Domestic Workers Employers Association (DWEA) in Punjab

0-1 Original language: English
I-1 Name of the initiative: Domestic Workers Employers Association (DWEA) in Punjab
I-2 Geographical coverage: PAK
I-2-A Region/country: Pakistan
I-2-R Region: Asia and the Pacific
I-2-T Geographical scope: Country
I-3-A Initiative start date: 2023
I-4 Leading entity/organization: Employer and Business Membership Organization
I-5 Collaborating entities/organizations: Government
I-5 Collaborating entities/organizations: Employer and Business Membership Organization
I-5 Collaborating entities/organizations: Workers' organization
I-6 Has the ILO been involved in the initiative?: Yes
I-6-A Specify how the ILO was involved: The ILO through the PRS project supported the Employers Federation of Pakistan, Workers Employers Bilateral Council of Pakistan (WEBCOP) and the Domestic Workers Union, who jointly put in efforts for the registration of the Domestic Workers Employers Association (DWEA). Similarly, the ILO has been contributing to the capacity building and training of the members and office bearers of the DWEA.
I-7 Is there collaboration with other agencies of the United Nations System or other partners?: Yes
II-1 Justification of the initiative: The Punjab Domestic Workers Act 2019 regulates the employment of domestic workers in the Province of Punjab. The first-ever trade union for domestic workers, the Domestic Workers Union (DWU), was registered in Lahore under the Industrial Relations Act 2010 by the Department of Labour Punjab, as part of the Pakistan United Workers Federation (PUWF). However, there was no corresponding organization representing employers. This absence left a critical gap in social dialogue and collective bargaining, as employers’ perspectives and concerns were not institutionally voiced.To fill this critical gap, the Domestic Workers Employers Association (DWEA) was established in Punjab in December 2023 through the Employers Federation of Pakistan (EFP). Its formation was the result of coordination and consultation among the Workers and Employers Bilateral Council of Pakistan (WEBCOP), DWU, and EFP.The formation of DWEA marks an innovative step towards formalizing employment relationships between domestic workers and employers and enhancing opportunities for social dialogue.
II-10 Focus on other branches of economic activity: Human health and social work activities
II-11 Focus on certain categories of enterprises or economic units according to their size: Other SSE entities (associations, mutual societies, foundations, self-help groups)
II-12 Focus on specific status in employment: Employees
II-12 Focus on specific status in employment: Employers
II-13 Focus on other specific categories of workers and employers, not captured elsewhere: Domestic workers
II-13 Focus on other specific categories of workers and employers, not captured elsewhere: Workers in the informal economy
II-13 Focus on other specific categories of workers and employers, not captured elsewhere: Employers of care workers
II-14 Focus on specific groups of population / persons prioritized in the initiative: Women
II-14 Focus on specific groups of population / persons prioritized in the initiative: Men
II-14 Focus on specific groups of population / persons prioritized in the initiative: Other groups/persons
II-14-A Specification: Domestic workers and their employers (women and men)
II-15 Has the initiative been developed through effective social dialogue processes and inter-institutional coordination mechanisms?: Yes, through social dialogue
II-15 Has the initiative been developed through effective social dialogue processes and inter-institutional coordination mechanisms?: Yes, inter-institutional coordination mechanisms
II-15 Has the initiative been developed through effective social dialogue processes and inter-institutional coordination mechanisms?: Other consultations
II-2 Objectives and description of the initiative: The Domestic Workers Employers Association (DWEA) serves as the representative body of household employers of domestic workers in Punjab. It plays a key role in ensuring employer compliance with the minimum wage for domestic workers (PKR 32,000 per month) and in promoting social security contributions by employers (PKR 5,000), as outlined in the Domestic Workers Registration and Benefit Regulation.The DWEA’s mandate is to:Organize employers of domestic workers.Advocate for the rights and interests of household employers.Raise awareness among employers about their rights and responsibilities, as well as those of workers.Facilitate compliance with laws and regulations governing domestic work, including adherence to minimum wage requirements and social security contributions.Represent employers in bipartite and tripartite social dialogue.
II-3 Type of initiative: National/local law
II-3 Type of initiative: Advocacy/campaign/awareness-raising
II-3 Type of initiative: Other (specify)
II-3-A Specification: Organization of employers
II-4 Which of the Rs in the 5R Framework for Decent Care Work guides this initiative?: Reward care workers
II-4 Which of the Rs in the 5R Framework for Decent Care Work guides this initiative?: Representation of care workers
II-5 Which is the main policy area of the 5R Framework for Decent Care Work does the practice focus on?: Care policies
II-6 Which other policy areas of the 5R Framework for Decent Care Work does the practice focus on?: Social Protection policies
II-6 Which other policy areas of the 5R Framework for Decent Care Work does the practice focus on?: Labour Protection policies
II-7 Which policies or measures to advance decent work in the care economy does the practice focus on?: Design and implement integrated and coherent care policies and systems for decent work and gender equality
II-7 Which policies or measures to advance decent work in the care economy does the practice focus on?: Formalization of informal care jobs and enterprises
II-7 Which policies or measures to advance decent work in the care economy does the practice focus on?: Addressing the undervaluation of care work by raising public awareness
II-7 Which policies or measures to advance decent work in the care economy does the practice focus on?: Preventing and addressing all forms of discrimination against care workers
II-7 Which policies or measures to advance decent work in the care economy does the practice focus on?: Ensuring effective access to labour protection and social security, including through labour inspection, for all care workers
II-7 Which policies or measures to advance decent work in the care economy does the practice focus on?: Policies and strategies on working time, wages, and occupational safety and health, including preventing and addressing violence and harassment
II-7 Which policies or measures to advance decent work in the care economy does the practice focus on?: Promoting the voice and representation of, and consulting with, care worker organizations, organizations of employers of care workers and unpaid family carers
II-8 Which beneficiaries in the care economy does the practice focus on?: Paid care workers (nurses, domestic workers, teachers, childcare workers, personal assistants, etc.)
