Understanding bidi industry from the lenses of bidi workforce: an exploratory study

Bidis (small hand-rolled cigarillos) account for 85% of smoked tobacco products in India. The bidi industry is criticised for health hazards, economic exploitation, poor social security, long hours, low wages and contractualisation. This study examines bidi industry practices in India and how these allow it to resist tobacco control measures.

The study was conducted in Murshidabad (West Bengal) and Jabalpur/Narsinghpur (Madhya Pradesh) districts, which were selected for their significant bidi roller populations. Interviews were conducted with 200 bidi rollers and 17 key stakeholders, including munshis (middle-men/intermediaries), community/youth club representatives and labour union leaders, with assistance from 10 'champions' (trusted community insiders). Participants provided informed consent and their confidentiality was ensured. Interview data, in Bangla and Hindi, were translated into English and then analysed thematically.

Five major themes emerged. First, bidi companies engage in image-building corporate social responsibility activities that mirror tactics used by multinational cigarette companies, creating a facade of social responsibility while exploiting workers. Second, the industry systematically violates government policies through wage discrepancies, provident fund fraud and false worker registration to evade compliance. Third, systemic inequity pervades the sector, with median wages at only 38-53% of government-mandated rates. Fourth, unjustified bidi rejections facilitate widespread illicit trade that evades taxation and government oversight. Fifth, child labour remains entrenched in West Bengal.

Bidi companies' current practices perpetuate labour exploitation and illicit trade. We recommend uniform national guidelines that require transparent operations and mandatory registration of all bidi rollers.