LAHORE, Oct 21 (APP):HomeNet Pakistan has called for legal recognition, fair wages, social protection and better working conditions for women home-based workers, urging the effective implementation of laws to protect their rights.
The demand was raised at the Women Home-Based Workers Convention Punjab, organised by HomeNet Pakistan at the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) Auditorium in Lahore to mark International Home-Based Workers Day 2026 under the theme “We Are Workers Too.” The event also marked 25 years of the home-based workers’ movement in Pakistan, according to a press release issued here on Wednesday.
HomeNet Pakistan Executive Director Ume Laila Azhar said women working from home should have the same labour rights, fair wages and social protection as other workers. She called for effective implementation of provincial laws, registration of workers, healthcare facilities and employment-related benefits.
Punjab Social Protection Authority (PSPA) Vice Chairperson Jahan Ara Wattoo stressed the need to provide social protection and essential services to women home-based workers.
Director General Labour Syeda Kalsum Haye called for recognizing these workers as an important part of the workforce, ensuring fair wages and improving their access to social security benefits. She also encouraged them to form unions to strengthen their collective voice.
The participants also marked the 30th anniversary of the International Labour Organization’s Home Work Convention, 1996, and signed a postcard urging Pakistan to ratify it to improve legal protection for home-based workers.
Labour and civil society representatives called for coordinated action plans and better monitoring of laws.
Irfan Mufti stressed the need for action plans at national and provincial levels, while Mohammad Waheed of the Punjab Commission on the Status of Women highlighted women’s representation in decision-making and the commission’s 1043 helpline for guidance on legal assistance and related services.
Muhammad Akram, representing the Employers’ Federation of Pakistan, called for fair wages, measures to address the gender pay gap and accessible mechanisms to resolve workplace disputes.
Representatives of human rights institutions also stressed the need to protect fundamental rights and ensure access to justice.
The convention also discussed financial inclusion, skills development and entrepreneurship. Mohammad Tahir of the State Bank of Pakistan (Banking Services Corporation) highlighted the importance of banking services and financial literacy for women, while Muhammad Imran of HBL Microfinance Bank stressed the need for financial services to support women-led businesses.
TEVTA Director General Amir Aziz called for vocational training and skills development, while entrepreneurship expert Shahzad Bukhari highlighted the importance of market access and digital skills. Former Women’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Falahat Imran stressed the need to promote women’s entrepreneurship.
The convention concluded with the presentation of a Provincial Charter of Demands for Home-Based Workers by Fakhara Shakeel, Meimona, Azra, Sadaf and other representatives.
Source: APP (Associated Press of Pakistan)
