10,000 beedi workers from Lalgola block in Murshidabad district, West Bengal, led a coordinated protest demanding a fair increase in their wages. The movement covered several villages including Pathan Para, Bishwanathpur, Chama Para, Fakir Para and surrounding areas. The protest was initiated and led by local aagewans (SEWA’s grassroot women leaders) with active participation from women beedi workers who have long faced low pay and exploitative conditions under mahajans (contractors). The central demand was an increase in wages, which had remained stagnant at ₹165 per 1,000 beedis, despite the rising cost of living and the exploitative nature of the mahajans.

The workers united through regular outreach and village meetings, which helped build solidarity across communities. A 15-day non-violent strike was organized, during which beedi rolling work was halted collectively to pressure the mahajans into dialogue. Aagewans played a pivotal role in leading this effort — they coordinated collective action strategies, facilitated meetings between workers, local leaders, and the union to ensure clear communication throughout. Alongside the strike, awareness campaigns were carried out to educate workers about their rights, while public slogan-raising events drew attention to their demands. The workers also engaged with formal institutions by submitting complaints at the Block Office and to the Inspector of Minimum Wages (IMW), ensuring that their grievances were registered with the authorities.

The protest resulted in successful negotiations with the mahajans, leading to a wage increase from ₹165 to ₹190 per 1000 beedis. This significant gain for the workers reflects the power of grassroots leadership and collective action in securing justice for informal women workers.