FES in collaboration with Law Ministry holds consultative session for domestic workers' rights.

ISLAMABAD -- The Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES), in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Law and Justice and the Parliamentary Caucus for Child Rights, on Monday organized a consultative session to discuss the rules to be made under the Islamabad Capital Territory Domestic Workers Act, 2022.

The event was attended by stakeholders from various departments, including NCRC, NADRA, PEMRA, representatives of Ministry of Law and Justice, ILO, etc.

The session was chaired by Federal Minister for Law and Justice Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar and moderated by Iqbal Dhitto, Member of the National Commission for Rights of Child.

The law minister enlightened the house regarding the need to have laws that protect the human rights as it will help Pakistan a lot in repairing her soft image, besides making Pakistan more inclusive and plural.

He further noted that it will be a huge help in putting up a strong case for Pakistan internationally besides complimenting FES for arranging such an important event.

The Parliamentary Secretary for Law and Justice briefed the audience about the salient features of the law and the immense promise it holds for the future of domestic workers in ICT.

Briefing about the law, she canvassed the important stipulations of the Act that it prohibits bonded labour, and outlaws discrimination 'on the grounds of religion, race, caste, creed, sex, ethnic background, and place of birth/residence/domicile, migration or any other reason'.

It further stipulates, referring to domestic workers as that and not 'servants', and requires employers to 'provide dignified working conditions and occupational safety and health measures' to domestic workers, as well as 'sickness benefits and medical care during sickness and injury'. It seeks to enforce minimum wage for domestic workers, a critical responsibility of the government which it so far has not been enforcing and in effect perpetuating poverty and exploitation of the working classes.

The Act further states that no employer will be able to employee any person under the age of 16 years. Finally, the parliamentary secretary also appreciated the efforts of FES for their support in helping arrange such an event.

Further Dr. Niels Hegewisch, Country Director, FES Pakistan who apprised the audience about the merits of the Act and how it will enable the domestic worker to lead a dignified and respectable life. He again stressed the importance this Act holds for securing the promised rights of...