Transgender people are also entering the workforce and to give them equal rights is a step in the right direction
KARACHI: That women get harassed at work is no secret. Unfortunately, many women — who are ‘allowed’ to work — face harassment at work, sometimes at the hands of their bosses while at other times by others. While the federal government’s 2010 legislation had set out guidelines for organisations to follow in the wake of any harassment case being reported, many organisations have failed to follow them. A recent bill drafted by the Sindh government helps bridge the gap.
The proposed law criminalises workplace harassment and also goes beyond the language of the federal government’s legislation. As per a news story published in this paper, the draft bill uses “more inclusive language around gender and protects the rights of all genders including transgender individuals”. This is a welcome move, especially considering the ways the transgender community in the country is marginalised. With education and empowerment, transgender people are also entering the workforce and to give them equal rights is a step in the right direction taken by the PPP-led Sindh government.
The proposed legislation may help employees in finding their voice and ensuring that workplaces are free of any intimidation.
Zahidunissa Aslam
Published in The Express Tribune, December 19th, 2018.
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