Self Employed Women’s Association

SEWA

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	Impact of Globalization on Informal Sector: Case Study of SEWA Members

	Introduction: SEWA, being a trade union of poor but self-employed women workers in informal sectors, is committed to provide self-reliance through full employment to its members. Thus, it became SEWAs’ prime responsibility to look after the policies that challenges the economic status of its members. The present study is prepared to study the impact made on informal sector after the Indian government has started to open its market for free trade in 1991. Objective of the research study: Major objectives of the study are based around three key factors – technical changes biased against informal workers and the response to this, increased risk and vulnerability and changes in the bargaining power of informal workers. Objectives are: To study the impact of globalization on various employment sector of informal economy. To identify the emerging policy issues for next generation reforms in informal economy.

Methodology of the study: Nine sectors to represent the entire occupation pattern; i.e. primary, secondary and tertiary sector; are selected as per the priority of the SEWA to assess the impact of globalization. Individual survey, group discussion and case studies will be undertaken to achieve the objectives. Questionnaire and checklist will be prepared as per the objectives of the study. Other than that, researchers, academicians and knowledgeable persons from related fields would also be consulted.
Time Frame: The estimated date to complete the research study is October 31, 2003.
Research team from SEWA Academy: Dr. Surashree Shome (Research co-ordinator), Mr. Purushottam Vankar and Ms. Jignasa Vyas.

	Globalization of Garment Industry: Impact, Implications and Strategy for protecting Garment Workers (in collaboration with NCAER, New

	Introduction: Closure of larger or medium size garment industries has made thousands of factory workers unemployed within Ahmedabad city, most of them are now engaged with low paying jobs in some other economic sector or sucked as home based workers by small factories or contractors of garment industries. Home-based workers have to give all the inputs (other than garment) needed to carry out the order. As per an estimation there are about 30,000 home based workers located in various part of Ahmedabad city. About 60% of the home-based workers are women, thus the impact is more on the women's economic and social status. The present study is conducted to know the impact of globalization and various technological changes in garment industry and consequent affect on these home based and small factory women workers/employees.

Objective of the research study: Major objectives of the study are:

To provide the strategy, structure and systems for (a) security to garment workers and (b) strengthening their position; in view of globalization of garment Industry.
To prepare a list of changes in Technology and to understand their implications for Beneficiary Group.
To identify specific garments with considerable potential for global market and to provide specific strategy for exploiting the global opportunity.

Methodology of the study: Individual survey of eight hundred home based workers and factory workers engaged with garment industry will be collected from Ahmedabad City. Interviews, focus group discussions with home based workers (HW) and Factory workers (FW), seminars and case studies will also be undertaken to attain the objectives. Questionnaire and checklist will be prepared as per the objectives of the study. Other than that, observations of workers, retailers, wholesalers, contractors/agents, material and spare part suppliers, manufacturers and designers will be included to understand the trend in the garment industry

Time Frame: The estimated date to complete the research study is August 31, 2003.

Research team from SEWA Academy: Ms. Shanta Kosthi, Ms. Jigna Thaker, Ms. Jignasa Vyas, Ms. Geeta Solanki and Mr. Purushottam Vankar.

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Self Employed Women's Association
SEWA Reception Centre, Opp. Victoria Garden, Bhadra, Ahmedabad - 380 001. India.
Phone : 91-79-25506444 / 25506477 / 25506441, Fax : 91 - 79 - 25506446, Email :mail@sewa.org