baseline survey of chik makers in district kasur 2010 · 2020-07-14 · home-based workers (hbws)...
TRANSCRIPT
Baseline Survey of Chik Makers in District Kasur
2010
The�document�is�an�output�of�a�Project�
“Integrated Support to the Home-Based Workers” funded�by�ILO.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 5
CHPATER 1: BACKDROP 7
1.1�Status�of�Home-Based�Workers�in�Pakistan 7
1.2�Aims�and�Objectives�of�the�Baseline�Assessment 8
1.3�Indicators 8
CHPATER 2: RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS STRATEGY 9
2.1�Pre-testing�Survey 9
2.2�Base�line�Survey 9
2.3�Criteria�for�Target�Beneficiaries 9
2.4�Strategy�for�Conducting�the�Survey 9
CHPATER 3: DATA ANALYSIS AND REPORT 10
3.1�Respondents’�Profile 10
3.2�Respondents’�Age 10
3.3�Marital�and�Education�Status 10
3.4�Professional�Training 10
3.5�Living�Conditions 11
3.6�Source�of�Income 11
3.7�Monthly�Wages 12
3.8�Inflation 12
3.9�Past�and�Present�Difference�of�Income 12
3.10�National�Identity�Cards 12
3.11�Market�Awareness 13
3.12�Linkages�to�Market 13
3.13�Awareness�of�Government.�Institutions 13
3.14�Awareness�of�Microfinance 14
3.15�Status�of�Living 14
CHPATER 4: MAIN FINDINGS 15
4.1�Living�Conditions 15
4.2�Household�Chores 15
4.3�High�Cost�of�Living 15
4.4�Food�and�Health 15
Table of Contents
4.5�Energy�Resources�and�Raw-Material 15
4.6�Earnings 16
4.7�Lack�of�other�Earning�Opportunities 16
4.8�Assess�to�Information�and�other�Support 16
4.9�Training�and�Skill�Development 17
4.10�Insecurity 17
4.11�Social�Security 17
4.12�Unorganized 17
CHPATER 5: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS 18
5.1�Conclusion 18
5.2�Recommendations 19
CHPATER 6: CHALLENGES 21
6.1�Challenges�Faced�by�Home-based�Workers 21
6.2�Main�Problems�Faced�by�the�Home-based�Women 22
6.3�Suggestions�from�Home-based�Workers�of�Rasool�Nagar 22
6.4�Overall�Suggestions 23
CHPATER 7: OPPORTUNITIES FOR FURTHER STUDY 24
CHPATER 8: SILENT VOICES OF ChikWORKERS 25
1�Hameeda�Bibi� 25
2�Jameela�Hassan 25
3�Parveen�Rafique 26
4�Ashraf�Bibi 26
5�Sardaran�Bibi 26
ANNEXURE 27
HomeNet�Pakistan� is�a�membership-basednetwork,� comprising� of� membership-basedorganisations� representing� the� majority� ofhome-based�workers�(HBWs)�across�Pakistan.HomeNet� Pakistan� envisions� a� society� inwhich�home-based�workers�are�ensured�visibil-ity,�recognition,�legal�and�social�protection,�anda�decent�standard�of�living.
HomeNet� Pakistan,� as� a� member� ofHomeNet� South� Asia,� strives� to� empowerhome-based�workers�to�realise�their�economic,political,� and� social� rights� by� strengtheningtheir� respective� organisations,� adopting� fairtrade�practices,�resulting�in�the�improvement�oftheir�working�and�living�conditions,�thus�ensur-ing� that�home-based�workers�have�security�ofincome�and�participation�in�governance�relatedto�their�concerns�and�livelihood.
An�estimated�50�million�people�out�of�151million�are�currently�living�below�the�povertyline�in�Pakistan�and�the�level�is�rising�sharply.The�capacity�of�the�poor�to�improve�their�livingconditions� is� constrained� by� their� powerless-ness�within�political�and�social�systems�and�islinked�to�inappropriate�government�policies,�noaccess�to�information�and�resources,�poor�qual-ity�of�social�services,�and�gender�inequality.�
It� is� also� increasingly� evident� that�womenand�girls�in�poor�households�bear�a�dispropor-tionately�high�share�of� the�burden�of�poverty.Their�greater�deprivation�is�due�to�a�host�of�fac-tors,�including�restricted�mobility,�lack�of�edu-cation�and�training,�lower�access�to�or�owner-ship�of�resources�and�assets,�and�limited�accessto� credit� and� social� services.� As� a� result,Pakistani�women�have�limited�participation�indecision-making� in� all� spheres� of� life� -� fromfamily�to�state.�This�is,�however,�a�vicious�cir-cle�as�this�state�of�affairs�also�persists�becausewomen�have�no�say�in�decisions�affecting�theireconomic�and�social�status�in�society.�
The� Baseline� Survey� on� Chik makers� ofKasur� is� carried� out� under� “EmpoweringHome-based� Workers� Project”� (EHBWP)
funded� by� International� Labour� Organisation(ILO)�as�a�pilot�project�to�ensure�improvementin� the�quality�of� life�of� the�HBWs�residing�inRasool�Nagar�of�District�Kasur.�The�populationof� Rasool� Nagar� is� approximately� 10,000,however,�as�a�pilot�project�HomeNet�Pakistanwill�target�the�group�of�40-42�HBWs�identifiedduring�the�survey.
HomeNet� Pakistan� conducted� a� baselinesurvey� in� Kasur.� As� part� of� the� survey� andindividual� interviews� carried� out� during� thebaseline� survey;� problems� of� home-basedworkers�working� in� the� trade�of�chik making(cane� blinds)� were� identified.� The� findingsgathered�from�District�Kasur�highlighted�mul-tiple� problems� being� faced� by�HBWs,�whichinclude:�great�decrease� in� the�volume�of�pro-duction�and� income� long�hours�of� load-shed-ding�has�affected�on� the�business;� the�HBWshave�to�work�for�longer�time;�sense�of�insecu-rity� is� increasing� day� by� day� in� the� families;the�state�of�health�among�women�is�in�a�verybad� condition;� HBWs� lack� networking� andlinkages� and� their� work� is� not� being� recog-nised�as� labourers�and� they�do�not�have�easyaccess�to�micro-financing.
The� inferences�drawn�out� form�the�surveyindicate� that� the� home-based�women�workersof�Rasool�Nagar�are�amongst�the�most�exploit-ed�groups�of�workers.�They�constitute�a�majorsegment�of�labour�deployment�in�the�informalsector�of�the�economy.�The�bulk�of�these�work-ers�live�from�hand�to�mouth�and�do�a�variety�ofjobs� for� industry� and� trade,� ranging� fromsewing� garments,� assembling� electronic� com-ponents� to� simple� jobs� of� sorting,� packagingand� labeling� goods.� As� a� workforce,� home-based�workers�have�remained�largely�invisiblewith�no�recognition�as�labour.�
HBWs� are� poorly� paid.� Their� wages� aredisproportionate�to�their�work�and�the�expendi-ture�on� it.�Their�monthly�earnings�range�formRss1,500�to�8,000.�Out�of�40�HBWs�of�the�tar-get� group,� 10� earn� Rs1,500� per� month,� 8
5
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
HBWs� earn� between� Rs1,800-2,000,� 11� earnRs3000-4000� per� month,� 8� HBWs'� monthlyearning� is�between�Rs5,000-6,000�and�only�3HBWs�disclosed�that�they�earn�about�Rs8,000per� month.� They� say� prices� of� raw� materialhave�increased�from�70�percent�to�100�percentand� that� has� also� increased� the� price� of� theproduct.�As� a� result,� the� demand� of� productshas�decreased�considerably.�At�times,�they�haveto�sell�a�product�at�no�profit,�no� loss�basis�orstore�it�for�the�time�when�the�prices�of�productsincrease.�Due�to�increase�in�electricity�charges,oil�and�gas�prices,�and�food�items�people's�pur-chasing�power�has�come�down.�
The� survey� reveals� that� the�HBWs�do�nothave� any� contact� with� the� local� governmentand�NGOs�providing�financial�support,�techni-cal� assistants/training� and� other� help.� Sincethey�are�illiterate,�unorganised,�and�unaware�ofthese� institutions,� they� do� not� have� access� tothem.�As� the� women� are� illiterate,� immobileand�not�associated�with�NGOs�of�local�groups,they� do� not� have� any� link� with� governmentinstitutions,� including� Health� Department,Education�Department,�DCO�office,�Livestockand�NADRA.�A�majority� of� the�women�wereunaware�of�their�right�to�collective�bargainingand/or� formation�of� any�union�or� association.Almost�all�of�them�are�totally�unaware�of�socialsecurity,� employment� old-age� benefits,� work-ers'� welfare� fund� and� group� insurance,� etc.They�simply�stated�that�they�did�not�have�anyknowledge�of�labour�laws.
The� majority� of� women� are� unaware� ofmarketing� trends� and�other� information� aboutprices,� quality,� and� quantity� of� commoditiesavailable�in�the�market.�They�even�do�not�haveany� feedback� about� their� own� products� as� atwhat�price�those�were�being�sold�in�the�marketor� to� the� customers� directly.� During� the� lasttwo/three� years� we� have� seen� an� increasingtrend� of� prices� in�moveable� and� immoveableproperties,�durable�goods,�consumable�and�per-ishable� food� items�but� the�prices�of� the�prod-ucts� these�home-based�workers�are�producingand� the� wages� they� earn� have� not� increasedcorrespondingly.� As� a� result,� 73� percent� of
women�could�not�improve�their�income,�goingfurther�up�on�the�ladder�of�poverty.�
Preponderance� of� the� women� workersinvolved�in�chik making�expressed�their�inter-est� in� learn� skills� to� enhance� their� capacitiesand� form�groups� so� that� they�can�collectivelybargain�for�the�rates�of�their�products�and�theirrights.� They� also� showed� their� desired� to� gettraining�and�link�up�with�micro�finance�and�toearn�more�money�so�that�they�can�help�and�sup-port�their�families�in�improving�their�socio�eco-nomic�status.�
Ume-Laila Azhar
Executive Director
HomeNet Pakistan
6
1.1 Status of Home-based Workers inPakistan
Home-based� women� workers� living� inalmost�every�low-income�urban�locality�in�thecountry,� as�well� as� in� remote� rural� areas,� areamongst�the�most�exploited�groups�of�workerstoday.� They� constitute� a� major� segment� oflabour�deployment�in�the�informal�sector�of�theeconomy.�A�large�number�of�these�workers�liveand�work�in�harsh�conditions�and�do�a�varietyof�jobs�in�industries,�and�markets.�As�a�work-force,� home-based� workers� have� remainedlargely�invisible.�
The�International�Labour�Organization�(ILO)has�adopted�Convention�No.177�for�Home-basedWorkers,�which�calls�upon�the�member�countriesto� adopt,� implement� and� periodically� review� anational�policy�on�home�work�aimed�at�improv-ing�the�situation�of�home�workers�in�consultationwith� representative� organisations� of� employersand�workers�and,�where�they�exist,�with�organi-sations�concerned�with�home-workers�and�thoseof�employers�of�home�workers.�
To� promote� decent� work� opportunities� forhome-based� workers� a� Baseline� Survey� hasbeen� conducted�with� a� focus� on� group� homo-geneity,� vulnerability/disadvantaged,� women-focused�and�other�special�needs.�
HomeNet� Pakistan,� in� collaboration� withIttehad� Foundation,� conducted� this� BaselineSurvey�on�home-based�Chik workers.�The�pur-pose�of�the�survey�was�to�identify�problems�ofHBWs� of� Rasool�Nagar,� district�Kasur� on� thebasis�of�identification�of�target�groups,�vulnera-bility,�women-focused,�and�other�special�needs;to� create� awareness� for� beneficiaries� on� legalrights� and�health� issues,� provide� linkages�withtrade�unions�for�collective�bargaining,� increasetheir� skills�and�productivity;�and�strengtheningtheir� member-based� organisation,� this� surveyprovided�vital�information.�
Homework�is�often�associated�with�low�pay,especially� among� home� workers� engaged� inmanual� work.� Compounding� their� often� lowwages�is�the�fact�that�home�workers�have�to�payfor�many�of� the�non-wage�costs�of�production,notably� the� overhead� costs� of� space,� utilities,and�equipment.�
Another� reason� for� concern� is� that�womenare�over-represented�among�home-based�work-ers,�especially�among�home�workers�engaged�inmanual�work.�Available� evidence� from� aroundthe�world�suggests� the�following�common�pat-terns:�women�are�more�likely�than�men�to�workmainly� at� home;� women� are� more� likely� thanmen�to�work�at�home�in�manual�activities;�andamong�home�workers�women�are�far�more�like-ly�than�men�to�be�engaged�in�low-paid�manualwork.�The�available�evidence�also�suggests�thatwomen�home�workers�in�manual�jobs�are�amongthe�lowest�paid�workers�in�the�world.
