Comparative Study of Gender Equality Provisions in Pakistani Labor Laws and International Standards

Abstract

This paper is a comparative study of the provisions of gender equality in the labor laws of Pakistan against the established international standard, which is mostly the provisions of the International Labor Organization (ILO). The legal framework of Pakistan, such as the Constitution and other laws, such as the West Pakistan Maternity Benefit Ordinance, 1958, and the Protection against Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act, 2010, contains clauses concerning non-discrimination and protection of women. However, still, there are still extensive gaps and difficulties in the enforcement. Major concerns are the differences in salaries, poor maternity leaves relative to the global standards, and weak policies to check the occurrence of harassment and discrimination in the workplace. These legal rights are further hindered by the impact of the sociocultural norms on their practical manifestation. The critique shows that even with legislative work done, labor laws in Pakistan require harmonization with the global conventions, which creates a gap between what the law guarantees and what it promises women in the workplace, thus illustrating areas that require prompt reform.