Devolution of power: ‘Local govts a step in right direction’
Consultation meeting held on local governance and issues facing home-based workers.
Javed Gill from the Labour Department discussed several draft laws related to domestic workers and HBWs. PHOTO: FILE
LAHORE:
Local governments are necessary to monitor development projects and implement laws, participants at a consultation meeting on Tuesday said.
District action committees from Rajanpur, Multan, Bahawalpur, Vehari, Sialkot and Faislabad participated in the discussion titled Local Governance and Issues Facing Home-Based Workers. The event had been organised by HomeNet Pakistan.
They stated that MPAs and MNAs were unavailable to deal with most local issues. “Local governments can fill this gap,” they said.
Javed Gill from the Labour Department discussed several draft laws related to domestic workers and HBWs.
“One of the foremost problems in implementing laws is the absence of a mechanism to check enforcement and coverage, especially where HBWs are involved. Local bodies can play an effective role in this context,” he said.
Mehnaz Rafi, a rights activist, shared a brief overview of the challenges facing home-based workers and women in the Punjab.
“HBWs must organise themselves and raise the voice for their rights at the union council level. We had expected that local governments would be formed soon after the general elections. In their absence, district action committees must highlight issues of women and home-based workers,” she said.
Muhammad Umer, the Punjab Local Councils Association director, briefed the participants about the structure of local government system.
“Workers will be able to become part of mainstream politics by establishing and empowering local governance structures at the union, tehsil and district levels. Seats have been reserved for workers at all local government level,” he said.
Salman Abid, the Strengthening Participatory Organisation regional head, said that most home-based workers present at the meeting were affiliated with social organisations that provided them a good platform to mobilise and educate other members of the community. “It is important for non-government organisations to demand local government elections. This is the time for action,” Abid said.
Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) MPA Saadia Sohail Rana criticised the government for the delay in the local government elections. “MPAs and MNAs are usually busy with legislation.
They cannot be expected to be involved in local issues,” Rana said.
Ume Laila Azhar, the HomeNet director, said that home-based workers must be recognised in law. “Women have an important stake in local government systems. Their issues must be addressed through collaborative advocacy efforts at district level.
Amendments should be made in labour laws to address their issues,” she said.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 18th, 2015.
Local governments are necessary to monitor development projects and implement laws, participants at a consultation meeting on Tuesday said.
District action committees from Rajanpur, Multan, Bahawalpur, Vehari, Sialkot and Faislabad participated in the discussion titled Local Governance and Issues Facing Home-Based Workers. The event had been organised by HomeNet Pakistan.
They stated that MPAs and MNAs were unavailable to deal with most local issues. “Local governments can fill this gap,” they said.
Javed Gill from the Labour Department discussed several draft laws related to domestic workers and HBWs.
“One of the foremost problems in implementing laws is the absence of a mechanism to check enforcement and coverage, especially where HBWs are involved. Local bodies can play an effective role in this context,” he said.
Mehnaz Rafi, a rights activist, shared a brief overview of the challenges facing home-based workers and women in the Punjab.
“HBWs must organise themselves and raise the voice for their rights at the union council level. We had expected that local governments would be formed soon after the general elections. In their absence, district action committees must highlight issues of women and home-based workers,” she said.
Muhammad Umer, the Punjab Local Councils Association director, briefed the participants about the structure of local government system.
“Workers will be able to become part of mainstream politics by establishing and empowering local governance structures at the union, tehsil and district levels. Seats have been reserved for workers at all local government level,” he said.
Salman Abid, the Strengthening Participatory Organisation regional head, said that most home-based workers present at the meeting were affiliated with social organisations that provided them a good platform to mobilise and educate other members of the community. “It is important for non-government organisations to demand local government elections. This is the time for action,” Abid said.
Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) MPA Saadia Sohail Rana criticised the government for the delay in the local government elections. “MPAs and MNAs are usually busy with legislation.
They cannot be expected to be involved in local issues,” Rana said.
Ume Laila Azhar, the HomeNet director, said that home-based workers must be recognised in law. “Women have an important stake in local government systems. Their issues must be addressed through collaborative advocacy efforts at district level.
Amendments should be made in labour laws to address their issues,” she said.
Zaibun Nisa from the Social Welfare Department and Anwer Hussain, the Punjab Local Councils Association chief executive, also attended the event.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 18th, 2015.