Karachi: The Home-Based Women Workers Federation (HBWWF) in Pakistan renewed its call for social protection for women workers during a gathering at its headquarters in Karachi, marking International Home-Based Workers Day. The meeting, led by Saira Feroze, President of the Federation, highlighted the organization’s ongoing commitment to advocating for the rights of home-based women workers.
Speakers at the event acknowledged the persistent efforts of the HBWWF in advocating for the rights of hundreds of thousands of home-based women workers over the past two decades. They emphasized the significance of historic legislation passed by the Sindh Assembly, which legally recognized these workers as part of the labor force. This legislative milestone not only accorded them formal recognition but also facilitated the establishment of Pakistan’s first nationwide organization for home-based women workers.
During the gathering, participants urged for the registration of home-based workers with social security and pension institutions, underscoring the need for their access to social protection mechanisms.
Notable figures who addressed the audience included Nasir Mansoor, General Secretary of the National Trade Union Federation (NTUF) Pakistan, Noor Kator, leader of the youth organization Alternate, along with leaders from the HBWWF such as Aqsa Kanwal, Parween Bano, and Shamim Begum. Other speakers included Ahsan Mehmood Advocate and Nuzrat Buland Iqbal.
The event underscored the HBWWF’s ongoing dedication to improving the lives and working conditions of home-based women workers, advocating for their rights and social protection.