13,300 child labourers in nine bidi factories

A total of 13,300 child laboureres are working at nine bidi factories at Haragach in dark, unhealthy and cramped rooms, a report of RDRS Bangladesh said.

A bidi worker can make 8,000 to 10,000 sticks working eight to ten hours and each workers gets only Taka 24 for making 1,000 bidi.

The workers were not aware about their health related matter and environment of the working place, they did not use mask and hand gloves to protect themselves from disease. They are exposed to tobacco dust and toxic chemicals. As a result, they suffer from asthma, chest pain, vomiting and headaches.

Haragach Bidi Sramik Union president Amin Uddin said \\\\\\\"At least 50 percent workers in different factories are below 18. But there is no alternative way to earn. Most of the local people condition is very miserable. So the local people send their children to bidi factories for earning. Some children were working at the factories after attending their school\\\\\\\"

Amin Uddin said this while a team of journalists recently visited the area under \\\\\\\"Advocacy and communication for children and women development(4th phase) project with the financial support of UNICEF.

Firoz Miah, a local, said,\\\\\\\" If the government ensure gas and electricity supply in the area then some investors must set up their industries. On the other hand, if any rich man come forward to set up industries in the area people will welcome them. As a result,child labour and financial crises in the area would fall\\\\\\\".

Akhterul Alam, a marketing chief of bidi factories said that \\\\\\\"Nearly 50 percent production of bidi declined due to change in consumers habit and growing health consciousness. It is my father\\\\\\\'s traditional business, so we cannot close the factories. I have some plan in future to build a health complex, welfare fund for the workers and set up primary school for the poor children. The workers also demanding various facilities to me but I shall try to do it in phases.

Project Manager of Assistance for Social Organization and Development (ASOD) Md Abu Nayeem said \\\\\\\'we are working for raising awareness among the children and women in three upazilas-- Kawnia, Gangachara and Haragach-- with the financial support of UNICEF.

Source: BSS,1 feb 2014