Sector-wide study on Gender
and Employment in Coastal
Areas
Gender Equality for Decent Employment (GE4DE)
Study Conducted by
Centre for Peace and Justice Pakistan (CPJP)
In collaboration with
Rasta Development Consultants (RDC)
Centre for Peace and Justice Pakistan (CPJP)
Suit No. U-20, Rufi Shopping Paradise, KDA-Scheme No. 33,
University Road, Karachi.
E-mail: info@cpjp.org, www.cpjp.org
Contents
Promoting Gender Equality for Decent Employment ............................................................... 4
Sector Overview ........................................................................................................................ 4
Employment in coastal areas .................................................................................................... 4
Research Justification ............................................................................................................... 5
Gendered Situation Analysis ..................................................................................................... 5
Research Questions .................................................................................................................. 6
Geographical Focus ................................................................................................................... 7
Approaches and Methods ......................................................................................................... 7
Sample Sizes and Groups .......................................................................................................... 8
Major Instruments developed .................................................................................................. 9
Analysis & Reporting ................................................................................................................. 9
Factory workers: ..................................................................................................................... 15
Juniors/Learners ..................................................................................................................... 15
Labour ..................................................................................................................................... 15
Supervisors .............................................................................................................................. 15
Leave policy............................................................................................................................. 15
Poultry food drying: ................................................................................................................ 16
Swing: ...................................................................................................................................... 16
Hand Embroidery .................................................................................................................... 16
Small shops ............................................................................................................................. 16
Fishing net making .................................................................................................................. 16
Selling junk food...................................................................................................................... 16
Small tea restaurant (Dhaba) .................................................................................................. 17
Working for home making (servants): .................................................................................... 17
Entry skills Analysis ................................................................................................................. 17
Working conditions ................................................................................................................. 17
Carrier progression opportunities .......................................................................................... 17
Workplace conditions ............................................................................................................. 17
Teaching .................................................................................................................................. 18
Embroidery: ............................................................................................................................ 18
Livestock on small scale .......................................................................................................... 18
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Showpiece Making .................................................................................................................. 18
Handicrafts making ................................................................................................................. 18
Packing of products (shrimps, fish etc) ................................................................................... 18
Cottage industry: .................................................................................................................... 18
Electrocutions (for Male) ........................................................................................................ 18
Plumber (for Male).................................................................................................................. 19
Automobile repairing (for Male) ............................................................................................. 19
IT training for clerical jobs ...................................................................................................... 19
o
School Teaching .............................................................................................................. 19
o
Training for decoration peacemaking ............................................................................. 19
o
Hand and Machine Embroidery ...................................................................................... 19
o
Stitching and Tailoring .................................................................................................... 19
o
Marketing Skills ............................................................................................................... 19
o
Packing Shrimps .............................................................................................................. 19
o
Training in livestock management .................................................................................. 19
o
Poultry management on household level ....................................................................... 20
o
Training of candle making ............................................................................................... 20
o
Training of washing detergent making ........................................................................... 20
Fisheries Department (Government of Sindh)........................................................................ 21
Ministries of fisheries (Federal Government) ......................................................................... 21
Livestock Department, Government of Sindh. ....................................................................... 21
Training providers ................................................................................................................... 22
Target Group ........................................................................................................................... 22
Labour Department Government of Sindh. ............................................................................ 22
Non-government and non-profit organizations (NGOS)......................................................... 22
HANDS ..................................................................................................................................... 22
Shaikh Maheegeer Welfare Association ................................................................................. 23
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Introduction and Process
Promoting Gender Equality for Decent Employment
ILO
is currently implementing a project, Promoting Gender Equality
for Decent Employment (GE4DE), funded by the Canadian
International Development Agency (CIDA). GE4DE intends to
enhance the capacity of stakeholders to inform, design and implement gender
sensitive policies and programmes and create more gender equal employment in
selected economic sectors of Pakistan. Amongst others, one of the identified
economic
areas
is
the
Coastal
sector.
Centre for Peace and Justice Pakistan (CPJP) with the collaboration of Rasta
Development Consultants (RDC) carried out the research study in the Coastal areas
of Karachi comprising Rehri Village, Ibrahim Hydery Bin Qasim Town, District Malir
and Abdul Rehman Village, Tikri Village of Kemari Town, Karachi (West).
Sector Overview
The coastal areas of Pakistan are in the province of Sindh and Balochistan.
These coastal areas are on the shore of Arabian Sea connecting with other
countries of the world. Gawader and Karachi are two prominent ports on these
coastal areas. Gawader is a district along the sea in south of the Makran.
Gawader port can become a trade hub for all the neighboring land locked central
Asian countries of Pakistan.
Employment in coastal areas
Gender inequalities are widespread in coastal labour markets, particularly fishing
sector. Women often work in the lowest paid and most precarious forms of
employment, and experience the effects of the so-called “sticky floor”, on the
bottom rungs of their occupations. Furthermore, they continue to be affected by
the invisibility of their work related to the care economy. Access to productive
Work that provides an adequate income for working men and women is the surest
route out of poverty. Productive employment is the economic foundation of decent
work. In the coastal areas most of the employments of women are in fishing
sectors, through the research we would like you to look at the non-fishing
opportunities. Eg those coastal communities are primarily involved in fishing, but
also other activities such as home-based crafts, packaging factories, and domestic
work.
