Labour unions, farmers back FED on cigarettes

Islamabad: The representatives of labour unions appreciated the government for imposing Federal Excise Duty (FED) on cigarettes saying that the decision will strengthen economy.

In a well-attended press briefing at National Press Club, Labour Federation President Ibrarullah, Kisan Board Pakistan General Secretary Abdul Samad Safi, Tobacco Growers Association of Pakistan Chairman Liaquat Yousafzai, Sarhad Agricultural and Rural Development Organisation General Secretary Hussain Ahmed, Anjuman Muhafaz-e-Hakook-e-Kashtkaran President Nimat Shah Roghani and others said that FED on cigarettes protects rights of the farmers. Abdul Samad Safi said some cigarette makers are trying to put pressure on the government through unknown farmer representatives that FED should be imposed on tobacco leaf. These companies, he said, are trying to monopolise the tobacco market. He said tobacco growers are already crippled and it is insane to put the FED on tobacco leaf instead of cigarette packet.

“We the farmers are against transferring the FED from a cigarette packet to tobacco leaf which is unjust,” he said. Ibrarullah said the transparent way to collect FED is through imposing it on a cigarette packet. Some manufacturers are driven by their greed for easy bucks and are trying to push the FED on tobacco leaf. He said this action will kill local industry, and make farmers and labourers unemployed.

“These multinational companies want to maintain their monopoly on tobacco market. They have replaced permanent workers with contract employees which is violation of internationally accepted labour laws,” he said. Liaquat Yousafzai supported the FED on cigarette packs and said that the government should make sure that price of tobacco leaf increases with the increase in FED on cigarette packs so that farmers are relieved.

Hussain Ahmed said no organisation from KP has opposed FED on cigarette and no one will. He said price of tobacco leaf should be increased. For many years, he said, tobacco farmers are struggling to increase their produce and the government decisions have supplemented their efforts. He demanded of the government to give subsidy on pesticides and fertilizers so that farmers grow better crops.

Naimat Shah Roghani said that FED is the right decision by the government on cigarette pack. “If multinational companies want to transfer FED on tobacco leaf, we will strongly condemn it and hold protests.