Several thousand bidi workers on Sunday held protest rallies across the country against the tax hike proposal in the budget for the fiscal year 2020-2021.
They held human chains in many districts under the banner of Bangladesh Bidi Sramik Federation (BBSF).
The protesters termed the decision of tax hike as conspiracy against the livelihoods of millions of workers and traders engaged with the industry.
They said the government proposed 28.57% tax hike on bidi while 5.41% tax on low quality cigarette, calling the hike an injustice to bidi trading.
In Pabna, the Bidi Majdur Union President Harik Hossain, General Secrerary Shamim Islam, Organizing Secretary Md Dulal Sheikh, among others, spoke in a human chain program in the district.
In Rangpur, Bangladesh Bidi Sramik Union Executive President Amin Uddin BSC, its two others leaders Abul Hasnat Lavlu and Jamil Akter addressed a rally of Bidi workers.
In Sylhet, District Federation President Imran Ahmed and GS Maruf Rabbi, among others, were, present in another demonstration.
In Gazipur, District Federation President Rezaul Karim and GS Sujon Kumar Banik, were present, in the protest program.
Besides, leaders in different districts raised their voices against the tax hike proposal, urging the government to scrap the proposal in the original budget.
Rallies were also held in other districts that include Jashore, Mymensingh, Sunamganj, Noakhali, Brahmanbaria, Kishoreganj, Sharitatpur and Bagherhat .