Call to implement ‘Punjab Domestic Workers Act’

LAHORE : Provincial stakeholders’ consultation on ‘Punjab Domestic Workers Act, 2019, progress and way forward’ was organised by an NGO here Wednesday.

Amna Afzal, programme manager of WISE, said that domestic workers are denied rights.

NGO’s Executive Director Bushra Khaliq said that participation and awareness of workers was necessary. She lauded the workers’ struggle. The law is a revolutionary step, she said and shared that how she convinced the parliamentarians to get it passed.

She appreciated the workers, political parties and the department for playing their role in it. She said that implementation of the law was dire need of time and we are struggling hard for this purpose.

WISE observed the legislation thoroughly and added laws were made for women, children and workers.

M Shahid, Deputy Director of Labour Department, said that the department would ensure implementation of the act. Minimum wage of Rs32,000 was fixed in Punjab, he said and termed it a revolutionary step. Implementation is the responsibility of the department. We have made dispute resolution committee and it will be notified. The committee will be made at union council level which will recommend labour inspector to take action in case of violation. Any person can lodge a complaint to the committee and Labour department.

Bylaws of domestic workers rules are complete and sent to tripartite committee and will be forward to the government, he added. There was no data about domestic workers, now, the Punjab government has allocated a huge amount to conduct survey of domestic workers that will help to create jobs for workers.

App regarding data collection was established by the government. At least Rs300 will be deposited by the workers to get registered themselves and the amount will be deposited to social security welfare department.

The DD of the department said that they had registered domestic workers employees association for the welfare for the workers. He asked concrete recommendation from the civil society and domestic workers.

Ishtiaq Gujjar, the President of PESSI staff federation social security, said that workers were being provided treatment and other benefits. Social security department is ready to serve the workers, he added. Baba Latif Ansari, a union leader, said that minimum wage fixed by the government for domestic workers should be implemented everywhere in the Punjab.

Usman Asghar Pasha Advocate explained the law and discussed the implementation of all the rights of the domestic workers and how they can seek the legal remedy.

Aima Mahmood, member of Governing body of PESSI, stressed workers’ unity. Legal rights should be provided to the domestic workers, she added. Social security should be provided to the all workers, she demanded.

Domestic workers rights should be part of manifesto of political parties and trade unions, added Aima.