Bidi factory workers agitate against proposed tax hike

Bidi factory workers in different districts blocked roads and railways yesterday demanding withdrawal of the government's proposed additional extra taxes on handmade tobacco products.
The road and train communications from Lalmonirhat to Burimari land port remained suspended for three hours from 9:00am yesterday due to the blockade put by labourers of Akiz Bidi Factory at Bhotmari under Kaliganj upazila, reports our Lalmonirhat correspondent.
Sub-Inspector Abdur Razzaque, acting OC of Kaliganj police station, and several workers said factory manager Humayun Kabir and supervisor Lablu Miah forced the labourers to take part in the blockades by threatening to end their job.
Even some bidi labourers were physically harassed for declining to join the illegal blockade, said the acting OC.
At noon police forced the agitators to withdraw the blockade, he said.
Humayun Kabir, manager of the bidi factory, said, "Bidi labourers put blockades on road and rail routes protesting the additional taxes on bidi industry. I am not involved with the programme and I didn't force or harass any labourer."
Our Jessore Correspondent reports: The authorities of Akij Bidi Factory at Navaron in Sharsa upazila under the district yesterday announced lay off of the factory, citing the reason of incurring losses due to the proposed extra tax on tobacco goods.
Informed of the matter, the factory workers took to the street and put tree logs on Jessore-Benapole highway at about 9:00am, eventually creating a five-kilometre-long tailback. They demanded immediate opening of the factory and withdrawal of the proposed extra tax on handmade tobacco products.
Workers put off the barricade at noon as the deputy commissioner assured them to reach their demands to the prime minister.
Our Benapole Correspondent reports: Workers of Akij Bidi Factory at Nabharan in Jhikargachha upazila under Jessore district blocked Benapole-Jessore road in front of the factory protesting indefinite closure of the factory due to what the authorities claimed losses following imposition of extra taxes on bidi.
They demanded immediate restart of the factory and reduction of taxes on the item.
The agitators withdrew the blockade at noon, after a discussion with the deputy commissioner.
Our Tangail correspondent adds: Bidi workers and owners yesterday brought out a protest procession in the town, demonstrated on the Shaheed Minar premises and formed a human chain in front of the Deputy Commissioner's Office demanding withdrawal of extra tax on bidi.