The Social Security Program of the Self-Employed Women's Association (SEWA)

Publication Date: 2000
Published by: ILO (International Labor Organization)--Social Finance Unit
Document Type: Case Study

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Documents the historical development and organisational structure of the SEWA health program and the social insurance scheme

The document maps the historical path of SEWA's involvement with insurance and:

• In the early 80's, SEWA was able to convince Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) to provide a small life insurance scheme for natural death for SEWA member;
• In the first years, the two insurance companies had sole responsibility for the scheme. SEWA was only a mediator to facilitate premium collection and claim procedures;
• In 1991, the Government of India made a subsidy to LIC and the company extended the scheme and included insurance for accidental death and permanent disablement;
• One year later, United India Insurance Company (UIIC) joined as well and the three partners designed an integrated insurance scheme covering all basic risks self-employed women workers face during their lifetime -medical expenses, loss of assets, natural and accidental death and permanent disablement;
• In 1995, SEWA took over responsibility for managing the health insurance scheme from UIIC;
• Besides the Indian Government, the scheme got financial support from the German Agency for Technical Co-operation (GTZ).

• Health insurance
• Insurance for loss of assets, working equipment and housing units
• Insurance for natural and accidental death of the member
• Insurance for accidental death of member's husband
• maternity benefit