A convention of bidi workers was organized by VHAI at Jhangipur in Murshidabad district of West Bengal, on 22nd April 2009. The objective of this convention was to discuss the issues related to health hazards of Bidi rolling occupation and to explore the idea of alternative livelihood for these Bidi workers. A large number of women, adolescent girls and children took part in this convention. There were open house and group discussions where the bidi workers were given the opportunity to express their problems/views and solutions to it. The regional media, print as well as electronic, covered this convention. Some of the major discussion points were:
- Poor health facilities for bidi rollers
- Health hazards of Bidi rolling
- Impoverished lives of bidi rollers
- Poor working conditions
- Loss of childhood as families involved in bidi rolling
- Lack of any facilities for women and children
- Poor payment terms
- Awareness regarding statutory provisions meant for the welfare of the bidi rollers
- Decades of dependency and no alternative choices of livelihood.
- Willingness for some alternative occupations
