7.1.2. Employment (formal and informal)

According to the most recent Population & Housing Census conducted in 2023,1990 the unemployment rate in the ICT was 7.1 %.1991 About 37.1 % of the population were employed - 59.2 % of men and 11.8 % of women. Out of those in employment, 55.7 % were paid employees, 4.4 % were self-employed in the sector of agriculture, 26.6 % were self-employed in the non-agricultural sector, 6.9 % were in the role of employers, 2.9 % were unpaid family helpers in the agricultural sector and 3.5 % were unpaid family helpers in the non-agricultural sector. 40.3 % of youth between the age of 15 and 24 were not in employment nor in education. With 53.1 %, more than half of Islamabad’s young females were not in employment nor in education, compared to about one third of young males with 35.3 %.1992 No information could be found on the formal and informal employment rate in Islamabad.

In August 2024, the Government of Pakistan Office of the Chief Commissioner Directorate of Industries & Labour Welfare ICT set the minimum wage for unskilled and juvenile workers in the ICT at 1 423 Pakistani rupees [approximately EUR 4.31993] per day for 8 working hours or 37 000 Pakistani rupees [approximately EUR 122.1] per month.1994 Reportedly, minimum rates of wages have not been raised since.1995 However, according to data collected by Amnesty International between February and September 2024, domestic workers in Islamabad stated that they only earned 12 000 Pakistani rupees [45 US dollars] per month. In Islamabad, as in other larger cities, workers have repeatedly protested against delays in payment of their salaries.1996

A case study showed that women in Islamabad faced cultural stigmas, workplace harassment and biased hiring and promotion practices. They had no secure channels for reporting misconduct or raising concerns, and the lack of networking and mentorship opportunities hindered women from building the skills and connections necessary for leadership roles.1997