Workers’ convention: ‘Govt must recognise contributions of HBWs’

400 workers, rights activists participate in event organised by LEF.

LAHORE:

Participants of a workers’ convention on Tuesday demanded that the government recognise home-based workers’ (HBWs) rights to health benefits and minimum wage.

A total of 400 workers from various areas of the country participated in the convention organised by the Labour Education Foundation (LEF).

Ume Laila Azhar, the HomeNet Pakistan executive director, said that millions of home-based workers were contributing significantly to the economy. “However, their rights are not recognised by the government. Home-based workers are an integral part of the country’s workforce. It is important the government pass legislation to protect their rights,” she said.

Niaz Khan from the National Trade Union Federation said that he stood with the home-based workers’ struggle for recognition. He stressed the need for unionisation, saying it would enable them to bargain collectively for their rights.“Ensuring labour rights does not seem to be a priority of the government. Workers have been deprived of their rights. In most factories, workers are forced to work for up to 12 hours a day. The minimum wage is not enforced,” he said.

Khan said that the government had turned a blind eye towards labourers’ condition. “No government functionary seems to be bothered when workers die in a factory collapse or fire,” he said. Jalwat Ali, the Progressive Home-Based Workers’ Federation general secretary, said that it was important for workers to organise. “We started the federation in 2014. Forming the federation was the first step in putting forward an organised front for workers’ demands. So far, we have used the platform to resolve various problems facing home-based workers.”

Khalid Mahmood of the LEF said that home-based workers had been struggling for the past seven years to gain recognition. “The government needs to change its priorities and focus on workers’ rights,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 11^th, 2015.