“ SKILL DEVELOPMENT IN UNORGANIZED SECTOR” SEWA’s INTERVENTION : SOME EXAMPLES

1. “SKILL DEVELOPMENT IN UNORGANIZED SECTOR”SEWA’s INTERVENTION : SOME EXAMPLES Renana Jhabvala, National coordinator Self Employed Women’s Association website-www.sewa.org,mail@sewabharat.org

2. Self Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) • SEWA was started in 1972 by Elaben Bhatt, as a part of the Textile Labor Association founded by Gandhiji in Ahmadabad. • It is a trade union for and of the poor, self-employed women workers in the informal economy. • Present membership– 12 lakhs in 9 states.

3. WHO ARE THE MEMEBRS OF SEWA? -- Street vendors, such as vegetable vendors, old cloth vendors etc.

4. MEMBERS OF SEWA --Home based workers, such as garment stitchers, leather workers, embroidery workers etc.

5. MEMBERS OF SEWA --Women selling their labour and services, such as construction laborers, care providers etc.

6. MEMBERS OF SEWA -- Small Producers such as small farmers, milk producers

7. SEWA and SKILL training • SEWA promotes Skill training among its members for higher productivity, more employment and better earnings. • About 2% SEWA members ( i.e more than 24,000) has received skill training. Whereas about 35% (i.e. 4.2 lakhs) have received some form of training

8. Karmika School for construction workers • During last five years 2376 no.s of trainees of age groups of 18-45 were trained in Ahmadabad, Delhi and Rajasthan . • The skills -- Masonry, Tiling, Plaster Pointing, Bar Bending, Carpentry, Wireman, Electrification, Plumbing, Lab Technician, Painting, Training with L & T, Training with HCC, Floor laying & polishing, Technical Training (Basic Measurement & unit conversion) were being taught. • 80% women reported to increase in income of 20% to 120% 40% women reported increase in days of work, 68% women reported increase in confidence level, 85% of the trained women reported that contractor talked nicely and with respect.

9. Training in Garment-making • SEWA Trade Facilitation Centre trains women for garment making on upgraded machines and for current market • Training in Gujarat, trainees from India and South Asia. Over 6000 women trained, including from Afghanistan. • Earnings increase by 20% to 200%

10. Midwives(Dai) training at Health SEWA • In last 5 years, nearly Dais of 30 to 60 age group had been trained in Gujrat, Bihar and Rajasthan. • The skills taught were Study of Human Body, digestive system, nutritious food, anemia, pregnancy risks, 9 months pregnancy and care to be taken, care of infants, Immunization and vaccine and hygiene, Mortality and morbidity, Family planning, abortion, TB, Malaria, diarrhea etc. • Link with Government for health services and thus got stipend from Govt. and got fees from patients. Average earnings (supplemental) about Rs. 1500 per month ( Polio campaign- 225 Rs stipend, referred case 50 Rs, family planning per case-150 Rs delivery, fee from patient Rs 100—400 per delivery)

11. Plant-Nursery Training at SEWA Cooperatives, Gujarat • Technical expertise from forest dept. Every year nursery training is repeated with the updates by the manger of the cooperative. In last 5 years about 1500 women trained • Drip irrigation, line spacing, weeding, maintain, cultivation , harvesting rain water etc. • Production increased and nursery growing and tree plantation promoted as a source of income. • Eco-tourism promoted . Training on Hospitality for eco tourism was also taken where Hygiene, behavior, wearing apron etc were taught which improved quality of service.

12. Aggarbatti Training, Bihar • Women agricultural workers and marginal farmers had no work • Trained about 1000 women in making aggarbatti making • Regular work from tie-up with ITC • Earning Rs. 1500—3000 per month (supplemental)

13. Computers, English and accountancy, Gujarat and Delhi • SEWA Academy, Gujarat conducts computer training programme for young girls. During last 4 years more than 500 girls trained • SEWA Delhi in collaboration with State Bank Academy(SBA) has started a soft skill training programme in Basic Accountancy, Computer Application and Spoken English in 2009. 70 girls trained. • Girls get jobs in offices and other institutions. Many girls studying further

14. Training for Home-care, Kerala • Women from fisher families lost employment • About 1000 women trained in home-care, health-care and catering • Employment in homes for care of elderly, sick or children. Earnings Rs. 3000-Rs 6000 per month .

15. Life-Skills and Values • All trainings include life-skills like literacy, self-presentation, health-care and nutrition and knowledge about the trade, knowledge about Gandhiji etc. • All trainings emphasize values promoted by SEWA– simplicity, co-operation, self-confidence etc.

16. Challenges • Scaling-up is the biggest challenge. Trainings are usually costly as they require teachers and tools. • Linking with Employment opportunities: • No institutions which provide employment linkages (no Naukri.com for them) • Finance for self-employment difficult • Changing markets make skills obsolete • Entry into skilled jobs barred for women • Family obligations and taboos

17. Thank you