American Scientific Research Journal for Engineering, Technology, and Sciences (ASRJETS) ISSN (Print) 2313-4410, ISSN (Online) 2313-4402 © Global Society of Scientific Research and Researchers http://asrjetsjournal.org/ Women Home Based Workers in Rural areas of Pakistan Naila Shamshada, Saira Akhtarb, Kanwal Asgharc, Rashid Menhasd*, Madhia Naze a,b,c,e Department of Rural Sociology, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Pakistan d Department of Sociology, Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan dEmail: rashidminhas33@gmail.com Abstract Home-based work is a “general category of work within the informal or unorganized sector where workers carry out remunerative activities within their homes or in the surrounding areas but not at the premises of an employer”. The women Home-based workers defines as “The Women who work in their own dwelling or home stations. It is the moneymaking activity. The home based work includes the embroidery, handicrafts, stitching, weaving, shoe making, football making, garments, handmade jewelry and decoration piece making etc. The main purpose of this study was to explore awareness among women home based worker about their rights. The study was conducted in District Faisalabad. Multistage sampling technique was used in this study. At first stage, one Tehsil Faisalabad out of five Tehsils was selected by using simple random sampling technique. At second stage 4 union councils including UC-49, UC-157, and UC-274 were selected by using simple purposive sampling technique. At third stage four villages from each union council out of five villages (Chack No- 225 RB, Malkhawala), (Chack No-217 RB, Chakaira), (Chack No-218 RB, Pronkawala) and (Chack No-61 JB, Dharora) were selected purposively. The study was conducted in rural area of District Faisalabad. The sample size of one twenty women was selected by using simple random sampling. Questionnaire was used as a tool for data collection and collected data were analyzed by using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Results of the study revealed that 61.7% of the respondents were illiterate, about 38.3% of the respondents earned 2501-5000 rupees, the significant majority 86.7% of the respondents belonged to lower class, about one third 40% of the respondents involved in stitching, more than half 51.7% of the respondents worked up to 6 hours per day, the majority 67.5% the of the respondents had muscular pain, and the significant majority 87.5% of the respondents had no awareness about their rights. Keywords: Home-based worker; Home stations; Money making activity; Rural Women ------------------------------------------------------------------------ * Corresponding author. E-mail address: rashidminhas33@gmail.com. 173 http://asrjetsjournal.org/ American Scientific Research Journal for Engineering, Technology, and Sciences (ASRJETS) (2015) Volume 11, No 1, pp 173-182 1. Introduction Home-based work is a general category of work within the informal or unorganized sector where workers carry out remunerative activities within their homes or in the surrounding areas but not at the premises of an employer. It has also been defined as “the production in the workers household of goods and services for monetary exchange”. The women Home-based workers defines as “The Women who work in their own dwelling or home stations”. It is the moneymaking activity. The home based work includes the embroidery, handicrafts, stitching, weaving, shoe making, football making, garments, handmade jewelry and decoration piece making etc. Pakistan is one of the Asian countries that have the big amount of females who are engaged in home based work. This unit is increasing with the high-speed rate. The increasing high rate of home based work can be linked to the globalization of industry. According to the World Bank study, 10 million females of Pakistan are engaged in home based work. The women home based work is contributed the economy of Pakistan [1]. The Government recognizes that there are 8.52 million home based workers in the country. The proportion of women workers in the home-based sector is 65% in contrast to only 4% of all male workers who are home- based workers. These home based workers contribute to the country’s economic growth. Pakistan accounts 80% of the world’s match-grade footballs and earns nearly $50 million in foreign exchange from this industry alone. Most of these women home-based workers, who represent 60% of women workforce in the country, are piece rate workers involved