Development of an extended full-time equivalent framework: A workforce metric for the beedi rolling industry in India

India's significant role in the global tobacco industry is underscored by its position as the second largest producer and consumer. Among the various tobacco products, beedis are the most popular in South Asia. These small, thin, hand-rolled cigarettes are wrapped in leaves from native Asian plants and are a traditional form of tobacco consumption in the region. For many women in regions like coastal Karnataka, beedi rolling is a primary occupation and a vital source of income. Labor unions estimate that there are around 7-8 million people in the beedi industry across India, with around 5.5 million registered workers nationwide.

A mixed-method approach was initially used to finalize the parameters required for calculating the full-time equivalent (FTE), which comprised expert opinion, scoping review, and focus group discussions among beedi rollers. A 14-item questionnaire was developed, and four experts validated readability, relevance, and clarity in both the local language (Kannada) and English. Content validity was measured using the item-content validity index (I-CVI) and scale content validity index (S-CVI), with a modified Cohen's kappa value for inter-rater agreement. Subsequently, a cross-sectional design was followed for pilot testing the developed framework for FTE among ten beedi rollers.

The article outlines various frameworks for determining the full-time equivalent (FTE) for beedi workers, broadly categorized into workload-based, productivity-based, and forecasting models. Among these categories, the productivity-based model appears suitable for beedi rollers. Using the extended FTE-index, beedi rolling work was classified as underloaded (≤0.95), normal (0.95-1.04), and overloaded (≥1.05). A pilot study suggests that the proposed FTE framework can be implemented and utilized to assess their workload.

The study presents a pilot-tested framework to evaluate beedi rollers' workload and advocates for improved working conditions. Three different models were compared: workload-based, productivity-based, and forecasting. As beedi rollers are paid based on the number of beedis they roll in a week rather than the time it takes, the productivity-based model is best suited for calculating FTE for this occupation.