Baseline Survey Chik Makers of District Kasur
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CHPATER 1
BACKDROP
1.2 Aims and Objectives of the BaselineAssessment
The�purpose�of�the�survey�was�to:�n Identify�the�special�women-focused�needsof�target�group.n Their� working� conditions� and� environ-ment.n Work�practices,�wage�system�and�product-line�of�the�target�group.�n Their�present�socio-economic�status.
On� the� basis� of� the� key� findings,� develop� astrategy�in�order�to:n Promote�decent�work�opportunities�for�theinformal/home-based�workers.n To� create� awareness� for� the� beneficiarieson�legal�rights�and�health�issues.n To�provide�linkages�with�trade�unions�forcollective�bargaining.n Increasing�their�skills�and�productivity.n Advocate� with� employers/contractors� forprovision�of�minimum�wages�for�HBW.
n Link�selected�target�group�with�local�skillproviders�(public�and�private�sectors)�for�bet-ter�productivity�and�skills�diversification.n Organise/facilitate� business� diversifica-tion�training�for�selected�target�group�in�linewith�market�demand�and�linkages�with�sup-
port�mechanisms� to� improve� their� businessactivities.n Link� HBW/selected� target� group� withmicrofinance�providers.n Establish�social�protection�to�workers�andtheir�families�through�innovative�mechanismsin� collaboration� with� the� ministry� of� labourand�manpower/constituents�and�strengtheningtheir�member�based�organization.�
1.3 Indicators1. Selection�made� of� target� group-based� ongroup� homogeneity,� vulnerability/disadvan-taged,� women-focused� and� other� specialneeds.2. Awareness-raising� for� target� beneficiariesand�employers/contractors�on�legal�rights�andoptions�available�under�national�and�interna-tional�laws�for�the�selected�target�group.3. Awareness-raising� on� “OccupationalSafety�and�Health”�for�improving�workplaceenvironment� and� adhering� to� minimum� agefor�work�for�the�selected�target�group.4. Link�target�group�with�local�trade�unionsfor� training� on� organisation� and� collectivebargaining�without�compromising�individualproductivity.5. Advocate� with� employers/contractors� forprovision�of�minimum�wages�for�HBW.6. Link�selected�target�group�with�local�skillproviders�(public�and�private�sectors)�for�bet-ter�productivity�and�skills�diversification.7. Organise/facilitate�business�diversificationtraining�for�selected�target�group�in�line�withmarket� demand� and� linkages� with� supportmechanisms�to�improve�their�business�activi-ties.8. Link� HBW/selected� target� group� withmicrofinance�providers.9. Improve� HBWs� representation� throughestablishing/strengthening� their� member-based�organisations.10.Promote/advocate/establish� social� protec-tion� to� workers� and� their� families� throughinnovative�mechanisms�in�collaboration�withthe�Ministry� of� Labour� and�Manpower/con-stituents.�
Baseline Survey Chik Makers of District Kasur
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2.1 Pre-testing SurveyThe�pre-testing� survey�was� conducted�on
September� 22,� 2010.� The� questionnaire/sur-vey�form�was�developed�keeping�in�view�indi-cators� of� the� project� and� to� dig� out� majorissues�of�the�target�group�of�district�Kasur.�
The�group�of�42�HBWs�was�invited�at�oneplace� and� HNP� team� in� a� one-to-one� contactfilled� survey� forms.�HBWs�were� asked� ques-tions�about� their�age,�problems,�working�con-ditions,� facilities� that� they� have,� mode� ofincome,� etc,� for� a� specifically� designed�ques-tionnaire.�Thus,�information�about�their�issueswas�collected.�The�following�results�came�outthat�lead�to�the�change�in�strategy�for�the�needassessment�survey.n It�was�noted� that�HBWs�were�under� theinfluence� of� their� co-workers/HBWs� whilegiving� the� answer� to� the� question,� thus� thesame� answers� were� given� by� most� of� theHBWs.n More� issues� were� identified� after� thegeneral� discussion.� Therefore,� questionswere� added� in� the� questionnaire� after� thepre-testing�survey.n Specific� questions� about� health� condi-tion,�working�condition,�home�environment,income,�education�and�the�specific�need�fortraining�were�added�in�the�questionnaire.�
2.2 Baseline SurveyThe� baseline� survey� was� conducted� on
September�27,�2010.�Venue:�The�HBWs�were�visited�door-to-doorin�Rasool�NagarNo.�of�beneficiaries:�42Nature�of�participants:�HBWsHNP� team:� Nabila� Yaqoob,� Afreen� Fatima,Tehzib�BaqarFacilitated� by� District� Coordinator� Kasur:�Ms.�Irshad�(Ittehad�Foundation)
2.3 Criteria for Target Beneficiaries a. A�Group�of�40-42�Home-Based�Workerswas� selected� -� living�within� the� same�geo-graphical�limits�where�they�can�access�eachother�easily.�b.� The�group�had�the�following�commonali-ties:
i.���Work�practices.ii.��Wage�system.iii.�Socio-economic�status.iv. Product-line.
2.4 Strategy for Conducting the Survey A�complete� set�of� instructions� to�conduct
the�survey�consisting�of�holding�Focus�GroupDiscussion� and� Interviews� with� at� least� 40home-based� women� workers� was� designedand�discussed�by�the�HNP.�The�already�identi-fied�group�of�HBWs�was�invited�for�the�FGDon� 22� September� and� then� on� 27� Septemberindividual� forms� were� filled� reaching� out� towomen� door-to-door.� These� women,� fromRasool� Nagar� Ganda� Sing� Wala� DistrictKasur,�produce�the�following�product�as�self-employed�workers:�n Peeling�dry�roots.n Winding�Rope.�n Chiks Making/Reed�Mats�(cane�blind).n Designing�Chiks.
These�women�were�in�the�age�group�of�10-70� mostly� illiterate� and� married.� Three� ofthem�were�students�who�were�doing�this�workalong�with� their� regular� study� in� school� andcollege.� The� family� size� was� between� 6-12members� living� together� share� one� kitchen.The� women� workers� work� for� 8-12� hours�a�day�mostly�seven�days�a�week.�Their�aver-age� monthly� income� is� between� Rs.1000�to�2000.��
Baseline Survey Chik Makers of District Kasur
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CHPATER 2
RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS STRATEGY
3.1 Respondents ProfileThis�section�of�the�questionnaire�was�meant
for� the� respondent’s�personal�data.� It� includesthe�respondent’s�age�marital�status,�literacy�rateand�about�their�professional�training.�In�Table�1out�of�the�total�42�respondents�regarding�theirages,�more�respondents�are�in�the�age�group�of
10-30�years�whereas�5�percent�were�in�the�cat-egory�of�60-�70�years.�Regarding�marital�statusmajority�of�the�respondents�i.e.�51�percent�aremarried�while� less� than�8�percent�are�widowsand� the� remaining� 41� percent� is� unmarried/Single.� Regarding� educational� status� 68� per-cent� are� illiterate,� almost� 20� percent� are� pri-mary�and�2�percent�are�F.A�(Table�2-A).
3.2 Respondents Age
The�HBWs�involved�in�the�Chik making�atRasool� Nagar� are� mostly� between� 10� to� 30years.�Nine�were�between�categories�41�to�50years,�2�belong�to�51�to�60�years�and,�similar-ly,�2�were�form�61�to�70�years.�
3.3 Marital and Education StatusAmong� the� group� of� 42� HBWs� 22� were
married,�17�were�unmarried�and�3�were�wid-ows.�In�the�group,�28�HBWs�were�illiterate,�9had� received� education� till� primary,� 3� didtheir� middle,� 1� did� matric� and� 1� completedher� F�A.� So� the� ratio� was� 2� percent� literateand� 68� percent� illiterate.� Many� of� themreported� that� they�started�doing� this�work�asthey�grew�up,�just�a�shift�of�home�after�mar-riage.�
3.4 Professional training The� table� below� shows� that� 99� percent� of
the�women�home-based�chik makers� in�Kasurdistrict� have� not� received� any� training� withregard�to�skill�upgradation,�marketing,�and�anyother�field.
Baseline Survey Chik Makers of District Kasur
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CHPATER 3
DATA ANALYSIS AND REPORT
Age Frequency of answer Percentage
10-20 12 29
21-30 12 29
31-40 5 9
41-50 9 22
51-60 2 5
61-70 2 5
Total 42 100
Table 1: Respondents Profile
Status Frequency Percentage
Married 22 51
Unmarried 17 41
Widow 3 8
Total 42 100
Table 2: Martial Status
Status Frequency Percentage
Illiterate� 28 68Primary 9 20
Middle 3 8
Matric 1 2
F.A 1 2
Total 42 100
Table 2-A: Educational Status
The�figures�indicate�that�these�home-basedworkers� who� do� Chik making� and� producequality�products�are�still�working�without�anyprofessional�training.�
3.5 Living Conditions The� house-owning� of� women� workers� is
good.� Ninety� percent� of� them� owned� housesand� only� 10� percent� were� living� in� rented
houses.� 17� HBWs� reported� that� their� houseshave�one�room.�20�of�them�reported�to�have�atwo-room�house�and�5�of�them�lived�in�a�housewith�3�rooms.�Similarly,�39�percent�of�HBWsdo�not�have�toilets�in�their�homes�and�have�togo� out� daily.� The� working� place� of� theseHBWs�is�their�home.�
3.6 Source of IncomeThe� baseline� survey� showed� that� 14� per-
cent�HBWs�of�Rasool�Nagar�are�making�chiks,12�percent�are�daily�wage�earners,�and�52�per-cent� do� baan-making�whereas� 10� percent� areinvolved�both� in�baan-making�and�chik mak-ing.�Within�the�same�group,�there�were�12�per-cent� women� home-based� workers� who� didstitching� of� chicks� and� embroidery,� giving� afancy� look� and� adding� value.� This� particularstep� varies� form� customer� to� from� customerand�order�to�order.
