The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has released a report that brings attention to the struggles and issues confronted by daily wage workers in Pakistan. According to the report, a significant portion of the labor force in the country lacks awareness of their rights as employees, a knowledge gap that many employers take advantage of to exploit workers. The 38-page report, titled 'Seeking Redressal Access to Justice for Vulnerable Workers,' focuses on the story of Zafar, a former generator operator who faced unjust dismissal and has been grappling with challenges in seeking legal recourse.
The HRCP's report, based on a survey conducted among workers in Multan, Lahore, and Peshawar, underscores systemic challenges that hinder vulnerable workers from seeking justice. The absence of a dedicated cadre within the judiciary to address labor-related disputes, coupled with judges' limited expertise in adjudicating such matters, and the ineffectiveness of labor unions contribute to a sense of disillusionment among workers about their ability to access justice. Furthermore, the report highlights the scarcity of labor inspections, the weak authority of labor inspectors to penalize violators of labor laws, and the loose interpretations of minimum wage regulations that are often exploited by employers, emphasizing the urgent need for reforms to safeguard the rights of vulnerable workers.
Moreover, the report points out that many workers, even in formal sectors, lack formal contracts, depriving them of essential benefits guaranteed by labor laws like social security. Additionally, workers across different provinces in Pakistan, notably Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, exhibit limited awareness of their rights, pertinent labor laws, and legal wage standards, accentuating the need for improved education on complaints and redressal mechanisms. The challenges faced by workers further extend to the legal realm, where inadequate legal support and representation impede their ability to navigate the complexities of litigation effectively, leading to discouragement and a sense of being overwhelmed by the legal processes. To address these issues, the report suggests the reinforcement of district legal empowerment committees and the newly established Legal Aid and Justice Authority to offer support and legal assistance to workers in need.