Press Conference by Public Speaker Salman Yousaf Khan

Press Conference on Domestic Workers Bill, 2013

By

Salman Yousaf Khan

Advocate High Court & Ex-Candidate Member National Assembly, NA-48, Islamabad

Facebook:

-          Profile: https://www.facebook.com/lawyer.salman?fref=ts

-          Page : https://www.facebook.com/AdvocateSalmanKhanGolra

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LawyerGolra

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/pub/advocate-salman-khan-golra/18/37/733

Google Plus: https://plus.google.com/115945626488376260963/posts/2q2scXusBhE

Blog: http://salmanyousafkhan.blogspot.com

Humanity Trust: http://www.humanitytrust.net/2014/01/profile-salman-yousaf-khan-rti-activist.html

Domestic Workers

There are over 8.5 million domestic workers living in Pakistan. They have miserable lives despite the fact that they make up to 73% of total workforce in the country. There lifestyles are miserable as they live in poor economic conditions with having no rights. There is no law in the country that gives them any rights and creates liabilities accordingly.

International Labor Organization C-189

There is an international convention passed by ILO on June 16, 2011 regarding the rights of Domestic Workers. Pakistan has not ratified the convention so far despite the fact that it is a member state of ILO.

Domestic Workers Bill 2013

In the Senate of Pakistan, a private member bill by the name of Domestic Workers Act, 2013 has been filed by Senator Osman Saifullah in January 2014. The bill is under discussion in the Senate of Pakistan. It will become law once it’s passed.

Salman Yousaf Khan on Domestic Workers Bill

Salman Yousaf Khan has carefully perused the Domestic Workers Bill and wrote several articles on it. He has pointed out the gaps in the bill at several occasions. He has further given few recommendations on the bill which are highly appreciated at many forums.

He was invited by a Non-Governmental Organization to address his point of view on the Domestic Workers Bill. He explained the bill in front of Journalists from Islamabad. He pointed out that the bill is a very positive step in the legislation regarding the domestic workers in Pakistan. However, Salman Yousaf Khan being an advocate of women rights has rightly pointed out that there are following problems in the bill which should be addressed immediately:-

-          The composition of dispute resolution committee should be part of the Act.

-          The procedure to be followed by dispute resolution committee should be part of the Act.

-          Compensatory fine of up to 100,000 Rupees is too much, domestic workers are not in a position to pay that fine in case of violation.

-          The violation shall be to the contract not to the Act.

-          The maximum working hours should be 8 rather than 12.

-          The dispute resolution committee shall have the powers of a session judge while the appellate forum shall be equal to High Court. Further appeals to the decision of appellate forum shall be barred.

-          The dispute resolution committee shall be empowered to entertain all complaints. It shall have the powers to take cognizance of criminal charges also.

-          The Act shall be made in way that its practical implementation is simpler.

-          There shall be a governing body regulating the contract between employers and employees.

-          Domestic Workers may be insured so that their legatees get some benevolent fund in case of accidental death.

-          There shall be old age benefit allowance to the domestic workers in case if they are barred to work above the age of 60 years.

-          There shall be free education to the children of domestic workers as promised in article 25-A of the constitution.

-          The law must not be limited to the domestic workers that reside at the place of employer.

-          There shall be hourly wage fixed for a domestic worker in the Act rather than putting all the domestic workers in the ambit of minimum wages on monthly bases.

The session was concluded with question and answer session followed by hopes to get the law passed after removal of gaps in the times to come.

Long Live Pakistan

Pakistan Zindabad

Session Report Democracy for Youth

DEMOCRACY FOR YOUTH

Session Report

May 23, 2014 at Hotel Grand Peshawar

PEAD Foundation organized an event on Democracy from 22^nd to 24^th of May 2014 at Hotel Grand Peshawar. This report is related with the full day session conducted by Salman Yousaf Khan on 23^rd May 2014 in support with Mr. Muhammad Ahsan as co-trainer.