In July-May 2002-03 fish and fishery products valued at US $ 117 million were
exported from Pakistan. The fisheries sector as a whole contributes to about 1
percent to the country's GDP and provides jobs for about 1% of the country's
labour force. Freshwater carp farming is the major aquaculture activity in three of
the country's four provinces (Punjab, Sindh and Khyber Pukhtun Khwa KPK). No
direct data on the number of fish farmers employed in this sector is available as
fish farming in most parts of the country is carried out as an integral part of crop
farming.
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In Pakistan, the participation of women in fisheries is common among the fishing
communities and women are engaged in aquaculture activities specially when it is
part of a family enterprise and help is required in feeding, planting grasses in the
ponds and guarding the ponds when the farm is close to the house. Most fish
markets have inadequate facilities, usually they lack cold storage facilities, have
poor hygienic conditions and inadequate communication links, etc.
Research Justification
Since GE4DE’s focus is on promoting gender equality in the world of work, more
detailed information of the gender dimensions of employment in Coastal areas is
needed to ensure that project interventions properly address the needs and
expectations of women, men, girls and boys.
Gendered Situation Analysis
As part of the planning phase, GE4DE is commissioning research to provide
gender-aware baseline information upon which to design sector specific
interventions. For each sector, the situation analysis exercise will be conducted by
a research partnership. Each partnership will consist of one lead partner and one or
more local, supporting partners. Partnering expert organizations, with smaller
community-based ones, provides an effective combination of the outsider’s (lead
research organization) specialist expertise with insider’s (local organizations)
knowledge, and helps build capacity in the process.
General Objectives
The general objectives of this exercise, that is the broad development goals to be
achieved, are:
 Capacity of research and community organizations enhanced in
understanding and conducting gender-sensitive research
 Gendered, sector-specific situation analyses provide the basis upon which to
design interventions to meet the GE4DE project’s immediate objectives.
Specific Objectives
The specific objectives, that is, the specific types of knowledge to be produced as
part of the situation analysis, are:
 To understand the gender dimensions of employment in selected economic
sectors
 To identify decent employment opportunities
 To analyze training needs
 To map and analyze stakeholders and institutions
If researchers wish to identify additional objectives their research could achieve
they are welcome to mention them in the application form.
Research Partnerships
The research was conducted by partnerships between a lead organization and
Centre for Peace and Justice Pakistan (CPJP) support organization.
The lead partner was responsible for research design, tools development, data
analysis, report writing etc. The support organizations was guided and trained by
5|Page
the lead organizations to assist them in carrying out field based activities such as
mobilizing communities, providing continuous field data, facilitating focus group
discussions etc.
Orientation
All partners, lead and supporting, were undergo a short training session, was
organized b ILO on gender sensitive research methodology, International Labour
Standards and TREE (Training for Rural Economic Empowerment) methodology.
Partners were also invited to attend sector-specific stakeholder consultations
Research Questions
Researchers developed their own research questions under each specific objective,
the instruments were designed keeping in mind the following questions:
1. Employment Trends
 Livelihoods Analysis. What are the different types of livelihoods women
and men are engaged in? Which are formal and informal economy
activities. Is work home-based, contractual, daily wages, piece-rate,
permanent? Which livelihoods are directly related to fishing and which
are non-fishing?
 Work in the formal and informal economies. What sort of work do
women and men do in the informal economy? What sort of work is done
by home based workers? Role of middle man?
 What are the entry /Skills requirements in terms of training and
education for different types and levels of employment?
 Working conditions. What sort of conditions prevails in different levels
and types of employment? How do they compare against ILO’s
standards of decent work?
 Career progression. Do women and men have opportunities to progress
in their jobs to higher levels of employment, or different types of
employment? If not, why? How can these opportunities be created?
 Collective Bargaining. What sorts of arrangements exist for collective
action? Do women participate? Are women’s concerns adequately
addressed?
 Women and the workplace? Are there any issues regarding sexual
harassment? Glass ceilings? Discrimination? Exploitation?
2. Employment Opportunities
 Skills need assessment. What are current skills shortages; emerging
skills shortages; critical skills shortages?
 Types of work. Which opportunities do and do not meet the standards of
decent work? Do employers tend to prefer women or men for certain
jobs? Why? Do women prefer to do certain types of work? Why? Do
women aspire to jobs which they find difficulty accessing? If so, what
are the barriers?
 Which opportunities are most conducive to enhancing and improving
women’s employment?
 Linkages. Does training in this sector also lead to opportunities in other
sectors? (e.g. hospitality training is relevant to retail, tourism and travel
sectors)
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
Unconventional jobs. Are there opportunities to promote ‘green jobs’?
Are there opportunities to train women for unconventional jobs?
3. Training Needs Assessment
 Skills demand. What type of training is needed to address identified
skills shortages?
 Skills development. For different types and levels of employment, what
sorts of training do women and men need to enhance
technical/vocational skills and enable upward job progression?
 Non-trade specific skills. What sort of training can help women; in
particular, participate effectively in opportunities for collective
bargaining/action?
4. Stakeholder Mapping and Institutional Analysis
 Government Departments. Which departments are involved and in what
capacity (policymaking, quality assurance etc)? Which policies apply?
