Islamabad
To facilitate general public at their door step for filing complaints against harassment under Protection against Harassment of Women at Workplace Act 2010, the Federal Ombudsperson Secretariat (FOS) for Harassment at Workplaces on Monday launched its regional offices in Karachi and Peshawar.
The event was attended by the Federal Tax Ombudsman Abdul Rauf Chaudhry and Advisor FOS, Tauqir Ahmed, government officials, staff members from different organization and people from different walks of life. The offices have been established in collaboration with International Labour Organization (ILO).
Speaking on this occasion, Federal Ombudsperson for Harassment at Workplace Justice (r) Yasmeen Abbasi said that establishment of the regional offices was a long standing demand of general public and was vital to ensure the effective implementation of the law passed in 2010.
“Establishment of the two offices is the first step in this direction and soon regional offices in other provincial capital would be set up to facilitate people at their door step for filing complaints and get relief in least possible time,” she said adding that the objective is to ensure and encourage decent workplace for men and women without any social and psychological pressures..
About the achievements of the Federal Ombudsperson Secretariat (FOS) since its inception in 2010, it was shared that so far, 427 cases were registered in the ombudsperson and till now 408 cases has been decided while 19 are in the hearing. Among these cases, 306 were filed by women while 102 petitions were registered by men.
The Federal Ombudsperson shared that though they still lack behind in achieving their set goals but they are trying hard to create awareness among people to come forward and take the help of law against any kind of harassment at workplaces. Yasmeen Abbasi said that one of the major reasons which restrict women to lodge a complaint against any hostile environment is social pressure.
Country director International Labour Organisation (ILO) said harassment effects the efficiency of the people. Employees both men and women lose their self confidence which put negative impact on their creativity. She further said people fear to lose their jobs, transferred or being forced to resign if they raise voice against any harassment issue which restricts them to work in the unfriendly work environment.
She shared that ILO convention `Occupational Safety and health convention’ addresses issues of workers but it is not ratified by Pakistan yet however, its major principles are promulgated for protection of people rights.
On the occasion a Tele Voice Commercial prepared with the collaboration of ILO for creating awareness on harassment issues was also presented which would be on aired on different television channels.
