Recently, a meeting was held in Karachi by members of Home Based worker Provincial Policy Forum demanded immediate implementation of Home based workers Act 2018....
labour
HomeNet Pakistan (HNP) is a network of organisations formed to raise awareness about the working conditions of home based workers who comprise 74 per cent of the informal workforce behind the economic activities. Since 2005, HNP has been involved in organising, mobilising and advocating for the rights of home based women workers (HBWs). HNP has an outreach in 86 districts of the country. A number of networking meetings are held regularly for finding opportunities for these workers.
Recently, a meeting was held in Karachi by members of Home Based worker Provincial Policy Forum demanded immediate implementation of Home based workers Act 2018.
“The meeting is a continuation of the efforts taken collectively by HNP for the Sindh HBWs policy and legislation advocacy under the Provincial Working group and District Action Committees (DAC Karachi, Thatta, Dadu, Sukkur, Sangar, Mithi and Hyderabad ) from 2011- 2022. As a result, Sindh HBWs Policy was approved in 2016 and Sindh HBWs Act was enacted in May 2018. The forum is reviewing the current situation of delay in the registration of home workers across province. This has led to further delay for ensuring inclusion of women workers in the social security schemes,” shared Ume Laila, Executive Director, HNP.
Members also showed their concerns on implementation of Action plan developed for effective implementation of HBWs policy and law under tripartite consultative processes. Ambreen Kamil, representative of Sindh Employees Social Security Institute (SESSI), said that the contribution mechanism for HBWs should determine keeping in view the monthly wage/ earnings of HBWs. She further stressed on the need of having discussion on the existing Asian models of social security for HBWs.
“The delay in the registration of HBWs is due to the nonfunctional software. Labour department is trying to settle the issue and will start the registration process, as soon as it is resolved. The department has started the verification process of the HBWs forms in Hyderabad. Out of 1000 forms received, only 7 HBWs have been verified. This is a matter of concern and a challenging situation to tackle for the department,” elucidated Rajumal Sanjrani, representative of Labour Legal Section.
“It’s unfortunate that after the enactment of HBWs law the implementation is delayed, keeping home workers dismayed and frustrated,” lamented Mahnaz Rehman.
Dr Qurat, chairperson HNP, appreciated the efforts of Sindh government for ensuring protection of HBWs by enactment of exclusive law - making Pakistan the first south Asian country for taking affirmative actions.
- You! desk
