LAHORE; A dignified workplace involved fostering inclusivity, respect and fairness. Encouraging open communication, diversity and addressing any form of discrimination can contribute to a more dignified and harmonious work environment.
These views were shared by speakers at an event organised on the topic of ‘Voicing for Dignified Workplace’ on the eve of National Working Women Day by an NGO with the collaboration of SPO and Oxfam at Punjab Institute of Language, Art and Culture (PILAC) on Saturday.
Women from Police Department, Rescue Emergency Services (1122), labourers, workers, students, academia, lady health workers, polio workers, community leaders etc attended the event.
WISE Executive Director Bushra Khaliq said that implementing and reinforcing strong ethical standards and policies can help create a culture of professionalism and mutual respect.
She said that society can flourish when there will be harassment-free environment and dignified workplace is a right of everyone. She demanded from the state to ensure a dignified workplace for women is crucial for fostering a healthy and inclusive work environment. This involves creating a setting where women feel respected, valued and safe. Several key aspects contribute to a dignified workplace for women.
She said there is a need to develop and enforce policies that address harassment, bullying, and any form of gender-based violence in all departments. The departments including private and public to provide mechanisms for reporting and addressing complaints, ensuring confidentiality and protection against retaliation so that dignified workplace could be promoted, she added.
Bushra demanded from the authorities to ensure that women are receiving equal pay for equal work and actively work towards closing the gender pay gap.
She also lauded the efforts of Rubeena Jameel who contributed a lot for labourers and female workers against sexual harassment at work place.
Women Ombudsperson Nabeela Hakim in her a video message acknowledged the efforts of Fauzia Saeed and Bushra Khaliq against sexual harassment at workplace.
Dr Fauzia Saeed said that it was our tradition that that on the day of December 22, we celebrate National Working Women Day. She presented the history and highlighted the importance of the day. In UNDP office, an incident of harassment at workplace was occurred and we fought the case for two years with bravery. After the struggle of two years, the man who had harassed the women was punished and fired from the job. Since then the day is celebrated every year. We struggled and demanded from the government to make anti-harassment law. She also shared hurdles during the process.
Member of governing body PESSI Aima Mahmood said that implementation of the law is very important step.
Labour and Human Resource Department Deputy Director M Shahid highlighted the problems of domestic workers and implementation of the law. He termed the law of domestic workers 2019 a revolutionary step and a great achievement of the workers. The Law was passed in 2019 for the welfare of workers.
He said under the Minimum Wage Act, Rs32000 per month have been fixed and notified and now it is being implemented. Wages have been determined now and at least Rs1,100 has been fixed for one day and Rs154 has been fixed per hour.
Maleeha Hussain of Mehargarh shared that the Steering Committee on sexual harassment at workplace is yet to be implemented in all departments. She said the women need to be loud while talking against harassment at work place.
Later, the shields were given to the women who drive scooties freely to hit the taboos and male chauvinism.
Source: The News