in manufacturing and post-manufacturing tasks such as embroidery, carpet weaving and handlooms, woodwork and other handicrafts, bangle making, dates cleaning and packing prawn peeling and packing and many other similar tasks [2]. Providing the first-ever national platform to home-based female workers in Pakistan, a union has been launched to collectively fight for their rights. Three constituent organizations including Action Aid are demanding legal and social protection for these workers and repeal of discriminatory laws against women. The first ever women union of its kind in the country, Home-Based Aurat Workers Union Pakistan” (HBAWUP) was launched in Pakistan at a national congress held in Lahore on August 22, 2008. The congress was jointly organized by Women Workers Helpline, Labor Education Foundation and Action Aid Pakistan. Over 600 home-based women workers, representatives from Punjab, Baluchistan, Sindh, NWFP and Azad Kashmir participated in the congress [3]. On the one hand, HBW is an important source of income for the home worker households. This aspect underlines the central role of these earning activities in the welfare of the households. On the other hand, there are poor conditions of work and related health issues, the low rates of pay (which often keep the households close to poverty-line), and the vulnerability of the households especially if home based work is the main source of income. Furthermore, home based workers are invisible, non-unionized and the lack of collective action can make them very vulnerable totally lacking social protection. Ignoring their existence and the perspectives of such workers by focusing social protection on the formal sector was one of the mistakes of previous policy makers. At the household level, the impact of this first synergy can be demonstrated by examining the life cycle of an educated girl. There is evidence that an educated girl is likely to marry later than a girl who remains without any education [4]. 174 American Scientific Research Journal for Engineering, Technology, and Sciences (ASRJETS) (2015) Volume 11, No 1, pp 173-182 Now a day’s Pakistan is dealing more than one issues of economy problems. The females of Pakistan know about rights, common values and norms of society. The limited rights and restricted moving system are forced the women to do home based work in their homes. Home base worker also charged a little amount of money in return the job or work. The women who are experts charged more and those females whom are inexpert gaining low salary. However, they have no promotion of their work [5]. 2. Materials and Methods Research methodology is a set of explicit rules and regulations on which the foundation of research is laid down [6] .The major objective of methodology is to explain various tools and techniques employed for the collection, analysis and interpretation of data related to research problem under investigation. 2.1 Universe Universe is any set of individuals or objects having common observable characteristics constitute a population or universe. The Universe of the present study was district Faisalabad. 2.2 Sampling Technique Multistage sampling technique was used in this study for sample selection. At first stage, one Tehsil Faisalabad out of five Tehsils was selected by using simple random sampling technique. At second stage 4 union councils including UC-49, UC-157, and UC-274 were selected by using simple purposive sampling technique. At third stage four villages from each union council out of five villages (Chack No- 225 RB, Malkhawala), (Chack No- 217 RB, Chakaira), (Chack No-218 RB, Pronkawaland (Chack No-61 JB, Dharora) were selected purposively. The study was conducted in rural area of district Faisalabad. The sample size of one twenty women was selected by using simple random sampling. The one twenty women were interviewed by taking women from each selected household, 30 women from each selected villages. 2.3 Sample Size Sampling is the process of selecting units (people, organizations) from a population of interest so that by studying the sample we may fairly generalize our results back to the population from which they were chosen [7]. The study was conducted in rural areas of district Faisalabad. A sample of 120 respondents was selected by using multistage sampling technique. The purpose of selecting the sample (women) was the representatives of their household. 2.4 Data Collection Tool A well-designed questionnaire was used for data collection, which were based upon open ended and close-ended questions. 