Baseline Study on the status of HBWWS.PDF

BASELINE STUDYon the status of

Home Based Women Workers in District Faisalabad & Jhang

This study has been conducted under SF’s on-going project “Empowering Home Based Women Workers in Pakistan” funded by ICMC Pakistan.

Copyright @ Sarsabz Foundation (SF). The use of any material from this report is to be acknowledged.

DISCLAIMER

Complied by: Ms. Sumbal Naveed & Ms. Aaliya TahirkheliReviewed by: Dr. Naveeda Shoaib (SF)Editorial support by: Ayesha Shaukat, Jehanzeb Anwar, Shahan Abbas ICMC PakistanDesigned by: M. Shakeel TalatPrinted by: www.destudiolive.com

Acknowledgement

Situation Analysis of HBWWS In Faisalabad & Jhang BASELINE STUDY

The Sarsabz Foundation (SF) would like to acknowledge the efforts of a number of individuals, district departments and organizations whose contributions made it possible to execute a baseline assessment, and to produce this study.

Our thanks to field team: Ms. Uzma Ijaz, Faiza Pervaiz, Ayesha Noreen, Mubshara Khadim, Muhammad Saleem and Ali Raza. Such an extensive work would have not been possible without their devoted efforts. We also thank to Dr. Farhana Nosheen and Muhammad Kamran who developed the survey instruments in consultation with the Project Team, designed the survey sample, conducted much of the survey fieldwork, data compilation and reported back in detail on survey findings. Thanks are also due to admin staff for providing logistical and technical support in carrying out the survey. We acknowledge with thanks the support of Ms. Sumbul Naveed and Aaliya Tahir Kheli for writing this report and Dr. Naveeda Shoaib for the final review.

Last but not the least, we would like to thank ICMC-Pakistan, for its constant technical and financial support, which has facilitated the implementation of the study from start to completion. Finally, special thanks should be addressed to the team from ICMC Paki-stan, led by Ms. Ayesha Shaukat with Jehanzeb Anwar and Syed Shahan Abbas for outstanding cooperation, assisting the process, providing support and advice during all stages of the reports’ presentation.

All of us at Sarsabz Foundation hope that this report proves to be a big step toward making it possible for HBWWs to enjoy a better quality of life and due recognition for their economic contributions. We hope that other stakeholders working in this sector find the Baseline Assessment valuable in their endeavors toward this end as well.


Sarsabz Foundation (SF)

Organizational Summary

Sarsabz Foundation (SF) is a non-governmental organization committed to work for communities to build and share their own solutions to development challenges within the areas of democratic governance, gender equality and women empowerment and social sector development, alongside protection of human rights and peace building as cross-cutting areas.

Established in 1992, SF works in direct partnerships with over 100 organizations located throughout 18 districts within Punjab province. It also works with public and private sector organizations and institutions to create conditions for the development of sustain-able and equitable communities. SF interventions work through four interlinked strate-gies that is, research and knowledge dissemination, capacity building, advocacy, part-nership and networking.

Since its inception, SF has developed and is implementing various projects that foster economic empowerment and advancement for women in the rural and urban clusters. These groundbreaking initiatives target different areas, such as skill development, micro credit services, entrepreneurship development, decent work opportunities for women and strengthening business development services providers. SF has been firmly com-mitted to advocating for the rights of Home-Based Women Workers (HBWWs) for over six years. As an active member of the HBWs national network, Sarsabz Foundation carries the voice of the home based women workers at the district, provincial and national levels, to advocate legal and social protection legislation for HBWs. Besides policy advocacy SF is also engaged in data collection on HBWWs through baseline studies, organizing HBWWs through cooperatives, providing social protection through a CNIC registration campaign and developing linkages at the district level.

October 2011, Sarsabz Foundation (SF), in collaboration with ICMC-Pakistan has launched a project titled “Empowering Home Based Women Workers in Pakistan” in two selected districts of Punjab, Jhang and Faisalabad. The proposed project therefore focuses on three critical aspects with regard to women’s employment rights i.e. (a) Advocacy for the rights of HBWWs particularly within the local movement, Home Net; (b) Strengthening of HBWWs in cooperatives and building up their capacities; (c) Establish-ing and strengthening of linkages of HBWs with key stakeholders to improve their busi-ness opportunities. The lessons learned from the project will be expanded and replicat-ed for home based women workers in other parts of the country. For further information, please visit us at www.sarsabz.org

The International Catholic Migration Commission serves and protects uprooted people: refugees, internally displaced persons and migrants, regardless of faith, ethnicity or nationality. A Swiss NGO, working in Pakistan since 1998 ICMC has been involved in a coordinated response and assistance to refugees, conflict and disaster affected internal-ly displaced people (IDPs) and Extremely Vulnerable Individuals and Families (EVIs and EVFs). The major pillars of our work are Livelihoods and DRR, Protection and Promoting the Rights of Extremely Vulnerable Individuals (EVIs) and Humanitrian Response. For further information, visit www.icmc.net

International Catholic Migration Commission (ICMC)


Table of Contents

Annexure- Questionnaire

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Chapter-I: Context 10 1.1-Situation of Home Based Women Workers in Pakistan 10 1.2 -Aims and Objectives of the Baseline Study 11 1.3 -Profile Target Districts 11

Chapter-2: Methodology 12 2.1- Sampling 2.2- Target Areas and Area Wise Sample Distribution

2.3- Data Collection Instruments

2.4- Pilot Interviews

2.5- Data Compilation and Processing

2.6- Data Entry

Chapter-3: Data Analysis 3.1-Respondents Age

3.2-Marital Status

3.3-Education

3.4- Posession of National Identity Card

3.5-Type of Family and Size

3.6-Overall Monthly Family Income

3.7-Living Conditions

3.8-Access to Water, Electricity, Gas and Sewerage

3.9-Work Place Conditions and satisfaction

3.10-Types of Sectors (Work) and their locality

3.11-Reasons of Doing Work

3.12-Composition or Type of Work

3.13-Duration of experience in Work

3.14-Average Working hours

3.15-Wages

3.16-Mode of Payments

3.17- Source and Flow of work

3.18-Savings

3.19-Access to financing and Need

3.20-Occupational safety and health Issues

3.21-Networking and Membership with Different Organizations

3.22-Access to Social Protection Benefits

3.23-Bargaining or Negotiation

3.24-Support from Family Members in completion of Work Orders

3.25-Domestic Violence

3.26-Issues and Needs of Trainings

Chapter-4: Major Findings 4.1-Low earning and uncertainty and inconsistency in work

4.2-Legal and Social Protection Status

4.3-Poor Living Conditions and Workplace Environment

4.4-Lack of organization and collective bargaining

4.6-Skill development and trainings related realities

4-7Challenges in accessing the raw material and Equipment

Chapter-5: Conclusion and Recommendations 1-Conclusion

2-Recommendations

Chapter-6: Areas of Future Research

Case Studies

Acronyms

Executive Summary

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• Invisibility of home based women workers in national statistics and, policymaking and in the

• HBWs are not covered by labour legislation because the labour code is based on an employer

• Social security laws apply only to formal / organized workers covered by labour laws. Informal

• HBWs are often not organized, not represented in forums, and have little or no voice. There

workers/ labour organizations and public administration for their rights.

• HBWs usually see no growth or expansion in their productive activities primarily because of

• A large majority of women engaged in home based work are quite young, aged between 20

• The home based working women who were surveyed whether married or unmarried were

• There was an extremely high dependence on middle men or contractors (85%). In terms of

negotiated with their employer/middleman for fear of losing their employment, 21.5% HBWs

• The most common method of payment for outwork was by the item or piece completed. For

• They do not have access to the raw material in their vicinity therefore they rely on middle men

• No female participants were mobilized or organized in any formal or informal body / forum

• They all suffered from minor and sometimes major health problems. Barely 4% HBWs had

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Acronyms

CBO Community Based Organization

CLS Core Labor Standards

CNIC Computerized National Identity Card

FGD Focus Group Discussion

GDP Gross Domestic Product

HBWWs Home based Women Workers

ILO International Labour Organization

IRO Industrial Relation Ordinance

MFI Microfinance Institutions

NADRA National Database and Registration Authority

TEVTA Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority

VAW Violence Against Women

Executive Summary


The informal sector in Pakistan has grown more rapidly than the formal economy over the last three decades and while estimates vary a great deal, the size of the informal sector is not less than one-third of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Of the 49.09 million labour forces in Pakistan in 2007-8, 44.7 percent were employed in the agriculture sector, whereas 55.3 percent were employed in non-agriculture sector, 40.3 percent employed in the informal sector compared to 15.00 percent in the formal sector. Of these, total 17.66 million were employees; 16.77 million were self-employed while 14.20 million were unpaid family helpers in the informal sector. As far as unemployment is concerned, 4.31 % in rural and 8.52% in urban sector were unemployed. Thus, the majority of Pakistan’s urban population’s means of livelihood are in the informal sector.

In Pakistan, the majority of women workers are concentrated in the informal sector in both, rural and urban economies. In the rural economy, 77.8 percent of women are employed in the informal sector while in the urban informal sector, 67.2 percent of women work in diverse sectors, many of them being the primary earners for their families. Similarly, much of their work is not documented or accounted for in the official statistics. Most of these women home-based workers, who represent 60% of women in Pakistan’s workforce, are piece rate workers involved in manufacturing and post-manufacturing tasks such as embroidery, carpet weaving and handlooms, wood work and other handicrafts, bangle making, dates cleaning and packing prawn peeling and packing and many other similar tasks. The key problems faced by home based women worker are as follows:

• Invisibility of home based women workers in national statistics and, policymaking and in the public sphere, as well as to the final consumers of the goods and services they provide.

