Domestic workers must also be recognised as part of the formal
workforce, said Rehana Yasmin of HomeNet Pakistan, adding that they
should be granted social security and EOBI benefits.
She urged the state to take notice of the conditions of the domestic
workers, comprising mostly of women from lower socio-economic classes.
She lamented the fact that domestic labourers are still not are covered
under the labour laws and remain vulnerable to all kinds of
exploitation.
She was speaking during press conference and a demo
to highlight the plight of domestic workers, on the International
Domestic Workers Day. The event was organised by HomeNet Pakistan at
Karachi Press Club on Friday. The participants also included
representatives from Pakistan Institute of Labour Education and Research
(Piler), Aurat Foundation, Domestic Women Workers Union and the civil
society. Domestic workers shouted slogans and demanded minimum wage for
them. They also urged the state to ratify International Labour
Organization Convention 189, which deals with domestic workers, along
with their recognition as workers and granting them social security.
The trade unions must also grant support to the domestic workers to
help them secure their rights, remarked Shuja Qureshi of Piler. He also
requested the Sindh Government to pass a law specifically for domestic
workers.
The way lady health workers were able to unionise and secure their
rights, the domestic workers must also follow their steps, said Yasmin.
Additionally, she also requested those who employ domestic workers to
educate their workers’ children, so that they can escape the vicious
cycle.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 18th, 2016.
