Pakistan: Women, agricultural workers bear brunt of Sindh’s bonded labour crisis

Women and girls, along with health, education, and agriculture sectors in Sindh province, have been significantly impacted by social, economic, and political systems dominated by feudal and tribal leaders who hold power in legislative assemblies and bureaucratic institutions, The News International reported.

Hari Welfare Association President Akram Ali Khaskheli addressed a press conference at the Karachi Press Club on Thursday. He stated that women in rural areas were being victimised in every aspect of life and suffering social, economic and political injustice due to the non-implementation of pro-peasant and rural workers’ laws.

Khaskheli said that the Sindh Bonded Labour System Abolition Act 2015 has not been implemented effectively, resulting in peasants approaching local courts each year to secure the release of their family members from the custody of landlords.

He said that 12,116 bonded labourers were liberated from the agriculture sector between 2014-2023, with 33 percent of them being women. These women faced significant hardship, including economic exploitation, physical abuse, and denial of their rights to education, voting, and choosing their own husbands, according to The News International report.

According to the press statement, these committees have not been effective in rescuing bonded labourers or supporting those released by local courts despite the establishment of district vigilance committees under the Sindh Bonded Labour System Abolition Act, according to The News International report.

Samina Khaskheli, joint secretary of the Azad Hariani Labour Union, complained that agricultural and female workers are still earning less than Pakistani Rupees (PKR) 10,000 per month despite working 12-hour days. She said that workers were receiving PKR 10,000 despite the Sindh government’s setting up a minimum wage of PKR 37,000 per month, The News International reported.

According to a similar report published by Dawn, women farmers typically have less access to financial resources, like loans and subsidies, which restrict their ability to invest in modern farming techniques or technology. Women in rural Sindh often depend on traditional methods due to their lack of access to capital and modern farming equipment.