• HBWs are not covered by labour legislation because the labour code is based on an employer - employee relationship. Informal workers face poor working conditions and their rights are not protected. They do not enjoy legal and social protection and have no voice to raise for the protection of their interests.

• Social security laws apply only to formal / organized workers covered by labour laws. Informal workers have no retirement or illness benefits and are exposed to occupational risks such as accidents and serious health hazards. Therefore, women, who represent a large part of the informal economy, often work in unacceptable conditions.

• HBWs are often not organized, not represented in forums, and have little or no voice. There-fore, little attention is given to their interests. They cannot negotiate or bargain with employers, workers/ labour organizations and public administration for their rights.

• HBWs usually see no growth or expansion in their productive activities primarily because of their lack of access to opportunities for skill enhancement and competitive growth. Their economic activities are mostly restricted, with no skill diversification in line with changing market traditions.

Due to their invisibility and the lack of member based organizations, home-based workers can rarely access financial resources – particularly for those products which are specifically designed for such target groups. In most cases, they are unaware of such opportunities, while they informed that they lacked access and eligibility for such resources.

Given their vulnerable status at home and at work, income generation alone cannot improve the









1The informal enterprise in Pakistan: challenges for growth” seminar organized by the Centre for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) in

Karchi. November 2011. 2 National (Pakistan) Policy Draft for Home Based workers

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socio-economic status of women attached to the informal sector. Their economic empowerment needs to occur simultaneously along with political empowerment, which could improve their bargain-ing power both in the household and at work. This means that organizing women workers in the informal economy could have beneficial impacts on their work and their life if such organizations combine voice, representation along with access to resources such as credit and information – a holistic strategy that provides political empowerment, legal protection allied with economic empow-erment.

The purpose of this study was to examine the existing situation of Home Based Women Workers (HBWWs) in selected areas of two districts (Jhang & Faisalabad) of Punjab. The research findings contributed a wealth of information on and insight into the issues and problems faced by informal workers. It also provides an overview of the available existing legal and social protection support for HBWWs and generates a picture of their needs that are unfulfilled at the local level.

Surveys were used to conduct this study, administered to 442 home based workers, of which 367 were from Faisalabad and 75 from Jhang, covering all the four work sectors in the sample focus. To execute the study, two main types of survey instruments were used; a semi structured questionnaire to interview the workers and an informal discussion to get their point of view on different issues and challenges they face.

The study findings are vital that they shed light on the disempowerment and helplessness of women workers, and governmental ignorance of their plight, which has served to worsen their situation. The findings drawn from the data show that;

• A large majority of women engaged in home based work are quite young, aged between 20 and 40. Over 52% were either illiterate or had had 5 years of schooling. 63% of the respon-dents did not even possess ID Cards.

• The home based working women who were surveyed whether married or unmarried were quite clear that they were not working for ‘pin money’ - they were engaged in this work because they needed the money for day to day living and household expenses. The women surveyed lacked basic facilities, such as electricity, sanitation and safe drinking water etc. Overall, 89.6% of respondents of the study did not save their income. They were aware of the advantages of savings, but due to their limited incomes and high expenses of the family basic needs, they could not do so.

• There was an extremely high dependence on middle men or contractors (85%). In terms of bargaining with the employers for work, the survey revealed that 78.5% respondents never negotiated with their employer/middleman for fear of losing their employment, 21.5% HBWs who attempted negotiations, were mostly unsuccessful in achieving the desired result.

It was also found that for 67% of the respondents, work was irregular and their volume of work varied on a seasonal basis, At times, no work would be available for 3 months or even more at a time. In such situations, they looked for alternative jobs.

• The most common method of payment for outwork was by the item or piece completed. For example, a certain amount would be paid per item. On the whole, their wages were low and inconsistent with the wages of piece rate workers are much lower than account workers. Women often engage family members to aid in completing their work for (on average) 9 hours a day. While in theory, the ‘payment by results’ system meant that employers could pay once the work was completed, this actually meant that the contractor could also regulate the intensity of the work without directly supervising the worker with a large order and pay much later once satisfaction and other such matters were assured, the wages were still delayed. In some cases, the amount of payment resulted from direct ‘negotiation’ between the worker and the supplier of the work. It was clear that HBW did not hold the power to negotiate with





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their employers over working conditions such as rates of wages. HBW in reality had very little negotiating power, and so use of the word ‘negotiate’ is perhaps not even appropriate to their situation.

• They do not have access to the raw material in their vicinity therefore they rely on middle men or travelled long distances which incurs additional costs for them.

• No female participants were mobilized or organized in any formal or informal body / forum and were facing severe issues in attaining employment.

• They all suffered from minor and sometimes major health problems. Barely 4% HBWs had received benefits from the District Social Welfare Department through its health, marriage grants and one-time cash support schemes, while the remaining 96% were not supported by any department.

Hence, these underprivileged women, despite of making the same efforts as that of the formal labour are not getting the same benefits, social and legal protections, because they are not recognized by the government and their contribution to the economy is also not considered. After the government of Pakistan recognizes them, and finalizes and implements the draft policy, it can be hoped that the condition of these invisible contributors would improve and they will also feel safe and protected and be able to grow and expand their work.


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Based on the above mentioned findings the following conclusions have been drawn:

• Ratification of ILO convention 177 on HBWWs is imperative.• The need for approval and endorsement of provincial policy for HBWW’s in Punjab is crucial.• HBWWs must be organized to enable them to voice their challenges together, and lobby for

collective bargaining.

• It is necessary to provide legal recognition and protection to the organizations/lobbying groups for HBWWs, alongside giving them opportunities to represent themselves in the government.

• Liaisons of the Ministry of Woman Development (MoWD) and lobbies of HBWWs with other concerned/relevant ministries are needed to expand this sector and introduce innovations in methods of production/distribution.

• A need assessment must be conducted to allow for their training and capacity building relat-ed to the work of their choice so that customized capacity building programs can be devel-oped.

• Trainings must be arranged not only covering work related technical skills but also on man-agement, marketing and life skill development.

• It is vital to create awareness and sensitize the family members of the HBWWs so that they can prove to be more supportive of them and provide them with a conducive environment to work in.

• The credit -related organizations and institutions should ease out their procedures so that these women can benefit from them and expand their work.

• The government and NADRA must expedite the process of issuing CNIC to them so that they can formalize their work and get access to social benefits.

• The government needs to make arrangements to provide non-formal, formal and distance learning to help them increase their knowledge and bring positive changes in their work.

• Markets/depots need to be developed in the vicinity to give them access to raw material at nominal rates.

• Frequent exhibitions, competitions and expos must be organized to market their products in domestic and international markets and also to improve the quality of work and bring in innovations and open new avenues.

Conclusions


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Chapter-I: Context

1.1 Situation of Home Based Women Workers in Pakistan

The informal sector has acquired great significance over the years as a source of employment and livelihoods for an increasing number of people, especially women, in developing world. It is estimated that there are over 100 million home-based workers in the world and more than half of them are in South Asia – of whom around 80 percent are women. Over 8 million women workers in Pakistan are presently busy in producing various products.

HBWWs in Pakistan are engaged in textile, garment, hosiery, bangle-making, shoe stitching, embroi-dery, carpet weaving, jewelry making, leather products, steel scissors, mobile covers, preparing dry fruit and shelling prawns. Much of their work is tedious, but their embroidery reveals their capacity for creativity.

The involvement of large numbers of women in the 'informal sector' is a result of their low socioeco-nomic status and the denial of opportunities in the formal sphere of employment. Women's low status is evidenced by their subordinate roles, both at home and at the workplace. Not acknowledged as workers, HBWWs are the poorest and the most unprotected segment of society. Their work is unregu-lated and they generally suffer from substandard wages, poor working conditions, and exposure to occupational health and safety hazards, as well as lack of social security. Outside of work as well, these women face a number of social issues including lack of access to social services, acute housing shortages, environmental degradation and gender-based violence. They usually have very limited knowledge about the market. Often they do not even know the name of the company they are produc-ing for. This leaves them at the mercy of contractors, sub-contractors and middle men. They are dependent on these contractors because a home-based business is usually conducted through personal contacts. Such women, when they have to perform the dual job earning a livelihood in harsh and hostile working conditions as well as housework, face a multitude of problems that need to be heard.

Out of the total $160 billion economy of Pakistan, more than $32 billion is produced by the informal sector, which is mainly contributed by HBWWs. On an individual basis, these women earn a meager amount of Rs. 10-50 – less than one dollar a day - after putting in 12-16 hours of work. They are left with this far from sufficient sum to meet their day-to-day needs. The unjust treatment these women face is due to a lack of recognition or acknowledgment in legislature, stemming from the government’s perspective that development in informal sector will reinforce tax evasion. This has meant that the government has never recognized HBWWs or devised laws for their social and economic security.

3 http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2011%5C03%5C08%5Cstory_8-3-2011_pg7_264 http://www.solidarity-us.org/site/node/3292


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The overall objective of the study is to provide an overview of the existing situation of HBWWs in select-ed areas of the two districts of the Punjab. The objectives underlying the study are as follows: • To understand the socio-economic conditions of the HBWWs in the targeted locations• To understand the working conditions and environment, work practices, wage system and

product-line of the HBWWs in the project locations• To highlight the work challenges of home based women workers in the focused sectors (textile,

garments, hosiery and needlecraft)• To identify the special focused needs of HBWWs regarding organizing collectives/associations,

skill trainings, social protection and marketing facilities; • To access their awareness of existing labour laws, policies and social protection mechanisms.

