In a landmark move to safeguard the rights of domestic workers, the Sindh Government’s Labor Department, in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO), orchestrated a pivotal consultative workshop on Wednesday.
Bringing together stakeholders from the cottage industry, labor organizations, government officials, civil society, and legal experts, the workshop served as a dynamic platform to deliberate and formulate extensive legislation for the protection of domestic workers. The decision to embark on this initiative fueled by a collective recognition of the pressing need for a legal framework that addresses facets such as fair employment, worker rights, the eradication of domestic violence, and comprehensive awareness campaigns aimed at enlightening both workers and employers about their rights and responsibilities.
This collaborative effort, endorsed by the Sindh Cabinet in its preceding meeting, underscores the government’s commitment to elevating the social safety and well-being of domestic workers. The urgency of enacting this legislation in 2023 was a focal point during discussions, with participants emphatically urging the government to make it a top priority.
The workshop shed light on a disconcerting statistic: a significant proportion of domestic workers comprise women and children. This revelation heightened the necessity for targeted measures aimed at safeguarding the health and safety of these vulnerable groups.
Acknowledging the gravity of the situation, participants lauded the Sindh government’s 2014 labor policy, particularly its stipulation of a minimum age limit of 14 years for engaging in domestic work. The policy also outlined specific provisions tailored for child workers below the age of 18.
In another significant development, the Sindh Government’s Agriculture, Supply & Prices Department, wielding authority vested by Section 16 (1) of The Sugar Factories Control Act, 1950 (Sindh Amendment) Act 2009, has maintained the minimum price of Sugarcane at Rs 425 per maund. This crucial decision, greenlit during the Sindh Cabinet’s prior meeting, poised to impact the agricultural landscape positively.
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