THE BEHAVIOUR OF DOMESTIC WORKERS /HOUSE HELP IN PAKISTAN

 

        In Pakistan, numerous acts and bills have been passed to protect domestic workers. Notable among these are the Punjab Domestic Workers Act 2019 and the pending Domestic Worker Bill 2021 in the National Assembly. These laws aim to regulate employment, working hours, wages, leaves, and other benefits for domestic workers.

    According to the International Labor Organization (ILO), there are about 8.5 million domestic workers in Pakistan, with the majority being women and young girls. However, due to the unregistered nature of this work and the lack of written contracts, the actual number may be higher.

            The Unseen Backbone of Households

Domestic workers, predominantly women, play a crucial role in many households by performing tasks such as cleaning, washing clothes, dishes, and looking after children or the elderly. Despite their importance, this is often the only job sector where no written contracts are signed, and wages and duties are agreed upon verbally. Middle and upper-class working women, in particular, rely heavily on these workers, while the elite class has different dynamics.

In some areas, employment organizations provide domestic workers and maintain records, but more often, these women find jobs through relatives, neighbors, or friends. Wages and working conditions vary significantly based on the area, nature of the work, and the employer's status.

            Acts of Kindness and Their Reception

Many employers treat their domestic workers generously, offering leaves when requested, sharing meals, and supporting them during significant life events such as weddings , Eid. Sickness or any other casualty in their homes.  However, there are persistent issues regarding the attitude and behavior of some domestic workers.

                Challenges Faced by Employers

1.  1              Punctuality: Domestic workers often do not adhere to agreed-upon working hours they rarely come on time & for working middle class women it becomes very difficult to go on their jobs in time.

                                     Woman Waiting For House Help

2.            Incomplete Tasks: They frequently leave tasks unfinished, promising to complete them later.

3.            Unannounced Absences: Many workers remain absent  without prior notice, causing inconvenience ,this is always the reason of losing temperament  of working ladies who when come back see that as house help without informing didn’t come and she is double burdened which ends in spoiling the rest of whole house as in our society the Males are forbidden to help.

4.            Supervision: They dislike being supervised and prefer to work independently.

5.            Misuse of Resources: Workers often do not use household resources carefully since they do not own them.

6.            Food Refusal: In middle-class homes, where food is valued and preserved, domestic workers may refuse to eat what's offered to them.

7.            Lack of Confidentiality: Domestic workers sometimes share private details about their employers with others.

8.            Job Hopping: If warned about salary deductions for absences, they may leave the job abruptly without notice.

9.            Theft: Instances of theft, including gold, groceries, money, and clothes, have been reported.

Gold Stolen By House Help 

1.    Selling Gifts: Used expensive dresses given to them are often sold in local shops.

1    Badmouthing Previous Employers: When changing jobs, they may speak ill of their previous employers to gain sympathy.

1.            Zakat Collection: Before Ramadan, some young women and girls collect Zakat in posh areas but refuse to work, selling the given ration instead.

                    Call to Action

To address these issues, it is essential to implement the following measures:

The young girls Begging at Traffic Signals  

1.    Registration: Domestic workers must be registered in every area & nearby Police Station as in case of robbery if police is asked to support they plainly refuse. As these girls & Young Women are begging at roads Government should register them & motivate them to work as house Maids in this way both issues (Employers & Employees) will be addressed  

2.    Contracts and Guarantees: Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) should be signed before hiring, with guarantors and witnesses present.

3.    Notification of Quitting: Workers should be required to inform employers before quitting, and legally mandated leave should be calculated and granted.

4.    Community Unity: Neighbors should communicate and confirm reasons when a domestic worker leaves one house and joins another nearby.

5.    Colony Unions: A union within the colony can help enforce rules and punish those found guilty of misconduct.

By taking these steps, we can create a more structured and respectful environment for domestic workers, ensuring fair treatment and accountability on both sides as always the Employer is not guilty .

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