The Baseline Assessment investigated the conditions of Home based Women Workers in two selected districts of Punjab namely Jhang and Faisalabad. A brief description of the two districts is as follows:

While the city is expanding; it is rapidly being characterized by large un-serviced and under-serviced areas (slums andkatchiabadis). These urban slums serve as a hub of “informal workforce” in the district. Common to the majority of slums are poor living conditions often characterized by poor house-holds, poor or nonexistent basic sanitation, limited access to drinking water, poor reproductive health and quality education, and urban transport system. These slums also have a significant number of small and medium sized industrial units producing domestic textile, garments and hosiery goods, where women are engaged in home-based production under the ‘Sub Contract’ system.

District FaisalabadFaisalabad district has an area of 5,856 sq km and the district lies from 30-35 to 31-47°C North latitude and 72-01 to 73 – 40°C east longitudes with a population of 6,786,717 (with 57% living in rural areas and 43% in urban areas).

Faisalabad plays an important role in the economy of the country and the city is known for the production of textile products. About 60% of the total textile exports of Paki-stan are from Faisalabad. The city has gradually become more industrialized and has attracted a massive supply of skilled and unskilled labour from all over the country.

District JhangJhang District is spread over an area of 1.525 million Acres and is one of the marginalized districts in the Punjab. The rural and urban distribution of the district is 77% and 23% respectively. The estimated population growth rate is 2.2%. District Jhang is also famous for its specialized needlecraft work (hand embroidery and crochet work). The crafts sector in the district employs 80% women informal workforce. Women are among the poorest of the poor in the district. They suffer discrimina-tion because of their gender and are trapped in a web of dependency and subordination due to their low social, economic status at household level.

1.2 Aims and Objectives of the Baseline Study

1.3 Profile Target Districts


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Chapter-2: Methodology

2.1 Sampling

A mix of qualitative and quantitative research methods and procedures was applied to explore perti-nent information for this study. Followings are the methods used for conducting the study:

The sample was selected randomly from the selected locations of the district Faisalabad and Jhang. Because most of the surveys in the past have not focused on informal employment, selecting a sample was a challenge. The respondents for informal discussion were gathered with the help of local active persons. These local activists were helpful at every stage of data collection.

2.2 Target Areas and Area Wise Sample Distribution

2.3 Data Collection Instruments

Area Wise Sample Distribution

A significant number of home based workers in Punjab are found in district Faisalabad and Jhang. These home based workers are particularly involved in the sectors of home textile, hosiery product, needlecraft and garment industry.

Taking these findings into account five localities from Jhang and four areas from district Faisalabad was selected respectively. The quantitative survey with 442 home based women workers (HBWWs) was carried out. Total 367 targeted respondents were selected from district Faisalabad whereas 75 respon-dents were selected from district Jhang. Interviewees were selected based on their availability, with the aim of collecting data from women involved in a peace rate or subcontract work. Details of target locale and area wise sample break up are given below.

The research project was designed in November 2012, and field research was conducted from 15th November 2011 to 15th December, 2011 in two districts of Punjab. To conduct the research, three survey methods were used: questionnaires, focus-group discussions and in-depth interviews. In total, 442 home based women workers participated in the survey. Total 4 informal discussions (one per sector) were held in target areas (4 in Faisalabad whereas 1 informal discussion was held at district Jhang). 24 home based women workers were present in the focus group discussions.

FAISALABAD

GHULAM MUHAMMADABAD RAZA ABAD ISLAMNAGAR ALLAMA IQBAL COLONY Total

174 69 26 98 367

JHANG

MARZIPURA BASTI SHANI WALI RUSOOL PURA CHAMBLI MARKET KATRA BARI WALA 37 7 12 13 6 75


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Before conducting quantitative survey with target group three pre test interviews in each area were carried out. The purpose of doing pilot interviews was to check:• The flow of questions• Comprehension level of the questions

After getting feedback from field team, changes were incorporated in the questionnaire and the final draft was prepared to be used in the field.

After completion of field work all collected data including filled questionnaires and transcriptions of informal discussions were gathered at office for further processing and compilation. Considering the understanding level of respondents, the interviews and informal discussions were carried out in local language. After gathering data at office, Urdu transcripts of informal discussions were translated into English for analysis.

2.4 Pilot Interviews

2.5 Data Compilation and Processing

After compilation process, quantitative data was entered in to MS. Excel sheets while MS word was used to keep electronic record of qualitative data for further analysis. The entered data was checked twice in order to eliminate any chance of error in analysis.

2.6 Data Entry

Picture-1: Focus Group Discussion with HBWWs in Islam Naghar, district

Faisalabad

Picture-2: Interview Conducted with women hosiery Worker


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Chapter-3: Data Analysis

3.1 Respondents Age

3.2 Marital Status

On the basis of the thorough analysis of the data and studying its graphical representation, following findings have been drawn:

Majority of the productive human capital related to HBWWs is youth and making their contribution in the country economy.

According to the survey maximum number of HBWWs in both the districts (214 out of total 442) lies under the age bracket of 20 to 30 year, covering 48% of the total respondents. The second largest majority (125 out of 442) belongs to 30-40 years of age and constitutes 28% of the total respondents. The data reveals that in both districts mostly young women are involved in home based works.

The data shows that there is no significant difference between the number of married and unmarried work-ers majority of whom are at a very young age and actively participating in their home based work and earning for day to day expenses of their families.

The figures show that 243 out of total 442 HBWWs were unmarried which constitutes about 55% of the total respondents and 40.7% women (180 out of total 442) were unmarried while 1.8% was divorced /separated and 2.5% respondents were windows.

3.3 Education

Quite amazingly, a large segment of the HBWWs is educated, though not highly qualified, which is quite encouraging and also provides a good basis for their capacity building and enhancing their abili-ties to work efficiently and produce good quality products.

55%40.7%

1.8% 2.5%Un-Married

Married

Divorced/Sepa

rated

Widow

13%

48%

28%

11%

less then

20 years

20 to 30

years

30 to 40

years

above 40

years


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Data shows that only 22.4% respondents were illiter-ate whereas education of all other respondents was primary or above. The data reveals that 31.9% of respondents have minimum primary education, 20.6 % of respondents have secondary school level edu-cation, 17.6% have higher secondary education and 5.4% have intermediate education. The study also reveals that the HBWWs in district Faisalabad are much more educated than Jhang district mainly because of the difference in their set up that also reflects the general trends of difference in rural and urban areas of the country.

3.4 Possession of National Identity Card

National Identity Card is the pre requisite to exercise the right to vote and is also a basic document to avail government facilitation including loan applications, registration and transfer of land and acquiring social, economic and health benefits through government schemes. The study reveals that the CNIC coverage was very low among the HBWWWs. The figure shows that only 143 out of total 442 (37.1 %) HBWWs had CNIC while 62.9% respondents did not possessed ID Cards in the study areas. During the informal discussions, HBWWs shared that lack of awareness of the importance of CNIC and lengthy and difficult procedures of obtaining the Cards kept women workers unable to apply and get their cards. “We know the importance of CNIC but we don’t

know where to go and how to get this card”, said a HBWWs in Jhang.

Figure-3.1: Education Level (Distt. Faisalabad) Figure- 3.2: Education Level (Distt. Jhang)

Figure-3: Over all Education Level

22.4%

31.90%20.6%

17.6%

5.4% 2%

Illiterate

Primary

Middle

Metric

Inter

Others

23.2%

33.8%

19.3%

15.5%

5.7% 2.5%

Illiterate

Primary

Middle

Matric

Inter

Others

18.7%

22.7%

26.7%

28%

4%

Illiterate

Primary

Middle

Matric

Inter

Others

37.1%

62.9%

YES

NO


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The study reveals that almost all the HBWWs are from poor and very low income families living or even less than 1$ a day. A fairly big majority of HBWWs (48%) was earning a monthly family income of 10,000 or more and 26.2% respondents were having a monthly family income of less than 6000 while 26.2% had a monthly family income 7000-10,000.

If we follow the standard definition of less than US$1 per capita/day income of a person for poverty and apply it on taking 5 members per family where every-one is working even then 50% of the data here shows

3.6 Overall Monthly Family Income

3.7 Living Conditions

3.3 Type of Family and Size

workers living below poverty line. However, in reality it is not always that all members in a family are working because of family compositions including children or elderly and sick that are not able to work and contribute to family’s income. Such a situation is quite alarming for policy makers and government officials responsible for planning and development and need to address their issues accordingly.

A big majority of the HBWWs (53.6%) interviewed live in a nuclear family while42.7% have joint family structure and only 3.6% were having extended family structures. The study shows that most of the HBWWs’ (222 out of 442) families composed of 7-9 members while 52 HBWWs were of 2-3 family members and remaining 168 HBWWs families consisted of 4-6 members.

The study showed a positive of family ownership of houses in majority of the respondents. Such an ownership of property reflects sustainable condition of the family. However, a significant number of workers not live in family owned houses and hence a tendency to migrate to a different place. The study reveals that 61.5% respondents had their own houses, 8.8% were living in rented houses while 29.6% percent were living with relatives as shared status (more than one family).

Figure-5: Type of Family Figure-5.1: Family Size

53.60%42.80%

3.6%

Nuclear

Joint

Extended

50.25%

11.75%

38%

7 TO 9 members

2-3 members

4-6 members

26.20%

26.20%

47.50%

Rs: 4000-

7000

Rs: 7001-

10000

above

Rs:10001


17

Figure- 6: Types of Housing Figure-6.1 Size of Housing

Figure- 6.2 No. of Rooms

Most of them live in urban slums and the size of houses is small. 59.5% HBWWs were living in 2-4

marla houses, 24.8% lives in less than 2 marlas and only 15.6% respondents were residing in 4 marla

houses with an average of 8 to 6 persons. It was found that almost all the houses had small room

(s) with no arrangement for ventilation particularly in the slums. The data above has already showed

that majority of the families have 7-10 members in the family and it is easy to imagine the overall living

standard of these poor families in these small 2-4 marla houses out of which many are having an

income below poverty level.