How gender-sensitive are they?
 Projects. Have there been any special interventions for gender equality
or women’s employment? Which NGOs have been involved?
 Training Providers. Which training providers have the capacity to deliver
training according to the identified training needs?
 Target Groups. Which groups meet the requirements of the project
(poor, rural and urban men and women) and the training entry
requirements? What is their socio-economic profile including
community profile; such as access to basic necessities specially
drinking water, electricity and most importantly communication
channels. These may include transportation (from/to work), ownership
of radio/TV, mobile phones and their specific utilization (channels etc)
with respect to women? Are there any instances of girls, in particular,
from low-income, disadvantaged backgrounds, which have high levels of
educational attainment and could compete for higher levels of jobs?
 Employers’ and Workers’ groups, formal or informal.
 Is the impact of industrialization of fishing on local jobs (big fishing
companies coming in etc), has it displaced local peoples' jobs, and has it
changed job profiles? What are the opportunities for alternative
employment etc?
Geographical Focus
The community overview situation analysis was expected to cover the coastal areas
of the whole country. Given logistical and financial limitations, it was understood
that a national review can be supported by field research in only a limited number
of geographical regions. In the final decision taken by the lead organization, in
consultation with the ILO, the following areas are covered:
 Karachi
o Bin Qasim Town, Malir, Ibrahim Hydery (Rehri Village)
o Kemari Tow, Karachi West (Abdul Rehman Village, and Tikri Village)
Approaches and Methods
Objectives of the study will be met by using a mix of qualitative and quantitative
survey methods and using secondary and primary data sources. Specifically:
7|Page
1. To understand the policy framework related to gender, disadvantaged
and the poor: Information will be based upon a desk review of policies,
regulations, labour laws and the working environment in the coastal areas and
specifically in the fisheries sector as well as from community profiling and in-depth
interviews giving a picture of actual conditions.
2. To understand the gender dimensions of employment in selected
economic sectors: Information will be obtained from a HH survey where both
men and women will be interviewed in-depth to obtain gender disaggregated info
on employment and all facets of the employment (markets, middleman, value
chain, income; access, raw materials etc)
3. To identify decent employment opportunities: Information will be obtained
from the community profiles which will provide information on
businesses/entrepreneurship in and around communities, access to health,
education, vocational training, water and sanitation facilities and community
perceptions. Information will also be obtained from businessmen, entrepreneurs,
middlemen, Govt. projects and programs and NGO and other donor interventions
as well as a desk review.
4. To analyze training needs: Information will be based upon the HH survey,
NGOs, businesses in and around community
5. To map and analyze stakeholders and institutions: Information will be
obtained from community profiles, interviews with businesses, NGOs and govt.
institutions
Sample Sizes and Groups
The study was carried out in two areas ; Bin Qasim Town, Rehri Goth, Ibrahim
Hyderi, Malir Karachi and Kemari Town, Abdul Rehman Village and Tikri Village
Karachi West; the sampling framework was as follows:
Household Survey: The survey was carried out in 50 households from each
geographical area. In each area 5 villages/neighborhoods were selected and from
each village/neighborhood, 10 households were randomly selected. In each
household, one man and one woman were interviewed for providing gender
disaggregated data. The total sample size of the household survey was 50
households and a total of 100 respondents.
Stakeholder Mapping: Local Fishing and/or other Work Associations, local
NGOs/CBOs and relevant provincial government institutions were be identified and
visited for collecting secondary data and for interviews/discussions.
Community profiles: The profiles were developed for each of the 5
village/neighborhoods where the household survey was being conducted in each
geographical area. This was providing a total of 5 community profiles. Male and
female key informants identified in and around the communities were interviewed
while 2 FGDs (one each for men and women community stakeholders) were
conducted in each village/neighborhood where the household survey was carried
out. This gives a total of 10 FGDs.
8|Page
Field Ethics / Protocols: Written field ethics and protocols were developed and data
collectors trained in how to approach and obtain personal data while protecting
participants’ confidentiality and human rights.
Selection of Respondents
This will include briefs on sampling technique, profile of respondents and criteria
for sample selection.
Major Instruments developed
The following major instruments were developed for carrying the research study:

Household survey form

Family Profile form

Community Profile form

Guidelines for Focus Group Discussion (FGDs) with community
groups Male and Female.

Guidelines for Discussion with Government Institutes, Planning
and Development Department and Fisheries Department.

Guidelines for Discussion with Business and Entrepreneurs
Data Collection
Qualitative data collection was carried out by senior and junior researchers while
the HH survey was be carried out by male and female enumerators. The HH survey
was supervised by supervisors will also organize the FGDs and assist the senior and
junior researchers in carrying out FGDs, key informant interviews, stakeholder
mapping and in developing community profiles.
Analysis & Reporting
Based on the feedback from consultations, the research findings were analyzed in
line with the study objectives.
Study and area Scan
Community Profiling
The coastal areas of Pakistan are in the province of Sindh and Balochistan. These
coastal areas are on the shore of
Arabian Sea connecting with other
countries of the world. Gawader
and Karachi are two prominent
ports on these coastal areas.
Gawader is a district along the sea
in south of the Makran. Gawader
port can become a trade hub for all
the neighboring land locked central
Asian countries of Pakistan.