Baseline Survey Chik Makers of District Kasur
11
Response Frequency Percentage
Yes 1 1
No 41 99
Total 42 100
Table 3: Professional Training
Types Frequency Percentage
Chik making 6 12
Baan�making 22 54
Both�Baan�and�Chik 4 10
Daily�wager� 5 12
Stitching�&�Embroidery�� 5 12
No�other�source� - -
Total 42 100
Table 5: Professional Training
Ownership status Frequency Percentage
Rented 4 10
Owned 38 90
Total 42 100
No. of Rooms Frequency Percentage
One 17 42
Two 20 46
Three 05 12
More - -
Total 42 100
Toilet Facility Frequency Percentage
Yes 25 61
No 17 39
Total 42 100
Table 4: Housing
3.7 Monthly wagesMonthly�earning�of�home-based�workers�is
very�low.�They�realised�that�it�must�match�theincreasing�trends�of�increase�of�prices�of�fooditems�and�utility�bills.�Some�of� them�want� toexpand� their� work� by� purchasing� technicalmachines�but�due�to�lack�of�money�they�can-not�purchase�equipment�and�expand�their�busi-ness.�Moreover,�long�hours�of�loadshedding�isa� big� hindrance� in� using� technical� machinesand� motors.� HBWs� are� poorly� paid;� theirwages� are� less� then� their� work� and� expendi-ture.�The�monthly�earnings� range� form�1,500to�8,000.�Out�of�42�HBWs�of�the�target�group,18� earn� up� to� Rs2000� per� month� ,� 13� earnbetween�Rs2,100�to�4,000,�8�earn�Rs4,100�to6,000�per�month,�3�HBWs’�monthly�earning�isbetween�Rs6,100�to�8,000.�The�figures�presenta� gruesome� picture� of� employment� deficit.Due� to� the� non-availability� of� any� otheremployment� the� HBWs� are� compelled� to� dothe�same�job�and�have�been�continuing�it�sincemany�years.�Only�8�percent�monthly�income�isabout�Rs8,�000�whereas�44�percent�are�earningup�to�Rs2000.
3.8 Inflation The� ever-increasing� trend� of� prices� and� a
decreasing/constant�trend�of�income�have�lefta� bad� impact� on� the� economic� conditions� ofwomen� workers.� High� rate� of� inflation� isupsetting�them�more�as�they�do�not�have�otheroptions� or� substitutes� of� their� present� work.They�have� to� live�with� it�even� if� the�price�ofraw�material�increases,�demand�for�their�prod-ucts� decrease,� or� the� inflation� rate� increases.The� above� figures� are� indicative� of� the� factthat� these� HBWs� are� earning� not� much� than
Rs8000�per�month�and� that� they�do�not�haveany� other� source� of� income.� During� the� lastfew�years�73�percent�were�reported�to�have�thesame�income�keeping�the�value�constant.�Only27�percent�were�reported�to�have�been�able�tomake� a� change� in� their� past� and� presentincome�and�it�had�increased.�
3.9 Past and present difference inincome
During� the� last� two/three� years� we� haveseen� increasing� trend� in� prices� of� moveableand� immoveable� properties,� durable� goods,consumable�and�perishable�food�items�but�theprices�of� products� these�home-based�workersare� producing� and� the� wages� they� earn� havenot�increased�correspondingly.�As�a�result,�73percent� of� women� could� not� improve� theirincome�which�increased�their�poverty�level.�
3.10 National Identity CardsNational�Identity�Card�plays�a�vital�role�in
the�life�of�home-based�workers.�They�can�useit� for� getting� loans� from�banks,� to� get� regis-
Baseline Survey Chik Makers of District Kasur
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Range Frequency Percentage
1500 18 44
1800-�2000 13 29
3000-4000 8 20
5000�to�8000 3 8
Total 42 100
Table 6: Wages
tered� under� Benazir� Income� SupportProgramme� and� other� government� socialsecurity� schemes.� Lack� of� awareness� aboutthe� importance� of� identity� cards� and� lengthyprocedure�of�obtaining�the�cards�kept�womenworkers� unable� to� benefit� with� its� applica-tions.� That� is� why� out� of� 42� HBWs� only� 8women�had�National�Identity�Cards.�The�restof�the�34�women�did�not�have�ID�cards.�It�wasalso� reported� that� no� member� of� the� parlia-ment� had� ever� taken� any� initiative� to� maketheir�ID�cards�.They�are�only�seen�during�theelections� season,� other� wise� no� one� evercomes�to�the�village.�
3.11 Market AwarenessThe� majority� of� women� are� unaware� of
marketing�trends�and�other�information�price,quality� and� quantity� available� in� the�market.They�even�do�not�have�feedback�about�at�whatprice�their�own�products�were�sold�in�the�mar-ket�or�to�the�customers�directly.�Since�they�arenot�allowed�to�go�out�of�home�to�the�marketsand�even�for�doing�other�work�to�support�theirfamily� income,� they� are� less� informed� aboutmarket�and�marketing�of�their�products.
3.12 Linkages to MarketNo�woman�has�developed�any�link�with�the
local� or� city� markets.� They� are,� in� fact,� notsupposed�to�move�out�of�home�to�have�an�ideaof�price�and�other�information�regarding�mar-
keting�of�their�products.�Since�the�women�areilliterate,� immobile� and� living� far� from� citymarkets� and� other� business� activities,� there-fore,� they� have� no� knowledge� about� markettrends,�development�in�designs�and�colours�ofproducts� and� customer’s� choice� and� prefer-ences.�They�even�do�not�know�the�market�priceof�the�products�they�produce.�
3.13 Awareness of GovernmentInstitutions
Women� have� no� access� to� governmentinstitutes� or� programmes.� Since� women� areilliterate,� immobile� and� not� associated� withNGOs�of� local� groups,� they�do�not� have� anylink� with� government� institutions,� including
Baseline Survey Chik Makers of District Kasur
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Response Frequency Percentage
Yes 0 0
No 42 100
Total 42 100
Table 8: Linkages with Market
Response Frequency Percentage
Yes 8 20
No 34 80
Total 42 100
Table 7: Computerized NIC
health� department,� education� department,DCO�office,�livestock�and�NADRA.�
3.14 Awareness of the MicrofinanceThere� is� no� contact� of� HBWs� with� the
local�government�and�NGOs�providing�finan-cial� support,� technical� assistants/training� andother�help.�Since�they�are�illiterate�and�unor-ganised� and� even� unaware� of� these� institu-tions,� they� do� not� have� any� concept� of� suchcooperation.
3.15 Status of LivingTable� 4� shows� the� living� conditions� of
home-based� workers.� Ninety� percent� ofwomen�are� living� in� their�own�homes�and�10percent�are�living�in�rented�homes.�Forty�twopercent� of� women� are� living� in� single� roomand�46�percent�in�two�rooms.�Moreover,�their
working�hours�are�unlimited.�They�even�worktill�midnight�when�the�electricity�is�available.They�are�supposed�to�do�all�home�chores,�takecare� of� children� and� serving� elders.�They� donot� enjoy� holiday� and� are� even� unable� toattend�marriage� functions,� etc,� being� held� intheir�village.�
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The�data�inferences�of�the�baseline�surveyhave�highlighted�the�following�main�findings:�
4.1 Living Conditionsn The�working�place�of�home-based�work-ers� is� inadequate� and� shared� with� otherhousehold� activities.� This� contributes� tounhygienic�and�unhealthy�work-living�envi-ronment.�n There�is�a�very�small�place�to�live.�Thereis�only�one�room�that�serves�as� their�work-place,� bedroom,� kitchen,� and� wash-roomsimultaneously.
4.2 Household Chore
n It� is� very� hard� to� earn�money� as� home-based�worker.� Because� they� have� so�manyother� responsible� assignments� to� complete,like� preparing� food,� cleaning� house,� wash-ing� cloths,� taking� care�of� children,� entrain-ing�guests,�etc.�With�theses�duties�they�workto�supplement�family�income.�
4.3 High Cost of Livingn The�prices�of�almost�all�utility�items�havegone�up.�The�price�of�raw�material�they�pur-chase,� the� electricity� they� use,� the� cost� oftransportation� they� pay� all� have� increased
manifold,� which� ultimately� affected� usmuch.� The� load-shedding� for� hours� in� vil-lages�has�a�very�bad�effect�on� the�businessand�general�life�of�home-based�workers.�n Women� workers,� working� at� home� aremost�affected�by�socio�political�crisis.�Theyhave�started�giving�more�time�to�their�workto�produce�more�and�more�products�to�meetthe�gap�of�profit�margin.�
4.4 Food and Healthn The�families�have�reduced�their�expens-es�made�in�the�past�on�food,�children’s�edu-cation� and� even� for� health.� Some� familieshad�to�discontinue�their�children’s�educationand�sent�them�for�work.�n The�state�of�health�among�women�is�verybad.�There�is�no�basic�health�unit�in�the�area.They�would�go�to�Kasur�for�treatment�untilsome�years�ago�but�now,�due�to�increase�inthe� fare� and� treatment� cost,� they� cannotafford�to�get�medical�aid.�They�either�go�totraditional� healers� or� wait� for� recovery� byitself.�The�fingers�of�women�and�girls�in�thevillage� are� mostly� injured� and� de-shapeddue�to�the�work�they�do.�They�just�use�mus-tard� oil,� a� low-priced� way� of� treatment.There’s� no� hospital� or� dispensary� in� theirarea.
4.5 Energy Resources and Raw-Materialn A�majority�of�home-based�women�work-ers�noted�that�there�is�a�change�in�their�worklife.� The� prices� of� raw� material� haveincreased,� the� electricity� charges� have� alsobeen� increased,� and� electricity� load-shed-ding�and�other�high�prices�of�food�items,�etc.have� very� badly� affected� their� work� andearnings.n The� prices� of� raw� material� haveincreased� from� 70� percent� to� 100� percent.
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CHPATER 4
MAIN FINDINGS
That� also� increases,� they� say,� the� price� oftheir� product.� As� a� result,� the� demand� oftheir�products�decreased�a�lot.�Now�they�arereceiving�much� less� of� their� product,� sometime�they�have�to�sell�at�cost�rate�or�store�itfor�the�time�when�the�prices�of�products�gohigh.�The�women�have�to�work�for�a�longertime.�Due�to�increase�in�electricity�charges,oil� and� gas� prices� and� food� items� people’spurchasing�power�has�come�down.�n There� is� a� great� change� noticed� in� thecontext�of�volume�of�production�and�incomeof� the� home-based� women� workers� duringlast� year.� High� trends� of� decrease� in� theorder�work� and� sale� of� their� products� havebeen� noticed.� The� prices� of� raw� materialused� in� Chik Making� (Cane� Blind)� andwinding�ropes�have�increased�manifold�thataffected� their� business,� profit,� and� generalliving�standard.�
4.6 Earningn Income�is�less�as�compared�to�utilisation.They�undergo�longer�and�undefined�workinghours.�They�normally�work�for�8�to10�hoursbut�at�the�end�they�receive�almost�nothing�inthe� shape� of� money.� As� the� home� of� theHBWs� is� their�workplace,� and� that� usuallyconsists�of�not�more�than�1�or�2�rooms,�andthe�family�members�are�usually�more�than�8,this�all�creates�stress�and�badly�affects�theirhealth.n Some�of�them�want�to�expand�their�workby�purchasing�technical�machines�but�due�tolack�of�money�they�cannot�purchase�that�andexpand� their� business.� HBWs� are� poorlypaid;� they� earn� less� than� their� work� andexpenditure.� The� monthly� earnings� rangeform�1,500�to�8,000.�Out�of�40�HBWs�of�thetarget�group,�10�earn�Rs1,500�per�month,�8HBWs�earn�between�Rs1,800-2,000,�11�earnRs3,000-4,000�per�month,�8�HBWs’�month-ly� earning� is� between� Rs5,000-6,000� andonly� 3� HBWs� disclosed� that� they� earnedabout�Rs8,000�per�month.n Role�of�middle�men� is� crucial� and�a� lotdepends�on�the�middle�man�or�contactor�for
work.� Preference� to� female� middle� personwas�indicated.