Proper housing and working space with minimum basic facilities such as electricity, drinking water, gas and sewerage and provision for solid waste management system etc. are the physical factors that were found scarce in the study area. Although nearly all the HBWWs have access to electricity but its disrupted provision and high electricity rates hampers their productivity as well efficiency. The average power cut out/ load shedding is 10-12 hours per day in Faisalabad and 12-16 hours per day in Jhang. Home based worker use alternative energy (candles and emergency light) for their works which is expensive too. HBWWs told that sometimes they failed to deliver orders on time to their clients due to load shedding and this causes a negative impression leading to risk for future orders from the contrac-tors.

The study shows that the HBWWs live in a con-gested environment due to lack of required number of rooms and space in their small house. It was found that 15.6% had three small room house, 176 HBWs (39.8%) out of 442 live in a two room house with husband, children and sometimes with parents and 34.4% women have only one room to live. Only 10.2% percent respondents said that they have more than three rooms to live with their families, mostly in district Faisalabad.

3.8 Access to Water, Electricity, Gas and Sewerage

61.5

8.8

29.6Owend

Rented

Shared

24.9

59.5

15.6 less then 2

marla

2 to 4 marla

above 4 marla

34.4

39.8

15.6

10.2 1 room

2 rooms

3 rooms

above 3

rooms


18

3.9 Work Place Conditions and satisfaction

During the informal discussions HBWWs also described the difficulties faced in working at homes because they do not have a specific working area. The key problems shared in this regard include: 1) temperature inside the room because there is no proper ventilation. 2) Inadequate light arrangements and 3) small room size insufficient to store raw material.

“Space is a big issue that we face in our work particularly in winters because we can use our rooms

either to store the raw material and products or for sleeping at night. In summer it is easier to manage

because we sleep out in the compound”, said a hosiery worker.

During the informal discussion with the workers, the home based women workers shared issues resulting from migration (resulting from changing rented houses) and mobility restrictions. It was men-tioned that it either puts them in a situation to stop working or even to change the work or work place. Some of the girls also expressed challenges related to permission from the family to go out and work. However, many of them showed interest in working at a factory instead of working at home, a reflection

Figure-7: Access to Basic Facilities

Figure-8: Availability of Workplace

During the FGD in district Jhang, it was reported that there is water supply system provided by the district government in almost every household that supplies water twice a week. However the water is contami-nated and HBWWs purchase water from the private sources for drinking.

It is found from the study that out of 442 respon-dents, 95.7% had gas facilities for cooking while, unlike water, electricity and gas, 62% of home-based workers did not have a proper drainage and sewer-age system in their area. “How can we work efficiently in summers when it is very hot? Without electricity it

becomes nearly impossible to breath. It feels like a

torture to us but we have no other way out because

our life depends on the work we do,” a frustrated woman worker shared with a sad face.

A little less than 50% of the total working women had separate space for working at homes while a big majority lacks such a place to work or store raw materials, mainly because of having houses and tiny rooms.

The data gathered from the current survey reveals that only 64.7 % HBWWs have separate rooms for their works, while 16.5 % of the HBWWs are working in verandah and 15.3 % of them work in open places (streets or neighborhood). Regarding level of satisfac-tion of their work place, almost 370 (83.7%) HBWWs haves expressed dis-satisfaction with their working places whereas only 16.2% respondents are satis-fied.

100%

100%

95.70%

62% Electricity

Drinking

water

Sui gas

Sewerage

64.70%16.50%

15.30% Having rooms

Verandha

Open

air/neighbour

However, many of them showed interest in working at a factory instead of working at home, a reflection


19

Figure-8.1 Improving Workplace

Based on the four selected sectors of home based work the data shows that out of total 442 respon-dents, 190 are engaged in producing hosiery products, 36 in home textile,130 in needlecraft, 59 in garment sector and 27 of them are engaged in packaging, tailoring, handicraft work.

The study reveals that the glove making work is followed more in Ghulam Muhammad Abad (Faisala-bad district) as compared to the other areas under study. Stitching, folding and packing of gloves are the three main activities performed by most of the HBWWs engaged with gloves making.

“Packing is considered an easy job. However, it requires assistance of all family members including children were involved to complete the task”, stated by a respondent.

Out of the 190 respondents from the glove making sector, 165 were involved in stitching of gloves, 25 in their packing and only 1 was engaged in stitching of under garments and two were doing other relat-ed stuff.

While in district Jhang, Adda Work (Zari/Ari work) workers and hand embroidery workers were in majority.

The third important and potential sector of HBWWs is production of home based textile products in Allam aIqbal (Yahseena Abad ) area, where large number of HBWWs are engaged in stitching home based textile (quilts, curtains, bed covers, bed sheets, cushions etc) products.

In Razaabad, majority of the HBWWs are engaged in garment sector. Out of total 59 HBWWs of this sector 33 were engaged in stitching boutique dresses, 8 in making of kid’s garments and 18 were involved in tailoring.

of their tendency towards working in a group and organizing themselves.

“Since our houses are small and the environment at

home is also not favorable for working therefore it

would be great if we can work in a nearby factory.

Being the part of a factory we will feel more responsi-

ble and will deliver uninterruptedly”, shared a young worker.

The second largest sector being covered by the HBWWs in both targeted districts is needlecraft (categorized as hand embroidery mainly related to Adda Work (Ari Work), Crochet and Lace making). 91 out of total 130 respondents were engaged in Adda Work (Zari/Ari work), 36 in hand embroidery and 3 were engaged in Lace making. Among those, the Ada Work (Zari/Ari work) workers were concentrated in Allama Iqbal Colony (F block) and in Islama Naghar.

3.10 Types of Sectors (Work) and their locality

0% 0%

85.5%

14.4%

YES

NO

8.1

43

29.4

13.3

6.1

Home Texile

Hosiery

Needlecrat

Garments sitching

Any other

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Figure 12 : HBW's Percentages engaged sector/work


20

Figure-10: Reasons of Doing Work

Figure-11 Type of work

Figure-12 Experience of Work

5Piece-rate workers: Those working for an employer or intermediary andOwn-account workers: Those who do their own marketing and it is important to distinguish between them, both conceptually and statistically. While all those who carry out market work at home or in adjacent grounds or premises, whether as self-employed or as paid workers, are home workers of the piece-rate variety; those home-based workers who carry out paid work for firms/businesses or their intermediaries, typically on a piece-rate basis, constitute piece-rate workers (http://www.ance.org.pk/index.php?op-tion=com_content&view=article&id=102&Itemid=85 )

3.11 Reasons of Doing Work

The study reflects that almost all the HBWWs, being interviewed, are engaged in the home based work for addressing their family needs. 80.2 % women work due to poverty and for 10.9% it was the only source of income. While 8.9% were doing it as their family business. The data clearly shows that a significant majority of the women are working to meet their family needs and coping with the poverty that was also shared by the women in the informal discussion. The women highlighted that they are working to generate income and to bear the education expens-es of their children, doctor’s fee and backing up the family expenditure in times of needs.

3.12 Composition or Type of Work

3.13 Duration of experience in Work

Regarding the composition of work, it is divided into two categories i) Own-account workers and ii) piece rate basis workers . The analysis of the data shows that out of 442 HBWWs interviewed, piece rate work-ers were 83.5% and own-account workers were 16.5%. Most of the own account HBWWs were found in Adda Work (Zari/Ari work) and garment sector in district Faisalabad, while all of the hosiery, hand embroidery and home textile sectors workers belonged to piece rate category.

The duration of work experience of these workers is amazingly short because 62% HBWWs of the total respondents had only 4 years of experience, 15% have less than 2 years and 6% of interviewed work-ers have 1 year of work experiences. Such short time experiences may be due to the fact that a vast major-ity of the workers is young and might not be working since long. However, such a trend of having only few years’ experience needs to be explored in future researches.

80.20%

10.90%

8.90%

Due to poverty

Just a source

of income

Faimly

business

16.5%

83.5%

Own

account

Contract

6%

15%

17%62%

less then 01

year

01 to 02 years

02-04 years

above 04 years


21

Figure-13 Working Hours

Figure-14.1 Satisfaction with Wages Figure-: 14 Monthly Wages of HBWWs

The workings hours followed by the home based workers are not the same as that of formal workers. They do not have a start or the ending time because it all depends on the amount of work they are assigned or they have committed to. This is one of the reasons that these women workers involve their family workers to meet their targets in time. Usually their wages also are not comparable to the time they consume in completing their work.

The monthly earning of home-based workers is very low and does not fully compensate the amount of time, efforts and sometimes even expenditure. The study shows that 83% home based workers earn less than 4,000, while 13.5% respondents earn 4,000 to 6,000 rupees per month and 3.4% earn 6,000-8,000 rupees per month. Regarding the level of satisfaction about their wages, 301 out of 442 (79.6%) of HBWWs were not satisfied with current wages while only 20.4 percent were satisfied. The situation is alarming because majority of them (more than 90%) are getting wages less than the mini-mum wage (PKR 7000/month) decided by the government of Pakistan; a serious issue that needs to be noticed and brought in knowledge of the law makers and monitoring departments.

3.14 Average Working hours

3.15 Wages

The HBWWs work for long hours every day either as a piece rate workers or own-account .Out of the total workers, 57.80 % respondents were working on an average of 9 hours a day, 36% for 6 to 8 hours a day and only 14.30 % for less than 5 hours a day.

