LAHORE: A meeting of stakeholders demanded on Tuesday recognition of domestic workers as registered labourers under the existing labour laws. They must be granted rights such as minimum wage, social security cover, safe and healthy working environment and protection against torture.

The government must also immediately ratify the ILO Convention C-189, concerning the rights of domestic workers, and opt for workers-friendly legislation as per guidelines of the convention.

This was discussed at a follow-up meeting on the issues concerning domestic workers. The programme is a component of the Gender Equity Programme (GEP), which has been implemented by Aurat Foundation in collaboration with USAID.

HomeNet Pakistan Executive Director Ume Laila Azhar briefed the participants on the progress so far made and strategies adopted in organising domestic workers in the province. The Punjab Labour Department had included domestic workers as a target group in the survey and census of child labourers being carried out in the province. The media had also taken up the matter and workers’ issues were being highlighted. This, she said, had put a constant pressure on policymakers who were compelled to include the workers in their policies.

Women Workers’ Union (WWU) Secretary General Shaheena Kausar reviewed different strategies for organising domestic workers and sought suggestions from the participants in making them more effective. She said various organisations working for the rights of domestic workers should collaborate and learn from each other’s experiences. Only one or two organisations could not organise a large number of workers. Shaheena cited the example of Islamabad where a domestic workers union had been registered and said the model could be replicated in Lahore, Gujranwala and other districts of the province.

Labour Education Foundation (LEF) Executive Director Khalid Mahmood said it was imperative that all alliance partners were clear about their roles and duties. He said the alliance would garner support for domestic workers and their groups for mainstreaming their issues. A campaign would also be launched to lobby with the government on ratification of C-189.

Strengthening Participatory Organisation (SPO) Regional Director Pakistan Salman Abid gave his input on the prospects, benefits and issues pertaining to formation of an alliance, saying it was important that all partners were clear about it. The alliance would serve to build pressure on lawmakers and pave the way for possible legislation. Partners should however stick to the agenda and refrain from taking any political positions.

Published in Dawn, September 3rd, 2014