II-9 Geographical scope: Urban and rural
III-1 In a short paragraph, summarize the main results and impacts obtained: With support from the ILO, the Domestic Workers Union (DWU) and the Employers Federation of Pakistan (EFP) have taken important steps to strengthen the Domestic Workers Employers Association (DWEA) in Punjab. To build a membership base, DWU organized 30 community awareness sessions and registration camps across five union councils, engaging 735 employers and resulting in the registration of more than 500 employers with DWEA by January 2024. For capacity building, a leadership training program was conducted for 20 members, preparing them to serve as potential leaders of the DWEA. In addition, an awareness-raising seminar on the social security scheme for domestic workers was held for about 100 members, focusing on the relevant legislation, employers’ contribution responsibilities, and the enrolment process.To further promote decent work standards, EFP hosted the launch of a Code of Conduct in 2024 and, together with WEBCOP and DWU, delivered training on the Code and international labour standards, including ILO Conventions C189 and C190.
III-2 Explanation of the innovative element of the initiative for advancing decent work in the care economy: The creation of the Domestic Workers Employers Association (DWEA) represents an innovative step toward formalizing employment relationships between domestic workers and their employers, while also enhancing opportunities for social dialogue. The establishment of DWEA is the result of close coordination and collaboration among the Workers and Employers Bilateral Council of Pakistan (WEBCOP), DWU, and EFP.DWEA is expected to play a vital role in advocating for the rights of household employers, raising awareness, and facilitating compliance with regulations governing domestic work. It is anticipated to actively promote adherence to the minimum wage and social security contributions by employers, set at Rs. 5,000 under the Domestic Workers Registration and Benefit Regulation. The association will also serve as a counterpart to DWU in social dialogue, engaging on labour issues and advocating for policy actions from the government.
IV-1 What were the main challenges or difficulties during the design and implementation? How were they faced/ addressed?: The main challenges encountered during the design, implementation, and registration of DWEA included objections raised by the Registrar of Trade Unions (RTU) on the registration application, delays by the RTU in processing the registration, lack of awareness among domestic workers’ employers, and difficulties in opening a separate bank account in the name of DWEA.These challenges were addressed by engaging a lawyer who consistently liaised with the RTU, systematically responding to their queries and objections. The support of the Domestic Workers Union (DWU) and the Employers Federation of Pakistan (EFP) was also instrumental in the registration process. Their advocacy and awareness campaigns played a key role in informing the public about DWEA and its purpose.
IV-2 Lessons learned and good practices, including room and opportunities for improvement: A key lesson learned is that sustained bipartite and tripartite cooperation creates an enabling environment for innovative initiatives such as the Domestic Workers Employers Association (DWEA). The Workers and Employers Bilateral Council of Pakistan (WEBCOP), established in 2002, is a national platform designed to foster bipartite cooperation between the Pakistan United World Federation (PUWF) and the Employers’ Federation of Pakistan (EFP). It addresses issues of common interest at both national and provincial levels and has played a key role in facilitating bipartite dialogues and engaging with the Labour Department of Punjab, a major contributing factor to the establishment of the DWEA.Opportunities for improvement: Ensuring the DWEA is financially sustainable and that its members are equipped to carry out their own activities without constant technical and financial support from the Domestic Workers Union or the ILO remains a key priority. Additionally, the association could improve gender representation, as currently only 4 out of 9 office bearers are women.
IV-3 Key conditions for success: A key factor for success is the collaborative approach of the Domestic Workers Union (DWU), WEBCOP, and EFP, along with the proactive engagement of the Labour Department of Punjab Province. Additionally, the enactment of the Domestic Workers Act 2019 created a supportive normative environment for implementing provisions that safeguard the rights and working conditions of domestic workers, which in turn facilitated the establishment of DWEA.
IV-4 Key conditions for sustainability: The sustainability of the Domestic Workers Employers Association (DWEA) in Punjab is supported by its formal registration. The DWEA in Punjab is a formal entity registered under the Punjab Industrial Relations Act 2010. It has a set of rules or constitution that outlines its purpose, governance structure, operating procedures, and a list of membersThe Employers’ Federation of Pakistan (EFP) provides critical support, including leading the registration process, offering in-kind assistance, mobilizing potential members through its networks, enhancing the association’s visibility, and strengthening institutional capacity through initiatives such as the development of the Code of Conduct and identification of strategic partners.
IV-5 Potential for transferability, expansion and replicability in other countries and contexts: Building on the successful experience of DWEA in Punjab Province, efforts are now underway to establish the DWEA in Sindh Province. The collaborative work of WEBCOP, DWU, and EFP in creating and strengthening DWEA in Punjab demonstrates an effective model of cooperation between workers and employers. This unique, joint approach of promoting decent work for domestic workers offers valuable lessons that can be replicated and adapted in other countries.
V-1 Sources of information and documents used on the characteristics of the initiative, including links to websites, news items, toolkits, policy documents or reports: ILO and Pakistan Workers’ Federation join hands for protection of the rights of domestic workers
V-2 Contact information of ILO focal point: Razi Mujtaba Haider, National Project Coordinator ([email protected])

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