Addressing a press conference here, the growers and their unions' representatives also accused multinational companies Philip Morris (Pakistan) and Pakistan Tobacco Company (PTC) of economic exploitation and called the government for action against them.
Chairman Ittehad Workers Union Ammadul Hassan of Philip Morris (Pakistan) Limited and General Secretary Sarhad Agricultural Rural Development Organisation Hussain Ahmed demanded the government to hold all the leading international tobacco multinational companies accountable for making economic exploitation of workers in Pakistan.
Terming the imposition of Rs 300 per kg new tax on the tobacco as a conspiracy, they said the new taxation measures will crush the sector in the province, besides rending thousands of people jobless.
KPK Labour Federation President Ibrarullah said that 210 permanent employees suspended from Philip Morris Pakistan Limited should be restored.
Provincial President of Sarhad Agricultural Rural Development Organisation Haji Abdul Nabi said the employees are being deprived of health facilities. Similarly, benefits in connection of Workers Welfare Board have been seized by leaving 6,300 technical workers jobless.
He also termed Rs 300 per kg tax on tobacco as planned move of multinational companies in connivance with bureaucracy to put loss to national economy and leaving thousands of workers jobless.
The tobacco is major cash-crop for thousands of growers in KPK and the growers of the province contribute Rs 100 billion annually to national exchequer, but the government's policies are damaging the sector.