Raise profit as symbol of oppression (8)
I believe the answer is:
jackboot
'symbol of oppression' is the definition.
(I know that jackboots can symbolise oppression)
'raise profit' is the wordplay.
'raise' becomes 'jack' (jacking is a kind of raising).
'profit' becomes 'boot' (I've seen this before).
'jack'+'boot'='JACKBOOT'
'as' is the link.
(Other definitions for jackboot that I've seen before include "Footwear symbolic of dictatorial authority" , "Item of military footwear" , "soldier used to march?" , "Footwear (symbolic of authoritarian rule)" , "Military footwear reaching above the knee, worn by Nazis" .)