A large number of home-based workers (HBWs) demanded that they be recognised and included in the provincial workforce on the occasion of ‘Home-based Workers Day’ which was observed in Lyari Town on Saturday. The event was organised by HomeNet-Pakistan in collaboration with the Sindh Women Development Department (WDD). It was attended by a large number of home-based workers from different parts of Karachi. It is worth mentioning that ‘Home-based Workers Day’ is celebrated every year on October 20 in South Asia and across the globe, in solidarity with home based workers so they are recognised as workers and counted under Labour Force Survey. The adoption of C177 and Kathmandu Declaration in 1996 and 2000 respectively, marks the importance of home based workers’ contribution in economy. WDD Minister Shahla Raza acknowledged the untiring struggle of home-based workers and appreciated their efforts. She said that following the passage of a law in Sindh regarding the rights of home-based workers (HBWs), she was optimistic that HBWs’ issues would be resolved. “The WDD would support HBWs and play an effective role in this connection,” she assured the gathering. She emphasized that the registration of HBWs was extremely important and vowed that the Sindh government would extend all possible support to facilitate the process. Urging the female workforce to form associations, the WDD minister said that unionisation was very important for them. Labour Department Deputy Director NaginaJunejo presented the significant clauses of Sindh Home Based Workers Act 2018 and explained the facilities and benefits granted to HBWs under the Act. These included social security benefits, health cards, EOBI, workers welfare fund and other relevant provisions. Sabia Shah of Women Development Foundation (WDF)paid a tribute to the women of Lyari and said that they had been suffering since decades due to the law and order situation. “Despite all this, these women are very talented in all fields be it sports or martial arts, skill development or any other field they have been trained in,” she added. Bindiya Rana of Gender Interactive Alliance (GIA) praised female home based workers and said that women were capable of performing any task and entering into every field. She said transgender individuals were also citizens of Pakistan and they deserved the importance and dignity the society awarded to any common citizen. Admonishing people for misbehaving with trans people, Bindiya said that there was a need to put an end to discrimination against trans people. Dr.AsadUmer of Hamdard University (HU) explained to women that how occupational safety and health issues were important for them and their work directly impacted their health if precautionary steps were not taken during work. He emphasised that women home based workers should be aware of health hazards in consequence of their hours-long tedious work. Naheed Syed of Home Net Pakistan stressed on the importance of contribution of home based workers in economic development of country. She said that creating a database of HBWs was very important. “Labour Department should develop a comprehensive data system at provincial level,” she demanded. HomeNet Pakistan and other members demanded immediate implementation of plan of action for the protection of home based workers across province. They also demanded that the government chalk out and initiate social protection mechanism for HBWs, allocate budget for the data collection, registration of the HBWs and secure their enrolment in skill training institute. Moreover, they demanded the inclusion of HBWs in the provincial workforce and asked for right to form associations so they could collectively raise their issues. Published in Daily Times, October 21st 2018.