Faisalabad: July 21, 2015. (PCP) The government must protect women workers from exploitation, violence and bondage, and regularize most unprivileged members of society engaged in informal sectors. The government must bound employers to ensure health care and safety protection for those women workers especially who are doing hazardous work; adopt code of conduct for gender justice to safeguard the interests of women workers, and create safe working environment free of harassment, abuse and intimidation, where they could feel secure and perform their duties efficiently. Government must implement pro-women legislation and labor laws in true sense. A network meeting organized by Association of Women for Awareness and Motivation (AWAM) entitled “Formation of District level Network and Development of Linkages with relevant Stakeholders” held at Unity hall in Faisalabad, on 14 July 2015. The event was hosted by the Association of Women for Awareness and Motivation (AWAM), implementing project of “Enhancing Women Workers’ Awareness on their Rights & Labor Laws” under the Gender Equity Program (GEP) of Aurat Foundation by the support of the American People through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The purpose of the meeting was to launching a district level forum of women workers and to improve the linkages of women workers regarding formal and informal sectors with institutions and to create a safe and secure environment for them. Speaking on the event, the district officer of the social welfare department, Chaudary Ashraf said, “Women workers belong to a marginalized group, there is need to bring them in mainstreaming. It is very formidable task to launch a forum of women workers at district level. This forum will improve industry linkages and foster a women-friendly working environment also the establishment of the forum would raise awareness among women workers regarding their rights and legislation. It also helps in shaping the practical life of women workers.” “Women workers can become small business owners after obtaining Baitul-Maal grants to secure their livelihoods, and this would go a long way in changing the perception that men make better businessmen than women.” “Sanatzar will train deserving women workers with different skills free of cost and scholarships & stipends will also be awarded to women whose age ranges from 18 to 35 years. Women workers should get benefit and educate themselves by trainings and learning skills,” he added. The project manager of the AWAM, Shazia George said, “There are total 240 shops at Jhang road, Model bazar including 239 male and only 01 female shopkeepers. The government has announced 15% quota for women employment. By following this, there must be 36 female shops. The shops must be vacant and allotted to women workers so they could earn money with respectable employment.” “Most of the public and private organisations’ employees and bosses remain unaware of regarding the act of protection against sexual harassment at work place. They also don’t know which forums to approach in case of harassment-related issues. Government must implement pro-women legislation and labor laws in true sense. Government must protect women workers from sexual harassment,” she added. A trade unionist, Aslam Wafa said, "There is lack of unity, hard work and confidence among women worker. Women workers should organize themselves and raise their voice against violence, injustice and exploitation. Women Workers must strive to overcome the challenges confronting them by joining unions and associations. A brick kiln worker, Anwar Bibi said, “There is paucity of schools for children of brick kiln workers despite the fact that they wish to educate their children, and a life without free for next generation.” “The environment for women brick kiln workers is not conducive. She stresses the need for fostering a safe and secure environment at brick kilns and register brick kiln workers with National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), social security, the Employees’ Old-Age Benefits Institution (EOBI) and the Employee Social Security Institution (ESSI) to ensure that their particulars were issued.” A trade unionist, Arif Ayaz said, “Most Brick kiln workers do not cognizant of various movements engaged in securing workers’ rights. Brick kiln workers must join unions to get benefits and to register their complaints for further actions. There is need to convene a cluster meeting including brick kiln workers, employers and stakeholders in order to resolve the problems of brick kiln workers and to promote better linkages industry them.” The supervisor of the model bazar Faisalabad, Flower Emmanuel (Supervisor-Model bazar) said, “Model bazar, Jhang road is a safe and secure market place. Women workers who are interested to get a shop, they can submit their applications to DCO and start their shops and can get easy access to market.”