Resolution empowering home-based women workers adopted | Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)

Pakistan Press Foundation

Resolution empowering home-based women workers adopted

By Latif Baloch

KARACHI: The Sindh Assembly on Wednesday unanimously adopted a resolution pertaining to the protection of rights of home-based working women, and recommended that a campaign be launched at the union council level to register such women “to make them empowered”.

The resolution was moved by Provincial Minister for Women Development Tauqeer Fatima Bhutto and supported by Minister for Culture Sassui Palijo, Minister for Tourism Shazia Marri, Kulsoom Chandio, Farheen Mughul, Rasheeda Panhawer, Aisha Khoso, Rai Naz Bozdar, Shama Mithani and others.

In support of the resolution, Ms Bhutto argued that it was in line with fulfilling the requirements of the ILO Convention C-177 and the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) project, adding that it would empower the 8.52 million home-based women workers.

She stressed the need for initiating a campaign at the union council level to register the home-based women workers to ensure their health and legal cover to manage their working timings and wages.

She went on to say that it was the policy of the present government to strengthen the women of the country because they worked as hard as men, enabling them to play an effective role in the development of the country. She said the government fully recognised their efforts and desired comprehensive legislation in this regard.

Taking part in the debate, Shazia Marri said Benazir Bhutto had signed the CIDA convention on March 12, 1996, which was a great step forward for the women of the country.

She said the Sindh government should benefit from the flood situation with the registration of home-based women of the province, giving them training in their fields to work more effectively.

Provincial Minister for Culture Sassui Palijo also participated in the debate. She fully supported the resolution, saying that the government should implement the CIDA agreement, and emphasised the need to implement all international conventions to which Pakistan was a signatory.

She said Benazir Bhutto had worked for the progress of women of the country and it was the basic policy of the PPP as well.

Humera Alwani said women constituted 50 per cent of the population of the country, so rules should be made for their development to give them respect, equal rights and dignity.

Farheen Mughal said: “We should start implementing the resolution from our homes as we are also not giving due respect and proper wages to women working in our homes.”

After a detailed discussion, Deputy Speaker Shehla Raza put the resolution to a vote and it was passed unanimously.
Source: Dawn
Date:11/4/2010