INTRODUCTION
The impact of the COVID crisis has been severe for workers in India’s informal sector, which constitutes
90%of the labor force.The crisis wiped away informal workers’ livelihood opportunities depleting their
cash reserves, creating a ripple effect on food and social security.The government took steps to curb the
spread of the virus through a nationwide lockdown, and later announced several welfare measures to
Provide support to all citizens, especially those engaged in the informal economy. However, many
slipped through the gaps of State protection.
Through the pandemic, SEWA Cooperative Federation has stepped up its efforts to support informal
women workers and their collective enterprises, primarily cooperatives.The Federation raised funds to
reach ration and health kits to those who did not have access to government schemes. For the
enterprises, the Federation supported in restrategizing their businesses, accessing markets, and
accessing financial resources that would enable them to adapt to the uncertainty induced by the pandemic.
We found that during times of crisis, the role of collectives and member-based organisations,
particularly those of vulnerable groups like informal women workers, becomes even more important.
