Home-based women workers would be protected by law:Hameeda Waheed

Lahore: Provincial Minister for Women Development Hameeda Waheed ud Din has said that final shape is being given to the legislation for protecting the rights of home-based women workers and providing them facilities of social security.

She expressed these views while addressing a seminar on “Problems of Home Based Women Workers and Legislation” arranged by Hameed Nizami Press Institute of Pakistan and Homenet. Justice (R) Begum Nasira Javed Iqbal, Chairperson of Provincial Commission on Women Fauzia Waqar, Javed Pasha of Homenet Pakistan, Director Press Institute Absar Abdul Ali and lady worker Zia-ul-Qamar also addressed the seminar and threw light on governmental steps for legislation and resolving problems of home-based workers.

The Provincial Minister said that home-based women workers are not only playing an important role for earning livelihood for their families but also for the development of the country. She stressed the need of bringing change in collective approach for separate identity of home-based women workers in the society, respectable job opportunities and remuneration. She said that for the first time Punjab government is making legislation for highlighting the silent role of women workers in the economic development and implementation will soon be started on the welfare programmes of women in consultation with all stakeholders, NGOs and labour organizations.

Hameeda Waheed ud Din said that government has set up business centres at every district where skilled women can sell their products and earn profit. She said that an amendment is being made in the bill regarding harassment of working women-2012 and its scope is being extended. She said that Violence Bill and Acid Bill are also being presented in the assembly this year.  She said that 50 percent quota has been reserved for women in youth business loan while 40 percent quota has been reserved for women in Rozgar Bank.  Hameeda Waheed ud Din said that there is a need of making individual and collective efforts for resolving problems of women and Punjab government is extending all possible cooperation to women organizations.