175 American Scientific Research Journal for Engineering, Technology, and Sciences (ASRJETS) (2015) Volume 11, No 1, pp 173-182 2.5 Statistical Analysis Statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) was used for the analysis. 3. Results and Discussions Analysis of data and interpretation of results are the most important steps in scientific research. Without these steps generalization and prediction cannot be achieved, which is the target of scientific research. Generalization and conclusion are drawn based on characteristics and attitudes of the respondents. Both Uni-variate and Bi- variate statistical analysis were performed. Uni-Variate Analysis Table 1: Distribution of the respondents according to their educational level Educational level Frequency %age Illiterate 74 61.7 Primary 16 13.3 Middle 15 12.5 Matric or above 15 12.5 Total 120 100.0 Table 1 indicates that more than half i.e. 61.7 % of the respondents were illiterate. The small majority i.e. 13.3 % of the respondents had primary education. About 12.5 % of the respondents had middle education. The small majority i.e. 12.5 % of the respondents had metric above education o education. Similar literacy rate were found by [8] and noted that the overall literacy rate (age 10 years and above) is 57.7 % (69.5 % for male and 45.2 % for female) compared to 57.4 % (69.3 % for male and 44.7 % for female) for 2008-09. Table 2: Distribution of the respondents according to their income from home based work Income (Rs.) Frequency %age Up to 2500 38 31.7 2501-5000 46 38.3 Above 5000 36 30.0 Total 120 100.0 176 American Scientific Research Journal for Engineering, Technology, and Sciences (ASRJETS) (2015) Volume 11, No 1, pp 173-182 Table 2 reflects that less than one third i.e. 31.7 % of the respondents had up to 2500 hundred monthly. More than one third i.e. 38.3 % of the respondents were earned 2501-5000 monthly. The small majority i.e. 13.3 % of the respondents were earned above 5000 monthly. Govt. of Pakistan in 2010 [9] found that the female’s home- based workers mostly come from the poor and middle class families, lower or the lower middle-income people and from different age groups very little or no qualification. Table 3: Distribution of the respondents according to their family status Family status Frequency %age Lower class 104 86.7 Middle class 16 13.3 Total 120 100.0 Table 3 indicates that the significant majority i.e. 86.7 % of the respondents were belonged to the lower class. The small majority i.e. 13.3 % of the respondents were belonged to the middle class family status. According to the [9] found that the women home-based workers mostly come from the poor and middle class families. Table 4: Distribution of the respondents according to the type of work they perform Type of work Yes No Total Frequency %age Frequency %age Frequency %age Embroidery 36 30.0 84 70.0 120 100.0 Stitching 48 40.0 72 60.0 120 100.0 Parlor 4 3.3 116 96.7 120 100.0 Weaving 4 3.3 116 96.7 120 100.0 Makaish and Sitara work 3 2.5 117 97.5 120 100.0 Knitting, sewing 28 23.3 92 76.7 120 100.0 Gloves making 8 6.7 112 93.3 120 100.0 Bangle Seller 4 3.3 116 96.7 120 100.0 Any other 12 10.0 108 90.0 120 100.0 Table 4 shows that about one third i.e. 30.0 % of the respondents were engaged in embroidery work. More than half i.e. 70.0 % of the respondents were not engaged in embroidery work. Less than half i.e. 40.0 % of the 177 American Scientific Research Journal for Engineering, Technology, and Sciences (ASRJETS) (2015) Volume 11, No 1, pp 173-182 respondents were engaged in stitching work. More than i.e. half 60.0 % of the respondents were engaged in stitching work. Only 3.3% of the respondents were engaged in parlor work. The significant majority i.e. 96.7 % of the respondents were engaged in parlor work. Only 3.3 % of the respondents were engaged in weaving work. The significant majority i.e. 96.7 % of the respondents were not engaged in weaving work. Only 2.5 % of the respondents were engaged in makaish and sittara work. The significant majority i.e. 97.5 % the respondents were not engaged in makaish and sittara work. More than one fifth i.e. 23.3 % of the respondents were engaged in knitting and sewing work. The majority i.e. 76.7 % of the respondents were not engaged in knitting and sewing work. Only 6.7 % of the respondents were engaged in gloves stitching work. The significant majority 93.3 % of the respondents were not engaged in gloves stitching work. Only 3.3 % of the respondents were engaged