Activists hail streamlining of HBWs into formal sector of economy

KARACHI, May 10 (APP):Appreciative of the unanimous adoption of Home Based Workers (HBWs) Act 2018 by the
Sindh Assembly, activists here on Wednesday sought urgency for the registration of these labourers,
mainly comprising women.
Addressing a press conference here at Karachi Press Club, they urged all relevant stakeholders including concerned government departments, HBWs as well as relevant associations to immediately identify centres in each and every locality where HBWs may get themselves registered.
Ume Laila Azhar of HomeNet mentioned that Sindh labour department had already been recommended to ensure online registration of these workers.
HomeNet in its individual as well as in coordination with concerned government departments and NGOs was said to be in process to develop APPs through which HBWs entering their nature of work as well as NIC numbers could be immediately registered.
Mentioning that as per the law registered workers would be entitled to facilities offered under SESSI, EOBI, Sindh Workers Welfare Trust etc., she said a fund has also been constituted to help
the workers.
“An important aspect of this fund is the minimal yet mandatory contribution to be made by HBWs coupled with endowment to be made by the government, middle men as well as employers in case of HBWs serving as piece meal workers” she said in reply to a query.
“We can not allow to get compromised the dignity of these HBWs,” said the activist.
To another query, she said there were 748,056 urban HBWs and another 1.9 million based in rural parts of Sindh pertaining to informal bracket of the economy.
Joined by Karamat Ali of Pakistan Institute of Labour Education and Research (PILER); Habib uddin Junaidi of Peoples Labour Bureau; Nuzhat Shirin, Chairperson, Sindh Commission of Women Status, Mehnaz Rahman, Regional Director, Aurat Foundation, Sabiha Shah and Naheed Syed the HomeNet representative also expressed her satisfaction that Sindh has also emerged to be the first province to finally approve HBW Policy.
“Factually this first ever policy for home based workers in South Asia and is indeed a step forward towards the recognition of the home based workers of the province,” said the activist.
Habib uddin Junaidi said Sindh Chief Minister had previously announced and launched the landmark policy for home based workers, thus fulfilling the party’s commitment, providing work status and
acknowledging the contribution of home based workers.
Naheed Syed said HBWs have fought for this fundamental constitutional right to get the status of worker.
Karamat Ali said through the much needed legislation HBWs would be mainstreamed into provincial economy and that similar initiative was needed for “Domestic Workers.”
“Sindh government needs to be also applauded for bringing the HBWs under social protection network,” he said.
The HBWs Act 2018 was said to formulate a provincial council comprising members as prescribed and will also notify district committees for ensuring the implementation of the law.
As per Law provisions, the Labour department will initiate the data collection within province and open registration of the HBWs leading to their accessibility to the existing social security
schemes.
Rehana Yasmin, representing HBWs of Karachi said it was after decades of hardwork and struggle that the policy has been approved.
She emphasized that HBWs registration with the social protection mechanism must start immediately from Karachi and extended to other districts.