“Usually, we have to complete and deliver the work

on daily basis, particularly if the payments are made

on daily basis. We have no choice but to work extra

hours to complete the work in order to get the

payment at the end of the day. At times, the amount

of work is so much that we cannot complete it by

ourselves and have to involve some of our family

members to get it done”, told a homebase woman worker.

Women engaged in gloves making and textile sectors are working for longer hours as compared to Adda Work. During the informal discussions HBWWs shared that their payment/wages are low in comparison to with their efforts and time involved.

14.30%

36.00%57.80%

less then 5

hours

6-8 hours

above 9

hours

22%

78%

YES

NO83.00%

13.50%

3.4%

less then Rs:4000

Rs: 4000 to 6000

Rs: 6000 to 8000

above Rs:8000


22

During the study it was observed that the wages of the piece rate workers are much lower than that of the own account workers. The FGD participants engaged in gloves making told that they were engaged in very laborious job but their wages were too low to have two meals a day. They told that by stitching gloves they hardly earn 4000 to 5000 rupees in a month. One of the workers shared that she earns only 40 to 50 rupees in a day (i.e.1200-1500 per month) for folding of the gloves, with support from her children.

“Our wages are too low even to cover the cost of electricity and other utilities and the contractor does not pay separately for these”, said the piece rate.

HBWWs engaged with textile sector mentioned a decline in their wages over time. “If we get the work directly from the factory or big shops, we would get higher price. However, we do not have the linkages and personal security to get such work”, said a textile worker.

The wages of workers involved in needlecraft sector (Ada work) are comparatively better than other work categories. Mostly, they earn 8000 -12000 per month. HBWWs involved in Adda Work charge 1300-1500 for shirt, 1500 to 3000 for frocks and 3000 to 4000 for traditional bridal dresses such as lehnga and pishwaz because making of one bridal Lehnga or pishwaz takes 7 to 15 days. As making of fancy bridal dress takes too much time therefore during that one month they do not take any other work order and rely on the earning from that single work only. These kinds of situation that while decid-ing on the wages, the factory owners or the boutiques deliberately or un deliberately neglect the work-time ratio to save their money. The workers either might not be aware of this fact or are reluctant to highlight it because of the fear of loosing the work. It shows that the trainings they get must address such issues and make them aware of considering these aspects while negotiating wages/ rates.

3.16 Mode of Payments

Figure-14.1: Satisfaction with Wages

Various payment schedules are being followed in different work sectors of target areas (including daily, weekly and monthly basis). A significant number of HBWWs receive payments on monthly basis, followed by weekly and then daily basis payments. The data shows that 58.6% respondents get their wages on monthly basis, 24.8% are paid weekly while only 16.5 % works are on daily wages. The practice of daily wages is more common in district Jhang as compared to Faisalabad.

Figure-14: Monthly Wages of HBWWs

83.00%

13.50%

3.4%

less then Rs:4000

Rs: 4000 to 6000

Rs: 6000 to 8000

above Rs:8000

22%

78%

YES

NO

Figure -15: Schedule of payment/wages

58.60%

24.90%

6.30%

Monthly

Weekly

Daily


23

that they did not have work for more than 3 months. In such situations, they look for alternative jobs. Own-account women worker( engaged in garment and textile sectors), on the other hand, have to produce bring them to sell at the market by themselves irrespective of the fact they get orders or not. 67.2 % of respondents said their work was irregular and that the volume of work varied on seasonal basis while 32.2% were having regular work orders.

Upon the question of continuity of similar nature of work throughout the year, 70.5% respondents replied affirmatively while the remaining 29.4% reported seasonal change in nature of work. Mostly, the respondents involved in hosiery and home textile sectors switch to other kind of work during summer due to less demand of quilts, gloves and other seasonal products. Whereas, HBWWS related to garment and craft sector change their work during Islamic months of Muharam and Safar (Since the two Months are considered as mourning months on religious basis and usually people avoid buying new dresses. These factors compel the HBWWs to switch to other work sectors to maintain their regu-lar earnings.

3.17 Source and Flow of work

The high dependence on middle man or contractor is another disadvantage faced by home based women workers. 85% respondents told that they get work orders from middle men and contractors while only 9.3% have direct contacts with the factory owners, shops and boutique and 5.6% get orders through individual clients and relatives.

During the study it was observed that HBWWs engaged in gloves making and embroidery work do not have regular work, especially the piece rate work-ers. Their work depends upon orders they receive and the work is seasonal. Some of them even told

Figure-16: work sources

Figure-16 work sources Figure-18 Continuity of Work

9.30%

85.00%

5.70%

Factory

owner/shopke

eper

Contractor/mi

ddleman

Others

32.80%

67.20%

YES

NO70.60%

29.40% YES

NO


24

Saving is difficult for the HBWWs because of low incomes. The study findings also reflect that a majori-ty of HBWWs are living on meager incomes and hence unable to save money. Only 10.4% of the respondents were able to save money while 89.6% respondents have never saved money. It was also observed that most of the respondents were aware of advantages of money saving but due to limited income they could only fulfill basic needs of their family.

Figure -19 Saving

Figure-20: % of Responded Received Loan

Figure-21 Need Loan

have never taken loan for work purpose. During the informal discussions, participants told that although they want to borrow money from MFIs to purchase raw materials, tools and equipment but the complicated procedures, requirement of guarantees and very high markup rates keeps them from applying for loans. Similarly, considering the limited earnings of family they avoid borrowing money from any other source for the fear of not being able to pay the installments in time.

Occupational health problems are very common among the HBWWs in every sector. It is found from the study that almost all the respondents in target areas suffer from minor and sometimes with major health problems. Among them 27% had had muscular pain while 20% had high blood pressure, 18 % had backache, 16% had eye infections, 7% faced allergy problem and 5% had respiratory problems.

3.18 Saving

The study reveals that most of the respondents shared the need for financial assistance, especially the interest free loans, to expand their work. About 63.1% respondents mentioned that they needed small loans while 36.9% said they will opt for the loan. Further, many of them said that they had approached for small loans from microfinance institutions (MFIs) working in their areas, but only a small number of respondents have availed financial assistance for work. Only 6.1% respondents reported that they have ever received loan for expending or starting work whereas 93.9% respondents informed that they

The study reveals that most of the respondents needed financial assistance especially the interest free loans to expand their work. About 63.1% respondents mentioned that they needed small loans while 36.9% said they will opt for the loan. For their livelihood engagements many of them said that they approached for small loans from microfinance institu-tions (MFIs) working in their areas, but a small number of respondents have availed financial assis-tance for work.

3.19 Access to financing and Need

3.20 Occupational safety and health Issues

89.60%

10.40%

NO

YES

6.10%

93.90%

YES

NO

63.10%

36.90%

YES

NO


25

Figure-22: Major Health Problems

Figure-23: Availability of Health Care Facilities

Figure 24: Membership with Organizations

Remaining 7% had T.B, Arthritis and Asthma problems. The respondents having said other prob-lems mentioned that they had pain in the whole body and joints.

During the informal group discussions participants of different clusters told that they had to suffer from various diseases and health problems. The HBWWs engaged in gloves sewing and folding, stitching and cutting garments products said that they have to focus for a long time without intervals resulting in stress, headache and backbone pain. They also expressed that long working hours, poor working condition, working in a single posture for longer hours, and restlessness due to heavy loads results in health related issues and diseases.

Occupational health problems are very common among the HBWWs in every sector. It is found from the study that almost all the respondents in target areas suffer from minor and sometimes with major health problems. Among them 27% had had muscu-lar pain while 20% had high blood pressure, 18 % had backache, 16% had eye infections, 7% faced allergy problem and 5% had respiratory problems. Remaining 7% had T.B, Arthritis and Asthma prob-lems. The respondents having said other prob-lems mentioned that they had pain in the whole body and joints.

The respondents engaged in hand embroidery and Adda work/Zari work have much more serious health problems than others which include: eye infections, wrist pain, and headache due to their long sitting hours and uneasy postures for long hours. During the collection of data it was observed that in many cases the working environment was not comfortable. The health care facilities for the HBWs are scarce in all the study areas. The study reveals that only 10.6% respondents had health care facilities in their localities at low cost while an overwhelming majority of 89.4% was deprived of the same.

It is found from the study that majority of the respondents (84.6 %) were unorganized in the proj-ect targeted areas covered in the study. They do not belong to any of the organizations present in the community where they reside. Only 15.4 % respon-dents said that they had membership. 6.1 % are members of micro-finance institutions/organizations that provided them financial assistance through loans. 4% are members of local NGOs/CBOs operat-ing in their area and 5.5% are members of different political parties.

Networking and Membership with Different Organizations

27.00%

20.00%

18.00%

16.00%

7.00%

5.00%

7.00%

Muscular pain

Blood pressure

Backache

Eye infecion

Allergy

Respiratory

TB,arthriis & Asthma

10.60%

89.40%

YES

NO

15.40%

84.60%

YES

NO

26

Figure-26: Bargaining or Negotiation

Figure -27: Support from family members in completion of work

The study reveals that the majority of HBWWs do not receive any benefits including medical care, cash benefits, marriage grants, education for children and EOBI scheme. Only 18 out of 442 4% HBBWS get benefits through district Social Welfare Department through its health, marriage grants and one-time cash support schemes while the remaining 96% were not supported either by social welfare department, social security departments or workers welfare board.

don’t work. They told that they had to work with their parents in order to add to their family income since the earning of their parents alone would be inadequate to support their educational expendi-ture.

