Karachi: The Home Based Women Workers Federation (HBWWF) has called upon the federal and provincial governments to enforce laws that protect home-based workers, urging the establishment of minimum wages across all sectors and ensuring workers' registration for social protection benefits. This appeal was made during a seminar held in Karachi to mark International Home-Based Workers' Day.
According to Home-Based Women Workers Federation, the seminar titled "From Legislation to Implementation - Protecting the Rights of Home Based Workers" brought together various stakeholders, including human rights representatives and trade union members. Zehra Khan, the General Secretary of HBWWF, highlighted the ongoing exploitation faced by home-based workers despite their significant economic contributions. She emphasized the need for these workers to have access to the same rights and protections as those in more traditional workplaces.
Khan noted that although all four provinces have enacted laws for home-based workers, delays in registration and benefit provisions have hindered their effectiveness. She called for immediate implementation of the Sindh Home-Based Workers Act, 2018, and the allocation of the necessary budget by the Sindh government. Khan pointed out that home-based workers often earn significantly less than the minimum wage set by the Sindh government, with a daily shortfall of Rs1,253.
The seminar also addressed discrepancies in piece rates within the bangle industry, with workers receiving significantly less than the prescribed rates. Nasir Mansoor from the National Trade Union Federation criticized the Labour Department's slow registration process and called for simplified procedures and the issuance of labor cards. He also demanded the inclusion of home-based workers in various social security schemes.
Asad Iqbal Butt from the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan reiterated that fair wages and social protections are fundamental rights for workers. He called for the establishment of arbitration committees under existing laws to address grievances effectively. Nuzhat Shirin, former chairperson of the Sindh Commission on the Status of Women, highlighted the dual burden faced by female home-based workers, who manage both production work and domestic responsibilities.
Participants expressed concerns about occupational hazards and resolved to stage a protest outside the Sindh Assembly to demand the effective implementation of the Sindh Home-Based Workers Act, 2018. The seminar concluded with a list of demands, including the setting of minimum wages, expedited worker registration, and the establishment of arbitration committees to resolve disputes and enforce workers' rights.