4.7 Lack of other Earning Opportunitiesn The�home-based�workers�are�specialisedin�Chik making�only.�There�is�no�other�workor�skill�which�can�be�utilised�for�supportingfamily� income.�There� is� no� factory� or�millwhere�men�or�women�could�work.�However,some�women�have�started�embroidery�workand� some� men� are� selling� vegetable� anddoing�labour�work.�
4.8 Assess to Information and otherSupportn No�NGO�ever�visited�this�area�and�talkedto� them� about� their� problems.� HomeNetPakistan�was�the�very�first�NGO�that�visitedthis�village�and�addressed� the� issues.�Somewomen�came�to�the�City�of�Kasur�(for�FocusGroup�Discussion� and� interview)� first� timein�their�life,�whereas�this�village�is�hardly�at30�km�distance�from�the�city.�n No� government� support� of� any� kind� isavailable� to� the�home-based�workers.�Theyare� not� associated� and� introduced� to� anyorganisation� to� support� their� work.� HomeNet� Pakistan� is� the� first� organisation� thattook�this�initiative.n These�workers�need�to�be�recognised�aslabourers.� Under� the� government’s� labourlaws,� health� and� loan� facilities� should� begiven�o�them,�their�trade�should�be�protect-
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ed,�and�better�marketing�facilities�should�bearranged�for�them.n Lack�of�awareness�about�basic�legal�andlabour�rights:�None�of�the�HBWs�are�awareof� the� legal� and� basic� fundamental� rights,including�labour�rights.n The�cluster�of�HBWs�reported�to�have�noinformation� regarding� government� facilita-tion�and�the�role�of�the�local�government�andother� government� machineries� alreadyworking�in�the�district.�n No�proper� transport� system� is� availablefor�the�women�for�mobility�and�transport�isa�serious� issue�along�with� the�fares�as� theyare�increasing�day-by-day�due�to�energy�cri-sis.
4.9 Training and Skill Developmentn The�HBWs�have�so�far�not�received�anytraining�to�improve�their�work�and�strength-en�their�capacity.�They�need�capacity-build-ing� training� to� create� innovation� in� theirwork.� In� the� present� condition� they� cannotgenerate�more�income.
4.10 Insecurityn Sense�of�insecurity�is�increasing�day-by-day�within�the�HBWs�families.�n Some�of�the�HBWs�are�facing�some�otherissues�like�insecurity�within�household�fromtheir� immediate� relations.� Violence,� espe-cially�domestic�violence,� is� a� serious�prob-
lem.� A� majority� of� male� members� do� notwork�and�stay�at�home�and�women�are�tak-ing�care�of�the�whole�family.
4.11 Social Securityn In�order�to�reach�out�to�the�social�securi-ty�benefits�they�need�National�Identity�Cardswhich�are�missing.�Only�7�out�of�40�HBWshad�NID�cards,�33�do�not�have�NID�cards.n A�majority�of�the�target�group�of�HBWsis�not�interested�to�continue�their�cane/blindwork�due�to�low�wages.�They�are�not�satis-fied�with�the�production�and�working�condi-tions.� HBWs� have� no� other� opportunity� toearn�money� so� they� are� bound� to� continuewith�Chik/cane�blind�making� .There�are�nodefined�working�hours.�
4.12 Unorganisedn The�group�is�not�organised�in�the�form�ofcommunity� or� association.� Lack� of� properlinks�with�the�line�department�and�local�CSOnetworks�were�observed.�
On� the� basis� of� survey� findings,� followingbroad�conclusions�were�drawn:n A� large� number� of�women� are� illiteratehaving� no� professional/certificate� trainingcourse.n It�has�been�observed�that�women�are�notaware� of� their� legal� rights� and� the� govern-ment�schemes�and�micro-finance�schemes.n They� are� living� in� poor� circumstancesand� poor� housing� conditions.�Many� house-holds�do�not�have�toilet�and�kitchen�facility.They�either�have� to�cook� inside� their� roomor�in�small�courtyard.�They�are�not�satisfiedof�their�living�conditions�as�they�need�morespace�as� their�homes�consist�of�one�or� tworooms�and�are�not� spacious� enough� for� thefamily�and�wok.n Their� income� is�very� low,� irregular,�andthey�are�living�a�very�poor�life.n The� respondents� of� this� survey� wereHBW�from�Kasur�district.�As�target�group�of42�women�taken,�the�average�age�was�15-35years.�A�majority�of�them�were�illiterate.�
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5.1 ConclusionInformal� workers,� particularly� women
home-based�workers,�tend�to�occupy�the�bottomof�the�global�economic�pyramid,�with�less�pro-tection�and�flexibility�than�their�formal�counter-parts.�Informal�firms�and�wage�workers,�in�timesof� economic� trouble,� have� no� cushion� to� fallback�upon�and�have�no�option�but�to�keep�oper-ating�or�working.�In�addition,�as�more�workerscrowd�into�the�informal�economy,�the�net�resultis�more�and�more�firms�or�individuals�compet-ing�for�smaller�and�smaller�slivers�of�a�shrinking(informal)�pie.�Unemployment,�in�this�instance,is�eclipsed�as�an�issue�by�increasing�impoverish-ment-�the�working�poor�becoming�poorer.�
In� brief,� the� home-based�workers,� a�majorsegment�of�the�informal�sector�due�to�the�pres-ent� country� scenario,� are� the� most� vulnerablesector� of� the� informal� sector.� Informal� wageworkers�face�loss�of�jobs�or�further�informalisa-tion� of� their� contracts.� The� informal� self-employed� and�HBWs� face� decreased� demand,falling� prices,� and� fluctuations� in� exchangerates,� interest� rates,� and� prices.� The� informalworkforce,�as�a�whole,�faces�increased�competi-tion� from� the� new� entrants� into� the� informaleconomy�and�has�no�cushion�to�fall�back�upon.�
Home-based�women�workers,� like� those�ofRasool� Nagar,� living� in� almost� every� low-income�urban�locality�in�the�country�as�well�asin� remote� rural� areas,� are� amongst� the� mostexploited� group� of� workers.� They� constitute� amajor� segment� of� labour� deployment� in� theinformal�sector�of�the�economy.�A�bulk�of�theseworkers� live� and�work� in� hard� survival� condi-tions�and�do�a�variety�of� jobs� for� industry�andtrade,� ranging� from� sewing� garments,� assem-bling� electronic� components� to� simple� jobs� ofsorting,� packaging� and� labeling� goods.� As� aworkforce,�home-based�workers�have�remainedlargely�invisible�with�no�recognition�as�labour.�
The�home-based�women�workers,�particu-larly�of�district�Kasur,�experts�in�chik making,are�producing�export�quality�products�but�facea�lot�of�problems�in�their�life�and�work.�Due�tolack�of�jobs�and�other�opportunities�at�their�vil-lage,�people�are�compelled�to�work�in�the�infor-
mal�economy.�The�home-based�workers�doingchik making� are� earning� up� to� Rs8,000� permonth.� The� whole� family� unit� participates� inthe�production�but� still,�being� informal�work-ers,�they�are�not�covered�by�labour�legislation.�
They�have�no�retirement�or�illness�benefitsand�are�exposed�to�occupational�risks,�such�asaccidents�and�serious�health�hazards.�There� isusually�no�formal�contract�to�cover�the�liabili-
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CHPATER 5
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Baseline Survey Chik Makers of District Kasur
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ties�as�well�as�contractual�obligations.�A�major-ity�of�the�work�that�they�produce�is�contractualand�dependent�on�the�middle-man.�A�majorityof� inhabitants� do� the� same� trade� but� they� arenot� organised.� Their� supply� and� marketinglinks� are� most� often� simply� a� disguised� andunregulated� form�of� employer-employee� rela-tionship,�camouflaged�through�an�arrangementof�agents�or�sub-contractors.�Working�as�a�pro-ducer� since� many� years,� no� group� has� beenformed� and,� therefore,� they� do� not� have� anyrepresentation� at� any� forum� with� little� or� novoice�at�all.�Due�to�their�invisibility�and�lack�oforganisation,� home-based� workers� have� rareoutreach�to�the�financial�resources.�On�the�sur-face,� home-based�workers�may� seem� to� havesubstantial� latitude� in� terms�of� the�hours� theywork,� the� materials� they� use,� and� when� andhow�they�want�to�work.�In�addition�to�lack�ofspace,�many�of�these�homes�lack�adequate�lightand�other�facilities.�In�addition,�in�many�situa-tions�they�are�vulnerable�to�fire,�theft,�and�bothnatural� and� civil� disaster.� The� continuouschanging�socio�political�and�economic�scene�inthe�country�is�a�major�threat�and�impediment�inthe�economic�growth�of�the�HBWs.�There�is�adirect� link� between� increased� female� labourparticipation�and�growth.�It�is�estimated�that�ifthe� rate�of�women’s�wages�were� raised� to� thesame�level�as�men’s�the�conditions�of�the�groupworking�in�the�sector�of�chik making�could�pro-duce�fruitful�results.�A�majority�of�the�womentake� part� in� the� production� and� play� a� majorrole�in�the�workforce.�Most�of�them�are�work-ing�for�more�than�10�hours�per�day,�making�70hours� per� week� along� with� other� householdchore,��a�huge�contribution�as�compared�to�menwho�give�mostly�8�hours�of�their�time�per�day.An�approximate�assessment�shows�that�32%�ofthe�informal�workforce�is�in�the�wholesale�andretail�business,�21%�in�the�manufacturing�sec-tor,� 17.5%� in� community� and� social� and� per-sonnel�sector,�13.8%�in�construction�and�11.1%in� the� transport� sector.�This�estimate� includedboth�in�urban�and�rural�areas.1
In�addition�to�lack�of�space,�many�of�thesehomes�lack�adequate�light�and�other�facilities.In�addition,�in�many�situations,�they�are�vulner-able�to�fire,�theft�and�both�natural�and�politicalinstability.�As�many�of� the�workers� also�haveno� title� to� their� homes,� they� may� also� findthemselves� literally� out� on� the� street� at� thewhim�of�husbands,� in-laws,� landlords�or� localgovernments.�
The�home-based�workers�are�specialised�inchik making� only.� There� is� no� other� work� orskill�which�can�be�utilised�for�supporting�fam-ily� income.�There� is�no� factory�or�mill�wheremen� or� women� could� work.� However,� somewomen� have� started� embroidery� work� andsome� men� are� selling� vegetable� and� doinglabour�work.�
5.2 Recommendations With�regard�to�the�findings�of�the�baseline,
following� recommendations� are� proposed� ingeneral� for� the� informal� sector� workers� andthose�involved�in�home�based�work:
Informal Sector and Home-based Workers:
Out�of�about� two-third�non-agriculture�work-ers�employed�in�informal�sector,�a�large�num-ber,�especially�women,�are�engaged�in�home-based�work�which�is�not�covered�by�any�labourwelfare�legislation.�The�Labour�Policy�aims�atgradual� extension�of� coverage�of� labour�wel-fare�laws�to�this�workforce.
