baseline survey of chik makers in district kasur 2010 · 2020-07-14 · home-based workers (hbws)...

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Baseline Survey of Chik Makers in District Kasur 2010

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Page 1: Baseline Survey of Chik Makers in District Kasur 2010 · 2020-07-14 · home-based workers (HBWs) across Pakistan. HomeNet Pakistan envisions a society in which home-based workers

Baseline Survey of Chik Makers in District Kasur

2010

Page 2: Baseline Survey of Chik Makers in District Kasur 2010 · 2020-07-14 · home-based workers (HBWs) across Pakistan. HomeNet Pakistan envisions a society in which home-based workers

The�document�is�an�output�of�a�Project�

“Integrated Support to the Home-Based Workers” funded�by�ILO.

Page 3: Baseline Survey of Chik Makers in District Kasur 2010 · 2020-07-14 · home-based workers (HBWs) across Pakistan. HomeNet Pakistan envisions a society in which home-based workers

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

9

CHPATER 2

RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS STRATEGY

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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

10

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

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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

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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-

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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19

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

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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.�

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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.

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CHPATER 6

CHALLENGES

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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.

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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.�

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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.�

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CHPATER 7

OPPORTUNITIES FOR FURTHER STUDY

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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”.

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CHPATER 8

SILENT VOICES OF CHIK WORKERS

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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.”

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Baseline Survey Chik Makers of District Kasur

27

Annexure

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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:[�����]

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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?�__________________________________

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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�[�����]�

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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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34

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

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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

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35

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

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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

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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.

Baseline Survey Chik Makers of District Kasur

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