FIRST DOMESTIC WORKERS CONVENTION
Activity Report
June 16, 2014 at Aiwan-e-Quaid Auditorium, Islamabad
Homenet Pakistan organized First
Domestic Workers Convention in the history of Pakistan on 16th of
June, 2014 at Aiwan-e-Quaid Auditorium, Islamabad in coalition with Plan
Pakistan.
The following persons were hosting the event:-
1. Fozia Akhtar (Project Manager, Plan Pakistan)
2. Saima Sarwat (Program Manager, Homenet Pakistan)
3. Saman Farhan (Project Officer, Homenet Pakistan)
The following persons were the panelists:-
1. Umme Laila Azhar, Executive Director, Homenet Pakistan
2. Shaheena Kausar, General Secretary, Women Workers Union
3. Ms. Iffat Jamil, Program Manager, Plan Pakistan.
4. Salman Yousaf Khan, Advocate High Court and Ex-Candidate Member National Assembly, NA-48, Islamabad.
5. Ms. Farkhanda, Ex-Director General, Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan.
6. Ms. Zahida, President Women Workers Federation.
7. Ms. Saima, President Domestic Workers Union.
8. Khadija Ali, Advocate and Domestic Workers Activist.
Participants:-
The participants were domestic workers from Islamabad and Rawalpindi and personalities from social sector organizations...
The Event:-
The convention started at
3:00 pm and ended at 06:30 pm. An introduction to the convention was given by
Ms. Saima Sarwat from Homenet Pakistan. It was the occasion of third
anniversary of ILO C-189 on 16th June, 2014 on which this convention
was hosted.
Ms. Iffat Jamil from Plan
Pakistan was invited over the stage. She gave a brief introduction about Plan
Pakistan. She thanked people who supported the idea to support domestic workers
in Pakistan.
Ms. Umme Laila Azhar was
invited over the stage. She pointed out that there are around 74% domestic
workers in Pakistan with having no rights at all. She informed the participants
about the new law on domestic workers tabled in the senate of Pakistan. She
further intimated the gathering about the efforts of Homenet Pakistan in the
law making for Domestic Workers in Pakistan. She further stressed the need to
involve employers in the process of law making for domestic workers.
Ms. Saima, president
domestic workers union from Islamabad highlighted the problems faced by
domestic workers in the line of duty.
Ms. Khadija Ali was invited
over the stage. She discussed the gaps in the new law tabled in the Senate of
Pakistan.
Mr. Salman Yousaf Khan
appreciated the efforts done by Senator Osman Saifullah for tabling the
domestic workers bill in Senate. He shared the features of Domestic Workers
Bill, 2013. Salman Yousaf Khan further gave recommendations keeping in view the
needs and circumstances of domestic workers in Pakistan. He further stressed on
the need of imposition of Article 25-A for free education to the children of
Domestic Workers. Similarly he stressed on the need to ensure social security,
medical and welfare of domestic workers. He added that criminal proceedings in
cases of domestic workers shall be the subject matter of dispute resolution
committee so made in result of the act to be passed. He raised the need to
establish a quasi-judicial system of courts for domestic workers. He pointed
out that according to section 6 of the bill; the domestic workers are required
to enter into contract with the employers. He stressed that there shall be an
institution with whom the domestic workers as well as the employers shall enter
into a contract. He further stressed on the need to insert detailed provisions
in the bill regarding the process of union registration for domestic workers,
domestic workers welfare board’s functioning and looking after the affairs of
domestic workers, dispute resolution committee’s composition and functionality,
appellate forums composition and functionality. He finally thanked the domestic
workers and motivated them with some poetry of Allama Iqbal for continuing
their struggle for their rights.
Ms. Zahida from Women
Workers Federation came and emphasized on the need to strengthen up the
movement of domestic workers so that they get their due rights.
Ms. Shaheena Kausar from
Women Workers Union stressed that the domestic workers shall be given training
regarding the sexual harassment issues. She stressed on the need to train
domestic workers for availing remedies if any offence happens under section 509
of Pakistan Penal Code. She further motivated the domestic workers with slogans
for their rights.
Ms. Farkhanda, Ex Director
General Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan focused on creating ombudsman
for domestic workers like the way ombudsman were created in result of
harassment laws.
Outcome
A movement in proper
direction for the rights of domestic workers has been given a voice through
this event internationally. It was a movement initiated by Homenet Pakistan in
coordination with Plan Pakistan which has taken a shape due to the efforts of
many who participated in this convention. It was the first ever domestic
workers convention in the history of Pakistan which showed solidarity and
commitment of struggle with domestic workers in the times to come.
The Convention successfully
ended with a commitment to move further with positive efforts by all the
participants.
The End
