Beedis, traditional Indian cigarettes, account for almost half of India's tobacco industry, but the millions of workers who make them are trapped in modern day economic slavery.
Child workers in India's beedi industry —
Beedis, traditional Indian cigarettes, account for almost half of India's tobacco industry, but the millions of workers who make them are trapped in modern day economic slavery.
Davinder Kumar/Plan International
A beedi maker in Andhra Pradesh, India, trims the leaves of the ebony tree which she will roll into a tobacco-filled beedi.
Child workers in India's beedi industry —
A beedi maker in Andhra Pradesh, India, trims the leaves of the ebony tree which she will roll into a tobacco-filled beedi.
Davinder Kumar/Plan International
After rolling the beedi, workers seal it shut using a sharp knife to prevent the tobacco inside from falling out.
Child workers in India's beedi industry —
After rolling the beedi, workers seal it shut using a sharp knife to prevent the tobacco inside from falling out.
Davinder Kumar/Plan International
Workers roll beedis for between 10 and 14 hours a day; for making 1,000 of the traditional cigarettes, they earn just $2 a day.
Child workers in India's beedi industry —
Workers roll beedis for between 10 and 14 hours a day; for making 1,000 of the traditional cigarettes, they earn just $2 a day.
Davinder Kumar/Plan International
With such high targets to reach, whole families -- including very young children -- are roped in to help roll beedis.
Child workers in India's beedi industry —
With such high targets to reach, whole families -- including very young children -- are roped in to help roll beedis.
Davinder Kumar/Plan International
Girls as young as five and six 'train' to roll beedis using paper and cotton. Once they have learned what to do, they switch to real tobacco and leaves.
Child workers in India's beedi industry —
Girls as young as five and six 'train' to roll beedis using paper and cotton. Once they have learned what to do, they switch to real tobacco and leaves.
Davinder Kumar/Plan International
Young children in Andhra Pradesh's beedi making centers grow up learning to work, instead of being free to play.
Child workers in India's beedi industry —
Young children in Andhra Pradesh's beedi making centers grow up learning to work, instead of being free to play.
Davinder Kumar/Plan International
Many of the beedi makers began work when they were children -- and now have children of their own to care for, amid the tobacco dust. Mothers spend all day working, barely stopping to eat or drink.
Child workers in India's beedi industry —
Many of the beedi makers began work when they were children -- and now have children of their own to care for, amid the tobacco dust. Mothers spend all day working, barely stopping to eat or drink.
Davinder Kumar/Plan International
Beedi makers absorb large amounts of nicotine through their skin; many lose sensation in their hands by the time they reach their 40s.
Child workers in India's beedi industry —
Beedi makers absorb large amounts of nicotine through their skin; many lose sensation in their hands by the time they reach their 40s.
Davinder Kumar/Plan International
Young beedi maker Salma is in poor health; frail and suffering from jaundice and ringworm, but she must still roll up to 1,500 beedis a day to support her family.
Child workers in India's beedi industry —
Young beedi maker Salma is in poor health; frail and suffering from jaundice and ringworm, but she must still roll up to 1,500 beedis a day to support her family.
Davinder Kumar/Plan International