The Whistlers

Pakistan has a labour force of 61 million workers of which only 9 million are engaged in the formal sector. For these 9 million workers, Pakistan has less than 400 labour inspectors which means there is one inspector for more than 20,000 workers in the so-called formal sector. In line with Labour Inspection Convention 81, ratified by Pakistan in 1953, the most important function of the labour inspectors is to secure the enforcement of applicable labour legislation. Considering their meager number, it is not possible for these labour inspectors to visit all workplaces and inspect working conditions and fulfill their fundamental responsibility.

The current situation requires an innovative and an impartial system which allows civilians (witnesses and victims) to submit labour law compliance related data without endangering their privacy. It allows safe, risk free, anonymous and an effective mechanism for reporting labour rights abuses at workplace. The Whistlers does this magic and allows reporting of labour rights violation information from civilian witnesses and victims. The Whistlers brings the public (witnesses and victims) and labour departments closer through online anonymous but verified reporting of violations. Instead of depending on the labour departments to provide their administrative labour inspection data, the Whistlers allows us to know the scope of various labour rights abuses without even compromising anonymity of those submitting this information. Once data is submitted by the users (witnesses or victims) and is verified by our team, it is shown on the Google map indicating the particular labour rights violation.

Institute for Labour Rights has decided to create online labour rights violation submission form for the following five issues:

• Occupational Accidents
• Freedom of Association
• Child Labour / Bonded Labour
• Employment Discrimination
• Sexual Harassment
• Wage and Working Time Violation

Who are the Whistlers? They are all those individuals (witnesses and victims) who want to raise their voice about labour rights violations in the country. The work aims to foster civic engagement among the populace especially youth. It allows everyone to blow a whistle about malpractices anywhere in the country.

As said quite aptly by Maya Angelou, “there is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside of you”. So, do come forward and register your grievance by breaking the silence on various labour rights abuses you have either endured yourself or witnessed.