25/01/2024
In 2023, several research papers and studies have been conducted on the topic of domestic worker violence in Pakistan. These studies highlight the vulnerability of domestic workers to various forms of abuse, including verbal, physical, and s*xual assault. The informal nature of domestic work in Pakistan has been identified as a significant factor contributing to the exploitation of workers. Additionally, the lack of legal and political frameworks protecting domestic workers has been emphasized as a challenge. Some key findings from these studies include:
1. Female Domestic Workers of Lahore: A Neglected Community: This descriptive research explores the crucial problems faced by domestic workers in Lahore, including abuse and mental torture, which is a violation of Article 5 of the Constitution of Pakistan.
2. Justice For Rizwana: Dark Realities Of Domestic Workers In Pakistan: This article discusses the challenges faced by domestic workers in Pakistan, such as the lack of formal contracts, unregulated working hours, and no entitlement to paid leave, maternity benefits, or social security. The author also highlights the need for effective legal remedies and the importance of public interest litigation in the courts to address these issues.
3. Safeguarding Pakistan’s Domestic Workers Will Take More Than Just Laws: This commentary discusses the recent laws introduced in Pakistan to protect the rights and protection of domestic workers, such as the Islamabad Domestic Workers’ Bill 2021, the Punjab Domestic Workers Act 2019, and the Sindh Home-Based Workers Bill 2022. The author emphasizes the need for changing social norms, employers' expectations, and devoting more resources to implementing existing laws to better protect Pakistan's domestic workers.
4. Gender-based violence blocks Pakistan’s economic development: This article discusses the challenges faced by women in Pakistan, including gender-based violence, and the proposed legislation on maternity leave, domestic violence, and workplace practices. The author highlights the need for the adoption of these proposed pieces of legislation to better protect women's rights in Pakistan.
5. An ethnographic study on domestic workers in Punjab, Pakistan: This study focuses on the exploitation faced by female domestic workers in Lahore and its association with the exploitation they face at work. The research identifies the informal nature of domestic work in Pakistan as a significant factor contributing to the exploitation of workers and emphasizes the need for a framework for formalizing domestic labor in the country.
These studies underscore the need for improved legal protection, awareness, and resources to address the challenges faced by domestic workers in Pakistan.
(Gender-Based Violence)