1 Toyota Hiace Pick, is main transportation facility in Rehri Goath
and its Surrounding (Photo by CPJP)
The Karachi costal belt is
situated in district Malir, East, South and Karachi west. The major population of
fishing communities is settled in Bin Qasim Town (Korangi Creek) Rehari Goth, and
9|Page
Ibrahim Hyderi Malir (Karachi). while another major population is settled in kiamari
Town, Tikri Village Union council Gabo Pat-8, Abdul Rehman Village Union council
Gabo Pat-8 Karachi(west).
Research was carried out in the above villages whose community profiling is as
under;
Rehari Goth is consisted on seventeen mohalla, and the size of Mohalla on 250
houses some of them comprises on 2000 households. Some of the mohalla have
facility of electricity, Gas and water pipeline. In Rehari Goth for health Facility one
government dispensary is running and one family Planning center operated by The
Aga Khan University. In education Facilities there is one Lower secondary school for
girls and Boys, and one secondary School by The Citizen Foundation.
Dabela Mohala
Dabela Mohala situated in Rehari
Gothe, it comprises on 252
household and total population is
1430 where the women population
is 743 and male population is 687.
Sindhi language is the mother
tongue of 99 percent population.
The population belongs to Dabela,
Junija and sheaikh casts. Majority
of the population are suni Muslims
and the major vote bank is of the
Pakistan
People’s
Party
Parliamentarian (PPPP) while the
second largest vote bank is of the
Mutahida Qomi Movement (MQM)
2 a women resident of Dabla Muhalla Rehri Goth
(Photo by CPJP)
In
the
basic
facilities
electricity,
natural
gas,
drainage
and
sewerage
systems are not available.
While the facility of potable
water
is
provided
by
government. Local people use
mangroves wood and cow
dung as major source of fuel
for the cooking purposes.
In
the education facilities one
Girls and boys primary school,
and lower secondary school are
running, but majority of the
kids are out of school because
3 Kids of Dabla Muhalla (Photo by CPJP)
of
poverty
children
are
involved in livelihood sources generation, insufficient school facilities, quality of
education, insufficient education staff, lack of awareness among parent on
education importance. Among health facilities, there is one dispensary which is
10 | P a g e
serving whole Rehari Goth but doctor mostly remains absent. Expanded
Programme on Immunization (EPI) and Maternity Home are under construction. In
communication infrastructure their nonmetal (Kachi) road, for local transport they
use uncomfortable non-decent Toyota Datsun pickup without any seating
arrangement, where passengers, their luggage, cattle travel together, donkey cart
is also used for mobility purposes.
For the communication purposes some of the cellular telephony service has their
networks, while PTCL not providing landline services. Not any government or
private bank or any other financial institutions are operating in the area. The major
source of income for community is fishing, while in other professions community
people are laborers small shopkeepers and mobile cart fruits and vegetable sellers.
Khaskheli Mohalla
Khaskhali mohala situated in Rehari Goth, it comprises on 2000 households. The
total population is 16000 where women are 8320 and men are 7680. Sindhi
language is the mother tongue of 99 percent population. The majority of
community people belong to Khaskheli, Dabela, and sheaikh casts. Majority of the
population are suni Muslims and the major vote bank is of the Pakistan People’s
Party Parliamentarian (PPPP) while the second largest vote bank is of the Mutahida
Qomi Movement (MQM)
In the basic facilities electricity, natural gas, drainage and sewerage systems are
available, while the facility of potable water is provided by government. Local
people use mangroves wood and cow dung as major source of fuel for the cooking
purposes. In the education facilities not any school is available in mohalla, people
use to send their kids in the school of Dable mohalla where the nearest education
institution available. Among health facilities, there is not any health facility
provided by government in Mohlalla. In communication infrastructure metallic and
non-metallic (Kachi) streets and roads are available, for local transport they use
Toyota Datsun pickup without any seating arrangement, auto rakish (ching chi),
donkey cart is also used for mobility purposes. For the communication purposes
some of the cellular telephony service has their networks, while PTCL not providing
landline services. Not any government or private bank or any other financial
institutions are operating in the area. The major source of income for community
is fishing, while in other professions community people are laborers small
shopkeepers and mobile cart fruits and vegetable sellers. The local peoples are not
involved in any mega business profession activity
Sheikh Mohalla
Sheikh Mohala situated in Rehari Goth, it comprises on 100 households. The total
population is 2000 where women are 1040 and men are 980. Sindhi language is
the mother tongue of 99 percent population. The majority of community people
belong to sheikh, Khaskheli, Dabela, casts. Majority of the population are suni
Muslims and the major vote bank is of the Pakistan People’s Party Parliamentarian
(PPPP) while the second largest vote bank is of the Mutahida Qomi Movement
(MQM)
In the basic facilities electricity, natural gas, drainage and sewerage systems are
available, while the facility of potable water and natural gas provided by
11 | P a g e
government. Local people also use mangroves wood and cow dung as source of
fuel for the cooking purposes. In the education facilities not any school is available
in mohalla, people use to send their kids in the school of Dable mohalla where the
nearest education institution available. Among health facilities, there is one nearest
dispensary near to Mohlalla. In communication infrastructure metallic and nonmetallic (Kachi) streets and roads are available, for local transport they use Toyota
Datsun pickup without any seating arrangement, auto rakish (ching chi), donkey
cart is also used for mobility purposes. For the communication purposes some of
the cellular telephony service has their networks, while they do not have the facility
of landline services. In mohalla there is not any government or private bank or any
other financial institutions are operating in the area. The major source of income
for community is fishing, while in other professions community people are laborers
small shopkeepers and mobile cart fruits and vegetable sellers. The local peoples
are not involved in any mega business profession activity
Tikri Village (Kemari Town, Karachi West)
Tikri village is situated in
Union
Council
Maripur
kiamari Town, Karachi west.