in bangles celling work. The significant majority 96.7 % of the respondents were not engaged in bangles celling work. Similarly [10] also observed that majority of females are involved in the production and post-production tasks as embroidery, stitching, handlooms, carpet weaving, wood work and the other handicrafts, making of bangles, purse making ,gloves making, knitting, cleaning and packing of dates, prawn shelling, packaging, shoes stitching and the many other same tasks and assignments etc. These home- based female workers were making a considerable addition to the economy of Pakistan but their work was unrecognized. Table 5: Distribution of the respondents according to their working hours Working hours Frequency %age Up to 6 hours 62 51.7 8 hours 32 26.7 9-10 hours 12 10.0 11-12 hours 12 10.0 More than 12 hours 2 1.7 Total 120 100.0 Table 5 reveals that more than half i.e. 51.7 % of the respondents were worked up to 6 hours per day. About one forth i.e. 26.7 % of the respondents were worked 8 hour per day. The small majority i.e. 10.0 % of the respondents were worked 9-10 hours per day. About 10.0 % of the respondents were worked 11-12 hours per day. About 1.7 % of the respondents were worked more than 12 hours per day. According to the [11] in Germany stated that Majority of female workers 65 % worked for six to eight hours in their daily life inside their houses and earned a minimum of five hundred to two thousand rupees in a month after doing vary laborious works. 178 American Scientific Research Journal for Engineering, Technology, and Sciences (ASRJETS) (2015) Volume 11, No 1, pp 173-182 Table 6: Distribution of the respondents according to the part of unit Part of unit Frequency %age Private unit 24 20.0 Self-base 96 80.0 Total 120 100.0 Table 6 indicates that one fifth i.e. 20.0 % of the respondents were the part of private unit. The significant majority i.e. 80 % of the respondents belonged to the self-base work. Similarly [12] depicted that An analysis of data from the Pakistan Integrated Household Survey 1998-99 suggests that women who are younger, poorly educated and from larger families enter the labor market not out of their own choice at all, they do self-based work. Table 7: Distribution of the respondents according to their thinking that work is not highlighted on print/electronic media Respondents’ thinking that work is not highlighted on print/electronic media Frequency %age Yes 72 60.0 No 48 40.0 Total 120 100.0 Table 7 reflects that the majority i.e. 60 % of the respondents were preferred that their work should be highlighted on print/electronic media. Less than half i.e. 40.0 % of the respondents were not preferred that their work should be highlighted on print/electronic media. Above results, supported by [13] stated women got authority by getting information and knowledge through the print media and electronic media, which directly affects the job of females in the houses and the involvement ratio of the women. Bi-Variate Analysis Table 8 represents the association between age of the respondents and their problems. Chi-square value shows a non-significant association between age of the respondents and their problems. Gamma value shows no relationship between the variables. It means age had no impact on the home based workers. So the hypothesis “Higher the age of the home based workers, lower will be facing problem” is rejected. 179 American Scientific Research Journal for Engineering, Technology, and Sciences (ASRJETS) (2015) Volume 11, No 1, pp 173-182 Table 8: Association between age of the respondents and their problems Age (in years) Barriers/Problems Total Low Medium High Less than 20 years 11 5 15 31 35.5% 16.1% 48.4% 100.0% 20-30 9 18 11 38 23.7% 47.4% 28.9% 100.0% 31-40 9 10 7 26 34.6% 38.5% 26.9% 100.0% Above 40 8 6 11 25 32.0% 24.0% 44.0% 100.0% Total 37 39 44 120 30.8% 32.5% 36.7% 100.0% Chi-square = 9.77 d.f. = 6 P-value = .134NS Gamma = -.040 NS = Non-significant Table 9: Association between education of the respondents and their problems Education Barriers/Problems Total Low Medium High Illiterate 16 29 29 74 21.6% 39.2% 39.2% 100.0% Literate 21 10 15 46 45.7% 21.7% 32.6% 100.0% Total 37 39 44 120 30.8% 32.5% 36.7% 100.0% Chi-square = 8.30 d.f. = 2 P-value = .016* Gamma = -.287 * = Significant 180 American Scientific Research Journal for Engineering, Technology, and Sciences (ASRJETS) (2015) Volume 11, No 1, pp 173-182 Table 9 represents the association between education of the respondents and their problems. Chi square value shows a significant association between education of the respondents and their problems. Gamma value shows a strong negative relationship between the variables. It means educated home based workers were facing fewer problems as compared to illiterate home based workers. So the hypothesis “Educational status of the home based workers will be influencing on their problem” is accepted. 