Islamabad (TDI): The Country Director of International Labor Organization (ILO) in Pakistan, Geir Tonstol, shared his thoughts on Domestic Workers Day, while writing in the English Daily Newspaper, Pakistan Observer.
Every June 16, the International Labor Organization (ILO) and its partners celebrate the anniversary of adoption of the Domestic Workers Convention No. 189 that recognized domestic work as real work and introduced labor rights for domestic workers.
Tonstol urged the need for a strong enforcement of legal and social protections for millions of individuals, particularly women who are employed in private domestic work.
He highlights the impact of Covid-19 on domestic workers as many lost their jobs and livelihoods overnight with few employers who continued to pay wages during lockdown, and noted that women domestic workers suffer the most under such economic shocks.
In Pakistan, most of the 8.5 million domestic workers — many women and girls — work without contracts, protection or social security.
On #DomesticWorkersDay, I reflect on the urgent need for dignity for domestic workers.
My op-ed in Pakistan Observer: https://t.co/rUJNuXacec pic.twitter.com/Ri3L6mRfhn
— Geir Tonstol (@gtonstol) June 16, 2025
He further mentioned that despite hard and critical contributions, domestic workers are the most exploited and unprotected employees.
“With an estimated 8.5 million domestic workers in Pakistan — many of them women and young girls — the sector remains one of the most informal and unprotected in the labor market,” Tonstol wrote.
Moreover he reflected on the working conditions of domestic workers saying most of them aren’t even part of a formal contract and also face sexual harassment, torture and violence in domestic work. Over a quarter of domestic workers in Asia work seven days a week without any off which includes Pakistan as well, where these workers are deprived of their basic labor rights.
Geir Tonstol wrote, “… domestic workers are workers, and they deserve the same protections, wages and respect afforded to any other occupation”
Read More: Promoting Decent Work and Labor Rights in Pakistan
Tonstol highlighted that progress is underway, in the province of Punjab where the government has enacted the Domestic Workers Act 2019 which is focused at regulating working conditions for domestic workers. The province along with the support of ILO has introduced the minimum wage for domestic workers as well.
With the support of ILO, domestic workers have also gained a platform to raise their voices in policy discussions through the Domestic Workers Union (DWU), and Domestic Workers Employers Association (DWEA) has also been established in Punjab.
Geir Tonstol emphasized “Recognizing domestic workers’ rights is not a gesture of charity. It is an essential, practical, forward-looking policy choice.”
In the end Geir Tonstol urged to build a future where domestic workers aren’t ignored or sidelined in homes, laws or disaster plans.
An IR student whose interest lies in diplomacy and current affairs and a part time debater