It
comprises
on
1700
households,
and
total
population is 12000 folks.
Where women population is
6240 and man while man
population is 5760.
Community has the facilities
of electricity, gas and water
supply.
Village
has
its
sanitation,
drainage
and
severage systems. In village 4 Kids studying at Kemari Town; (Photo by CPJP)
there is one lower secondary
school for co-education and one dispensary providing health services. Two banks
National bank and Habib bank are providing services in village. Major occupation
includes fishing, labour in factories, fishing net making, small shops, vegetable
sellers. Communities are belongs to pashton tribes, baloch, Meshwary(Hindu)
Panjabi and sindhi. In communication infrastructure metallic and non-metallic
(Kachi) streets and roads are available, for local transport they use bus and suziki.
For the communication purposes some of the cellular telephony service has their
networks, while PTCL not providing landline services. are not involved in any mega
business profession activity
Village Abdul Rehman Brohi (Kemari Town, Karachi West)
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Abdul Rehman village is situated in Union council Gabo Pat-8 district Karachi west,
village comprises on 300 households and total population is 3000 where women
are 1600 and men are 1400. Balochi language is the mother tongue of population.
The majority of community people belong to Baloch tribes’ casts. Majority of the
population are Zigri Muslims.
In the basic facilities electricity, natural gas is available, while the facility of
drainage system and potable water is not provided by government. In the
education facilities there are three co-education schools out of them one is private
school, government primary school and lower secondary are running in village. In
village a vocational center is also available but it is not functional. Among health
facilities, there is ne dispensary in the village. In communication infrastructure
metallic and non-metallic (Kachi) streets and roads are available, for local transport
they use bus and motorbikes for mobility purposes. For the communication
purposes some of the cellular telephony service has their networks, while PTCL not
providing landline services. Not any government or private bank or any other
financial institutions are operating in the area. The major source of income for
community is fishing, while in other professions community people are laborers
small shopkeepers and small tea shops holders. The nearest market for the
community is Maripur Market.
13 | P a g e
Survey analysis and results
Policy framework related to gender, disadvantaged and the
poor
1.Employment Trends
In the research at Rehri Goth, and its surrounding areas the following major employment
trends among women were found:
Shrimps pealing
workers: The Shrimps
pealing workers are working
on the basis of availability of
work as well as the units
cleaned, one unit equal to
one 5 kg pot equals to 40
Rupees per pot. And there is
option that if they reach
earlier then they can receive
the shrimps for pealing
otherwise they cannot.
In
Rehari
village
this
opportunity is available on
5 Shrimps pealing points Rehri Goath, Karachi Coastal Belt
(Photo by CPJP)
large scale, the middleman
has its own shrimps pealing
points, and on any time when as he receive the shrimps without any time care he
call to laborer (only
female do this) for
work and the they
come to work, because
they have no other
opportunities.
At workplace they do
not have any facility at
workplace
like
washroom and break
times as well as no
safe
working
conditions,
like
shrimps
west
on
proper area, shrimps
6 Fisher folk women at Shrimps Pealing Point, Rehri Goath, Karachi Coastal
Belt (Photo by CPJP)
water spread on flour
and they sit on the
same flour without any
14 | P a g e
sitting arrangement, even if anyone become injured or needed first aid then they
have no facility for this.
Due to these unsafe working
conditions, after some time
period
their
nails
being
infected and removed from
figures, hands effected by
allergies and have serious
backbone pain, pain in joints
of bones due to this they
become unable for further
labor.
7 Shrimps working women their nails being infected and removed
from figures (Photo by CPJP)
Factory workers: The factory workers are also divided in following types
Juniors/Learners: the women/girls who are not haired but goes with friend or
mother to learn about the work, during the time of one week they have opportunity
to learn the work if could not then they are not allowed to come again, and they do
not receive wages from employer but with whom they go together they receive
some remuneration. The overall task being given to women who is already working
since long than she distribute that task among the group which come with her for
learning and same she gives remuneration as per their contribution or completion
of task
Labour: those women who are working since one year and have separate task
and fixed wages are known as labour worker. They are not the permanent
employees of the factory, neither they have any kind of Health, Medical, Insurance
facility nor any other type of facility which could be counted to fall on the standards
of decent work.
Supervisors: These women workers are senior labor workers and have multi
tasking in the factory; and have some increased remuneration as compared to
others. The supervisor also does not have any facility, i.e Health, medical,
insurance etc.
