SEWA was started by Smt. Elaben Bhatt in 1972 as a small but strong trade union of women workers of the informal economy. It is not just an organisation but a confluence or a sangam of three movements – labour, women and co-operative movement. SEWA inspired the growth of organisations not only in India but in other countires too such as yemen and turkey. In early 1980’s SEWA expanded to various other states including Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Kerela and Bihar. In Madhya Pradesh, the organisation made rapid progress in organising bidi workers, agarbatti workers, tendu leaf pluckers and agricultural labour. In Uttar Pradesh, Zardosi and chikan work workers form the main chunk of the SEWA UP membership. In Kerela, herbal products as well as the service sector such as catering and nursing have been a primary focus.

In all these states, SEWA is involved in organising women workers and their development through Self Help Groups, Co-operatives and Federations. SEWA activities include Micro Finance, Social Security, Housing, Education, Creating market linkages all of which are based on the 11 points of SEWA.