ISLAMABAD: The Free and Fair Election Network (Fafen), which is a coalition of NGOs for observing elections, launched a Women Workers` Alliance (WWA) on Wednesday.

As many as 25 women working in various sectors became part of the alliance.

`I belong to the rural area of Talagang and started working almost 21 years ago. Not many people know of the problems a girl who comes from such a background faces. I have to be home by 5pm and even today, I came here with my niece because I cannot travel alone, said Khalida Parveen, an officer of the Zarai Taragiati Bank.

`I faced many problems as a working woman and I believe those issues can beaddressed if working women take a collective stance. The problems women face include the lack of day care centres in offices, which will be provided if all the women in an office make a demand for it,` she said.

`Forums such as the WWA can play a vital role in addressing the issues of working women,` she said.

Advocate Fauzia Azhar, who works at in the Islamabad District Court also joined the alliance and talking to Dawn, she said the life of working women is hard and measures should be taken for facilitating them.

`Women face harassment at work places which starts from the interview for a job when they are asked if they will manage night shifts and other such questions which men are not asked,` she said.

`People think women cannot work properly and try to discourage them. Various forums such as the WWA should raise awareness among working women and raise a voice for their rights,` she said, adding that similar forums have started by making large claims but stop functioning after some time.

`Regular meetings should be held andcoordinators should keep in touch with all members so they continue giving their input, she said. Representative of the Embassy of the Netherlands Saadat Ali said members of the alliance should negotiate issues on a collective basis.

`A large number of factory owners think they will face financial losses if they follow safety rules and give labour facilities and implement laws regarding salaries. The fact is, owners benefit in the long run if they implement rules,` he said.

He said there has been an increase in trade and businesses are growing at an international level which is why there is now a bigger need for uniting labour, especially women workers and raise awareness about their rights.

Project Manager Rukhsana Shama said meetings of the forum will be held each month during which a variety of issues will be addressed and Fafen representative Rasheed Chaudhry said women will help find solutions to one another`s problems during meetings.

`However, we will discuss collective issues and not individual problems,` he said.