Domestic violence not only effects the overall environment of a family and the household, it also under-mines the productivity of HBWWs. The local women did not feel comfortable talking about their prob-lems; only a small percentage (17.8%) of respondents shared incidences of violence while 82.2% respondents informed that they have never faced domestic violence. During the study it was observed that family is considered to be a strong support to an individual in such incidences in the project area. 56.3% victims of domestic violence shared that they contacted elderly family members for the solution

The high dependence on middle man or contractor is another disadvantage faced by home based women workers. Most of the HBWWs get work orders through middle man or contractor. With regard to bargaining with the employers for the work, the survey reveals that 78.5% (442 out of total 347) respondents never negotiate with their employ-er/middleman due to the fear of losing the work whereas 21.5% of HBWWs have shown some degree of negotiation ability but it was not adequate. During the study, it was also observed that involve-ment of middle man decreases their bargaining power for increase in their wages or change in payment schedules.

Family support plays a significant role in the progress of individual and development of any society. The HBWWs need continuous support from their family particularly in project target areas where they (HBWWs) face a lot of challenges in terms of work place, energy resources and socio-psychological pressures. The study reveals that 52% of target HBWWs receive assistance from family members in order to deliver work in time while 48% responded that theyused to take assistance from the laborers, relatives and others. It is worth mentioning that many children were seen working along with their parents . Some of the children told the research team that their education would be stopped if they

3.21 Access to Social Protection Benefits

3.22 Bargaining or Negotiation

3.23 Support from Family Members in completion of Work Orders

3.24 Domestic Violence

21.50%

78.50%

YES

NO

52%48%

YES

NO


27

Figure-28: Experience of Domestic Violence

Figure 29: Skills Learnt

Figure 30: Respondents desired to get formal tanning

while 21.9% respondents kept silent, 15.6% went to the friends for help whereas 6.3% reported to Gov-ernment institutions such as police and Union Coun-cil. The women who shared the occurrence of violence also pointed out that at times they fail to complete their work, thereby directly affects their entire family and income.

Despite the fact that all the respondent women are actively engaged in the skill based work, a vast majority of them is deprived of formal training. In the study area alone 95.2% have received no formal training and have acquired their skills form family members or neighbors. Only 4.8% of the HBWWs learnt professional skills from some formal training institutes. During the FGDs, participants told that they had no training on the work they were engaged in. In particular, the embroidery/ Adda workers, Garment workers, and textile stitching workers have never undergone any training. The HBWs having skills in sewing, stitching, embroidery, Ari work, etc were also among those who were never trained formally.

On asking if they would take part in any formal train-ing 84.2% showed their consent while the rest refused due to mobility issues. The women home based workers engaged in embroidery/Adda work, textile and garments also recommended certain training courses including fashion designing, cutting and stitching patrons, design development and mar-keting while women engaged with hosiery sector (gloves making) shared the need to attend alternative vocational training courses for their sustainable liveli-hood.

3.26 Issues and Needs of Trainings

17.80%

82.20%

YES

NO

95.2%

4.8%

YES

NO

84.2%

15.8%

NO

YES


28

Low earning and uncertainty and inconsistency in work

Legal and Social Protection Status

Despite the fact these women working for more than 9 hours a day and also engaging other family members, majority of HBWWs earn a meager amount of less than 10,000 per month. This is not only less than a dollar a day (below poverty standard of 1$ a day), but also the minimum wage standard decided by the Government of Pakistan. Since these women workers are not recognized and regis-tered, they fall out of the social protection schemes and labor rights. The study has reflects that most wage-earning home based women workers suffer from inequality of power with the middlemen and contracting units etc. They have no provisions for medical benefits, paid maternity leave, social securi-ty, or employee provident fund contributions.

Majority of women (85%) get their work form middle men. The wages and rates for their work are not decent and do not compensate their time and efforts put in to complete the work. The fear of losing the work and damaging working relations with the middle men also stops these women to bargain.

A large majority of workers (43%) is involved in the work related to hosiery items (mainly glove making), a seasonal product. Therefore these women have to look for alternate sources of income when their work is of less demand.

Such an uncertainly, due to seasonal work nature and dealings with the middle men, affects a sustain-able monthly income. Such issues badly hamper the household management of these women, who work solely to contribute to families’ income.

The HBWWs are not protected under any laws since they lack to be acknowledged as workers or employees under any law. There are no standard rates for the wages they get from the factories and the middle men. Because of lack of registration anywhere in the government system, they are com-pelled to work in circumstances where either the middle man or the factory owners exploits them by giving the amount of work they like and within a wage that they decide, which sometimes becomes difficult for these poor women to manage. Such a situation compels them to involve other family mem-bers, even children, to complete their work. Almost 50% of women earn less than 10,000 rupees per month as a family income where other family members also contribute.

Absence of National Identity Card (NIC) with 60% women is another indicator of their status as non-registered workers. Lack of CNIC puts them under no regulations unlike the registered employees who enjoy all the benefits under labour laws of the country. Unregistered status also hinders them from applying for a loan to a microfinance organization or a bank. The difficult loan application procedures, complicated process of references and high mark ups also make it difficult for the women to apply for credit in order to establish their business.

Chapter-4: Major FindingsBased on the data analysis, following are the key findings from the survery:


29

Poor Living Conditions and Workplace Environment

Lack of organization and collective bargaining

Skill development and trainings related realities

In the absence of any health and safety related facilities provided by the factory owners or the govern-ment or any civil society organization, these women are prone to health hazards. The risk is specifically higher not because of long hour working (of > 9 hours) hours but also because of poor hygienic condi-tions and wrong body postures while working. Already, 27% of the interviewed women complained of muscular pain, 20% of high blood pressure, 18 % backache, 16% eye infections, 7% allergy, 5% respi-ratory problems and remaining 7% were suffering from T.B, Arthritis and Asthma problems.

The home based working women are not organized in any kind of formal body or structure. Rather, these women work in small family groups or as an individual. Even if they have some sector based groups, they are not formally registered anywhere.

Such an unorganized group of highly productive people gets exploited when it comes to getting work and negotiating or bargaining on wages and time for getting the work done. In case of any violation against their rights they have no forum to register their complaints or get a legal support that makes them highly vulnerable in their working environment. This shows that they need to be more organized and united to fight against discriminatory wage rates and to make their voice heard properly at different levels starting right from their own home to local government and to the policy making body of the government as well as to employers and sub-contractors from whom they get works.

Due to lack of significant savings, they prefer working on contract basis instead of having their own account work and go for collective bargaining.

Although a huge population of young women is involved in this field but 95% of them have not received any formal training. Usually they learn the required skills for available work from their elders or the neighbors and lack the modern trends and approaches.

It indicates towards the fact that due to lack of other training opportunities, these women are left with the only option of learning the same family or community skills and do the same work.

These women live under worst living conditions. Their houses, that are mostly their workplace, have limited and all space with only 1 or 2 tiny rooms with poor ventilation arrangements as well as inconsistent supply of electricity and fuel gas due to load shedding. The same house is used for the family affairs and for the production and storage of raw materials which is quite difficult for the family to manage. The situation becomes even grave particularly in a situation where almost 50% workers have family struc-tures with an average of 7-9 family members living in a 2-3 marla house with tiny rooms. Poor sewerage, water supply and solid waste man-agement also make the overall environment unhygienic and unhealthy for the workers and their families.

Picture-3: Living Conditions of HBWWs in district Jhang


30

Challenges in accessing raw material and Equipment

Lack of formal training in the given field not only deprives them of the chance to produce modern designs and bring innovations, they also do not learn the of efficiently producing more within the given time.

Lack of training and capacity building for developing their management and marketing skills cripples them from managing their work cycles round the year, managing their budgets, bargain for their work and also market it effectively to get the appropriate profit margins.

Many of the women have identified the issues of lack of access and unavailability of the markets. This not only makes it difficult for them to get the desired raw material but also makes it costly for them when they are to travel a long distance for their purchase. These women require some local places for raw material purchase within their own vicinity.


31

Conclusion

The purpose of this study was to examine the existing situation of Home based Women Workers (HBWWs) in the selected areas of the two districts (Faisalabad and Jhang) of Punjab. The research findings contributed a wealth of information on and insight into the issues and problems of this informal workforce of the national economy. It also provides an to the available legal and social protection support structure for HBWWs and their unmet needs at local level.Based on the findings as mentioned above, it can be concluded that the majority of the home-based workers encounter all kinds of problems around their livelihood, organization, housing, working envi-ronment, health and health care, schooling of their children, equipment and tools, insufficient income and wages, the price of electricity and inflation and irregularity of work. Socioeconomic factors in the home, community attitudes towards home-based work, and the exploitation of women at home and society are significant obstacles that must be addressed. The creation of an enabling legal, social and economic environment is of utmost importance for empowering these home based women workers in the project area. These could only be possible if there are responsive policies and laws that will make their working environment facilitative and condu-cive to the realization of their rights. Through the establishing and strengthening of HBWWs own asso-ciations and cooperatives, home based workers have more chances of realizing their economic, and social rights; the improvement of their working and living conditions; the enjoyment of income and employment security including social protection; and participation in local decision making process. They need to pay attention to building market links, and promoting economic organizing and commu-nity based cooperation among poor women.

The study indicates that there is no legal status in informal sector of home-based workers in general and the HBWWs in particular. Likewise, there has been no translation of the principles of policies as stated under article 37 and 38 of the Constitution, which provide for social security by compulsory group life insurance, maternity benefits for women in employment, promotion with special care, educa-tional and economic interests, training and industrial development in labour policies. Similarly, the policy research identified a large gap between formal and informal sector in terms of coverage and actual enforcement of labour laws.

Similarly, in order to ensure decent work standards and benefits for these home based women work-ers, advocacy campaign should be initiated at local and provincial level to advocate for better laws and policies to protect workers in informal sector (including their occupational health and safety, social safety nets for informal workers, issuance of labour laws, and the ratification on ILO’s Home Work Con-vention- C177etc.).

