Karachi, The Employers Federation of Pakistan (EFP) unveiled a groundbreaking Code of Conduct for employers of domestic workers during a tripartite meeting attended by over 100 stakeholders, including representatives from employers, workers federations, civil society, the labor department, and the International Labour Organization (ILO).
According to Employers’ Federation of Pakistan, the initiative aims to foster decent working conditions and enhance social protection for domestic workers, a significant segment of the informal economy often facing challenges such as low wages, poor working conditions, and various forms of abuse. The Code of Conduct was announced in a ceremony where Shariq Ahmed, Secretary of the Labor and Human Resource Development Department of Sindh, highlighted its potential to protect the rights of domestic workers and serve as a foundation for future legislation in the region.
The meeting underscored the importance of the ILO’s normative framework in promoting decent work, with Geir Tonstol, the ILO Country Director for Pakistan, emphasizing the role of ILO Convention 189 in advancing the rights of domestic workers. Feroz Alam, Vice President of EFP, and Majyd Aziz, Former President of EFP, echoed the sentiment, stressing the responsibility of employers to provide respectable and fair working conditions.
The Code of Conduct, developed with the support of the ILO and in consultation with various stakeholders, is designed as a voluntary guide to encourage better employment practices for domestic workers, highlighting the need for respect, dignity, and recognition of their rights. The ceremony also featured discussions on the implementation challenges of existing laws, such as the Punjab Domestic Workers Act, and the importance of extending social security coverage to domestic workers.
This initiative by the EFP, recognized and appreciated by both national and international representatives, marks a significant step towards realizing decent work for all in Pakistan, particularly for those in the domestic work sector.