AWAM Demands Rights Recognition for Women Workers

In a recent rally held in Faisalabad on International Labour Day, over 200 women home-based workers, domestic workers, and brick kiln workers gathered to demand recognition and protection of their rights. The rally, organized by the Association of Women for Awareness and Motivation (AWAM), Awami Workers Party, and Freedom Bhatta Workers Union, highlighted the urgent need for authorities and political decision-makers to formalize the status of women home-based workers within the workforce.

Key speakers at the event emphasized the importance of aligning labor laws concerning brick kiln workers with international standards set by the International Labour Organization (ILO). They called for strict enforcement of these laws to prevent the exploitation of child labor on brick kilns and ensure fair wages and access to social security benefits for all workers.

Shazia George, Executive Director of AWAM, criticized the lack of legal framework for women home-based workers, stressing the need for policies that recognize and protect their rights. Sonia Javed, programme coordinator at AWAM, highlighted the challenges faced by women home-based workers in accessing social security benefits and called for immediate action to address these issues.

Arif Ayaz from the Awami Workers Party raised concerns about government policies that favor capitalists over laborers, emphasizing the need for a living wage that accounts for inflation rates. Asghar Shaheen, representing the Freedom Bhatta Workers Union, urged the government to ensure compliance with existing laws and protect the rights of brick kiln workers.

The rally participants called for a comprehensive legal framework to safeguard the fundamental rights of all workers and emphasized the importance of proactive measures to address the ongoing challenges faced by women home-based and brick kiln workers in Faisalabad.