Through investigations conducted by the IJM, the use of bonded child laborers within the Beedie cigarette industry is being brought to the attention of Indian officials. Moneylenders acquire children as collateral on loans to their families. Until that loan is repaid in full, these bonded children work from early morning to late evening rolling cigarettes for their moneylender.
Lunch breaks are uncommon and six-day work weeks are common.
The Beedie cigarette industry operates under a hierarchy of second and third-level producers. These producers are responsible for hiring laborers. Bonded labor is the cheapest form of labor available. Low-level producers typically take on the role of moneylender to acquire bonded laborers. The low-level producers pay these bonded children meager wages, implement burdensome working quotas, require extensive working hours, and inflict physical abuse as punishment.