Research in Action: Organizing Women Factory Workers in Pakistan in Confronting State, Capital and Patriarchy Women organizing in the Process of Industrialization,

Parveen, F. and Ali, K.
Chhachhi, A. and Pittin, R., eds., Macmillan Press 1996 (International)

This paper describes an action research project of Pakistan Institute of Labor Education and Research (PILER) carried out in 1988 as a result of the realization that whereas government figures quote static statistics on women's participation in labor force observation is to the contrary. The objectives of the project included studying the background, the conditions of work and employment as well as the organizational situation of women factory workers in the formal sector of Karachi, Lahore, Multan and Faisalabad: the largest industrial cities of the country. The research focused upon those industries that hired most women which included among others food and beverages, garments, pharmaceuticals, electronics. The survey covered 96 registered factories employing 11,500 workers of which 4345 were women, from which 1200 factory workers were interviewed including 100 male workers. The research finds that contrary to government statistics women working in the urban economy is significant and on the rise. The pattern that emerges supports findings from other countries that the women employed are young and single, and the private sector has the largest number of women. Ethnicity has also been taken into account particularly how it extends to the employer. Female child labor is mainly in the garment industry. It then links this growing trend to the decentralization of industry in Pakistan. While looking at trade unions the report reveals that of the 15 largest unions only one had a female president, and that these unions were male dominated both in terms of membership and leadership. The problems what women face are three tiered as workers, as women and as citizens. The report elaborates upon female conscientisation resulting from the research and the subsequent creation of support centers-(the women workers center)- and its attempts at organizing women factory workers in Karachi. It also provides a case example of three women workers who resisted the exploitation and the problems that they faced. It suggests that such centers can be a source of support to women workers and raise awareness on their rights.

Key words: Formal Industrial Sector, Female Workers, Trade Unions, Action Research, and Conscientisation.