WWA Seeks Support from Labor Department in Restoring Jamila’s Job
Jamila Bibi has been working in a food factory for 18 years in Hattar Industrial Estate Haripur with no facilities at her workplace. She lost her husband while also facing termination from the job.
Ms. Jamila and her other colleagues were not aware of their rights and entitlements because their employer did not tell them about their rights as workers in the industry. She described the conditions of women, saying “We had very miserable life at our workplace. Majority of women are on low paid positions with no social and financial security throughout their employment period. Being a woman, we are not provided special entitlements like separate washrooms, day care centers, and maternity leaves etc. Furthermore, us females also face harassment from our fellow male workers.”
Jamila becomes member of women workers’ alliance and attends training to learn about her rights and entitlements
Ms. Shaista, General Secretary of Women Workers’ Alliance (WWA), who is a neighbor of Jamila Bibi, took up her issue at WWA’s meeting where they decided to help Jamila Bibi by raising the issue with the Labor Department. Ms. Shaista along with her other three WWA members, set up a meeting with the Deputy Director Labor and requested him to intervene in this matter.
As per the request, Deputy Director of the Labor Department, took up the issue with the administration of the food factory where Jamila Bibi was working. After two follow-up meetings and telephonic communication, Jamila Bibi was restored to her previous position. Later, Jamila Bibi joined WWA as a regular member and is keen on helping other women in need of help.
Organized efforts resulted in positive outcomes. Formation of Women Workers’ Alliance (WWA) is one major step towards advocacy for rights and entitlements of women workers in district Haripur’s industrial, private and public sectors. Many individual and collective problems of working women exist that need addressing. Jamila, being hopeful, states “With commitment and continuous efforts of WWA, we will be able to help women get their due rights and entitlements at workplaces.”
