Health Challenges among House Support of Gulrez Housing Society, Rawalpindi, Pakistan

Abstract

Domestic work is mostly an informal and highly under-regulated sector. They are poverty-stricken people living in less-than-ideal conditions. Due to the lack of options, they adopt employment in poor working conditions and low wages. This study aims to highlight the health risks and vulnerabilities that domestic workers face due to the nature of work or lack of safety precautions. In addition, workers' health practices to treat these inflicted illnesses and injuries are explored to note the effects on domestic workers' financial abilities. As most of the domestic workers are female, 10 female participants (from age 12-65) are selected for in-depth face-to-face interviews, and further 8 participants are selected to lead a Focus Group Discussion. Qualitative data collection tools and techniques are adopted, which include interviews, non-participant and participant observation, field notes, and audio recordings. This research narrates multiple incidents of injuries experienced by domestic workers, and highlights ergonomic body stresses that workers experience as part of their daily work lives. As well as, this research illustrates their lives styles, health practices and their relationships with their employer