Labour Department launches Empowerment of Home Based Workers Programme

Lahore: Labour & Human Resource Department, Punjab and UN Women has launched a pilot project, entitled “Empowerment of Home Based Workers (HBWs) in targeted districts of Multan, Gujranwala and Lahore, joining hands to work for the advancement of HBWs.  The project aims to empower HBWs through skills development, awareness raising and welfare measures.

This was stated by Raja Ashfaq Sarwar, Minister Labour & Human Resource Punjab at inaugural ceremony of this project on the eve of International Women Day. UN Women Representative Sangeeta Thapa, Secretary Labour Capt. Retd. Muhammad Yousaf, DG Labour Welfare Hasnaat Shah, ILO representative Saad Gilani, representatives of industrialists, labour unions and NGOs also addressed on the occasion.

The Minister said that though Pakistan has not ratified the ILO Convention 177 on Home Based Workers yet, the government would leave no stone unturned in discharging its duties pertaining to the workers in the informal sector. The subject of “Home Based Workers” is not covered by the existing Labour Laws &  inclusion of these informal sector workers in existing Labour Enactments is the need of the hour and the government is showing strong commitment and resolve in this regard, he added.

The HBWs policy focuses on the following key policy measures as a mean of securing the rights of HBWs definition and equality of legal status, equality of treatment and wages, skill enhancement training and access to credit, land ownership and assets.

Raja Ashfaq Sarwar said that he was confident that soon the subject matter of “Home Based Workers” would be adequately covered by the labour laws.

Minister Labour Raja Ashfaq Sarwar also inaugurated a Child Daycare Centre for women workers of Home Sewing Unit of a Textile Mill. General Manager Human Resource and administration Malik Muhammad Akram, Head of Operation Textile Division Khalid Mahmood, Secretary Labaour and other high officials were also present at this occasion. Minister Labour said that no society could progress without granting due rights to women and their active participation in nation building was only possible when they are given good atmosphere at their working place.

‘The project serves as an example of strong partnership between the Government and the United Nations to deliver on gender equality commitments. This will not only support the Women HBWs at the grass roots level but will also enhance the capacity of Labour & Human Resource Department, Punjab. It is indeed befitting that this project is being launched on the eve of theInternational Women’s Day (8^th March). During this week of March, as we celebrate the struggles, triumphs and achievements of Pakistani women, we can proudly state that we are proactively working towards our goals.” said Sangeeta Thapa, Deputy Representative/OIC of UN Women Pakistan in her opening remarks.

Mr. Mohammad Yousaf, Secretary, Labour & Human Resource Department said that the Labour & Human Resource Department is engaged in the implementation of labour laws in industrial and commercial establishments. The proposed project focuses on piloting mechanisms for the implementation of the HBWs Bill and the HBWs policy. The proposed pilot project will build capacity of the Labour & Human Resource Department to develop and streamline a system for adoption and implementation of the HBWs policy and HBW Act and ascertain the most effective ways of ensuring that the entitlements envisioned in the policy are secured.