Advocacy� for� the� implementation� ofnational� policy� of� Home-based� Workers� andpilot�activities�for�integration�of�HBWs�into�themainstream.�
Social Safety Net: Institutions�responsible�forsocial� protection� need� to� be� made� fullyautonomous� and� effective� by� restructuringtheir� respective�management� boards.� Policy-making,� coordination� and� monitoring� of� thefunctioning� of� these� institutions� will� beentrusted� to� these� tripartite� boards�exclusively.�
1 ‘Informal�sector�grows�by�20�per�cent’.�Ihtashamul�Haque.��DAWN.��September�2,�2007
Elimination of Gender Discrimination:
There� is� a� need� to� improve� the� role� and�contribution� of� women� in� the� labour� forceand�to�provide�them�with�equal�opportunitiesfor� employment� by� introducing� the�principle�of�equal�pay�for�work�of�equal�valueadopted� with� the� ratification� of� ILOConvention�100.�
Human Resource Development: There� is�anurgent� need� to� strengthen� programmes� ofworkers’� training� and� re-skilling� in� new� andmultiple� trades,� both� nationally� and� interna-tionally,� to�meet� the� challenges� of� globalisedeconomy.� The� role� of� Skill� DevelopmentCouncils� (already� established)� shall� bestrengthened�in�this�context.�
Occupational Safety and Health: A�law�cov-ering� all� workplaces� will� be� enacted� and� aNational� Tripartite� Occupational� Safety� andHealth�Council�will�be�established�to�meet�theobjective� of� providing� adequate� safety� andensuring�compensation�to�workers.�
Labour Research: Measures�shall�be�taken�topromote� research� and� training� activities� onmost�modern�lines.�This�will�be�achieved�by�re-organising� the� existing� research� and� traininginstitutes.
Women workers: Maximum�and�above-mini-mum� wages� will� be� ensured� on� the� basis� ofequal� pay� for� equal� work� and� equal� pay� for
work� of� equal� value,� as� between� men� andwomen,�in�accordance�with�Pakistan’s�obliga-tions�under�ILO�Conventions�100�and�111�con-cerned� with� equality� and� non-discriminationrespectively.�
Health and Safety: A� Tripartite� Council� onHealth�and�Safety�be�set-up� to� identify�healthand�safety�hazards�for�workers�of�all�economicsectors�and�to�make�recommendations�for�safe-ty�measures�on�a�continuous�basis.�
Seasonal Workers: Government� will� takesteps�to�extend�social�protection�to�the�season-al� workers� who� are� generally� not� benefitingfrom�labour�welfare�laws.�
Regulation of Contract Work: The�rights�ofcontract� labour� will� be� protected� through� awritten� agreement,� laying� down� responsibili-ties�and�liabilities�of�employer�and�workers.�Asystem� of� licensing� for� contractors� will� beintroduced�to�cover�them�under�labour�laws.
Rights of Workers in the Event of
Privatisation: The� government� shall� takeappropriate� measures� to� protect� the� rights� ofworkers�in�the�event�of�privatisation�of�publicsector�units.�
Registration of Informal workers (HBWs):
Proper�mechanism�for�Registration�of�informalsector� workers� (Home-based)� should� devisedat�the�local�level�by�district�government.�
Baseline Survey Chik Makers of District Kasur
20
6.1 Challenges Faced by Home-basedWorkers
It�is�also�increasingly�evident�that�womenand�girls�in�poor�households�bear�a�dispropor-tionately�high�share�of�the�burden�of�poverty.Their� greater� deprivation� is� due� to� a� host� offactors,� including� restricted�mobility,� lack�ofeducation�and�training,�low�access�to�or�own-ership� of� resources� and� assets,� and� limitedaccess� to� credit� and� social� services.� As� aresult,�Pakistani�women�have� limited�partici-pation� in� decision-making� in� all� spheres� oflife� from� family� to� state.�This� is,�however,� avicious�circle�as�this�state�of�affairs�also�per-sists�because�women�have�no�say�in�decisionsaffecting� their� economic� and� social� status� insociety.�
The�home-based�workers� have� specialisedin�Chik Making only.�There�is�no�other�work�orskill�which�can�be�utilised�for�supporting�fam-ily�income.�There�is�no�factory�or�mill�nearbyresidence/village�where�men�or�women� couldwork.� However,� some� women� have� startedembroidery� work� and� some� men� are� sellingvegetable� and� doing� labour� work.� Followingare�the�production�challenges�and�hazards:�
6.1.1 Production Challengesn Lack�of�modern�tools�and�equipment.�n Dependency� on� middle� man� for� rawmaterial�and�sale�of�finished�products.n Lack�of�assess�to�mechanisms�and�micro-credit�schemes.n Seasonal�and�irregular�work.n Loadshedding�of�electricity.n High�cost�of�utility�items�and�electricity�use.Sometimes,�due�to�the�irregularity�of�work
and�extensive�power�failure,�work�suffers�a�lotand�women�report�harassment�form�the�middleman�or�contractor�for�completing�the�task�with-in� the� giving� time.� There� is� 100� percent
dependency�on�the�middle�man�for�getting�rawmaterial� and� sale� of� finished� products� whichresults�in�low�income.�Lack�of�accessibility�tonew�and�modern�equipments�and�inaccessibili-ty� to�micro-credit� schemes� further� aggravatestheir�production�problems.�Increase�in�the�util-ity�items’�cost�and�electricity�charges�is�a�con-stant�threat�to�their�livelihood.�
6.1.2 Marketing Challenges
There� is� a� great� change� in� the� demand� ofthe�products�they�make,�i.e.�chiks (cane�blind)both�regular�and�fancy/decorative.�Their�prod-ucts�were�sold� in�Quetta�and�exported� to� Iranfrom� there.� But� now� the� demand� has� gonedown.�This�has�happened�due�to�increase�in�theprice�of�raw�material�and�cost�of�transportation.The�trend�of�high�price�in�all�the�commoditieshas�also�affected�the�business.�
The�prices�of�raw�material�have�increasedfrom� 70� percent� to� 100� percent.� That� alsoincreases� the� price� of� their� product.� As� aresult,�the�demand�for�our�products�decreaseda�lot.�At�times,�they�have�to�sell�at�no-loss-no-profit� basis� or� store� it� for� the� time�when� theprices� of� products� go� high.�Women� have� towork�for�longer�time.�Due�to�increase�in�elec-tricity� charges,� oil� and� gas� prices,� and� fooditems� people’s� purchasing� power� has� comedown.�Following�are�the�main�issues�and�chal-lenges:�n Lack�of�access�to�information.n No�written�contracts.n Low�wages.n Long�hours�of�work.
6.1.3 Health Challenges
Health�of�women�is�in�a�very�bad�condition.They� go� the� city� of� Kasur� for� treatment� butnow,�due�to�increase�in�the�fare�and�treatmentcost,� they� cannot� afford� to� get� medical� aid.
Baseline Survey Chik Makers of District Kasur
21
CHPATER 6
CHALLENGES
They�either�go�to�traditional�healers�or�wait�forrecovery�by� itself.�The� fingers�of�women�andgirls� in� the�village�are�mostly� injured�and�de-shaped�due�to�the�work�they�do.�They�just�usemustard� oil,� a� low-priced� way� of� treatment.Following�are�the�major�issues�in�this�regard:�n Unhygienic� working� conditions,� use� ofharmful� chemicals� and� risky� equipments,being�used�by�the�workers.n Issues�of�sanitation.n Poor�diet.n Lack�of�health�facilities,�social�protection,social�security,�and�insurance.
6.2 Main Problems Faced by the Home-based Women
During� the� baseline� survey,� home-basedworkers�pointed�out�many�problems�that�prob-lems�are�being�faced�by�them�during�the�courseof�their�work.�Following�are�the�two�categoriesof�problems�being�faced�by�them�in�productionand�at�community�level.�
6.2.1 Production Problemsn High�cost�of�raw�material.n Decrease�in�demand�and�difficulty�in�get-ting�work/order.n Unhealthy�and�poor�working�conditions.n Bad�effects�on�health.n Long�working�hours.n Almost�all�family�members�are�involvedin�work.n Although�middle�men�are�a�major�sourceof� getting� work� yet� it� also� decreases� prof-itability.n The� women� are� untrained,� uneducatedand�unskilled.n There� is� no� other� option� of� business� orwork�opportunity�that�could�be�explored.
6.2.1 Community Concerns n Frequent�load�shedding.n Poor�and�costly�transportation.n Poor�roads�and�means�of�communication.n Lack�of�government�facilities�and�servic-es� in� the� areas� health,� education� and� otherinfrastructure.
n Unaware� of� government� and� NGOs’micro-financing�support�and�programs.n Lack�of�training�in�the�relevant�skill.n Ignorance�and� lack�of� interest�of�politi-cal� leaders,� local� government� representa-tives,� and� social� activists� in� the� develop-ment� of� the� village.� HomeNet� is� the� veryfirst�organization�who�contacted�to�acquiresocial� and� economic� problem� of� women/home-based� women� workers� of� RasoolNagar.
Unhealthy� and� poor� working� conditionsseems�to�be� the�most�pertinent� �problem�alongwith� longer� working� hours,� high� cost� of� rawmaterial,� and�decrease� in�demand�and�difficultto� get� work/order.� The� whole� family� unit� isinvolved� because� there� are� no� other� businessoptions.�The�middle�person�is�the�only�man�whogets� work� for� them� but� it� decreases� the� prof-itability.�
As� far� as� the� community� problems� areconcerned� due� to� the� rural� area� there� is� nofacility�of�roads,�communications,�transporta-tion,�health,�and�basic�infrastructure.�Frequentloadshedding� further� creates� problems� anddelays� work.� Linkages� with� the� governmentare�non-existent�and�none�of�the�community-based� organisations� or� NGOs� working� inKasur�have�ever�taken�this�group�into�account.�
6.3 Suggestions from Home-basedWorkers of Rasool Nagar
The� chik home-based� workers� want� toenhance� their� existing� socio-economic� statusby�getting�the�following�maximum�benefits:�n Regularity�of�work.n Increase�in�wages.n Decrease�in�the�cost�of�raw-material.n Decrease� in� load-shedding� duration� andproper�supply�of�electricity.n Information�and�access�to�market.n Training�in�various�processes�of�work�tomatch� the� demand� of� market/customers� inthe� areas� of� designing,� present� trends� andquality�of�products.n Access�to�easy�loans.
Baseline Survey Chik Makers of District Kasur
22
n Health�services�and� treatment� for� recov-ery�from�diseases�and�injury�(wound,�cut�andsore�etc)�as�a�consequence�of�nature�of�theirwork.
n Child�health�and�education�for�girls�withschools�in�their�vicinity.n Explore�possibility�to�establish�a�factory/work�unit�at�an�approachable�distance/placein�the�village�to�ensure�the�regular�supply�ofwork.n Bring� down� the� role� and� influence� ofmiddlemen.
