Improving Working Conditions and Employment for Women in the Beedi Industry India
2000- 2004

BACKGROUND

• An estimated 5 million workers in the Beedi Industry, most of whom are women;
• 90% of the work is home - based with a high incidence of child labour;
• Occupational health problems and lack of health care services;
• Lack of information on provisions under the Beedi Welfare Act;
• Shift in Beedi production to lower cost areas;
• Lack of opportunities for alternative employment and credit facilities.

THE PROJECT OBJECTIVES WERE TO:

• Promote social dialogue between employers, trade unions and the government to improve the working conditions of Beedi workers;
• Promote access of Beedi workers to the Beedi Welfare Fund for social security;
• Support efforts to organise Beedi workers to improve their bargaining position, working and living conditions;
• Identify and promote alternative employment opportunities;
• Ensure that employment opportunities for women lead also to improvements in family and child welfare.