| 1.
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.
2.
Globalization of Garment Industry: Impact, Implications
and Strategy for protecting Garment Workers (in collaboration
with NCAER, New Delhi)
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.
|
