Socio-economic, Health and Working Conditions of Child Beedi Rollers in Beedi Industry

Abstract

Beedi manufacturing industry in India, is a highly labour-intensive and predominantly it is an unorganized sector. The beedi rolling function is generally done by women and child labourers who have no other means of financial earning. Child labourers are weak segments of Indian unorganized labour force. This study has been done in Solapur city of Maharashtra state in India. This city is important and famous for power loom industry and beedi industry also. Through the study an attempt has been made to highlight the health problems faced by child beedi rollers. This study also focuses on the factors which force children to work in beedi manufacturing industry and assesses literacy level of the child beedi rollers. The results of the study show that socio-economic condition of majority of the selected child beedi rollers is very poor and majority of them are facing various deceases due to constant exposure to tobacco dust and unhygienic working conditions at work place. Most of them have not completed their primary education.