Thousands of bidi factory workers in Rangpur under serious health hazard

RANGPUR, Mar 16: Thousands of labourers working in different bidi factories of Haragachh union at Kawnia upazila in Rangpur district are under serious health hazard. Due to continuous exposure to toxic dust of tobacco, most of them are suffering from different fatal diseases.

Haragachh, 12 km away from Rangpur city, is famous for tobacco business and bidi factories. Everyday, millions of bidi sticks are being manufactured and dispatched to different districts of the country.

Thousands of workers including a large number of children are working in 9 bidi factories in Haragachh semi-dark and unhealthy environment, according to a survey conducted by RDRS, Bangladesh

Most of the workers including children are falling easy prey to various chronic diseases like asthma, TB, cough, skin disease, eye disease and other respiratory diseases due to tobacco dust floating on the air, sources alleged.

A bidi worker can make 8,000 to 10,000 sticks working eight to ten hours. Each worker gets Tk 24 for making 1000 bidi sticks. The workers are not aware about their health related matter and environment of the working place. They do not use mask and hand gloves to protect themselves. They are constantly exposed to tobacco dust and toxic chemicals.

Motahara, a worker of Halim bidi factory told The Financial Express that tobacco dust is the main cause of various serious diseases and they inhale it while working in bidi factories. But they are helpless owing to lack of employment opportunity in the area, she further said.    

Sultan Mia, another worker of Gafur bidi factory said he had been attacked with asthma few days before but did not get any financial assistance from the owner of the factory. Many of the bidi workers are suffering from different diseases but the authority concerned are oblivious to the matter, he lamented. While talking to FE a good number of bidi factory labouers alleged that they feel breathing problem while working due to pungent tobacco dust floating in the air.

They can hardly afford good treatment and die early, said Dr. Rokibul Islam, a physician. As per law, a factory owner must employ a doctor for regular checkup of the workers. But it is almost never done. Asked about this, "Who will enforce this law?" Raihan, a worker replied.

Mahfuzur Rahman Mithu, upazila Chairman, Kawnia said A large number of workers of bidi factories in Haragachh are engaged in hazardous job because of inadequate employment opportunity in the region. If the government ensures gas and electricity in the region a number of industries can be set up here which will help people get alternative job opportunity, he added.

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