The Home-Based Women Worker's Federation (HBWWF) is a
trade union federation of home-based female workers in
Pakistan. It is the first-ever all-women-run trade union for
informal workers in the country.
The Federations focus is on addressing class struggles and the economic exploitation of workers.
In December 2009, HBWWF was officially registered with the National Industrial Relations Commission (NIRC) following the registration of three unions in the embroidery and glass
bangle
Bangles are traditionally rigid bracelets which are usually made of metal, wood, glass or plastic. These ornament are worn mostly by women in the Indian subcontinent, Southeastern Asia, Arabian Peninsula, and Africa. It is common to see a bride ...
industries. Federation members are involved in various sectors, including
textile and garment manufacturing,
shoemaking
Shoemaking is the process of making footwear.
Originally, shoes were made one at a time by hand, often by groups of shoemakers, or cobblers (also known as '' cordwainers''). In the 18th century, dozens or even hundreds of masters, journeymen ...
, toy and sports goods production, glass bangle making, traditional embroidery,
zardozi, stitching, cropping, jewellery making, ralli work, hanger making, auto parts manufacturing, and
agriculture.
HBWWF is working on four levels:
* Awareness raising on the issues
* Unionisation/organisation
* Legislation for home-based women workers
* Skill and capacity building training
History
In 2005, study circles were established in various places including
Karachi,
Hyderabad,
Hub, and
Quetta to address the challenges faced by informal female workers. In 2006, cooperatives were established in Karachi for garment, textile, and embroidery workers, and in Hyderabad for glass bangle workers. By September 2009, unions had been established in the traditional embroidery sectors. By November 2009, workers, particularly in the glass bangle industry, began organizing more effectively. On 30 December 2009, the Home-Based Women Workers Federation was established, with
Zehra Akbar Kahn becoming its inaugural secretary-general. By 2016, the Federation registered its fourth union of home-based women workers garment and textile workers with the Labour Department in Karachi.
In May 2018, a significant milestone for labor rights was achieved with the enactment of the Home-Based Workers Act in Sindh. This act officially recognized home-based workers as part of the province's labor force, enabling the imposition of responsibilities on contractors and providing protections for those involved in home-based industries. Sindh became therefore the first region in
South Asia to implement legal protections for home-based workers.
Organisation & affiliates
The federation organises meetings for awareness and also trainings in skills like
Henna
Henna is a dye prepared from the plant ''Lawsonia inermis'', also known as the henna tree, the mignonette tree, and the Egyptian privet, the sole species of the genus ''Lawsonia''.
''Henna'' can also refer to the temporary body art resulting fr ...
art, embroidery etc. Study circles often involve discussions on social and economic issues as well as laws for citizens. The Federation also working for the access of home-based women workers with the old age benefits and worker welfare programs.
HBWWF itself if affiliated with many organizations at the local and international levels. Internationally, it is affiliated with the
World Federation of Trade Unions, the
IndustriALL Global Union.
[ Clean Cloth Campaign, Home Net International ]
References
{{Trade unions in Pakistan navbox
Trade unions in Pakistan
Labour relations in Pakistan
2009 establishments in Pakistan
Trade unions established in 2009