Trainer’s Profile

The trainer was a young lawyer, politician and social worker from Islamabad. His profiles and pages can be accessed on the following links:-

Profiles: Salman Yousaf Khan

https://www.facebook.com/lawyer.salman

https://www.facebook.com/salman.y.khan

https://www.facebook.com/AdvocateSalmanKhanGolra

Twitter

https://twitter.com/LawyerGolra

Co-Trainer’s Profile

Muhammad Ahsan

https://www.facebook.com/M.AHSANULHAQ?fref=ts

Participants

The participants were the students of KPK mostly from Peshawar, Jamrood Khyber Agency and FATA. They were aged from 18 to 25.

Reflection

Proceedings for the day were initiated by Ms. Shagufta Gul of Pead Foundation. She had the session of reflection with the students of Peshawar. In that session the trainer also had an idea about the sessions conducted on 22^nd May 2014.

Introduction

The trainer started his session at 9:30 with the introduction. He first introduced himself to the participants and then he had an interactive introduction session with the participants for few minutes.

Segments

There were two segments of the Trainer’s session. One of them was on Democracy and the other was on 

Democracy for youth.

Democracy

The trainer used multimedia projector for his session on democracy. There was a presentation with having slides on definition of democracy, explanation of the concept of democracy, types of democracy, examples of democratic countries, Islamic concept of democracy, Hazrat Umar Farooq (RZA)’s democracy, pre-amble of Pakistan’s Constitution and democracy in Pakistan. There was a Tea break at the end of session at 11:00 am till 11:15 am.

  

Activity

There was an activity after the tea break. There were four groups made among the participants. They collectively made charts on democracy explaining their ideas about the concept. The session was mentored by Mr. Salman Yousaf Khan and his co-trainer Muhammad Ahsan. Each of the participants was given opportunity to speak. The participants gave presentations in Urdu, English and Pashto as they were given liberty to use any of the language they preferred.

Lunch

There was lunch and Prayer Break from 1:00 pm to 2:20 pm. 

Democracy for Youth

After the lunch break the second segment of the topic was presented by Mr. Salman Yousaf Khan, Ex-Candidate for Member National Assembly, NA-48, Islamabad. The presentation had slides related with youth activism, the role of students in the Pakistan Movement, role of students of Jamia tul Islamia and steps to be taken for the prosperity of Pakistan.

There was a motivational video played on the life of Quaid-e-Azam in the session. The trainer asked the students about their opinion regarding Quaid-e-Azam. The students replied that “he was a good leader, we salute him”.

Another motivational video was played in this session with the song “Lazim hai k ham be dekhain gay” in the voice of Jawad Ahmad. The students showed their hope that things will change in Pakistan one day.

Ending

The Trainer Mr. Salman Yousaf Khan and his co-trainer Mr. Muhammad Ahsan thanked:

-          Pead Foundation

-          Students of KPK

For hosting such a wonderful event and for learning the concept of democracy with attention. Finally a video was played to end the session with the following words “nikal laye hein ham kashti tofan say nikal k, meray bacho iss mulk ko rakhna sambhal k”…. Contact Details were shared with best wishes from both ends... Tea was served at 4:00 pm…

Outcome

One of the outcomes of the event was that the youth looked determined to do something for Pakistan. Equality, justice, rule of law, honesty, morality, tolerance, unity, faith and discipline all came under discussion in the session. High dedication to work for Pakistan through youth activism is observed in the participants. Further it is expected that the participants will promote whatever positive they learned from the session.

CM Baluchistan Welcomed Young Politicians

A Delegation of Young Politicians met Chief Minister Baluchistan on 17th September 2014. The Chief
Minister warmly welcomed them to join National Party for the unity of Pakistan.

The Delegation was headed by Salman Yousaf Khan, Advocate High Court and Ex-Candidate for
Member National Assembly, NA-48, Islamabad.

 

Apart from him the Delegation included the following
persons:-
- Saad Asif (CEO and Founder of Complete Energy Solutions and a politician from Islamabad)
- Malik Nauman Khalid (A Young Politician and a businessman from Chakwal)
- Muhammad Vajih-ur-Rehman Saqib (Partner at Nexton Group and Young Politician)
- Raja Kamran Altaf (Advocate High Court and Politician from Kashmir)
The Delegation was also part of campaign in the General Elections held on 11th May 2013 in the NA-48
constituency. The delegation is having high aims to work for Pakistan and its prosperity.

