Domestic workers in Punjab are set to benefit from stronger labour protections following a landmark agreement to pilot employment contracts in the sector.
The initiative focuses on formalizing domestic work, improving labour protections, promoting decent work, strengthening social security access, supporting grievance mechanisms, ensuring fair compensation, defining working hours and reducing risks of exploitation, violence and harassment.
The agreement was signed by the Punjab Labour Department, the Domestic Workers Employers Association and the United Domestic Workers Federation. It is supported by the International Labour Organization through its Promoting Rights and Social Inclusion through Organization and Formalization Phase 2 project.
The pilot marks an important step toward creating clearer and more secure employment relationships between domestic workers and household employers across Punjab.
Domestic workers play an important role in households and the care economy, but many continue to work informally without written contracts, social protection or access to effective complaint mechanisms. This leaves many workers vulnerable to low wages, long working hours, exploitation and unsafe working conditions.
The new agreement builds on recent progress to strengthen protections for domestic workers in Punjab. These measures include the notification of a minimum wage of PKR 40,000 for domestic workers in 2025 and steps to support self-registration with the Punjab Employees Social Security Institution through reduced monthly contributions.
Under the agreement, the three parties will promote and monitor the rollout of the model employment contract provided under the Punjab Domestic Workers Rules 2025. The contract is expected to help define key employment terms and improve accountability between workers and employers.
Kalsum Haye, Director General of the Punjab Labour Department, said the agreement represents a bridge from informality to dignity. She noted that bringing government, employers and workers together is a practical step toward implementing the Domestic Workers Act 2019 and advancing decent work for vulnerable workers.
Arooma Shahzad, General Secretary of the United Domestic Workers Federation, said the pilot contract will help guarantee fair compensation, defined working hours and basic respect for domestic workers who have long worked without security or recourse.
Ghulam Mustafa Tabbasum, Secretary General of the Domestic Workers Employers Association, said formalizing the sector will bring clarity, professionalism and security for both households and workers.
As a next step, the employers’ association and workers’ federation will work with housing societies to pilot the contracts and promote formal employment relationships. Efforts are also underway to expand social security coverage for domestic workers through contributions to the Punjab Employees Social Security Institution.
The PRS Phase 2 project was launched in December 2022 with funding from the Government of Japan. It supports efforts to reduce decent work deficits and gender inequality in the informal economy while promoting the transition to formality in India, Nepal and Pakistan.