6.4 Overall SuggestionsWomen� workers� are� actively� involved� in
income�generation�and�producing�export�quali-ty�goods,�residing�in�a�community�that�does�notprovide�adequate�facilities�to�them�with�respectof�heath�and�hygiene.�Their�role�in�the�commu-nity�is�very�encouraging�and�the�value�chain�ofproducing� export� quality�chiks and�producingbaan.� Despite� being� illiterate,� they� are� vocaland� active� in� the� community.�Until� now� theyhave�not�taken�any�loan�form�the�loaning�agen-cies.�None�of�the�government�departments�hasever�taken�any�initiatives�for�the�improvementof� their� living� conditions� and� increasing� theirlivelihoods.� Being� active,� diligent,� and� vocalthey�have�suggested�following�steps�that�needto�be�taken�for�the�community.�
HomeNet� Pakistan� believes� that� home-based�women�workers�need�to�be�recognised�aslabourers� instead� of� considered� as� a� poor,deserving,� and� insignificant� part� of� society.
They�must�be�considered�as�producers�and�arti-sans.�Their�productivity�has�to�be�increased�byimparting� skill� development� training,improved� technologies,�direct�access� to�creditschemes,� effective�marketing� opportunities� oftheir� products,� and� putting� them� under� sometrade/labour�policy�of� the�country.�The�home-based� workers� also� need� to� be� adequatelyreflected� in� national� statistics� and� recognisedas�workers� in� the� labour� laws� of� the� country,thus�making�them�eligible�for�social,�econom-ic,� and� legislative� protection.�They�want� sup-port� in� information,� knowledge,� capacity-building,� developing� contact,� presentingissues,�advocacy�skills,�designing�and�market-ing,� etc.� Here� organisational� strength� isrequired� while� making� efforts� to� strengthenhome-based� workers;� creating� linkages,� net-working,�capacity-building,�and�advocacy.�It�is
important�to�mention�here�that�no�governmentsupport� in� any�kind� is� available� to� the�home-based� workers.� They� are� not� associated� andintroduced� to� any� of� organisations� to� supporttheir� work.� HomeNet� Pakistan� is� the� firstorganisation�that�took�this�initiative�to�look�intotheir�personal�problems,�work�issues,�and�com-munity�needs.�
Baseline Survey Chik Makers of District Kasur
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Home-based� women� workers� need� to� berecognised� as� labourers� instead� of� poor,deserving� and� insignificant� part� of� society.They� must� be� considered� as� producers� andartisans.�Their�productivity�has�to�be�increasedby� imparting� skill� development� training,improved�technologies,�direct�access�to�creditschemes,�effective�marketing�opportunities�oftheir� products� and� putting� them� under� sometrade/labour� policy� of� the� country.� Home-based� workers� also� need� to� be� adequatelyreflected� in� national� statistics� and� recognisedas�workers�in�labour�laws�of�the�country,�thusmaking� them� eligible� for� social,� economic,and� legislative�protection.�They�want� supportin�information,�knowledge,�capacity�building,developing� contacts,� presenting� issues,� advo-cacy� skills,� designing� and� marketing,� etc.Here,�organisational�strength�is�required�whilemaking� efforts� to� strengthen� home-basedworkers;�creating�linkages,�networking,�capac-ity�building,�and�advocacy.�
Their� link� and� contact�with� the� followingorganisations�and�government�departments�arevital�steps�to�give�them�recognition�and�otheradvantages:n Punjab�Rural�Support�Programme.n National�Commission�for�Human�Rights.n Health�Department.n Education�Department�for�Adult�literacy.n Line� Departments� of� Government� ofPakistan.n NADRA� and� election� Commission� ofPakistan.�n Local�Philanthropy.�
It�is�evident�that�the�group�of�chik makerswho�are�all�home-based�need�to�be�organisedas� member-based� community� organisation.They� cannot� negotiate� or� bargain� withemployers,� donors,� civil� society,� or� public
administration� for� their� rights.� Formation� ofcommunity� group,� based� on� membershipwould� help� them� gaining� insight� into� thestrengthening�of�community�as�communal�andwould�further�facilitate� in�collective�bargain-ing� and� direct� access� to� market.� More� anddirect�attention�to�their�interest�need�to�be�pro-vided� by� development� organisations,� net-works,�and�government.�
Women�represent�a�large�part�of�the�infor-mal� economy.� Their� working� conditions� areoften�unacceptable.�Social�security�laws�applyonly� to� formal/organised�workers� covered�bylabour�laws.�Informal�workers�have�no�retire-ment� or� illness� benefits� and� are� exposed� tooccupational�risks�such�as�accidents�and�seri-ous�health�hazards.�Organizing�women�home-based�workers�scattered�and�living�in�all�areasof� the� country� into� small� groups� and� linkingthem� up� with� networks� would� enable� toempower� and� strengthen� HBWs� and� ensurecollective�representation.�
Baseline Survey Chik Makers of District Kasur
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CHPATER 7
OPPORTUNITIES FOR FURTHER STUDY
Hameeda Bibi Hameeda,� a� 45-year
old� widow,� is� a� home-based� worker� living� inRasool�Nagar,�Kasur.�Sheis�living�a�very�tough�lifeas�a�widow�and�earns�herliving� by� chik making.
She� gets� 50� rupees� after� working� for� thewhole�day.�She�has� four� family�members�—one�daughter�and�two�sons.�Her�children�arenot� getting� education.�Her�house� consists� ofonly� two� rooms.� These� rooms� are� used� forliving,� sleeping,� and� working.� Her� workingcondition�is�very�poor�and�she�gets�ill�due�toher�working�and�domestic�tensions.�She�doesnot� get� proper� treatment� due� to� lack� ofmoney.�
Hameeda� is� living� in� hard� times.� Sheinforms,� “After a hard work of six to seven
hours we get only 50 to 60 rupees. Unless our
children get free education and medicine and
we are given reasonable wages after the hard
work of 6 to 7 hours a day, we cannot have a
good and easy life and education for our chil-
dren to play a positive role in the country.”
Hameeda�further�says,�“I do not have reg-
ular work and do not get proper wages. This
is the reason our children are not able to get
education. They lead miserable life. Our
wages should be raised enough for our daily
household chores. Work should be given us
regularly and working place should be sepa-
rate”.
Jameela HassanJameela,� a� 35-year� old� woman� living� in
Rasool�Nagar,�says�she�has�never�been�satis-fied�with�her�life.�She�is�living�in�a�joint�fam-ily�system.�Her�total�family�members�are�14.She� earns� money� by� baan-making� and� chik
making.� She� says,� “I
always wanted to live a
peaceful and better life.
But this is just a dream
for me because I have
been married in a poor
family.” Jameela�said�shedid� not� want� to� live� inthat�condition.�She�further�states,�“I am work-
ing all day but at the end when I ask for the
little money my mother-in-low said you do
not need money, you just keep on doing your
work and get the cloth and two times meal”.She� adds,� “My husband’s behavior is very
cooperative but I have faced a lot of problems
from his other family members”.�She�got�mar-ried�three�year�ago�but�still�has�no�issue.�Shetells,�“When I asked for treatment regarding
reproduction, my mother- in-law said, “It’s
the wastage of time and money. You just stay
at home and do your work. We are not in a
position to spend the money for your treat-
ment”
Jameela�consults� a� lady�doctor�when�shevisits�her�parent’s�home�but�she�has�still�notbecome�pregnant.�She�says,�“When my moth-
er-in- law came to know from the other
source that I have got a treatment for the
baby, she� said� if she becomes pregnant her
baby will not belong to our r family, it will be
the production of medicine”.Jameela�is�not�satisfied�with�her�work�and
working� conditions� as� she� said,� “We are
working 7 to 8 hours daily but only getting
Rs100 daily and this is not enough even for
the basic needs. She�further�said,�“Wages are
so low and work is very tough”.
She�complained,�“Low income is the main
reason of family clashes. People just visit our
home and call us for meetings just to waste
our time but do nothing for us”.
Baseline Survey Chik Makers of District Kasur
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CHPATER 8
SILENT VOICES OF CHIK WORKERS
Parveen RafiqueParveen� Rafique� is� a
30-year�old�woman� livingin� Rasool� Nagar,� Kasur.She�has�studied�upto�classfive�and�belongs� to�Kasurcity� but� got� married� in� a
village.�She�was�very�young�at� that� time.�Sheearns� her� living� by� making� baan.� They� areown-account�workers.�The�whole�family�workstogether.�There�are�six�family�members.�Theysell�baan in�the�market�after�a�week�and�do�notget�a�reasonable�turn�out.
Parveen� is� very� depressed� due� to� herdomestic� conditions.� She� said, “Women are
always exploited by the family members and
society. We are living a life that is not worth-
living. She� is�very�worried� for�her�children’sfuture� because� there� is� no� girls� school� func-tioning�in�the�village�whereas�the�boy�schoolis� in� a� poor� condition.� She� said,� “We do not
earn enough money to get admission in pri-
vate school as we� are living from hand to
mouth.”
She�further�explained,�“We do not have the
facilities of dispensary in our village and prop-
er transport system”.
Ashraf BibiThe� 50-year� old
Ashraf� Bibi� is� a� Home-based� worker� living� inRasool� Nagar� Kasur.� Sheis�illiterate�and�works�as�adaily� wager� for� Baan-making.� She� has� 10� family� members.� Herhouse�consists�of�only�one�room�without�bath-room�and�kitchen.�She�has�a�very�small�corri-dor�where�she�works.�She�is�living�a�miserablelife.� She� said,� “My children also give me a
helping hand. We work for 6 to 7 hours a day.
After doing work for the whole with all family
members we earn Rs150/- per day. This is a
very small amount of money that 8 persons
earn after their day-long hectic work.�Ashraf� said,� “We are the most deprived
people because we are not given the basic
facilities. I am thankful to HomeNet Pakistan
that it raised awareness among us. As a Home-
based worker, I think the condition of educa-
tion, medicine, daily wages, working hours and
other advantages of workers will be
improved.”She�knows�that�the�middle�person�exploits
her�but�she�still�wants�to�continue�to�work�withhim.�She�has�no�other�option�of�earning.� It� isthe�only�source�of�her� income�to�support�her-self�and�her�family.
Though�she� is� satisfied�with�her�work�butshe� wants� to� improve� her� daily� wages� toimprove� her� working� condition.� She� said,� “I
am doing the work for the last 30 years, but got
nothing for it.”
Sardaran BibiSardaran�Bibi� is� a� 70-
year� old� home-basedworker� living� in� RasoolNagar.�She�is�living�a�verytough� life� and� earns� herliving� by� Baan-making.She� gets�Rs100� after� the�whole� day� of�work.Her�family�members�are�nine�in�number�—�fivedaughters� and� four� sons.�Her� husband� is� alsodoing�the�same�work�with�her.
Sardaran� is� living� a� miserable� life.� Shesaid,� “We need the basic facilities to fulfill
our wants. The government should provide us
with the basic facilities so that we may live a
better life. It is the only way to protect us and
overcome our problems. After a hard work of
8 to 9 hours we are not given our wages reg-
ularly and we are deprived of our basic
rights.
She� further� said,� “Now I am very old and
feel pain in each part of my body. I am not able
to do the work but then who will provide us
cloths and a two-time meal? I have become ill
due to overburden of work. After 70 years of
work, I have not saved a single penny to spend
on our health and no one took our responsibil-
ity at this age, my children are also living the
same life like me, if you people can do some-
thing for us you should do.”
