Rights of Domestic Workers in Punjab
Reviewed by the Commoner Law editorial team. Sources: pakistancode.gov.pk, Punjab/Sindh/KP/Balochistan provincial codes, Supreme Court of Pakistan, FBR, EOBI, SBP, NEPRA, OGRA, PMDC, FIA, and provincial Healthcare Commissions. Provincial variations cite Punjab/Sindh/KP/Balochistan Acts and ICT-specific ordinances. Written in plain English with everyday Urdu legal terms (FIR, qabza, khula, NTN, CNIC) for a general audience — this is educational content, not legal advice. Our editorial standards
What is this right?
Domestic workers were largely outside formal labour law until 2018–2019. Today, two provinces have given them statutory protection on paper — even if enforcement remains weak.
- Punjab Domestic Workers Act 2019 covers anyone working in a household for cleaning, cooking, child care, elder care, gardening, or driving. The employer must register the worker with the District Vigilance Committee, give a written contract, pay at least the minimum wage notified for domestic workers (raised to Rs 37,000/month from 1 July 2024), give one day off a week, and provide written reasons for termination.
- Sindh Women Agricultural Workers Act 2019 covers women in agricultural work — fishing, cotton picking, livestock — with similar registration, wage floor, and welfare obligations.
- Sindh Home-Based Workers Act 2018 covers piece-rate workers operating from their homes (carpet weaving, garment finishing, bangle making) — registration with provincial body, minimum piece rate, social security entitlement.
- KP and Balochistan are still drafting parallel laws as of 2024; until then, child labour bans apply but other protections remain unenforceable.
The Punjab Act explicitly bans employment of children below 15 in domestic work and adolescents 15–18 in hazardous tasks like cooking on gas stoves, ironing, working at height, or 8-hour shifts. Cases of child domestic worker abuse — most notoriously the Tayyaba case prosecuted in Islamabad — are now prosecuted under both the child labour Act and PPC 328-A (cruelty to a child).
When does it apply?
- You're a domestic worker — full-time live-in, full-time live-out, or part-time — in any household.
- You work in Punjab or Sindh (where the modern statutes are in force) — or in any province for the child labour age bar.
- You earn wages, in cash or kind, in exchange for household services.
What to do as a domestic worker if your rights are violated
- Get a written contract. Punjab DWA § 5 makes it mandatory; Sindh covers home-based workers similarly. Use the standard form from your provincial labour department or Domestic Workers Welfare Trust.
- Register with the District Vigilance Committee (Punjab) or relevant provincial body (Sindh). This is the door to ESSI / EOBI cover and minimum wage protection.
- If wages are unpaid or you're physically abused, file a complaint at the Vigilance Committee or directly file an FIR for assault/wrongful confinement. The DWA also makes specific offences out of forced labour, abuse, and underage employment.
- For child workers, child protection units (CPWB Punjab — 1121; Child Protection Bureau Sindh) intervene fast and place children in protective custody before deciding next steps.
What should you NOT do?
- Don't accept payment "in food and shelter only." The DWA requires a cash wage at or above the notified minimum, with food and lodging on top.
- Don't surrender your CNIC to the employer. CNIC retention is a hallmark of bonded/forced labour and an offence under the Bonded Labour Act 1992.
- Don't believe "you're family, not staff." The framing is used to dodge wages, holidays, and rest. The law treats you as a worker.
How Punjab differs from federal Pakistani law
Punjab is unique in having a comprehensive Punjab Domestic Workers Act 2019 covering anyone employed in a household for cleaning, cooking, child-care, elder-care, gardening, or driving. The Act applies to live-in, live-out, and part-time workers.
- Written contract is mandatory (PDWA § 5) — using the standard form prescribed by the Punjab Labour Department.
- Employer must register the worker with the District Vigilance Committee.
- Notified minimum wage for domestic workers (Rs 25,000/month from 2023; revised periodically) plus food and lodging.
- Children below 15 are barred entirely; adolescents 15–18 cannot do hazardous tasks (cooking on gas, ironing, working at height).
- One weekly day off with pay; 14 days annual leave after 1 year; 12 weeks paid maternity leave.
- Termination requires written reasons.
Additional steps in Punjab
Complaints to the District Vigilance Committee at the District Labour Office. Punjab Helpline 0800-15000. For child-worker abuse: Child Protection & Welfare Bureau (CPWB) helpline 1121.
Relevant law: Punjab Domestic Workers Act 2019; Punjab Restriction on Employment of Children Act 2016; Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act 1992
Frequently asked questions
Are domestic workers covered by Pakistani labour law?
In Punjab and Sindh, yes — under the Punjab Domestic Workers Act 2019, Sindh Women Agricultural Workers Act 2019, and Sindh Home-Based Workers Act 2018. KP and Balochistan are still drafting parallel laws. Child labour bars apply nationwide.
Can a 12-year-old work as a domestic helper?
No. Below 14 (15 in Punjab) is banned by the constitutional bar in Article 11(3) and the provincial child labour Acts. Adolescents 15–18 can work in non-hazardous domestic tasks with restricted hours.
What is the minimum wage for a domestic worker?
Punjab raised the domestic-worker minimum wage to Rs 37,000/month with effect from 1 July 2024 under the Punjab Domestic Workers Act 2019. Sindh follows the general unskilled minimum wage. Other provinces apply the standard provincial minimum wage where the Domestic Worker Acts haven't been enacted.
When does rights of domestic workers apply?
You're a domestic worker — full-time live-in, full-time live-out, or part-time — in any household.You work in Punjab or Sindh (where the modern statutes are in force) — or in any province for the child labour age bar.You earn wages, in cash or kind, in exchange for household services.
I'm a domestic worker in Pakistan — what are my legal rights?
Get a written contract. Punjab DWA § 5 makes it mandatory; Sindh covers home-based workers similarly. Use the standard form from your provincial labour department or Domestic Workers Welfare Trust.Register with the District Vigilance Committee (Punjab) or relevant provincial body (Sindh). This is the door to ESSI / EOBI cover and minimum wage protection.If wages are unpaid or you're physically abused, file a complaint at the Vigilance Committee or directly file an FIR for assault/wrongful confinement. The DWA also makes specific offences out of forced labour, abuse, and underage employment.For...
What mistakes should I avoid with rights of domestic workers?
Don't accept payment "in food and shelter only." The DWA requires a cash wage at or above the notified minimum, with food and lodging on top.Don't surrender your CNIC to the employer. CNIC retention is a hallmark of bonded/forced labour and an offence under the Bonded Labour Act 1992.Don't believe "you're family, not staff." The framing is used to dodge wages, holidays, and rest. The law treats you as a worker.