Lahore, Dec 14 : Nearly, 80 per cent of Pakistan's population is working as home-based workers (HBWs) in the informal sector.
Nearly, 80 per cent of Pakistan's population is working as home-based workers (HBWs) in the informal sector.
Surprisingly, 50 per cent of those HBWs are women, whereas, out of 50 million HBWs in the South Asia, 65 per cent consist of females.
This was informed at a roundtable meeting of stakeholders organised by Home Net Pakistan (HNP) - a network of organisations working for the recognition and labour rights of HBWs.
The meeting was held to discuss the draft of the national policy on HBWs and legislative reforms for the protection of their rights.
Aurat Foundation resident director and HNP board member Misbah Tahir narrated the overall situation of female HBWs living below the poverty line. She said female HBWs were the 'invisible workers' of the society.
Tahir said the HBWs usually work for 12 to 14 hours a day and get Rs 5 on average for a day's work.
"Still they are not placed under the category of workers," she said.
Tahir said HNP was trying to raise this issue and draft a national policy on HBWs to improve their living conditions.
She said the national policy would focus on better remuneration package for HBWs, regulation of working conditions and hours, occupational health and safety standards, access to appropriate technology, land ownership and micro credit schemes.
The participants of the meeting urged the government to ratify the International Labour Organisations (ILO) Convention 177 on HBWs, the Daily Times reported. (ANI)
© 2007 ANI
