The Journey from “Factories in Homes” to Legal Recognition and Rights for Home-Based Workers in Pakistan

This brief discusses the struggle of home-based workers in Pakistan to realize the rights enshrined in the Sindh Home-Based Workers Act of 2018 – the first piece of legislation in South Asia solely for home-based workers. 

Key Points:

• Home-based workers in Pakistan organized for nearly two decades for legislation: the Sindh Home-Based Workers Act, 2018.
• Research began by identifying thousands of workers as home-based workers and years were spent organizing around the common issues they face. In 2009, a national-level union – the Home-Based Women Workers Federation (HBWWF) – was formed.
• A strengthened HBWWF, with support from its allies, used many strategies to advocate for legislation including organizing protests, meeting with government officials and politicians, and building solidarity.
• With legislation now in place, home-based workers in Sindh continue to advocate for its enforcement.