Synopsis Beedi industry is now more than a century old. Ever since the introduction of tobacco cultivation in the country a sizeable segment of labour force is engaged in different processes of tobacco from its production to consumption. The most visible and important aspect of tobacco use is its transformation into beedis. Today the beedi making alone engages more than four million workers including children and most of them are home based and piece rated. Their plight attracted attention of the authorities and as a result, some welfare measures have been adopted by the Government of India. The present volume provides a comprehensive picture of global t9obacco industry, tendu leaf production, beedi workers in India, their problems and the welfare measures. It also critically examines the process of operation of the fund and suggests measures for improving the system to make it more beedi-workers friendly. The book may be useful for policy makers, organizers of beedi workers, researchers and students of Labour Economics.