Workers demand bidi price reduction
They also ask for increasing tax on prices of low-brand filter cigarettes to protect the bidi industry
The Bangladesh Bidi Sramik Federation (BBSF) on Sunday demanded a reduction in bidi prices to protect the industry.
They also asked for increasing tax on prices of low-brand filter cigarettes, as they feared that the low-priced cigarettes may take over the bidi market in the country.
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If the government does not increase taxes on and prices of low-brand cigarettes in the next fiscal year, the bidi industry might be pushed towards extinction, said BBSF leaders in a post-budget press briefing.
In the proposed budget for the 2021-22 fiscal year, the government has kept the tax rate unchanged for low-brand cigarettes that are produced mostly by foreign companies.
The low-cost filter cigarettes meet the demand of 72% of total cigarette smokers in the country and also a sole competitor of bidi.
BBSF President MK Bangali placed a five-point charter of demands, including reduction of bidi prices, ban on counterfeit bidi marketing, stopping conspiracy against bidi industry and price hike of low-brand cigarettes.
The government should take necessary measures for the interest of workers in the bidi industry, he insisted, adding, "Bidi workers are living miserable lives as factories are closing one after another."
BBSF Executive President Amin Uddin BSc, General Secretary Abdur Rahman, Organising Secretary Abdul Gafur, Publicity Secretary Md Shamim Islam and Assistant Organising Secretary, Abul Hasnat Lavlu were also present there, among others.
