Women Domestic Workers Union 

The Women Domestic Workers Union Punjab, a worker-led union facilitated by Women in Struggle for Empowerment (WISE), has strengthened the collective voice of women domestic workers and advanced advocacy for their rights, dignity, fair wages, and social protection across Punjab. Through grassroots mobilization, awareness, legal literacy, and engagement with government institutions, the Union is helping domestic workers better understand and claim their rights while bringing their concerns into labour and policy discussions.

WISE facilitated the organization and collective mobilization of women domestic workers, leading to the formation of the Union as a platform for workers to raise common concerns and advocate for improved working and living conditions. The Union focuses on issues including fair wages, implementation of minimum wage provisions, decent and safe working conditions, reasonable working hours, written employment arrangements, and effective implementation of the Punjab Domestic Workers Act, 2019. It also advocates for the notification and implementation of rules under the Act and for stronger protection of women domestic workers.

A key area of the Union’s work is improving domestic workers’ access to social security and social protection, including social security cards and maternity protection. The Union also promotes adult and legal literacy, enabling workers to better understand their rights, responsibilities, and available public services. Legal support and referrals are facilitated for workers facing exploitation, harassment, discrimination, or other violations of their rights.

The Union actively raises its voice against child labour in domestic work and advocates for stronger measures to protect children and women engaged in domestic work. It also promotes the ratification and implementation of ILO Convention No. 189 on Decent Work for Domestic Workers, linking the concerns of domestic workers in Punjab with international labour standards.

Through meetings, consultations, awareness activities, collective actions, and dialogue with government departments and other stakeholders, the Union continues to strengthen workers’ collective bargaining and advocacy capacity. These efforts provide domestic workers with greater opportunities to participate in decisions affecting their livelihoods and working conditions.

By supporting women domestic workers to organize, speak collectively, access information and services, and engage with decision-makers, WISE is contributing to greater recognition, dignity, social protection, and labour rights for domestic workers across Punjab.