4. Conclusion The conclusion of my study is those women home based workers are facing many problems. They are getting very low wages. They are very hard working and work 6-8 hours per day. Mostly the females who are engaged in home based work, they are illiterate, they have no awareness about their rights. They have no security of work. Health problem also faced by women home based worker such as eyesight, muscular pain and headache. The home-based female workers are escalating swiftly due to many reasons, poverty, unemployment and the soaring prices of the almost all essential and basic foodstuffs in the country. Home based workers joint this profession to increase their family income and they were satisfied with their work, whereas these females belong to neglected part of the community in the country. Home based workers faced many problems i.e. exploitation of intermediary, insufficient income and irregularity in giving wages. They wanted to social security, small loan and old age benefits. The home-based female workers are un-organized, scattered and perform their work assignments independently. In very rare cases, they have associations with the each other. These types of female workers have no platform to gather and discuss about their problems and benefits. The home based female workers have to care for their children, cooking, cleaning and on the top of it all; they have to formulate these things. There is a dire need of the media to pinpoint the problems of these women workers because these types of females’ workers belong to one of the most ignored part in our country. With increasing unemployment, more and more males are coming back to their homes to sit and stay for another job whereas the load of earning income lies on the females’ shoulders. Most of them are not yet skilled appropriately. In the similar way the organizations, doing work for their betterment have not established linkages with the each other. Further, these home-based workers are working in the informal sector of the economy, deprived of the efforts of the labor unions for the rights of these female workers. References [1] ILO, Recognizing and supporting home based worker. South Asia Regional. National Policy for Home based worker in Pakistan, [2010]. International Labor Organization and Home- net Pakistan. [2] Government of Pakistan, Economic Survey of Pakistan, [2010]. Ministry of Economic Affairs Government of Pakistan, Islamabad, Pakistan. [3] OWSA, Home-based women workers unite in Pakistan, [2008]. One World South Asia Group, August. [4] M. Santosh and M. Biggeri. Home Based Women Workers and Outsourced Manufacturing in Asia, [2002]. Innocent Working Paper. 181 American Scientific Research Journal for Engineering, Technology, and Sciences (ASRJETS) (2015) Volume 11, No 1, pp 173-182 [5] N. Hussain and D. Hussain. Home Based Workers in South Punjab, [2011]. A Qualitative Study in D.G Khan, Layyah and Rajanpur. [6] Nachmias, C.F. and D. Nachmias. Research method in social sciences published by Edwards Arnold, [1992]. A division of hoddesand staugh to a London. [7] Trochim, W.M.K. What is the research method knowledge base? Department of policy analysis and management, [2006]. Cornell University, New York. [8] Govt. of Pakistan. Economic Survey of Pakistan, [2010-2011]. Ministry of Finance, Govt. of Pakistan, Islamabad. Pakistan. [9] Government of Pakistan. Economic Survey of Pakistan, [2010]. Ministry of Economic Affairs Government of Pakistan, Islamabad, Pakistan. [10] Imran, M. Home-Based Female Workers Await Recognition Of Their Rights, [2012]. Daily Newspaper the News. [11] Global Network. Research on Home-Based Women Workers, [2011]. Solider Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development. [12] Naqvi, F. Zareen and L. Shahnaz. “How Do Women Decide to Work in Pakistan, [2002].PSDE papers presented 18thAGM. http://www.pide.org.pk/psde/Papers_18AGM.html.s [13] Sharif’s C., I. Nosheen and Farhana. The Determinants of Women Empowerment in Southern Punjab Pakistan, [2010]. An Empirical Analysis. European Journal of Social Sciences. 10: 216-229. 182 http://www.pide.org.pk/psde/Papers_18AGM.html.s