Agenda of the Meeting
The main agenda of the meeting was to convince the delegation to be part of National Party. The
delegation was warmly greeted by the CM at Baluchistan House. Further they were clarified about the
manifesto of the party. The queries of the delegation were beautifully answered by Ayub Malik, a senior
politician from National Party.




The Meeting commenced at 4:30 P.M. and it lasted till 7:30 P.M. The current situation of the country
came into discussion. Both the parties agreed that there shall be peace and stability in Pakistan. Efforts
should be done to make Pakistan prosper in the times to come.

It was discussed in the meeting that there is a need to bring unity in Pakistan. Efforts should be done in
order to make the deprived people progress and survive in the best manner possible in all corners of
Pakistan. The meeting concluded with best hopes for the future of Pakistan.

Pakistan Zindabad

Islamabad Domestic Workers Convention 16th June 2014

Activity Report

June 16, 2014 at Aiwan-e-Quaid Auditorium, Islamabad

Homenet Pakistan organized First Domestic Workers Convention in the history of Pakistan on 16^th of June, 2014 at Aiwan-e-Quaid Auditorium, Islamabad in coalition with Plan Pakistan.

The following persons were hosting the event:-

1.      Fozia Akhtar (Project Manager, Plan Pakistan)

2.      Saima Sarwat (Program Manager, Homenet Pakistan)

3.      Saman Farhan (Project Officer, Homenet Pakistan)

The following persons were the panelists:-

1.      Umme Laila Azhar, Executive Director, Homenet Pakistan

2.      Shaheena Kausar, General Secretary, Women Workers Union

3.      Ms. Iffat Jamil, Program Manager, Plan Pakistan.

4.   Salman Yousaf Khan, Advocate High Court and Ex-Candidate Member National Assembly, NA-48, Islamabad.

5.      Ms. Farkhanda, Ex-Director General, Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan.

6.      Ms. Zahida, President Women Workers Federation.

7.      Ms. Saima, President Domestic Workers Union.

8.      Khadija Ali, Advocate and Domestic Workers Activist.

Participants:-

The participants were domestic workers from Islamabad and Rawalpindi and personalities from social sector organizations...

The Event:-

The convention started at 3:00 pm and ended at 06:30 pm. An introduction to the convention was given by Ms. Saima Sarwat from Homenet Pakistan. It was the occasion of third anniversary of ILO C-189 on 16^th June, 2014 on which this convention was hosted.

Ms. Iffat Jamil from Plan Pakistan was invited over the stage. She gave a brief introduction about Plan Pakistan. She thanked people who supported the idea to support domestic workers in Pakistan.

Ms. Umme Laila Azhar was invited over the stage. She pointed out that there are around 74% domestic workers in Pakistan with having no rights at all. She informed the participants about the new law on domestic workers tabled in the senate of Pakistan. She further intimated the gathering about the efforts of Homenet Pakistan in the law making for Domestic Workers in Pakistan. She further stressed the need to involve employers in the process of law making for domestic workers.

Ms. Saima, president domestic workers union from Islamabad highlighted the problems faced by domestic workers in the line of duty.

Ms. Khadija Ali was invited over the stage. She discussed the gaps in the new law tabled in the Senate of Pakistan.

Mr. Salman Yousaf Khan appreciated the efforts done by Senator Osman Saifullah for tabling the domestic workers bill in Senate. He shared the features of Domestic Workers Bill, 2013. Salman Yousaf Khan further gave recommendations keeping in view the needs and circumstances of domestic workers in Pakistan. He further stressed on the need of imposition of Article 25-A for free education to the children of Domestic Workers. Similarly he stressed on the need to ensure social security, medical and welfare of domestic workers. He added that criminal proceedings in cases of domestic workers shall be the subject matter of dispute resolution committee so made in result of the act to be passed. He raised the need to establish a quasi-judicial system of courts for domestic workers. He pointed out that according to section 6 of the bill; the domestic workers are required to enter into contract with the employers. He stressed that there shall be an institution with whom the domestic workers as well as the employers shall enter into a contract. He further stressed on the need to insert detailed provisions in the bill regarding the process of union registration for domestic workers, domestic workers welfare board’s functioning and looking after the affairs of domestic workers, dispute resolution committee’s composition and functionality, appellate forums composition and functionality. He finally thanked the domestic workers and motivated them with some poetry of Allama Iqbal for continuing their struggle for their rights.

