NGOs call to make laws to protect working women’s rights

LAHORE: A consortium of NGOs has demanded legislation on the protection of rights of female workers in factories, brick kilns, domestic and lady health workers, at a ceremony held at a local hall in Lahore.

In connection with March 8 International Women’s Day, different women’s rights organisations presented a resolution to acknowledge the rights of working women. They saluted working women and paid tribute to Asma Jahangir.

Dr Rubina Saghal said March 8 celebrates the beginning of the global women’s movement. On this day, a century ago women collectively raised their voice for the right to vote and be part of the political process, for employment and employment opportunities, for equal rights, she said.

Khawar Mumtaz presented the resolution and said, “We stand in solidarity with Mazdoor Khawateen in their demands for recognition, in their struggle for equal wages, to be counted as workers, to be given maternity and health benefits, to be assured the minimum wage, have schools for their children, be released from bondage, and a life free of harassment and violence at home and work.”

Lala Rukh, a staunch and principled member of a women organisation and Nigar Ahmed said: “We pay tribute to all of them as torchbearers of our cause. Their spirit lives on; the torch they helped to light is alive in us all. We rejoice in knowing this torch is being carried forward by younger feminists, activists and women workers here and everywhere.”

Naila Naz said, “On this International Women’s Day, we pledge to support the uncounted millions of home-based workers and unpaid family helpers in rural areas and demand they be acknowledged in national databases. We demand the elimination of the wage gap, ensuring minimum wages for all, the implementation of home-based workers’ policies, appointment letters for factory workers, declaring farm and fisheries workers as “labourers” as in Sindh, for social security, safe transport and protection from sexual abuse and harassment for all workers and all women everywhere.”

Samiya Mumtaz, Huma Safdar, Samina Rehman, Nighat Said Khan, Kayla Pasha, Saleha Rauf attended the event and many female workers shared their daily life struggle with the audience.