Self-Employed Women's Association

Self-Employed Women's Association is a trade union and movement of informal sector workers headquartered in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Founded in 1972 by Ela Bhatt, it organizes women laborers such as street vendors, home-based workers, and agricultural laborers to achieve social security and economic self-reliance. The organization operates on principles of Gandhian philosophy, emphasizing nonviolence and self-sufficiency, and has grown into a major force in the global labor movement.

History and founding

The organization emerged from the Textile Labour Association in Ahmedabad, where Ela Bhatt recognized the plight of women working outside the formal factory system. Inspired by Mahatma Gandhi's ideals of Sarvodaya and trusteeship, she formally registered it as a trade union under the Trade Unions Act, 1926. Early members included head loaders, used garment dealers, and vegetable vendors who faced exploitation from middlemen and police harassment. Key support came from figures like Arvind Buch and Anasuya Sarabhai, and it quickly expanded beyond Gujarat, establishing a national presence. The founding decade saw pivotal actions, including a successful strike action by cart-pullers in 1972, which cemented its role as a militant yet nonviolent union for the poorest workers.

Organizational structure

The association functions as a decentralized federation of cooperatives, self-help groups, and member-based organizations. Its structure is built on a dual strategy of struggle and development, coordinated through a central board of directors in Ahmedabad. Key affiliated institutions include SEWA Bank, established in 1974 as a pioneering cooperative bank, and the SEWA Academy for leadership training. Governance involves elected representatives from various trade guilds, such as the SEWA Bharat for national coordination and SEWA Federation for state-level activities. It maintains strong ties with international bodies like the International Labour Organization and Women in Informal Employment: Globalizing and Organizing.

Activities and programs

Core activities focus on securing livelihoods, social protection, and financial inclusion for members. Programs include operating SEWA Bank to provide microcredit and insurance, and initiatives like VimoSEWA for health insurance. The organization runs numerous producer cooperatives for crafts, agriculture, and dairy farming, and advocates for street vendors through the National Association of Street Vendors of India. It provides legal aid and capacity building through the SEWA Legal Services and engages in research and policy advocacy via the SEWA Research Institute. Other key efforts encompass child care through SEWA Childcare, housing cooperatives, and water resource management projects in rural areas.

Impact and recognition

The association has significantly influenced labor law and social policy in India and globally. It was instrumental in the passage of the Street Vendors Act, 2014 and has shaped International Labour Organization conventions on home-based work. Its model of integrating unionism with development has been replicated in countries like South Africa and Turkey. The founder, Ela Bhatt, received prestigious awards including the Ramon Magsaysay Award and the Indira Gandhi Prize. The organization itself was honored with the Freedom from Want Award and consultative status at the United Nations Economic and Social Council. Its work has been studied by institutions like the Harvard University and the World Bank.

Challenges and controversies

The organization faces ongoing challenges including resistance from local government bodies, police, and traditional trade unions that often marginalize informal workers. Internal challenges involve managing the scale and diversity of its membership across different states like Uttar Pradesh and Delhi. It has navigated controversies related to its Gandhian approach being perceived as non-confrontational by more radical labor movement factions. External threats include the adverse impacts of globalization, climate change on agricultural laborers, and political opposition in certain regions. Maintaining its cooperative financial institutions like SEWA Bank amidst changing Reserve Bank of India regulations also presents continual operational hurdles.

Category:Trade unions in India Category:Women's organisations in India Category:Organizations based in Ahmedabad Category:Organizations established in 1972