Provincial offices of “ombudsperson” are urgently needed in the country to address complaints of sexual harassment by women at workplaces, said speakers at a seminar organised by an NGO Aasha on Monday.
“Concerted efforts are required for the strict implementation of the Protection Against Harassment of Women at Workplace Act 2010,” they said.
The speakers included former chairperson of the National Commission on Status of Women Justice (retd) Majida Rizvi, vice chairman of the Federation of Chamber of Trade and Commerce Dawood Chohara, Sheema Kirmani, member of National Implementation Committee of Workplace Harassment Act 2010 Jamil Yousuf, Karamat Ali of the Pakistan Institute of Labour Education and Research, trade unionist Qamar ul Hasan and Aqsa of Aasha.
They regretted the reluctance of many organisations and departments to constitute the mandatory “inquiry committees” to ascertain facts about complaints by female workers.
They said that the precedence of the “Federal Ombudsperson’s Office”, set by
Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, needs to be followed in all provinces for the cause of women’s integrity and protection of their right to work.
One of the speakers also highlighted relevance of the law for the revival of trade unionism on strong and healthy grounds in the country with active involvement of women and men workers for their joint rights.
Justice (retd) Majida Rizvi said the law for protection of women against harassment at workplace was formulated after much difficulty and resistance.
“Its implementation is again a gigantic task, however, women must realise their rights and gain strength through networking for the cause of their protection,” she added.
She reiterated that women needed to forge unity in their ranks.
Qamar ul Hasan said that trade unions and their members need training to implement the Protection Against Harassment of Women at Workplace Act 2010.
“Trade union leadership is needed to be activated, sensitised and trained,” he added.
He also referred to efforts under w ay to ensure that women must have their representation in the unions, in office-bearers capacity, in accordance to their number in the workforce of the factory or concerned organisations.
Dawood Chohara said the capability and commitment of Pakistani women towards their professional responsibilities is commendable.
“We have to create confidence among women workforce and those related to them that their safety and security would be ensured not only at their places of work but also to and from their homes and offices or factories,” he added.
He also urged Aasha to organise awareness sessions about the law at garment and pharmaceutical factories as well as in banks with sizable number of female workers.
Karamat Ali highlighted plight of women working in the agriculture sector and home-based workers as well as domestic aides.