Leave policy: None of the above women workers are allowed to avail any leave
except holidays. In case of any emergencies they make off then their one day
wages are deducted1
There is no formal registration for the women working in the factory; during the
focus Group Discussion with the factory workers it was also revealed that there
1 In actual sometimes the deduction remains 500 per day which is double then per day wages.
15 | P a g e
were Un safe working conditions. During the discussions it was also found that
there were lack of facilities like wash rooms and drinking water. Moreover it was
also told by the factory working women that the break times allocated by the
administration was not sufficient to take tea, lunch or to use washrooms.
Poultry food drying: it includes two major categories which are;
1. Small fish captured
which is in growing
process and also food
for fish with wire net 2
and
sold
out
in
nominal charges but it
is rich in fat so after
drying it is used as
poultry food.
2. The fish used for the
drying purpose is that
which came from sea
but it is not eatable
and it is not properly
stored so it became
smelly. This Fish is
dried by women and then further sold out for the poultry feed factories.
Sewing and stitching: on the small scale women are engage for swing and
tailoring to make some earnings
Hand Embroidery: On the small scale the women in the Bin Qasim Town, and
Kemari Town, are engaged in the profession of Hand embroidery. Though they are
not doing this profession on any mega scale; neither have they had any access to
the market; nor the women are aware about marketing of this profession.
Small shops: in both areas 3women are running shops on small scale, to bear
the household expenses.
Fishing net making: in area of bin Qasim town, on small level community
involved for fishing net making for earning purposes, in household both women and
men both are engage to complete task, because fishing net making takes a lot time
and have very low earning, community are involved with this because they do not
have other employment opportunities as well as they do not have the skills for
income generation purposes.
Selling junk food: in Bin Qasim town kiamari Town women are also engage in
junk food selling profession for income generation purposes.
2
A kind of fishing net usually made of wire, specifically designed to catch small fish, or the fish breed.
Some of the fishing community groups are emphasizing to ban this net; but yet it is frequently used.
3
Bin Qasim Town and Kiamari town
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Small tea restaurant (Dhaba): In the area of Bin Qasim town Rehari village,
women are also engage in hotel running professions,
Working for home making (servants): women are engage in providing
services for household activities in return of remunerations.
Entry skills Analysis
For the factory labour they needs the entry skills, therefore in earlier times labour
are not treated as factory worker but as learner and works in temporary group, in
start women trainee workers do not get sufficient wages, but learn for future
employment opportunity.
Workers of fisheries sector do not required pre-skills qualification because being
fishing communities they are very well aware about shrimps pealing categorization
of shrimps, drying fish etc, but even though sometimes if they made any mistake,
then supervisors deal very un-professionally and deduct the wages; the fisher folk
women are engaged in the profession of Shrimps pealing since their childhood.
Working conditions
Factory workers have some insufficient facilities like washrooms, working area
facilities and first aid facility during any emergencies, but for workers in fishing
sector they do not have any single facility at workplace, even there is no sitting
arrangement, no hand glows even there isn’t any adequate arrangement for the
proper sewerage drainage system. The fish and shrimps contain fate which mix
with water and make floor slippery and glassy; which increases the fear of injuries.
During the visit of fish pealing pads it was observed that the fisher folk women
were sitting on the ground which was very un-hygienic; slippery. The working
labour women were totally un-aware about the infections which could occur due to
un-hygienic conductions. Usually the women also bring their minor kids along with
them, in this un-hygienic environment.
Carrier progression opportunities
Excluding opportunity to be supervisor in factory, there is not any other
opportunity for carrier progression, because they all are dealing in labour and
having no further opportunities in the area.
Workplace conditions
For women especially for young girl’s there is no security and some of the sexual
harassment issues were observed in Rehari village. In some factories they do not
have any security, due to this most of them had left the work and only working
within household.
Women have the work which is near and possible available, therefore they have
very low wages and more working times. In one interview one lady said that “who
likes to work in filthy garbage but it is only the work available for us and
we do not have option to do not do it”
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2.Employment Opportunities
Teaching: youth are literate and potential to work in teaching sector, because in
schools due to having no experience the teachers are teaching in private and civil
society supported school are outside from village due to local female could not
fulfill the pre-qualifications
Embroidery: In Kiamari town women are engaged to do traditional embroidery
works which is very heavy and time consuming, therefore the demand arise for
doing same embroidery in small and according to market demands can add for
their income generation
Livestock on small scale: in said area, it would be big potential opportunity
for female to manage livestock on small scale, through different trainings for live
stock management as co-shade management and buffalo-shade management for
milk and its products, calf rearing to meet the needs of meat as well as poultry
they can keep within household and to earn adequate amount for house hold
expense
Showpiece Making: In both area (Kiamari and Bin Qasim Town) it was
demanded by women that they spend most of time in house and preferred to work
within household, therefore through some vocational training and market linkage it
would be preferred to prepare show pieces and decoration peaces in economical
budget and sell in market
Handicrafts making: due to having mobility problems, women prefer the
available employment opportunities within village, therefore they had demanded
that through vocational trainings they can make handicraft within household and
earn sufficiently for supporting household.
Packing of products (shrimps, fish etc): women are already engage with
shrimps and fish cleaning, sorting, and preservation, but they do not have
opportunity for packing these products, therefore through some skilled trainings
they can also do this work and earn, as well as if such units are open in the village
they can avail this opportunity and it also create employment opportunity for large
number of women of these towns
Cottage industry: it was observed that women are interested for any
employment opportunity which could be available within village and household,
therefore the cottage industry also could be a great option for the women, through
providing skills and financial assistance for starting that small scale businesses.
