt unlawful bidi manufacturers and counterfeit bidi.