Development of an extended full-time equivalent framework: A workforce metric for the beedi rolling industry in India

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Workforce Management
• South Asian Labor Studies

Background:

• India is the world's second-largest producer and consumer of tobacco, with beedis being a highly popular product.
• Beedi rolling is a primary occupation and income source for millions in India, particularly women in regions like coastal Karnataka.
• The beedi industry employs an estimated 7-8 million people nationwide, with over 5.5 million registered workers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and pilot-test a framework for calculating the full-time equivalent (FTE) for beedi rollers.
• To assess the workload of beedi rollers using a productivity-based model.
• To advocate for improved working conditions within the beedi industry.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-method approach, including expert opinion, scoping review, and focus groups, was used to define FTE parameters.
• A 14-item questionnaire was validated for readability, relevance, and clarity by four experts.
• A cross-sectional design was employed for pilot testing the FTE framework with ten beedi rollers.

Main Results:

• Various FTE frameworks (workload-based, productivity-based, forecasting) were reviewed, with the productivity-based model identified as most suitable for beedi rollers.
• The extended FTE-index classifies beedi rolling work as underloaded (≤0.95), normal (0.95-1.04), or overloaded (≥1.05).
• Pilot study results indicate the proposed FTE framework is implementable for workload assessment.

Conclusions:

• A pilot-tested framework for evaluating beedi rollers' workload has been presented.
• The productivity-based model is recommended for FTE calculation due to the piece-rate payment structure common in beedi rolling.
• The study supports the need for improved working conditions for beedi rollers.