Pakistan court orders ban on under-fifteens as domestic workers

The Lahore High Court has ordered the Punjab government to ban the employment of domestic workers under the age of 15.

The court was hearing a petition from March moved by Advocate Sheraz Zaka, questioning the failure of the then provincial government to implement the rights of domestic workers.

The petitioner stated that in 2015 the Lahore High Court had already instructed the government to legislate on the rights of domestic workers but its orders were not implemented.

Dawn News reports that a commission comprising the labour department secretary, a representative from Unicef and three lawyers has been set up to ensure the provincial government takes legislative measures to protect fundamental rights of domestic workers.