Minimum wage: Legislation needed to protect domestic workers, says LHC

The order was issued on a petition moved by a domestic worker

LAHORE: Lahore High Court on Wednesday directed the provincial government to enforce the Minimum Wages Act 1961 for domestic workers through legislation.

Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah passed the order on a petition filed by Subay Khan, a domestic worker. Advocate Sheraz Zaka, counsel for the petitioner, said there were no guidelines for regulation of minimum wage for domestic workers. He said a notification on enforcement of minimum wage for domestic workers should have been issued many years ago. “Due to the apathetic attitude of the government, domestic workers have been deprived of their fundamental rights.” The petitioner said under the minimum wage law, a judicial review was required so that the government could notify minimum wage for domestic workers.

He said domestic workers had been deprived of minimum wage and were forced to work for nominal wages. The government’s counsel told the court that the existing labour laws did not cover domestic workers.  “The government is considering new legislation in this regard,” he said. The judge disposed of the petition and issued directions for the government to ensure legislation for enforcement of minimum wage for domestic workers.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 10^th, 2015.