Speaking at the occasion, Dr Jawed Iqbal Gill, Director Integrated programme for elimination of Child labour and bonded labour in Punjab assured the house that Punjab government is actively working on developing a comprehensive policy for Home based Workers and after approval of the policy by the provincial cabinet, necessary legislation will be made for its implementation.
Addressing the participants Malik Naseer Ahmed Vice President Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) said that employers and employees are integral part of each other as both jointly work for the robustness of the industry and business and tangibly contribute to the advancement of the national economy. We at SCCI very much support the efforts to protect and promote the rights of the home based workers as they are the vital partners in the development of the national economy he said.
Dr David Sohail Director Memorial Christian hospital Sialkot highlighted the importance women's role in personal and national life. The state can not provide every one with every thing so instead of transferring all the responsibility towards the state we should ourselves assume our duties and responsibilities he said. He stated that society should respect and support these hardworking souls and never undermine their contribution towards the strengthening and advancement of our socioeconomic systems.
Addressing the participants of the ceremony Professor Arshid Mehmood Mirza Executive Director Baidarie Sialkot said that according to the available statistics, 12 million women are the major constituent element of the cumulative strength that constitutes the workforce of 20 million workers in the informal sector of Pakistan's economy. The Labour Force Survey of Pakistan reveals that 65 percent of the women workers perform their duties as home based workers. These home based women workers work hard day and night and their annual contribution in the national economy is estimated to be 30 Million US Dollars.
Professor Arshid Mirza said that there is no data available about the prevalent demographic and socioeconomic conditions of the Home based women workers. They are temporarily engaged, unregistered, unprotected, isolated, and not organised as "workers" in the legal terms hence they are not entitled to claim any social protection coverage provided by the law. The structure of the supply chain also makes it very difficult to monitor labour rights issues of these women/girls coming from poor and ultra-poor segments of society. Approximately 70 percent of the home based women/girls workers do not have Computerised National Identity Cards or acceptable age verification documentation. It disqualifies them from getting skill training at any vocational training institute, employment in the formal sector and admissibility to any kind of social protection scheme etc he added.
Professor Mirza said that the corporate sector which thrives and survives on the toils of these home based workers does not accept the HBWs as their liability. Gender-biased and male-dominated industrial set-ups, systems, procedures and practices squeeze the options and spaces for them to be economically active and operational. The cultural and social barriers prevent women to leave their households and be part of mainstream economic and social development phenomenon. They therefore want to work in /or in proximity of their homes. The home based women workers cannot afford to pay the E.O.B.I contributions (6 percent of the legal minimum wage) so they generally remain deprived of the least possible social protection coverage.
Addressing the participants Ms Hina Noreen said that Sialkot based home based women/girls have a peculiar kind of situation to face. They have been traditionally stitching soccer balls while remaining at their homes but because of drastic cut in the volume of production orders for hand stitched soccer balls they have lost their sole means of generating income. Research study commissioned by Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund Islamabad revealed that almost sixteen thousand women/girls have lost their job only in Sialkot district.
The overwhelming majority of the home based women/girls workers are not aware of their basic rights, legally admissible social protection coverage and their rights to freedom of association and collective bargaining etc. These home based women / girls' workers also do not have vitally required information on the principles of occupational health and safety.
Ms Hina added that it is vitally necessary that these workers in the informal sector should be legally recognised as "workers". Demographic and socioeconomic data should be collected to determine the number of workers in the informal sector and to surface their employment, working and living conditions. Provincial Governments should approve and adopt Policy on Home Based Workers s in line with ILO Convention 177 to ensure Decent working environment on gender responsive basis. She also made strong demand for expedited necessary legislation and it's across the board implementation for successful accomplishment of the policy objectives. Strategic Initiatives should are required to change the situation of home based women/girls soccer snitchers. They should be provided with the legal minimum wage and safe and healthy working environment enabling them to lead a life having good quality. Ms Hina demanded.
Dr Noman Idris Butt former President Sialkot chamber of commerce and Industry applauded the efforts being done by Baidarie to advance the cause of home based women/girls soccer snitchers. He assured that the Sialkot based corporate sector including SCCI and other associations will provide optimum support to secure the rights of HBWs.
Ms Shaheena kousar General Secretary Women Workers Association, Ms Fiza & Ms Bismillah Home based women soccer snitchers, Sarwar Ihsan District Officer Social Welfare officer and Babur Raza programme Officer Home Net Pakistan also spoke on the occasion.