Ms. Zahida from Women Workers Federation came and emphasized on the need to strengthen up the movement of domestic workers so that they get their due rights.

Ms. Shaheena Kausar from Women Workers Union stressed that the domestic workers shall be given training regarding the sexual harassment issues. She stressed on the need to train domestic workers for availing remedies if any offence happens under section 509 of Pakistan Penal Code. She further motivated the domestic workers with slogans for their rights.

Ms. Farkhanda, Ex Director General Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan focused on creating ombudsman for domestic workers like the way ombudsman were created in result of harassment laws.

Outcome

A movement in proper direction for the rights of domestic workers has been given a voice through this event internationally. It was a movement initiated by Homenet Pakistan in coordination with Plan Pakistan which has taken a shape due to the efforts of many who participated in this convention. It was the first ever domestic workers convention in the history of Pakistan which showed solidarity and commitment of struggle with domestic workers in the times to come.

The Convention successfully ended with a commitment to move further with positive efforts by all the participants.

The End

This Report is Prepared by The Pleaders Trust

DEMOCRACY FOR YOUTH

Session Report

May 23, 2014 at Hotel Grand Peshawar

PEAD Foundation organized an event on Democracy from 22^nd to 24^th of May 2014 at Hotel Grand Peshawar. This report is related with the full day session conducted by Salman Yousaf Khan on 23^rd May 2014 in support with Mr. Muhammad Ahsan as co-trainer.

Trainer’s Profile

The trainer was a young lawyer, politician and social worker from Islamabad. His profiles and pages can be accessed on the following links:-

Profiles: Salman Yousaf Khan https://www.facebook.com/lawyer.salman https://www.facebook.com/salman.y.khan Page https://www.facebook.com/AdvocateSalmanKhanGolra Twitter https://twitter.com/LawyerGolra

Co-Trainer’s Profile

Muhammad Ahsan https://www.facebook.com/M.AHSANULHAQ?fref=ts

Participants

The participants were the students of KPK mostly from Peshawar, Jamrood Khyber Agency and FATA. They were aged from 18 to 25.

Reflection

Proceedings for the day were initiated by Ms. Shagufta Gul of Pead Foundation. She had the session of reflection with the students of Peshawar. In that session the trainer also had an idea about the sessions conducted on 22^nd May 2014.

Introduction

The trainer started his session at 9:30 with the introduction. He first introduced himself to the participants and then he had an interactive introduction session with the participants for few minutes.

Segments

There were two segments of the Trainer’s session. One of them was on Democracy and the other was on 

Democracy for youth.

Democracy

The trainer used multimedia projector for his session on democracy. There was a presentation with having slides on definition of democracy, explanation of the concept of democracy, types of democracy, examples of democratic countries, Islamic concept of democracy, Hazrat Umar Farooq (RZA)’s democracy, pre-amble of Pakistan’s Constitution and democracy in Pakistan. There was a Tea break at the end of session at 11:00 am till 11:15 am.

  

Activity

There was an activity after the tea break. There were four groups made among the participants. They collectively made charts on democracy explaining their ideas about the concept. The session was mentored by Mr. Salman Yousaf Khan and his co-trainer Muhammad Ahsan. Each of the participants was given opportunity to speak. The participants gave presentations in Urdu, English and Pashto as they were given liberty to use any of the language they preferred.

Lunch

There was lunch and Prayer Break from 1:00 pm to 2:20 pm.

Democracy for Youth

After the lunch break the second segment of the topic was presented by Mr. Salman Yousaf Khan, Ex-Candidate for Member National Assembly, NA-48, Islamabad. The presentation had slides related with youth activism, the role of students in the Pakistan Movement, role of students of Jamia tul Islamia and steps to be taken for the prosperity of Pakistan.

There was a motivational video played on the life of Quaid-e-Azam in the session. The trainer asked the students about their opinion regarding Quaid-e-Azam. The students replied that “he was a good leader, we salute him”.

Another motivational video was played in this session with the song “Lazim hai k ham be dekhain gay” in the voice of Jawad Ahmad. The students showed their hope that things will change in Pakistan one day.