Electricians (for Male): in said areas communities have only option of fishing,
therefore it remains for two to three or four months rest of time they are free and
take credit from for survival, in this regard for other livelihood options they
suggested for on job trainings of electrocution works through which they can earn
during off session of fishing
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Plumber (for Male): as above discussed for alternative livelihood option they
have some skills through which they can earn during off session and remain safe
from credit and during fishing session they can get proper rates
Automobile repairing (for Male): community are dealing in fishing sector,
therefore fishing session remain only for two to three months and rest of time they
do not have other earning sources, in this regards during off sessions they have
some technical skills for having some employment opportunity to earn for
livelihood.
IT training for clerical jobs: youth male and female who are matriculate and
intermediate do not have IT literacy or skills, therefore through providing them
that opportunity they can get employment opportunity in market, because in every
job these skills are required.
3.Training Needs Assessment (TNA)
In both towns (Bin Qasim Town, and Kemari Town) women have the mobility
problems as well as issue of access to market, therefore they are interested for
such employment opportunities through which they can earn by working at home
or near to home or within village employment opportunity more suitable for them.
In this regards following trainings were suggested by them:
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
School Teaching: For youth training program for teaching also enhance their
skills because some basic teaching skills are need to become in teaching
profession.
Training for decoration peacemaking in economical cost and according
to market demand
Hand and Machine Embroidery: Women are already busy in embroidery
work in Tikari village and Abdul Rehman village but they are doing traditional
and heavy embroidery which consumes more time and low demand because
everyone have same skills, therefore they need trainings for doing same
embroidery with different dimensions and according to new fashion demands
Stitching and Tailoring: Same in tailoring, they also need training on
tailoring for creating opportunity in same village, because women are doing
same job but do not know about fitting, designing, therefore through some
training they can increase their demand
Marketing Skills: At the same place they also needs for some marketing
skills to place their product in market and get proper price
In studied area female are also literate so in this regards there is also some
clerical work opportunities, therefore to avail these opportunities they need IT
trainings
Packing Shrimps: They clean and doing shrimps pealing which is difficult
and low wages cost but for packing shrimps shifted somewhere else, therefore
they also can
Training in livestock management: Training in live stock management
on household scale for income generation purposes because the environmental
conditions of Rehari Village is favorable for buffalo. Through the support of
livestock department, by providing technical training for cow-shade
management and buffalo-shade management can enhance the skills of
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o
o
o
Fisherfolk women as well as would be able to keep them at house hold level
and can earn enough amounts for livelihood. In the continuation the milk
increasing trainings by support of livestock department can increase their
income. For controlling disease for livestock, through support of livestock
department for de-worming for proper livestock caring, raring and managing
Poultry management on household level: Poultry management on
household level also can be a good source for the income generation as keeping
hens for daily egg production, and ducks and geese also can be kept for egg
production.
Training of candle making: Training of candle making on small scale,
within household.
Training of washing detergent making: Training of washing detergent
making, which is very economical and useful within communities
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4.Stakeholder Mapping and Institutional Analysis
In studied area it was observed that following are major stakeholders, which are as under:Government in terms of its departments which are dealing according to professional and
productivity of area are:
Fisheries Department (Government of Sindh)
Ministries of fisheries (Federal Government)
Ministry of Fisheries Government of Pakistan and Fisheries debarment Government
of Sindh are both the main stakeholders. The Pakistan Fish Inspection and Quality
Control Act, 1997 (Law4), and Pakistan Fish Inspection and Quality Control Rules
(Law5), 1998 laws are implemented by the federal government. These both laws
dealing for quality assurance as well as registration requirements for fish
processing units, but in practice the laws somehow are only followed by the fish
processing units who are exporting their product and it is strict requirement by the
importer (EC) of fish. Expect these, there are no policy having gender sensitivity
and provision of employment opportunities as well as for female workers on shrimp
pealing units there’s no registration of these units and no quality control protocols
are followed as well as there is no safety measures for workers, even the shrimps
liquid waste flow on flour where the worker (female) sits without any sitting
arrangement and clean the shrimps without having hand glows because shrimps
liquid waste is harmful for skin and due to this it effect on hands by skin allergies,
nails of figures nails spoiled.
Livestock Department, Government of Sindh.
The Livestock Department Government of Sindh is an important stakeholder. The Livestock
department has its own huge onboard staff all over the coastal belt including Karachi, Malir,
Thatta and Badin. Beside that the Livestock department is implementing on the major project
all over the Sindh including Karachi, Thatta and Badin titled “Training of Coastal Women’s
improvement of Livestock” The main objectives of the project are (1) Enhance productivity of
existing livestock dairy, poultry and fisheries resources through development of new
technologies, scientific methods of farming and improvement management practices (2)
Exploit export potential of livestock dairy, poultry and fisheries and their products (3) Promote
import substitution of milk and dairy products (4) Ensure availability of credit for livestock
farmers, specially the landless ones (5) Improve livestock marketing infrastructure (6)
Strengthen institutions for livestock research and extension and improvement linkages and
coordination. The quantity objectives of the project are (A) 23 Lady Veterinary officers and
105 lady livestock Supervisors appointed, in the whole of the Sindh Province, and would be
4
Pakistan Fish Inspection and Quality Control Act, 1997
This law deals with the registration of the fish processing plants and fish exporters, and constitutions and functions
of inspection committee. The function of the committee includes inspection of fish processing plants, fish exporters,
handling of fish and fishery products. It also spells out the powers, duties and functions, of fishery officers and
penalties on the processors/exporters for contravention.
