“Child Labor in Bidi Factories: Current Situation and Way Forward” is my second research study in the field of tobacco control, conducted in 2015. The study explores the prevalence of child labor in bidi manufacturing, examines the socio-economic factors sustaining this practice, and highlights policy and implementation gaps, while proposing practical strategies for prevention and reform. This research was presented at the 47th Union World Conference on Lung Health, held from 25–29 October 2016 in Liverpool, United Kingdom.

The presentation on 26 October 2016 marked a significant milestone in my academic journey, as it was my first international conference presentation, delivered while I was serving as a Senior Reporter at Jamuna Television. The session was presided over by tobacco control expert Anne Jones from Australia, with another tobacco control expert, Mira B. Aghi, serving as co-chair. The conference provided an invaluable opportunity to engage with global experts and contribute to international discussions on tobacco control and child rights.

Background

Working in the tobacco industry can be as hazardous to health as smoking itself.
In Bangladesh, around 65,000 workers are directly employed in 117 bidi factories, along with several thousand associated workers.
A significant proportion of these workers are children, exposing them to serious health, social, and educational risks. Given this context, it is crucial to explore the extent and nature of child labor in bidi factories.  This study highlights the urgent need for regulation of this harmful sector and effective measures to eliminate child labor.

Objectives

General Objective

To explore the child labor situation in bidi factories of Bangladesh and recommend ways to regulate the sector by preventing child labor.

Specific Objectives

• To assess the current scenario of child labor in bidi factories
• To examine the factors contributing to child labor
• To understand the socio-economic and health conditions of children working in bidi factories

Methodology – Study Area

The study was conducted in four districts with the highest concentration of bidi factories:

• • Rangpur
  • Kushtia
  • Tangail
  • Barisal

A total of eight bidi factories were selected purposively from these areas.

Methodology – Study Design

• Study design: Cross-sectional study

Sample Size and Technique

Quantitative:

• • 160 child laborers aged 7–14 years (40 from each area), selected through snowball sampling
  • Parents or caregivers of these 160 children

Qualitative:

• 28 purposively selected respondents:

• • 8 factory management representatives
  • 16 senior bidi workers (minimum 10 years’ experience)
  • 4 doctors/health professionals

Methodology – Data Collection and Ethics

• Tools:

• • Face-to-face interviews using semi-structured questionnaires
  • In-depth interviews using interview guidelines

• Analysis:

• • Descriptive statistics
  • Thematic textual analysis

• Ethical considerations:

• • Parental consent obtained
  • Ethical approval received from BMRC

Findings – Demographic Characteristics

• Gender:
  • Boys: 58%
  • Girls: 42%
• Age:
  • 7–10 years: 32%
  • 11–14 years: 68%

Most child laborers were boys aged 11–14 years.

Educational Status of Parents

• • 70% of parents were illiterate
  • Only 30% had some formal education
  • Low parental education strongly influences child labor participation.

Household Size and Income

• Household size:
  • 4–6 members: 77.5%
• Monthly household income:

• • 45% earned between Tk. 2001–5000
  • 33.7% earned Tk. 5001–10000

Poverty remains a key driver of child labor.

Children Working in Bidi Factories

• Years of work:

• • 43% worked for 2–4 years
  • 26% worked for 5–7 years

Many children start working at a very early age and continue for several years.

Working Days per Week

• • 48.8% worked 1–2 days per week
  • 28.1% worked 3–4 days
  • 23.1% worked 5–6 days

Working patterns varied significantly across districts.

Working Time and Hours

• • 68% worked during school hours
  • 42% worked more than 6 hours per day

This directly interferes with children’s education and rest.

Daily Wage

• • 61% earned less than Tk. 50 per day
  • Only 20% earned more than Tk. 100

Nearly 90% of children contribute their income to family expenses.

Qualitative Insights

Low wages discourage adult workers, increasing child employment.
Factory management admitted that children are preferred because they can be paid less.
Most workers want to leave bidi work, but alternative employment opportunities are lacking.

Schooling Status

• • 75.6% were still studying
  • 24.4% were out of school

Among those studying, most were enrolled only at the primary level.

Reasons for Not Attending School

• • 74.4% reported engagement in factory work
  • 20.5% reported lack of interest in studying

Work remains the primary reason for school dropout.

Health Hazards

• Common problems included:

• • Headache (54.9%)
  • Breathing problems (27.1%)
  • Vomiting, fever, cough

80% of children reported feeling sick, and none used protective equipment.

Health Perspectives

Doctors reported a high number of tobacco-related illnesses, especially among children.
Lack of awareness among poor families increases vulnerability to chronic tobacco poisoning.

Recommendations

• • Strengthen policy enforcement to eliminate child labor
  • Raise parental awareness about health risks
  • Ensure collaboration among government, media, and development partners
  • Introduce social safety-net programs in bidi-producing areas
  • Conduct a comprehensive national survey of the bidi sector

Conclusion

Child labor in bidi factories is driven by poverty, low wages, and weak regulation.
Without immediate action, children will continue to face health risks, lost education, and long-term poverty.

sinhasmp@yahoo.com,

At that time, I was working as a Senior Reporter at Jamuna Television.