LAHORE: The Punjab government has notified the Home Based Workers (HBWs) policy to recognise and acceptthe rights ofthese workers through legislative and administrative actions.

The main objectives are to accord legal equality, focus on their needs, concerns and demands through an institutional approach at alllevels.

The policy, notified by the Labour and Human Resource Department following approval by the Punjab cabinet, intends to develop strategies, plans and programmes for the protection and promotion of rights and benefits of home based workers.

The HBW is a newly identified form of workers, who are very productive in the process of manufacturing with their participation in the market under different indigenous arrangement. Traditionally, this sector was not enjoying any kind of social protection due to their informal existence in society.

The existing labour laws, though, enacted in the light of fundamental rights protected under the Constitution of Pakistan and International Labour Standards(ILS), yet by virtue of their application, most of the informal workforce engaged in home based work is deprived of rights guaranteed under the said legislations, says the policy.

The policy states that `piecerate work` is carried out at home or the place of choice of the worker and the employer always remains invisible. This work is done in ruralandurban areas ofthe province as well. Although men and women are part of this labour force, it is believed that a majority of home based work is carried out by women and they have been labeled as home based workers.

Through this policy, the Punjab government will recognise that HBWs are a special category that includes a person who works within the home boundaries, or in any other premises of his/her choice, but excluding the premises of the employer`s or contractor`s worl(place; a person who works at home for remuneration or monetary returns; and a person who does work on piece-rate basis, or contract work, which results in a product or services as specified by the employer irrespective of who provide the material, equipment or other inputs.

OBJECTIVES: The policy requires the government to recog-nise and accept HBWs as workers in their own right through legislative and administrative actions; accord legal equality to home based workers in status and rights in relation to other wage earners, workers or labourers performing the similar work; focus on the needs, concerns, and demands of HBWs through an institutional approach at alllevels.

The government will be required to determine minimum wages/remunerations of HBWs to ajustand decentlevelconsidering the inflationary trends in the country; make the work of HBWs economically viable by creating, facilitating and regulating the marketing opportunities of their products; ensure the application of all rights and entitlements on HBWs available to other wage earners performing similar work, including social protection coverage, as well as safe and fair conditions of work for them.

It will also be supposed to provide HBWs visibility and opportunity for an organised voice to articulate their concerns and demands through registration and certification as Collective Bargaining Agent (C-98-Right to organise and Collective Bargaining Convention, 1949).

The Punjab government willalso work in collaboration with the local governments to implement the aims and objectives of the policy in a participatory and transparent manner. It will also work in close collaboration with all stakeholders, including representatives of the HBWs, non-government and community based organisations, the trade unions, local and national networks of NGOs in pursuance of the objectives of this policy. It will also bring the laws and regulations related to HBWs in conformity with the internationallabour standards.

PLAN OF ACTION: The Punjab government plans to implement its plan of action for HBWs in three phases short term (1-3 years), medium term (3-5 years) and long term (5-7 years) plans.

In short-term, the government plans range from registration and recognition of home based workers to determination of minimum wages, health and occupational safety standards and provision of right to freedom of association.

In the mid-term plan, the government plans to offer skill development training through Tevta and vocational training institutions for establishing their own businesses; registration with the social security institutions andcontract and proper documentation of relationship between employer and HBW.

In the long term, the government will offer HBWs micro credit and advisory services, access to markets and pilot projects for HBWs like provision of tools, equipment, machinery etc.

COMMITTEE: In order to carry out the required overseeing and monitoring of the functions of various stakeholders, the Punjab government will set up a `Policy Steering and Coordination Committee`.

`The PSCC shall work under the supervision of committee constituted for the implementation of the Punjab Labour Policy 2015. The policy states that the implementing agencies for this policy shall work under the mandate of the Punjab government in close collaboration with the local governments guided by the provincial plan of action. The provincial plan may also suggest or establish inter-sectoral and interministerial steering group, including representation from the civil society organisations, workers and employer`s organisations at the national and provincial levels to oversee the implementation of this policy,` according to the plan.