Home Based Workers demand speeding up the registration process with labor department and Social Security Institution
Karachi, Sindh
The Home-Based Women Workers Federation (HBWWF), in a convention held in Gadap, Karachi on Saturday, demanded immediate registration of all home-based workers with the Labor Department and Sindh Social Security Institution (SESSI).
The Convention also demanded implementation of minimum wages for HBWs, ratification of ILO Convention 190 concerning the right of everyone to a world of work free from violence and harassment, by the Pakistan government, establishment of anti-harassment committees in all workplaces, and immediate recovery of all forcibly disappeared citizens.
The Home-Based Women Workers Federation announced the registration of the embroidery workers’ union and its elected leadership. This event was organized in memory of the Butterfly Sisters from the Dominican Republic, who fought for democracy and against dictatorship.
Zehra Khan, General Secretary of HBWWF, pointed out that even with the passage of the Sindh Home-Based Workers Act in 2018 and similar laws in various provinces, the implementation has been severely lacking. Currently, only 2,500 HBWs have been registered and verified with the Sindh Labor Department, leaving many without essential social security benefits and other entitlements under the law.
She stressed the need for immediate government action to ensure that all HBWs receive the protections they deserve. Additionally,
Rafiq Baloch, President of the National Trade Union Federation, highlighted that the plight of home-based workers reflects a broader issue of exploitation within the economy, asserting that this injustice must be addressed.
Saira Feroz from the United HBW Garment Workers Union and Parveen Bano from the Zardozi Workers Union emphasized the need for minimum wages and safe working environments for all women workers. She demands that HBW contributions be recognized so that they receive fair wages for their work.
Aqib Hussain of NTUF condemned ongoing human rights violations in Pakistan, including enforced disappearances and violence against political activists. He highlighted that women continue to endure severe gender discrimination across political, social, and economic spheres. Despite existing laws meant to protect workers, many cases remain unresolved due to societal attitudes and systemic injustices. He reinforced the ongoing struggle of HBWs for their legal rights. (PR)
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