Bidi output falls, workers face job loss in Barisal

The jobless workers held several demonstrations in the city in the past week demanding relaxation of the law till their rehabilitation.

The anti-smoking law took effect on March 26. Now smoking in transports and at public places are rarely seen.

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Niranjan Dey, an official of Karikar Bidi Factory, said in last one week, about forty million Bidi sticks were produced, but not even half of those were sold. As a result, workers have not been given any new work order in the current week.

Haider Ali Khan, Managing Director of Sultani Bidi Factory, told this correspondent that 6000 workers of his factory were given only two days' work last week and their work in the coming week is also uncertain.

Bidi produced last week are yet to be sold, he added.

Bidi factory workers usually work on daily basis under master roll and they remain unemployed if work is not given.

Leaders of the Bidi Sramik Union said if the trend of slide in production continues, about three million out of fifty million workers would become jobless within a short period.

Different trade unions of Bidi factory owners and workers have decided to hold a grand rally at Paltan Maidan in Dhaka on April 20, where they will demand relaxation of the law and alternative programmes for rehabilitation of jobless workers.