Legal protection for domestic workers essential for social justice, gender equality

LAHORE, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 15th Jun, 2026) HomeNet Pakistan on Monday called for ensuring dignity, rights and social protection

for domestic workers, saying that despite their significant contribution to households,

care work and the economy, they remain among the most invisible and vulnerable

segments of the workforce.

In a statement on International Domestic Workers’ Day, the organization said domestic

workers continue to perform essential services that sustain families, communities and

the wider economy, but many were still facing low wages, long working hours, absence

of written contracts, exclusion from social protection systems, occupational hazards,

and exposure to violence, harassment and exploitation.

It said that although several provinces have introduced legislative measures for domestic

workers, implementation remains weak, leaving a large majority without effective legal

protection. The statement stressed that the gap between policy commitments and

enforcement on ground needs urgent attention.

HomeNet Pakistan called upon government to ensure effective implementation of domestic

workers’ legislation, guarantee minimum wages and decent working conditions, extend social

security, health insurance and pension benefits, and establish accessible complaint and

grievance redress mechanisms.

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It also urged authorities to protect workers from all forms

of violence and discrimination and promote their formal registration within labour and social

protection systems.

The organization further urged the ratification and implementation of International Labour

Organization Convention 189 on decent work for domestic workers, saying it would

strengthen legal safeguards and recognition of domestic work as formal labour.

Referring to recent policy developments, HomeNet Pakistan said deliberations on the

Sindh Domestic Workers Bill mark a positive step towards recognising domestic work

as legitimate work requiring rights-based protections, fair wages and safe working

conditions.

It added that similar progress should be replicated across all provinces, particularly through

the inclusion of domestic and home-based workers in the Punjab Labour Code and broader

labour and social protection frameworks.

Highlighting vulnerabilities, the statement noted that women and girls engaged in domestic

and home-based work face heightened risks of violence, harassment, exploitation and

gender-based violence in both private and workplace settings, stressing that legal protection

was essential for ensuring safety and justice.