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The invisible labour

By Fatima Zahra Rehman
14 January, 2025

This week, the writer talks about domestic work that is often ignored and economically not counted. Read on…

The invisible labour

chambers of justice

Let’s talk about something that doesn’t get nearly enough credit - unpaid domestic work (read labour). “Every day, more than 16 billion hours are devoted to unpaid domestic and care work around the world. As global populations age, these figures are set to rise, with a disproportionate impact on women,” says an ILO (International Labour Organization) report. We all know how our homes run like well-oiled machines, thanks to the superwomen in our lives. But have you ever wondered why this crucial work is often invisible and unacknowledged? Let’s discuss.

The economic value of domestic labour

The invisible labour

Globally, there’s a huge difference in how we see work that gets a paycheque versus work that doesn’t (it’s all about the money in this capitalist society). Paid jobs are celebrated and counted as a vital part of GDP (Gross Domestic Product), while unpaid labour, like cooking, cleaning, and taking care of the dependents like children and the elderly gets side-lined. On average, women spend a substantial number of hours on daily chores that are economically not counted. But guess what? These unsung heroes run the everyday world and our lives as we know them. Think about it: our moms, sisters, and wives are tirelessly working behind the scenes, ensuring everything runs smoothly. If they weren’t doing these jobs for free at home, we’d have to pay someone else to do them. So why isn’t this work valued equally? According to an ILO report, “Unpaid domestic and care work would equal a substantial portion of global GDP if given an equivalent monetary value, exceeding 40 per cent in some countries based on conservative estimates.”

Unpaid labour as a subsidy

Here’s an interesting thought: unpaid domestic work actually subsidises paid employment; imagine if every man had to cook his own meals, clean his own home, and also look after his children, all while he has a separate job. Productivity would plummet. “Women’s unpaid work subsidises the cost of care that sustains families, supports economies and often fills in for the lack of social services. Yet, it is rarely recognised as ‘work’,” says UN Women. In Pakistan, it is women who stay back and handle the house, allowing men to focus on their jobs. This unpaid labour is a hidden subsidy that keeps the economy running, with the efficiency and focus of the workforce standing on the burdened shoulders of their homemakers.

The legal gap in Pakistan’s law

Now, here’s the kicker: Pakistani law - at least its implementation - doesn’t do much (or at all) to support women who have spent their lives doing unpaid domestic work, especially after a divorce. There is no proper maintenance provision, leaving these women financially stranded. It is a glaring gap that screams gender inequality, leading to women staying in unhappy, and often abusive, marriages due to their dependency on their husbands.

Historical context: The domestic labour debate

The invisible labour

Back in the 1960s and 1970s, representatives of the Feminist and Marxist movements in the UK and France engaged in a momentous discussion regarding domestic labour. The Marxists relayed how this unpaid work fits into the capitalist system and how it creates value, while feminists stressed the clear discrimination against women. One thing is abundantly clear: this wasn’t just an economic issue, but a gender issue - and it’s high time we saw it that way.

Recognising unpaid work

Thus, we, as a society, need to start seeing unpaid domestic work for what it is: real, valuable labour. Men typically spend more time in paid jobs, while women handle the bulk of unpaid tasks. In Pakistan, this kind of work is often seen as a woman’s ‘natural’ duty, confined to the private space of the home. This perception needs to change.

Before we can make big changes, we first need to recognise and appreciate unpaid domestic work; it’s not just about love and duty, but about real contributions that support our communities and economy.

Women friendly policies - need of the hour

“Policies that provide services, social protection and basic infrastructure, promote sharing of domestic and care work between men and women, and create more paid jobs in the care economy, are urgently needed to accelerate progress on women’s economic empowerment,” says UN Women. Moreover, Pakistan is in dire need of several serious policy changes to support women who do domestic work. Instead of pushing them further into their roles, or coming up with ideas pertaining to some twisted compensation, we should create a range of policies that acknowledge and value their work. This could mean better maintenance laws post-divorce, more support for women entering the workforce, or broader societal recognition of their contributions.

So, how do we connect unpaid domestic work to the economy? Well, it’s all about the standard of living. The work done, paid or unpaid, helps sustain the labour population and keeps the system going.

Pakistani lawmakers and those in power need to implement women friendly policies. They need to take practical steps and make sure to provide robust maintenance to women who have devoted their time and energy to unpaid domestic work get. They should also look into the matter that women get their fair compensation after divorce. Recognising and valuing domestic labour is essential for a more equitable society. So, let’s give these unsung heroes the recognition they deserve.