Chapter-5:Conclusion & Recommendations


32

As a first step, there is need for a joint strategy among the like-minded organizations working for home-based workers at the policy making and implementation level in order to advocate and lobby with the concerned provincial government departments as Labor and Manpower is a provincial subject (after the passage of 18th Amendment) to ratify the ILO convention 177 and the Katmandu Declaration to take needed legal measures for providing constitutional protection to the rights of Home based workers. The Punjab government without further delay must initiate the process of giving necessary approval to the draft provincial policy for home based workers already submitted by the provincial Ministry of Labour. Recognition from a provincial government entity will pave the way to hold sessions for building the momentum with other respective provincial entities so that the imposition and imple-mentation of the legal protection for the HBWs is on the similar pattern throughout the country.

Giving legal recognition and protection to the women organizations/lobbying groups for home based workers and giving them opportunities to represent in the government. It will help this highly effective community to not only represent their efforts and contribution and voice their issues and challenges but will also help the concerned ministries to pave their ways in this sector with their suggestions and recommendations to ensure participatory and integrated development in this area.

It should be the responsibility of the Ministry of Women Development (MoWD) to liaise with other relevant/concerned ministries to escalate and timely address the issues and bring relevant changes in legislative and administrative laws/action of HBWWs. It can effectively address their need for improving their education, social status, business expansion and reaching out to domestic and international market and will also help support to go beyond the traditional industries related to hosiery, textile, needlework, etc and enter into new arenas.

The government should also make arrangements in this sector for regular researches and present it at national and international forums to develop an inbuilt system of consistent improvement in this sector and brining in innovations. One such innovation can be the introduction and setting up of new small industries that can provide these workers with an option to make choices of their work and it will also help make the country self-sufficient in small industry products that are being purchased from china and other neighboring countries to meet the market needs.

The ratification and a legal protection at the higher echelons of decision-making will facilitate to make inroads in convincing the concerned middlemen, agents and factory owners to enforce the implemen-tation of policies at their respective ends to enforce safety measures to minimize health hazards, mini-mum wages and insurance. For providing a conducive environment, there is a need to provide assis-tance and relief to the HBWWs. The factory owners can play a leading role under the social corporate responsibility as the provision of access to basic educational needs will also provide a waiver in certain tax exemptions. For this to materialize, civil society organizations working with the HBWWs need to sensitize the HBWWs on the importance of building an association that would help them to register their needs and rights as a collective voice as an organized group.

This can be achieved through a social mobilization drive by the awareness raising and social mobiliza-tion. The social mobilization drive will act as a stimulus amongst the HBWWs to form a Cooperative and member based organizations. The cooperative will provide a forum where issues of common concern can be discussed and a line of action could be drawn with a mutual consensus as people of

At the Policy making level

Setting of Cooperatives of HBWWs for Raising an Organized & Collective Voice

Recommendations


33

the same profession can easily reflect the needs and rights with the concerned. It will also help to circu-late their products and help them have regular job with regular income.

Moreover, a cooperative will help HBWWs for self-analysis for improvement in skill and other related matters that could lead to a justified increase in wages and other benefits.

It was observed during the baseline study that most of the HBWWs faced credit constrains. A few of the HBWs had undertaken micro-credits from the available options of micro-finance institutions. Most of the HBWs stated that the fulfillment of conditionality to qualify for having access to credit facility required the submission of CNIC. Most of the HBWWs were not having CNICs. Moreover, the availabili-ty of credit also required to submit ownership details of a land/ house and many others which were beyond the reach of HBWWs. Therefore, a mechanism needs to be developed that could link the HBWs to micro-credit.

Moreover, a comparative analysis of the available micro-credit packages of the micro finance organiza-tions reflected that there is need for tailor-made packages that are worker friendly. There is a need for

One of the findings of the Baseline study is absence of realization of the importance of skill enhance-ment. A focused attention through the formation of cooperatives will help promote the importance of skill enhancement. As a collective entity, the HBWWs will be able to bargain for subsidized rates for improving their skill level. It is of pivotal importance that a local organization provides their technical support in undertaking a need assessment for enhancing skill level. As a follow up to the need assess-ment, the members of the Cooperatives may assemble and discuss with the support of the local orga-nization as what steps need to be undertaken. The transmission of this message could be done through interactive theatre performances within the HBWs some of whom may have amateur skill and a passion of acting. This will provide a source of entertainment and a delivery of message that would register deep within their hearts. Through the baseline findings, it was identified that the retention of an employment opportunity does not remain constant with the HBWs. This was attributed to the mismatch between the employment opportunity and the skill level. Therefore, a local non-governmen-tal organization needs to operate at many levels. One, at conducting the need assessment, sensitiza-tion and arousing the desire of improving the skill level as well as provision of skill enhancement oppor-tunities in the form of mentoring, support on support through conducting sessions, trainings and expo-sure visit to the market for the HBWWs to ascertain the market demands that could lead to a willing-ness and a desire for improving the skill level.

Introduction of new opportunities and new sectors and fields would not only provide these workers with an opportunity to make choices of work of their own interest instead of being compelled for doing what the family does, but will also result in cutting the monopoly of the local factories and contractors. It would, in return, provide the government and the industries to expand their business sectors and its avenues for trade expansion and increasing GDP with cutting down the import of small items and instead starting their export.

Mainly the fields where these women will need trainings/capacity building workshops/awareness sessions would be their technical skills related to the work of their interest, management and marketing skills and the life skills related to their business and also their day to day life, health & hygiene and man-aging family with an integrated work.

Skill Enhancement

Credit Linkages


34

organizations working for the HBWWs to hold meetings with micro-finance institutions and the Paki-stan Micro-Finance Network to develop micro-credit packages as per the specific needs of a client group.

It was seen that a sizeable number of HBWWs of marriageable age group are primary graduates. During an informal discussion in the context of Baseline Study, a desire was expressed to improve the level of education but there are many issues to overcome. One is that of the male members of the household who do not find any value to help improve the educational qualifications. It was also observed that HBWWs also faced domestic violence as it was customary to demand from their men folk to be responsible from cooking, washing, taking care of the children and the elderly as well as attending to day to day family occasions. Often, the HBWWs were found to choose to earn or to attend to household chores. At times, earning was given preference that also resulted in domestic violence as the men in their household do not value the meager economic contribution. Therefore, there is a need to link these HBWWs with a number of organizations that could provide avenues, opportunities and choices for bringing improvement in their lives and a support in the transformation of mind set of other household members. It is proposed that counseling sessions, trainings on basic health and preventive measures to overcome health hazards, distance learning sources, vocational and technical organizations (for instance: TEVTA), NADRA (for provision of CNIC), women rights orga-nization and access to market information will bring in the needed quality improvements.

To address their challenges related to their access to raw material the government needs to make arrangements for establishing depots or markets for providing raw material at nominal rates. Such arrangements would become even easier after these women are organized because after that they themselves can make collective efforts to establish such markets and help their community in provid-ing raw material that is within their reach by all respects.

To market their products in domestic and international markets frequent exhibitions, healthy competi-tions and expos should be organized that will not only positively affect the quality of the products but will also being in the traders, exporters, designers, boutiques and people from other relevant fields. Improved business, export and the quality of products would be its immediate outcomes but gradually it will enhance the quality of the products, confidence and the skill level of the workers.

Improvement in Status of HBWWs and Sensitizing of Familiesfor Increased Support

Providing Easy Access to Raw Material and Providing Opportunities

for marketing their Products


35

The current study has revealed that there is a lot of room to explore the life, working conditions and the overall community of the Home based Women Workers. The data and the findings emphasize the need to conduct further researches and studies related to • the identification of issues related to the inconsistency and sustainability of these women’s

work and their suggestions to improvement• Study of the condition of women after the Provincial Policy of HBWWs is approved and imple-

mented• Reason of why the entire family and the community is involved in a single work and what they

perceive about having its alternatives because many of them are literate and can do other kinds of work also

• A dedicated discussion with the workers on how they perceive they can improve their working environment and income within their own community

• None of the workers are having an experience of more than 4 years that shows a trend of their leaving this work after a short time. A study can be designed to now its reasons because it may be because they get tired and cannot continue or there may be temporary reasons that compel them to work.

Chapter-6:Areas of Future Research


36

Noreen Akhtar, a young lady of 25 and living in a small rented house with her husband and his five family members has sparkling dreams to make her life comfortable and enjoy its com-forts like any other woman. However, she is not that fortunate to have a supportive envi-ronment where she can get her efforts cashed because as a home based worker for needle work she earns not more than a tiny amount that hardly meets her day to day needs. Mar-ried to an unemployed man in a very poor family she had to use her needle craft/Adda work skills, she once learned in her teen age from her mother, to meet the expenses. How-ever, her skills never could help her earn a decent income that can meet all her basic needs because initially worked in a stitching school and used to earn only Rs. 2500 per month but she was bound work outside home from 9 am to 6 pm. Later due to shifting of house she couldn’t continue her work and worked in a school that could only pay her Rs. 1000 per month and despite of remaining out of her home and working all the day round she was even unable to pay the house rent. It compelled her to leave her schools job and work at home using her earlier learned skill of needle work. By getting some work through some reference she now is creating beautiful pieces of needle work paying her 400-500 per piece and sometimes a single piece takes a week long time. Although she is not happy with this rate but she is bound because of the middle men with whom she can’t bargain for having fear of losing her work. She knows that these beautiful dresses she prepares especially the bridal ones are sold between 8000 to 15000 per piece and her skills are being exploited but she has no way out and continues with what is available.

Noreen is one of the millions of HBWWs who know that they are being exploited, who know that that skills worth more than what they are being paid with but still they have to bear with it for having no other choices and no forum to complain and hope for their support and protection.

