SEWA: A Trade Union with a Difference

Abstract

SEWA, or the Self Employed Women's Association, is a trade union devoted to the cause of the upliftment of poor, self?employed women. Unions are often known as protest organizations aimed at wrestling maximum advantages from the employers for their worker? members. SEWA as a trade union has pitched itself not against employers ?? for in most cases its self?employed members may have none ?? but for the benefit of the poor women workers. In the last fifteen years of its existence, it has impacted considerably not only the economic and social life of its members, but also important segments of its environment. This case study is an attempt to understand the major factors responsible for the success of SEWA. It identifies clear articulation of the mission, innovative orientation, organic beneficiary orientation, strong research base, careful building of human resources, and leadership style as some of the important contributory factors.