PESHAWAR, Nov 9: Home-based workers should be recognised as workers in the informal sector of economy and their role must be acknowledged by giving them their due rights.

This was the unanimous view at an advocacy roundtable discussion with media-persons on 'Home-based workers' issues and the International Labour Organisation Convention' organised by Homenet Pakistan and Aurat Foundation, Peshawar here on Thursday.

The speakers also urged the media to highlight the role of home-based workers as producers.

Regional Coordinator of Homenet Pakistan Momina Arfeen said that home-based workers were 'the invisible hands' contributing to the development of country’s economy. “Unfortunately, their role is not recognised,” she regretted.

She said there were 50 million such workers in South Asia. Lack of access to information, dependence on middlemen, low wages, long working hours, delayed payments, absence of health and social securities were some of the problems facing the home-based workers, she added.

“Home-based workers work for very low wages. They earn Rs2 for sewing one trouser, Rs6 for packing 1,000 matchboxes, Re1 for packing a dozen packets of turmeric, Rs25 for a 10-day job of stitching 1,500 jewels, and Rs150 for doing embroidery or needlework on a dress for 14 days,” she said.

Rukhshanda Naz advocate and Resident Director of Aurat Foundation talked about ILO Convention 177 on home-based workers.

She said the convention was enforced in June 1996 that recognised the rights of the home-based workers.

She deplored that Pakistan had not ratified the law. The problems of the workers would not be solved until the convention was ratified, she added.

Akhar Ali Khan advocate said that home-based workers were not considered workers, as they had no legal rights. He said such workers could enjoy rights and facilities only after they were recognised as workers.

“Labour courts, labour tribunals and other courts give legal protection to the working class. The home-based workers can benefit from these legal support structures only if they are recognised by the law as workers,” he pointed out.

A question-answer session followed the presentations where mediapersons gave suggestions for improving the lot of the home-based workers.

The discussion was held as part of the efforts being made by the Homenet Pakistan to elicit opinions of the various segments of society to help improve the conditions of home-based workers.