Research in Action: Organising Women Factory Workers in Pakistan

Abstract

This chapter describes the experience of an action research project conducted in Pakistan. The project had the objectives of ascertaining the background, conditions of work and employment as well as the organisational situation of women factory workers in formal sector industries of the cities of Karachi, Lahore, Faisalabad and Multan: these constitute the largest urban industrial centres of Pakistan. We elaborate the process of conscientisation resulting from the research and the subsequent creation of a support centre — the Women Workers Centre — and its attempts at organisational work with women factory workers in the city of Karachi. Some general conclusions are drawn with reference to the role and effectiveness of various forms of organisation available to workers in general and women workers in particular, in their efforts to improve their working conditions and opportunities.