Despite annual observance of International Domestic Workers Day, millions of domestic workers in Pakistan—especially in Punjab—continue to suffer exploitation and insecurity years after the passage of the Domestic Workers Act 2019. Rights groups say the law has not been effectively implemented, leaving more than 10 million workers exposed to abuse, informal wages and a lack of basic protections.
Punjab alone accounts for the largest share of domestic labourers. Lahore Division is estimated to have over four million domestic workers, with Rawalpindi around 1.6 million and Faisalabad roughly 1.4 million. Women and children make up a large proportion of this workforce, many migrating from poor rural areas to find work. Activists report that child labour—particularly involving young girls—remains common in private homes.
Critics say the 2019 Act contains serious weaknesses. It permits employment from age 15, which conflicts with stronger constitutional protections for children, and its maternity leave provisions are substantially weaker than those in other labour laws. Provisions meant to resolve disputes at the Union Council level have been ineffective because an operational local government framework and the necessary administrative structures are missing.
Civil society members note a gap between Pakistan’s ratification of international labour conventions and the realities faced by domestic workers. Activist Amna Malik and others point out that domestic work remains largely invisible within an undocumented economy: wages are often paid informally, minimum wage rules are ignored, and labour protections are not enforced.
NGOs are calling for practical measures such as structured vocational training, social security schemes, and rigorous enforcement of the Rs40,000 minimum wage. Labour unions have documented widespread gender discrimination, unpaid leave, denial of medical care, and job insecurity. Many workers report spending decades in service without access to healthcare, pensions or legal recourse.
Punjab labour officials have acknowledged shortcomings, saying the law was drafted hurriedly and lacks effective enforcement mechanisms. They cite the difficulty of monitoring private households, severe administrative gaps, staff shortages and incomplete rules of business as obstacles to implementation.
Advocates warn that publicity campaigns and symbolic gestures cannot substitute for concrete reforms. They urge the government to strengthen enforcement, establish functioning dispute-resolution bodies, expand social protections and ensure that legal standards protect children and pregnant workers. Without these steps, domestic workers will remain vulnerable despite the promise of the 2019 legislation.
