Title: Short-term (private) gains at the cost of long-term (public) benefits: child labour in bidi factories of Bangladesh

Authors: Syed Mahbubur Rahman; Monowar Hossein; Md. Shahedul Alam; Md. Hasan Shahriar; Imtiaj Rasul; A.B.M. Zubair

Addresses: Department of Operations and Supply Chain Management, Faculty of Business Administration, American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB), 408/1, Kuratoli, Khilkhet, Dhaka 1229, Bangladesh; PROGGA Knowledge for Progress, House 6, 3rd Floor, East Side, Main Road 3, Block A, Section 11, Mirpur, Dhaka-1216, Bangladesh ' PROGGA Knowledge for Progress, House 6, 3rd Floor, East Side, Main Road 3, Block A, Section 11, Mirpur, Dhaka-1216, Bangladesh ' PROGGA Knowledge for Progress, House 6, 3rd Floor, East Side, Main Road 3, Block A, Section 11, Mirpur, Dhaka-1216, Bangladesh ' PROGGA Knowledge for Progress, House 6, 3rd Floor, East Side, Main Road 3, Block A, Section 11, Mirpur, Dhaka-1216, Bangladesh ' PROGGA Knowledge for Progress, House 6, 3rd Floor, East Side, Main Road 3, Block A, Section 11, Mirpur, Dhaka-1216, Bangladesh ' PROGGA Knowledge for Progress, House 6, 3rd Floor, East Side, Main Road 3, Block A, Section 11, Mirpur, Dhaka-1216, Bangladesh

Abstract: International conventions strictly restrict children from working in hazardous occupations like bidi production. This research aimed at investigating child labour situation in bidi factories operating in the northern part of Bangladesh. The study followed qualitative techniques in an interpretive approach to deduce the phenomenon. Observation was the tool to explore working condition inside the factory, along with group discussion, key informant interview and in-depth interview. Four cases were also studied. The study found that around 50-70% of the labours were children, while the actual number was inconclusive. The family, due to poverty, and tobacco industry, for financial benefit, let adolescents work in bidi factories. Implementation of laws, measures to reduce demand and supply of bidi, and awareness among families are suggested to reduce the number of child labour. Child impact analysis and longitudinal research may be initiated further to analyse the changes in the career of children when grown up.

Keywords: child labour; bidi industry; Bangladesh; case study; tobacco industry; qualitative research.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBHR.2018.101525

International Journal of Behavioural and Healthcare Research, 2018 Vol.6 No.3/4, pp.167 - 182

Received: 01 Jul 2017
Accepted: 18 Mar 2018
Published online: 12 Aug 2019 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article