Barisal bidi workers hunger-strike

Bidi workers are on indefinite strike in Barisal demanding formation of a board for minimum wage and withdrawal of tax on bidis in the proposed budget.

Hundreds of workers joined the hunger strike at Sohel Chattar near Barisal's Bibi pukur at 11am on Sunday.

The protest was jointly organised by Bangladesh ‘Bidi Sromik Federation’ and ‘Barisal Karikar Bidi Sromik Union’.

Speakers addressed the strikers saying the livelihood of several thousands of men and women and the handicapped in the bidi industry has been threatened by the high taxation rates in the recent budget.

The proposed 2013-14 budget has put a 60.16 percent tax which makes bidi prices touch those of low cost cigarettes, luring smokers to turn to them.

They say if budget seeks to cut tobacco consumption, it should also have increased tax on machine manufactured cigarettes.

So the workers are demanding that all forms of tax on bidis be withdrawn for the sake of their livelihood.

They are also asking for the formation of a board for minimum wages.

Earlier last week, bidi workers in Jessore protested by blocking roads after one of the bidi factories closed down in the district.