SCSW urges immediate implementation of Sindh Home-Based Workers Act 2018

KARACHI, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 21st Apr, 2026) Sindh Commission on Status of Women (SCSW) Chairperson Advocate Rubina has called for the urgent and effective implementation of the Sindh Home-Based Workers Act 2018, expressing concern over continued delays since its enactment.

Speaking at a one-day provincial policy dialogue held in Karachi, she noted that despite being passed in 2018, the law has yet to achieve meaningful implementation across the province.

The event, organized by HomeNet Pakistan, brought together parliamentarians, government officials, labour rights groups, union representatives, and women home-based workers to assess progress and challenges.

Rubina emphasized the need for stronger institutional accountability and proactive government measures to ensure that women home-based workers are fully included in policy implementation processes.

Executive Director of HomeNet Pakistan, Ume Laila Azhar, underscored the importance of enforcing the law in line with international frameworks such as the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) and business and Human Rights framework (BHR). She stated that while legislative progress has been made, the key challenge remains translating the law into tangible benefits for workers through coordinated and well-resourced efforts.

Secretary of the Labour and Human Resources Department, Sajid Jamal Abro, welcomed the initiative and assured participants that the concerns raised would be taken forward under the department’s leadership.

Labour department representative Reejumal Sajnani highlighted that a governing body for the Act has been established, but its operations were hindered due to budgetary constraints. He reaffirmed the government’s willingness to collaborate with stakeholders to accelerate worker registration and implementation efforts.

From the Sindh Employees' Social Security Institution (SESSI), Waseem Jamal stressed the need for improved coordination among departments, noting that around 800,000 workers are registered with the institution, of whom 600,000 are active contributors.

Union representative Sadaf Parveen shared that while the Act has helped bring visibility to home-based workers, significant challenges remain in areas such as registration, social protection, and fair working conditions.

Meanwhile, Abbas Haider and Ume Laila Azhar highlighted the relevance of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs), particularly in addressing the rights of informal and supply chain workers.

Members of the Sindh Assembly and the Women Parliamentary Caucus also participated in the dialogue, discussing policy implementation, budget allocations, and oversight mechanisms.

The session concluded with a consensus on the need for stronger inter-departmental coordination, improved data systems, adequate resource allocation, and enhanced legislative oversight to ensure effective enforcement of the Sindh Home-Based Workers Act 2018.