Moot seeks better laws for domestic workers

PWF, ILO push for urgent measures to protect domestic workers' rights

ISLAMABAD:

The Pakistan Workers Federation (PWF), in collaboration with the International Labour Organisation (ILO), organised a seminar on Wednesday, underscoring the urgency of stronger legislation for the rights and protection of domestic workers.

In a rallying call for action, the event brought together parliamentarians, ILO representatives in Pakistan, civil society organisations, workers’ rights federations and unions, academia, and media representatives.

The event centred on the Rights of Domestic Workers and the Ratification of the ILO Convention G189, emphasising the need for a robust legal framework to safeguard domestic workers.

The lack of comprehensive legislative protection for domestic workers was highlighted, and the participants called for immediate steps towards the ratification of the ILO Convention C-189.

The convention, once ratified, would pave the way for rigorous laws aimed at curbing violations of domestic workers’ rights.

The seminar explored several pivotal themes. The panel of experts presented discussions on The ICT Domestic Workers Act, Social Protection for Domestic Workers, viable actions to prevent and eliminate child labour in domestic work, and expanding social security benefits and services to domestic workers.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, August 4^th, 2023.