Ending

The Trainer Mr. Salman Yousaf Khan and his co-trainer Mr. Muhammad Ahsan thanked:

-          Pead Foundation

-          Students of KPK

For hosting such a wonderful event and for learning the concept of democracy with attention. Finally a video was played to end the session with the following words “nikal laye hein ham kashti tofan say nikal k, meray bacho iss mulk ko rakhna sambhal k”…. Contact Details were shared with best wishes from both ends... Tea was served at 4:00 pm…

Outcome

One of the outcomes of the event was that the youth looked determined to do something for Pakistan. Equality, justice, rule of law, honesty, morality, tolerance, unity, faith and discipline all came under discussion in the session. High dedication to work for Pakistan through youth activism is observed in the participants. Further it is expected that the participants will promote whatever positive they learned from the session.

The End

Profile : Speed Trust - Coalition Partner

 (STRUGGLE FOR PEACE, EMPOWERMENT & DEVELOPMENT)

Reg # 2145

Brief Introduction:

SPEED ​​Trust is Islamabad based registered nongovernmental, nonpolitical charity organization which is actively working in the under developed areas of Pakistan in order to make them developed and peaceful environment in the whole areas. SPEED Trust is working on various projects activities and programs such as promoting peace in conflict areas, eradication of poverty from the societies and free education projects.  SPEED ​​Trust launched its activities from FATA South Waziristan Agency, FATA, which is a backward area of Pakistan. FATA inhabitants are deprived from the basic facilities i.e. employment, education and health. SPEED Trust’s objective is to create employment and educate the FATA’s youth, so that they can become productive citizens of the country and lessen youth’s deprivation. Above all there, to create peaceful environment.

Manifesto of SPEED Trust:

1.       To attract the peoples of Pakistan especially youth of FATA towards peace.

2.       To provide free education to poor and needy students

3.       To built hospitals and dispensaries for the treatment of poor and needy patients

4.       To provide employment for unemployed youth and needy women

5.       To promote sports in the area of FATA and adjacent areas

6.       To build home for homeless people

7.       To provide financial assistance to poor & needy families for the wedding

8.       To protect the rights of minorities

9.       To construct and maintain Masajid and Schools

10.   To provide basic necessities to disabled persons / families

Activities:

                  “The School is increasingly seen as one means for the dissemination of ideas and symbols nationhood. Economic growth is also seen as closely tied to the schools ability to implant new attitudes and skills.”

SPEED Trust has started “Free Education For All” project. In this regard, the first school named “SPEED Girls School” has been established in village Raghzai, South Waziristan where more than 127 girl students are studying. SPEED Trust on its own resources constructed school building, paying teacher’s salaries, providing uniforms, stationery etc. “Free Education For All” project will not be limited to Waziristan only but SPEED Schools network will be throughout Pakistan including Tribal Areas. Moreover SPEED Trust has also established a “Free Tuition Academy” in the city of Wana South Waziristan, where more than 400 students are getting education. Additionally SPEED Trust is also working on the peace awareness campaign in various cities specially cities of North, South Waziristan and Dera Ismail Khan.  The main object of peace initiatives in Dera Ismail Khan is because most of the population of both North and South Waziristan Agencies are settled there. In this regard, Mr. Mado Jan Gohar Wazir, The Chairman of SPEED Trust has held a Peace Conference in Marriot Hotel, Islamabad on 02^nd February 2013, which was attended by diplomats, religious scholars, lawyers and members of civil society. The conference agenda was to promote peace in the region. Because education is the way to the change the very region into peace full environment in the whole tribal built.

SPEED Trust has always voiced against social evils, social & economic injustice and human rights violations at every forum.

			Islamabad           Office # 03, Plot # 52, I&T Center, Near Office                    Islamabad High Court, G-10/4, Islamabad, Pakistan Waziristan          Gul Shah Jan Market, Camp Road, Office                    Wana Bazaar, South Waziristan Agency, Pakistan D.I.Khan               SPEED Office Bannu Adda, Near Kamran Office                                  Hotel, Circular Road, Dera Ismail Khan, KPK, Pakistan

 

Website:              www.speed.com.pk

Email:                    info@speed.com.pk

Telephone:         +92-51-2513173

Chairman Cell #                +92-345-9828775

President Cell #               +92-334-8524838