Baseline Survey Chik Makers of District Kasur
26
Baseline Survey Chik Makers of District Kasur
27
Annexure
Annex 1
Survey Form
HomeNet Pakistan
Name:_________________________�Father/Husband’s�Name:�__________________________
Date�of�Birth/�Age:�_____________________________________________________________
Address:______________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
Village:�_____________________________�Town:�___________________________________
Tehsil:�_______________________________�District:�________________________________
Contact�No.:�________________�Mobile�No.:�____________________________
1.�Marital�Status�(Tick):
Married:�[��������]�Unmarried:�[��������]�Widow:�[��������]�Divorced:�[������]
2.�Number�of�children______________�Sons:�______________�Daughters:�________________�
3.�Do�they�go�to�school?�_________________________________________________________
How�far�it�is�from�home�:�________________________________________________________
4.�In�which�class?�_____________�Boys:____________Girls:___________________________
Age�of�girls:��_______________________Age�of�Boys:�_______________________
Number�of�married�children:�_________��No�of�Unmarried�Children:�____________
5.�What�is�the�nature�of�your�family?
Joint�Family�System������������[�����]����������������������������Unit�Family�System������������[�����]
Number�of�family�members:�_____________________________________________�
6.�What�is�your�qualification?�(Tick)
Illiterate:�[����]�Primary:�[����]�Middle:�[����]�Matric:�[�����]� FA:�[����]�Other:[�����]
Baseline Survey Chik Makers of District Kasur
28
7.�Did�you�get�any�vocational�training?___________________________________
Diploma:�___________�Certificate:�___________�Other:�__________________
8.�How�many�family�members�have�NICD_______________________________
Number�of�Women:�_______________�Number�Male:�______________________
9.�Family�member�registered�in�voter’s�list________________________________
Women:�_____________�____________Male:�____________________________
10.�Your�NICD�No:�________________�Voter�Register�No:�_______________
11.�Do�you�own�your�house�or�it�is�rented?�_____________________________
If�yes,�how�much�rent�you�pay?�______________________________________
12:�How�many�rooms�in�your�house?�____________________________________
Where�do�you�usually�work�in��your�home?�______________________________
13.�Do�you�have�wash�room�in�your�home?�_______________________________
Where�do�your�cook?�_______________________________________________
14.�Are�you�satisfied�with�your�working�place?�____________________________
15.�Do�you�want�to�improve�your�working�condition?�__________________
16.�Do�you�have�these�basic�domestic�things�at�your�home?
Electricity:�Yes�[�����]�No[�����]��Mobile:�Yes�[������]�No�[�������]�
Television�:�Yes�[���������]�No�[�������]�Iron:�Yes�[����������]�No�[����������]
Water�supply�from�Govt�supply:�Yes�[�����]�No�[����]�Hand�Pump:�Yes�[����]�No�[�����]�Electric
Motor:�Yes�[������]�No�[������]�Gas:�Yes�[�������]�No�[�������]�
Gas�Cylinder�Yes�[�������]�No�[�������]�Wood:�Yes�[�������]�No�[�������]
17.�What�do�your�work�for�your�earning?�______________________________
18.�Do�your�family�members�help�you�in�the�completion�of�your�work?
Yes�[�����]�No�[�����]�If�YES,�how�many�members�help�you?�_____________�how�old�are�the
working�children?�__________________________________
Baseline Survey Chik Makers of District Kasur
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19.�What�is�the�Nature�of�your�work?��___________________________________�
Own�Account:�Yes�[�������]�No�[�������]� Contract�Yes�[�������]�No�[�������]��
20.�What�are�your�working�hours�for�the�organization/group�at�home?
6�to�8�hours�[�����]�8�to�10�hours�[�����]�Or�more�than�it�[�����]
21.�Are�you�satisfied�with�your�work?�___________________________________
22.�Do�you�get�work�regularly�and�easily?�_______________________________
23.�Do�you�do�seasonal�work�or�same�work�all�the�year?�____________________
24.�Is�your�work�affected�by�the�political�situation�of�country?�_______________
25.�Does�anybody�provide�you�with�work�at�your�home�or�you�have�to�go�somewhere�in�search
of�some�work?�____________________________________
26.�Do�you�want�to�take�your�work�directly�from�shops�or�organizations�or�you�want�to�get�it
through�the�intermediaries?�________________________________
27.�Do�you�usually�bargain�with�middle�man�for�increasing�your�wages?
__________________________________________________________________
28.�What�is�your�total�income?�
Daily�income:�_______�Weekly�income:�_______�Annual�income:�____________
29.�What�is�the��mode�of�payment?�____________________________________
Daily�basis�:�_______�Weekly�basis�:�_______�Annually:�____________
30.�After�working�for�years,�is�there�any�difference�or�increase�in�your�income?
__________________________________________________________________
If�yes�How�much�before�______________�
And�how�much�now_____________________
31.�Are�you�satisfied�with�your�income?�_________________________________
32.�How�much�increase�you�want�in�your�income?�_______________________
33.�Do�you�want�to�change�the�work�to�increase�your�income?�______________
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34.�What�do��you�want�to��improve�your�work?�__________________________
35.�Does�your�husband�work?�_______________________________________
36.�Does�he�give�you�money�for�house�hold�expenses?�_____________________
37.�Do�you�save�little�part�of�your�income?�______________________________
If�yes�How�Much?�___________________________________________________
38.�What�issues�are�you�facing�regarding�your�work?�______________________
39.�What�problems�are�you�facing�at�your�home?�__________________________
40.�How�your�husband�behave�with�you?�_________________________________
41.�Do�you�face�any�aggression�from�your�husband?�________________________
42.�Are�you�registered�with�any�Organization?�Yes�[����]��������������No�[�����]
If�No,�are�you�interested�to�register�with�some�one?�_____________________
If�YES,�which�one�is�that:�__________________________________________
The�name�of�organization�and�address:�__________________________________
44.�Do�you�get�work�from�group/organization�also?�________________________
45.�Are�you�a�member�of�any�network�in�your�area?�________________________
46.�Did�your�organization�help�economically�for�your�work?�_________________
47.�Did�your�organization�provide�you�with�these�facilities?
Social�Security�[��������]������������Health�Card�����[��������]�������EOBI����������������[��������]
48.�Is�your�organization�registered�with�EOBI?�Yes�[������]�No�[�����]
If�YES,�how�many�workers�are�registered:�______�Females:�______�Males:�_____
49.�Is�your�organization�registered�with�Social�Security?���Yes�[�����]�����������No�[�����]
If�YES,�how�many�workers�are�registered:�______�Females:�______�Males:�_____
50.�Did�your�ever�took�insurance?������������Yes�[�����]�����������������No�[������]
51.�Did�you�ever�took�loan�for�your�work?�Tell�the�details�of�the�loan?
__________________________________________________________________
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52.�Where�you�get�the�information�of�loan?�_____________________________
Where�did�you�get�the�loan�from?�____________�Amount�___________________
Who�helped�you�in�getting�the�loan?�____________________________________
53.�How�much�did�you�returned�with�the�loan?�___________________________
54.�If�you�have�not�taken�any�loan,�do�you�like�to�apply�for�a�loan?
__________________________________________________________________
55.�How�do�you�think�the�loan�money�will�help�you?
__________________________________________________________________
56.�Do�you�know�the�detail�of�the�Govt�programs�for�the�deserving�people�to�help�them�
economically?�______________________________________________
57.�If�yes�where�you�get�this�information?�_____________________________
58.�Are�you�getting�any�facilitation�from�these�programs?�___________________
59.�If�no,�what�are�the�reasons?
_______________________________________________________________
60.�What�kind�of�programs�you�think�should�be�introduced?
__________________________________________________________________
61.�Do�you�have�following�facilities�at�your�village?
Hospital…�Yes�[����]����������No�[�����]�Dispensary…..�Yes�[����]���������No�[�����]�school….�Yes�[����]
No�[�����]�Electricity….�Yes�[����]��������������No�[�����]�Govt�Water�Supply�….�Yes�[����]�����No�[�����]
Gas….�Yes�[����]��������������No�[�����]
62.�Where�do�you�get�medicine�during�illness?�___________________________
63.�How�is�your�status�of�health�after�child�birth?_________________________
64.�Do�you�have�any�of�the�following�diseases?
Blood�Pressure:�Yes�[����]���No�[�����]�TB:�Yes�[����]������No�[�����]�
Eyes�infection:�Yes�[����]�������No�[�����]�Back�bone�pain:�Yes�[����]������No�[�����]�
Baseline Survey Chik Makers of District Kasur
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shoulder�pain:�Yes�[����]���������No�[�����]�Joint�pain:�Yes�[����]������No�[�������]
Tuberculosis�:��Yes�[����]��������No�[�����]�� Diabetes:�Yes�[����]��������No�[�����]
Arthritis:�Yes�[�]��������No�[�����]�Respiratory�problems:�Yes�[����]������No�[�������]
Others_________________________________________________________
65.�Is�your�health�affected�due�to�your�work?�_____________________________
66.�How�is�the�transport�system�in�your�area?�____________________________
67.�For�what�purpose�you�visit�the�main�city?�____________________________
68.�How�many�times�do�you�have�to�visit?�_______________________________
69.�In�order�to�increase�the�performance�in�your�present�work;�do�you�want�to�get�any
vocational�training�or�skill�training?�_______________________________
70.�Did�you�get�any�professional�training�before?�__________________________
71.�If�any�adult�literacy�center�and�vocational�training�center�are�established�in�your�area,�then
would�you�like�to�attend�or�stay�at�home�education�center?
__________________________________________________________________
72.�Do�you�want�that�with�these�centers,�child�care�centers�should�be�open?
__________________________________________________________________
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Baseline Survey Chik Makers of District Kasur
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Background‘Home-based�worker’� refers� to� the�general
category� of� workers,� within� the� informal� orunorganized�sector,�who�carry�out�remunerativework�within�their�homes�or�in�the�surroundinggrounds.�However,�the�term�‘home-based�work’encompasses� a� wide� diversity.� Home-basedworkers� do� piecework� for� an� employer,� whocan�be�a�subcontractor,�agent�or�a�middleman,or�they�can�be�self-employed�on�their�own�or�infamily� enterprises.�They� can�work� in� the� neweconomy�(assembling�micro-electronics)�or�theold�(weaving�carpets).�Home-based�workers�arenot� confined� to� the� developing� countries� onlybut�are�found�in�developed�countries�as�well.�Itis� estimated� that� there� are� over� 100� millionhome-based� workers� in� the� world� and� morethan� half� this� number� are� in� South�Asia� -� ofwhom�around�80%�are�women2.���
The�home-based�women�workers� living�inalmost�every�low-income�urban�locality�in�thecountry,� as�well� as� in� remote� rural� areas,� areamongst� the�most�exploited�group�of�workerstoday.� They� constitute� a� major� segment� oflabour�deployment�in�the�informal�sector�of�theeconomy.�Bulk�of�these�worker�producers�liveand� work� in� ‘on-the� margin’� survival� condi-tions�and�do�a�variety�of�jobs�for�industry�andtrade,� ranging� from� sewing� garments,� assem-bling�electronic�components� to�simple�jobs�ofsorting,� packaging� and� labelling� goods.�As� aworkforce,� home-based� workers� haveremained�largely�invisible3.
