Islamabad, October 30, 2024 – In a landmark step towards promoting a more inclusive and supportive work environment for women, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has issued directives to establish day care centers across all its field formations by November 1, 2024.
This initiative aligns with the Prime Minister’s Women Empowerment Package 2024, which aims to facilitate working mothers in the public sector.
An official memo from the FBR circulated on October 30, 2024, underscored the importance of this directive and urged all chief commissioners of Inland Revenue, chief collectors of Pakistan Customs, and Director Generals to prioritize this measure. The initiative is a major component of the Women Empowerment Package announced earlier this year on International Women’s Day. The package emphasizes women’s right to an accommodating and supportive work environment, which includes the establishment of day care facilities across public sector entities and a flagship day care center within the Pakistan Secretariat.
The Prime Minister’s Women Empowerment Package 2024 reflects the government’s dedication to enhancing gender equality and supporting women’s full participation in the workforce. This package encompasses a wide range of measures, including the creation of flexible work options, the establishment of safe workplace environments, and now, the setting up of day care centers to assist working mothers. By doing so, the government hopes to alleviate the challenges many women face when balancing work responsibilities with family obligations.
In a statement, the FBR highlighted that the establishment of day care centers will not only benefit women employees but will also foster a more productive and inclusive work environment. Women currently comprise a significant proportion of the workforce in various public sector roles, including at the FBR. Ensuring the availability of day care facilities near their workplaces is expected to ease their concerns and improve their focus and commitment to work.
The FBR Chairman, in his directive, emphasized the importance of implementing this order promptly, urging all field formation heads to make the necessary arrangements by the November 1 deadline. The urgency of this deadline reflects the FBR’s commitment to making immediate progress in supporting women employees.
This step marks an important move towards closing gender gaps within Pakistan’s public sector, paving the way for a more inclusive workplace culture that values and supports women’s contributions. The establishment of day care facilities will not only benefit the employees but also contribute to a stronger, more balanced workforce across the nation’s public sector.