Chapter-7: Case Studies

Masterpieces and MiseriesCase Study -1

37


Reactions to the socio-economic constraints are handled in a varied manner from individual to individual. Ms. Rukshana Farooq is one such unsung hero who was in the grip of poverty but faced the situation with a focused attention to lessen the impact of low income of her father since the age of 12. She was living in a slum area of Karachi with 5 brothers and 2 sisters. To help her father, Ms. Rukshana was able to contribute Rs. 1500 for embroidery on a shirt (filling on neckline and sleeves) and a dupatta through the application of Balochi and Sindhi embroidery stitches (that is labor inten-sive and needs eye and hand concentration for very long hours). This was her pattern of life to receive orders and support her father to shoulder the household needs.

At the age of 21, Ms. Rukshana was married. She did not intend to work. The life after marriage soon compelled her to find work. Her husband was able to earn Rs. 5000 and that too was not on regular basis. Two things had changed in her life after marriage. Ms. Rukshana was living at Islam Nagar, district Faisalabad in a rented house. She could not keep a blind eye to the needs of her family of two daughters and a son. Ms. Rukshana was not familiar with the available opportunities nor acquainted with anyone to find Ada work for earning. In the pursuit of finding a decent living on a regular basis, she came across a woman who gave her 50% in advance and promised to hand over the remaining amount upon completion of the work. The order got completed and she was hoping to receive the remaining 50 % of the amount.

To her despair, Ms. Rukshana soon found out that the initial order of work upon exchanging informa-tion with other women in the neighborhood made her realize that it will be in vain despite a follow up on the contact number of the woman giving her the initial work. Ms. Rukshana was disappointed but she was not in a situation to remain without work for long. Therefore, she started exploring and inquir-ing from other women form the neighborhood about the options available to find work on regular wages. To which, Ms. Rukshana got the options of working of making fancy dresses and needlework on shirts. She readily took the two options to make both ends meet.

Ms. Rukshana is able to earn Rs. 1500-2000 per dress and for the needlework on a shirt; she is able to earn Rs. 150-200. The raw material in the making of the fancy dresses and the shirt had to taken care of by Rukshana which consumes lot of her time. For purchasing the raw material, she had to visit the local Anarkali market from Islam Nagar .Though, Ms. Rukshana is not happy with the piece wage but she had no other alternative option to fall back upon. At times, the flow of work is not on regular basis which puts a lot of strain as to how will Ms. Rukshana be able to cope in meeting the needs of her family and to add to her husband's meager and irregular income.

Ms. Rukhsana Farooq, HBWW, ADA WORKCase Study - 2


38

At the age of 36, Shahida Perveen is working to meet the household expenses for the last five years in the hosiery sector. She has four daughters and a son. Her husband is a daily wager who is able to earn Rs. 7000 per month. This made her to look around her vicinity to find work within her reach. Shahida, like other needy women of Salmania Colony, GM Abad Faisalabad found through the services of a middle man a machine to deliver orders in glove making. To accomplish the glove making (stitching and holding), orders, Shahida is supported by her 70 year old moth-er-in-law and one of her school going daugh-ter. She is operating through her one room which is shared by all family members with a small verandah.

Though, Shahida does not enjoy good health but her family need compels her to work at an average of 10-15 hours a day. As a result of 10-15 hours work, she is able to complete 50 dozens of glove stitching and folding. The middleman pays her Rs. 5 per dozen. On average, Shahida contributes Rs. 5000-6000 per month to her family income. On timely delivery of the order, the middleman contributes Rs. 200 as the electricity bill. This is not always the norm. As. Shahida has a rented machine which is at times out of order. In order to repair, she has to pay from her meager resources which make it difficult to deliver the order on time. This further aggravates her situation as she has to pay for the electricity bill of Rs. 200. Shahida had brought the matter to the middleman to help her find a machine in a better working condition. Instead of facilitation, the middleman threatens her that she will not be provided with further orders. In such a context, Shahida Perveen is bearing with the situation so that the given opportunity at hand is not seized. Shahida believes in the dignity of work and the embedded benefit of having access to social security (health and education) for the members of her household.

Ms.Shahida (Hosiery Sector- Gloves Making)Case Study - 3


39

Situation Analysis of HBWWs in Faisalabad & Jhang Districts-PakistanBaseline Assessment

Respondent Code:

Questionnaire Form

Name Father’s Name/

Husband’s

Name

D.o.B / Age Marital Status Un-Married Married Divorced/Separated Widow

Address Phone No.

Cell No.

UC No.

/Name &

Town

What is

monthly

income of your

family?

4000-7000 7001-10,000 10,001-above

Qualification

:

Illiterate Primary Middle Metric Inter Others_______________

Family Structure

Nuclear Joint Extended

Total No. of Family Members

Male_____________ Female___________

No. of

Children and

their ages

Boy_____ <5 5-10 10-15 >15

Girl_______ <5 5-10 10-15 >15

No. of school

going children

Boy_____ <5 5-10 10-15 >15

Girl_______ <5 5-10 10-15 >15

Do you Have CNIC.

Yes No

House type Owned Rented (Rent/month):______ Shared

Total area of House in marlas

____________________________ ____________________________

Total No. of

rooms

available at

home

1 2 3 >3

Where do you

usually work

in your Home

District:


40

Are you

satisfied

with your

working

place?

Yes No

(If No), Why_______________________ ______________________________ ______________________________ ______________________________

Do you want

to improve

your working

place?

Yes No

(If No), why__________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________

Do you have

the basic

domestic

facilities at

your home

Electricity Drinking water Gas Sewerage

What Type of work do you do for earning?

Work

categories?

Home Textile Hosiery Products Needle Crafts Garment stitching Woolen weaving Articles Any other_______________

Nature of

Work in

Home

Textile

sector

Cutting; Quilts Curtains Bed covers Bed sheets Napkins Kitchen wares Cushions Any

other_____________

Stitching; Quilts Curtains Bed covers Bed sheets Napkins Kitchen wares Cushions Any

other___________

Packing; Quilts Curtains Bed covers Bed sheets Napkins Kitchen wares Cushions Any

other_______

Nature of

Work in

Hosiery

Products

Cutting; Socks gloves vest Under-garments Shirts/Trouser Any other___________

Stitching; Socks gloves vest Under-garments Shirts/Trouser Any

other___________

Packing; Socks gloves vest Under-

garments Shirts/Trouser Any

other_______

Nature of

work in Craft

industry

Needle craft Hand Embroidery Adda work Lace making Any other_______________

Nature of work in Garment sector

Boutique work Kids Garments Sewing clothes Any other____________

Nature of

work in

Woolen

weaving

Articles

Carpet Darria Khase Baan Any other________________

Any other ________________________ ________________________ ________________________


41

Are you

satisfied

with your

work?

Yes No

(If No), Why_______________________ ______________________________ ______________________________ ______________________________

Who gives you

work order?

Factory owner Contractor/ Middle

person/ shopkeeper Any

other_____________ Name___________________ Contact Detail:________________

Do you get

work

regularly

and easily?

Yes No

(If No), Why___________________ _____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________

Do you have

same work

throughout

the year/or

change

according to

the season?

Yes No

What is your

average

income?

Daily Rs.____________ Weekly Rs. __________ Monthly Rs. _________ Any other______________

What is the

schedule of

payment of

wages

Daily Weekly Monthly Any

other_____________

Do you get wages in time?

Yes No

(If No),reasons_________________ _____________________________

Do you usually bargain with sub-contractor/ middle person / factory owner for increased wages?

Yes No

(If Yes), to whom you talked? ________________________ (If No), why didn’t you ask? ________________________ ________________________

Are you

satisfied

with the

current

wages?

Yes No

(If No), Why___________________ _____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________

Have your earnings brought some changes in your household?

Yes No

(If Yes), what are those changes? ________________________ ________________________

Do you save

some

money?

Yes No

(If Yes), how much you save? __________

What were the

reasons to

start up a

business?

_______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________

Does your

husband

commit

violence to

you

Yes No

(If yes) How ___________

Do you report?

None Family member Friends UC office Police station Any

other___________


42

Are you registered with any organization?

Yes No

(if Yes), name and address _________________________ _________________________ (If No), are you interested to register some one? __________________________

Did you get abovementioned facilities? Social security Employed old age benefits institute-EOBI Health card Any other___________

Do you

know the

detail of the

Govt.

programs

for the poor

Yes No

(if Yes),Where you get this information ______________________________

Did you get

any facilitation

from these

programmes?

Yes No

(if Yes),Please mentioned the Name

Did you ever took loan for Work? Tell the details of The loan?

Yes No

(If Yes), Where and how much? ____________________________ ____________________________

What were the

problems you

faced during

loaning

Financial collateral Guarantee Complicated and

delay loaning procedure

Any other__________

If you have

not taken

any loan, do

you like to

apply for a

loan?

Yes No

(If Yes), how much loan will help you? _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________

Do you have any of the following diseases None T.B Skin allergy Asthma Respiratory problems Arthritis Muscular pain Eye infection Blood pressure Back boon pain Muscular pain Diabetes Any other_________________


43

Any question or suggestion ?

write us at

[email protected]

Is your health

affected due to

your work?

Yes No

(If yes), How_______________ ________________________

How much

money do you

spend on your

illness due to

your work?

________________________ ________________________ ________________________

Did you get any

vocational training

related to your

work?

Diploma Certificate Others ________________

In order to

increase the

performance in

your present

work; do you

want to get any

vocational

training or skill

training?

Yes No

(If yes),Please specify _______________________ _______________________

What are your

recommendations

/ suggestions to

address personal/

social and

financial problems

faced by women

home based

workers

(1) ________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________

(2) ________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________

(3) _______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________

Notes

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