The Employer’s Federation of Pakistan (EFP) organized a Focus Group Discussion to Develop a Code of Conduct for the Employers of Domestic Workers in Pakistan at Avari Towers, Karachi. The event was the first activity of the PRS/STRIDE Project which EFP has undertaken in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO) and funded by the Government of Japan.
Syed Nazar Ali, the Secretary General of EFP, stated in his opening remarks, “It is the responsibility of every individual to make sure that their house-helpers and maids are getting a decent work environment”. Elena Gerasimova, LL and ILS Specialist of ILO, in her presentation on ILO Convention 189, pointed out how domestic workers are entitled to the same basic rights as those available to other workers in their country, including weekly days off, limits to hours of work, minimum wage coverage, over- time compensation, social security, and clear information on the terms and conditions of employment.
Rao Zahid Ahmed, the Dept. Secretary Department of Labour, Punjab claimed “Wrong is wrong, whether you support it or not” while addressing the audience during his presentation on the Punjab Domestic Workers Act 2019.
In alignment with this discussion, Chaudhry Saad Muhammad, Deputy General Secretary Pakistan Workers Federation, and Arooma Shahzad, Secretary General Domestic Workers Union, explained the implementation challenges for their organizations, and what can be more realistic and adaptable conduct for our society to practice.
Participants from Social Welfare Department, SESSI, PESSI, Women Development Department, Home Based Workers Association, APWA, Trade Unions, WEBCOP, Domestic Workers Agencies, and Labour Department shared their insight on the draft Code of Conduct for Employers of Domestic Workers, as a minimum floor for implementation.
Saghir Bukhari, ILO Senior Programme Manager, thanked the participants in his Closing Remarks and shared his hope that as individuals and representatives of our organization we can contribute our part in creating a Decent Workplace for all.