5
Pakistan Fish Inspection and Quality Control Rules, 1998
This law provides detailed description of condition requires for registration of processing plants/exporter, ice
factories, fish handling onboard fishing vessels, landing places, fish processing establishment. It also provides
provisions for registration of testing laboratories for seafood products, and notification of approved cleaning material
etc.
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trained as Trainer, at Research and Training institute for Livestock Development at Tando
Muhammad Khan. Each Lady Livestock supervisor will provide 10 days Training in a month to
20 women in rural area at Village Level for enhancing milk, meat, and wool production, by
adapting scientific methods of live stock farming. The project is implemented in Thatta,
Badin, Karachi (Gadap Town, Bin Qasim Town, and Malir Town).
Beside that the Livestock Department Government of Sindh’s role could also be important in
respect of providing any technical support with respect to if ILO is going to implement any
project related to Decent work for the women as it is previously described in the Section
Training Need Assessment (TNA) and its sub-section Training in livestock management
Training providers




The Livestock Department Government of Sindh would be better for all
types of technical trainings related to livestock, and poultry management.
The department have already established Agriculture training Institutes at
Tando Jam and Tando Muhammad Khan, and Sakrand. Beside that it has a
very good staff onboard, which can assist for shed management, calf raring,
and poultry management. Another most and important thing is that,
Vaccination, and de-worming facilities would be provided by the government
free of cost.
Health Department and professionals for health and hygiene sensitization
Local institutions providing technical trainings on vocational skills
Individuals and consultants who are providing technical trainings for income
generation.
Target Group
Specifically for provision of technical assistance, target group could be categorized
in following areas: Literate youth for IT trainings and teachers trainings
 Women who are not literate and labour can be part of all technical trainings
 All community female group of targeted areas
Labour Department Government of Sindh.
The Labour Department Government of Sind has very important roles for the implementation
Decent work policies. They have the Labour Inspectors for the inspection of labour standards
whether the standards are implemented or not. Whether adequate facilities are provided by
the Factory or not, what are the working timings etc.
Non-government and non-profit organizations (NGOS)
HANDS
HANDS is working on the different project in the Ibrahim Hydery and Rehri Goth and its
Muhallas. The present and previous which were carried out by HANDs were HANDS Disability
Project; Social Mobilization Project, Sindh Coastal Development Project, Health Facilities
Development Project, HANDS Technical Training Center. These projects were on the Service
Delivery, awareness raising, advocacy, Health, Education and Skill developments projects.
HANDS Disability Project was about screening kind of disability, causes of disability, Medical
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and equipment of Disable persons, and Skills for disable persons. Social Mobilization Project
on, avocacy of different issues of community, human rights, CNIC etc. Sindh Coastal area
development project (SCAD) it was about Water supply schemes, water drainage, sewerages,
Streets, Jetty Protection Walls; Health Facility Improvement Project in this project
Infrastructure development support was provided to the different Government facilities, and
to some Medicines was provided. The duration of the most of the project are one year
project.
Shaikh Maheegeer Welfare Association
The Shaikh Maheegeer Walfare Association is grass root organization based in the Rehri Goth,
Bin Qasim Town, Ibrahim Hydery Malir Karachi. The association have not enough funds but it
is running their businesses with the self help basis. They provide support to the poor for funral
of dead bodies, provide dower articles for the marriage of the brides etc. The Rupees 20 are
fixed subscription fees on the members of the organization.
The Shaikh Maheegeer Welfare Association could be the part of during the process of
advocacy and social mobilization for the decent work.
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Appendix (1) List of Government Departments interviewed
S. No
1
Name
Mr. S.M Kaleem Makki
Designation
Department
Secretary
Social Welfare Department, Old
KDA Building, Sindh Secretariat
Karachi
2
Mr. Shah Nawaz Jiskani
Director (Monitoring
& Evaluation)
Planning and Development
Department, 11th Floor, Lakson
Square, Sarwar Shaheed Road,
Karachi
3
Dr. Nasrullah Panhwar
District Officer
Livestock Department,
Government of Sindh Karachi
4
Mr. Abdul Shuneed Memon
Director
Fisheries Department,
Government of Sindh Karachi
Appendix (2) List of non-Government Organizations
interviewed
S. No
Name
Designation
Organization
1
Mr. Akbar Shaikh
Member Executive
Committee
Shaikh Maheegeer, Welfare
Association, Rehri Goth, Ibrahim
Hydery, Bin Qasim Town, Malir
Karachi
2
Mr. Khalil Wadhelo
District Executive
Manage
HANDS District Office Karachi
Rural
3
Ms. Raheela Raheem
Gender Advisor
HANDS District Office Karachi
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Appendix (3) List of- Entrepreneurs interviewed
S. No
Name
Designation
Entrepreneur
1
Mr. Muhammad Shah
Owner
Exporter of Lobster
2
Ms. Moosani
Manager/Supervisor
Shrimps
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