ILO� has� adopted� convention� No.177� forHome�Based�Workers�-�which�calls�upon�the
member� Countries� to� adopt,� implement� andperiodically�review�a�national�policy�on�homework� aimed� at� improving� the� situation� ofhome�workers,� in�consultation�with� the�mostrepresentative�organizations�of�employers�andworkers�and,�where�they�exist,�with�organiza-tions�concerned�with�home�workers�and�thoseof�employers�of�home�workers.��
Pakistan�has�neither�adopted�C-177�of�ILOnor� it� has� a� Policy� on�Home-Based�Workers(HBW).� Various� civil� society� organizations(supported�by�ILO�&�UNIFEM)�have� jointlycarried�out�consultations�and�drafted�a�Policyon� HBW� which� was� routed� through� theMinistry�of�Women�Development�and�is�lyingwith�the�Ministry�of�Labour�&�Manpower�forfinal�endorsement.�A�separate�set�of�activitieshave�been�developed�and�supported� to�advo-cate�for�the�approval�of�HBW�Policy�-�whichare�not�part�of�this�proposal.
Statistics in Developing WorldInformal�employment�is�generally�a�larg-
er�source�of�employment�for�women�than�formen� in� the� developing�world.�Other� than� inNorth� Africa� where� 43� per� cent� of� womenworkers�are� in� informal�employment,�60�percent�or�more�of�women�workers�in�the�devel-oping� world� are� in� informal� employment(outside�agriculture).� In�Asia,� the�proportionof�women�and�men�non-agricultural�workersin� informal� employment� is� roughly� equiva-lent4.
Working�at�home�has�always�been�the�real-ity� of� work� for� many� people� in� developing
Concept Note
Integrated Support to the Home-Based Workers
2 There� is�a� fine� line�difference�between�Home-Based�Workers�and�Domestic�Workers.�HBWs�work� in�“their�own”
homes�or�ground,�while�Domestic�Workers�work�in�“others”�houses.��They�have�completely�different�set�of�problems.��3 “Rights�of�Home-based�Workers”�by�Shalini�Sinha,�National�Human�Rights�Commission,�India;�2006.4 “Women�and�Men�in�the�Informal�Economy�-�A�Statistical�Picture”;�ILO;�2002.
Annex 2
countries.�However,�statistics�on�this�phenom-enon� remain� very� poor.� Recent� compilationsof� official� statistics� from� the� early� to� mid-1990s�on�home-based�work�from�14�develop-ing�countries�suggest�that�there�is�considerablevariation� in� the� incidence� of� home-basedwork.� � Perhaps� the�most� striking� fact� is� thatthe�share�of�women�in�home-based�work�wasover�75�per�cent�in�seven�of�the�countries,�over50�per� cent� in� another�one�country,� and�over30�per�cent�in�the�remaining�six�countries.�Inthe� three�countries� that�only�counted� (depen-dent)�home�workers,�the�share�of�women�wasabout�80�per�cent5.�
Homework� is� often� associated� with� lowpay,�especially�among�home�workers�engagedin� manual� work.� � Compounding� their� oftenlow�wages�is�the�fact�that�home�workers�haveto�pay�for�many�of�the�non-wage�costs�of�pro-duction:�notably,�the�overhead�costs�of�space,utilities,�and�equipment.��
Another� reason� for�concern� is� that�womenare�over-represented�among�home-based�work-ers,� especially� among� home�workers� engagedin� manual� work.� Available� evidence� fromaround�the�world�suggests� the�following�com-mon�patterns:�women�are�more�likely�than�mento�work�mainly�at�home;�women�are�more�like-ly�than�men�to�work�at�home�in�manual�activi-ties;�and�among�home�workers�women�are�farmore�likely�than�men�to�be�engaged�in�low-paidmanual�work.�The�available�evidence�also�sug-gests�that�women�home�workers�in�manual�jobsare� among� the� lowest� paid� workers� in� theworld.
Problem Analysis for Home-basedWorkers
The� term� “informal� economy”� refers� tovery�small-scale�units�producing�and�distribut-ing�goods�and� services.�These�units� are� com-posed� of� independent,� self-employed� produc-ers,� family� labour,� hired� workers� or� appren-tices6.
These�units:n operate�with�very�little�capital�or�none�at�all.n utilise�a�low�level�of�technology�and�skills.n operate�at�a�low�level�of�productivity.n generally� provide� very� low� and� irregularincome,�and�highly�unstable.n employment�for�those�who�work�in�them;
They� are� “informal”� in� the� sense� that� theyare�mostly:n unregistered� and� unrecorded� in� officialstatistics�and�thus�not�recognised,�supportedor�regulated�by�the�government.n have�little�or�no�access�to�organized�mar-kets,� credit� institutions,� formal� educationand�training�institutions,�or� to�many�publicservices�and�amenities.n are�compelled�to�operate�outside�the�legalframework� and� beyond� the� scale� of� socialprotection,�labour�legislation�and�protectivemeasures,� even� if� they� are� registered� andrespect�certain�aspects�of�the�law.
The� informal� economy� includes� alsoemployment� to� the� extent� that� workers� areundeclared�(by�both�informal�and�formal�enter-prises)� and�do�not� enjoy� social�benefits�man-dated�under�the�law.
The�workers� in� informal/home-based�sec-tors� are� mostly� confronted� by� the� followingmajor�problems:
a. Employment Deficit
Most� of� the� job-seeking� people� are� com-pelled� to�work� in� informal� economy� becauseformal�sector�does�create�significant�number�ofjobs�to�absorb�meet�the�market�demand.��
b. Rights Deficit
Informal� workers� are� not� covered� bylabour�legislation�primarily�because�the�labourcode�is�based�on�an�employer�employee�rela-tionship�whereas�in�case�of�informal�workers,there�is�usually�no�formal�contract�to�cover�the
Baseline Survey Chik Makers of District Kasur
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5 “Women�and�Men�in�the�Informal�Economy�-�A�Statistical�Picture”;�ILO;�2002��Page�486 “Handbook�on�the�Decent�Work�in�the�Informal�Economy�in�Cambodia”�by�Economic�Institute�of�Cambodia;�2006
liabilities�as�well� as�contractual�obligations� -rather� just� a� verbal� arrangement� exists.Informal� workers� face� poor� working� condi-tions�and� their� rights�are�not�protected.�Theydo� not� enjoy� legal� and� social� protection� andhave�no�voice�to�protect�their�interests.
c. Social Protection Deficit
Social�security�laws�apply�only�to�formal/organized� workers� covered� by� labour� law.Informal�workers�have�no�retirement�or�illnessbenefits�and�are�exposed�to�occupational�riskssuch�as�accidents�and�serious�health�hazards.Women�represent�a�large�part�of�the�informaleconomy.�Their�working�conditions�are�oftenunacceptable.
d. Representation Deficit
Informal� workers� and� entrepreneurs� areoften� not� organized,� not� represented� inforums,�and�have�little�or�no�voice.�Therefore,little�attention�is�given�to�their�interests.�Theycannot� negotiate� or� bargain� with� employers,donors,� civil� society�or�public� administrationfor�their�rights.
e. Growth Deficit
Informal/home-based�workers�have�usual-ly� zero� growth� in� their� productive� activitiesprimarily� because� of� their� lack� of� access� to“Skills�enhancement”�and�competitive�growthopportunities.��They�mostly�work�in�monotonywithout� diversifying� their� skills� in� line� withchanging�market�traditions.
f. Lack of Access to Financial Resources
Due�to�their�invisibility�and�lack�of�organi-zation,�informal/home-based�workers�have�rareoutreach� to� the�Financial�Resources� -�particu-larly� those� products� which� are� specificallydesigned�for�such�target�groups.��In�most�of�thecases,� they� are� unaware� of� such�opportunities� while� where� they� are� informedthey� lack� access� and� eligibility� for� suchresources.
g. Home-based Workers are Generally
Poorly Paid
It� is� almost� universally� true� that� in� alleconomies�the�earnings�of�home�based�workersare� lower� than� other� workers,� and� often� lessthan� the� minimum� wage� -� primarily� becausethey�don’t�have�sufficient�bargaining�power�andin� spite� of� the� fact� that� they� relieve� theiremployer�from�various�liabilities�that�he�had�tobear�in�setting�up�a�workplace.7
h. Home-based Workers May Appear to Be
Independent but in Most Cases - They Are Not
On� the� surface,�home-based�workers�mayseem� to� have� substantial� latitude� in� terms� ofthe� hours� they� work,� the�materials� they� use,and�when�and�how�they�want�to�work.�But�inreality,� their� supply� and� marketing� relation-ships� are�most� often� simply� a� disguised� andunregulated�form�of�employer-employee�rela-tionship,�camouflaged� through�an�often�com-plex�arrangement�of�agents,� traders,�and�sub-contractors.��Their�stress�level�is�usually�high-er�than�the�workplace-workers.
i. Home-based Workers Have Special
Housing Requirements
As�the�name�implies,�home-based�workerswork� at� home.� But� because� the�majority� arepoor,�in�both�developed�and�developing�coun-tries,� work� and� family� life� must� co-exist� invery�cramped�quarters.��In�addition�to�lack�ofspace,� many� of� these� homes� lack� adequatelight�and�other�facilities.�In�addition,�in�manysituations�they�are�vulnerable�to�fire,�theft�andboth�natural� and� civil� disturbances.�As�manyof� the� workers� also� have� no� title� to� theirhomes,�they�may�also�find�themselves�literal-ly�“out�on�the�street”�at�the�whim�of�husbands,in-laws,�landlords�or�local�governments.
Promoting Decent Work forInformal/Home-based Workers
To�promote�decent�work�opportunities�forthe�informal/home-based�workers,�the�follow-
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7 Out�of�the�Shadows:�Home-based�Workers�Organize�for�International�Recognition;�SEED;�1996
ing�set�of�activities�are�proposed�to�be�imple-mented�-�contextualized�in�specific�scenarios�-in� consultation�with� the� labour-market� stake-holders,� i.e.,� the� Government,� Employers,Workers�and�Civil�Society:
1. Selection�made�of�target�group�based�ongroup�homogeneity,�vulnerability/disadvan-taged,� women-focused� and� other� specialneeds.2. Awareness� raising� for� target� beneficiar-ies� and� employers/contractors� on� legalrights� and�options� available� under� nationaland�international�laws�for�the�selected�targetgroup.3. Awareness� raising� on� “OccupationalSafety�&�Health”�for� improving�workplaceenvironment�and�adhering�to�minimum�agefor�work�for�the�selected�target�group.4. Link� target� group� with� local� TradeUnions� for� training�on�organization�&�col-lective� bargaining� without� compromisingindividual�productivity.5. Advocate�with�employers/contractors�forprovision�of�minimum�wages�for�HBW6. Link� selected� target� group� with� localskill� providers� (public� and� private� sectors)for�better�productivity�and�skills�diversifica-tion.7. Organise/facilitate� business� diversifica-tion�training�for�selected�target�group�in�linewith�market�demand�and�linkages�with�sup-port�mechanisms� to� improve� their�businessactivities.8. Link� HBW/selected� target� group� withMicrofinance�providers.9. Improve� HBW’s� representation� throughestablishing/strengthening� their� Member-Based�Organizations.�10.Promote/advocate� for/establish� SocialProtection� to� workers� and� their� familiesthrough�innovative�mechanisms�in�collabo-ration� with� Ministry� of� Labour� andManpower/constituents.
Upon� successful� implementation� of� thispilot�phase,�the�model�will�be�presented�to�theGovernment�as�well�as�to�the�other�stakehold-
ers� for� its� replication� to� larger� groups� ofHBWs�in�a�sustained�manner.
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