Pakistan: Male -majority sector, working on petrol pumps

Holding in light blue clean uniforms and holding nozzles specializing, Samira Bibi filled the car’s tank and indicated the driver to check the readings of the machine.

Petrol pumps in Pakistan have traditionally been managed by men, but now the sector is also attracted to giving women opportunities and under this, women are also being tasked with filling petrol at some pumps.

A clear example of this was the launch of a petrol pump of Pakistan’s first women in Johar Town, Lahore last year.

In the federal capital, Islamabad, hundreds of female male staff are now operating at fuel stations.

“After getting this job, I learned to take care of my children after getting this job and overcome all the problems of my life,” told Arab News.

This job proved to be a change of life for Samira, who was married to a drug addict for years, and when the relationship deteriorated, she was forced to move to her sister’s house.

Samira, who works six days a week from 8am to 6pm, said: ‘There was a lot of difficulties because I had no job and I was relying on my sister.

“In the beginning, there were many problems, especially when some customers tried to touch our hands when returning the credit card, but timely salary, annual bonuses, free medical facilities and financial sovereignty for the upbringing of children made all these difficulties tolerable.”

“I have never worked before,” he said. I have never been associated with strangers, now I deal with all kinds of people daily, there is no work in labor. ‘

Positive rejection

The rate of joining the women’s total labor force in Pakistan is 25 %, which is lower than the global and South Asian average. According to the UN Women’s Organization, most women (67 %) in the Labor Force work in the agricultural sector, while 16 % of the services sector and only 14 % are working in manufacturing.

Higher educated women also have a low job rate, where only 25 % of women are part of the Labor Force despite a university degree.

There are several reasons for this low rate, including social traditions, reservations, lack of movement and lack of transport.

But despite these challenges, more women are now out.

Sana, another official working on a petrol pump, said the job encouraged them to face the world and deal with different people, even if they dislike women working in public places.

Sana told Arab News: ‘All kinds of users come to the station, some people admire our work and say that it is good that we are working in open space rather than locked in an office, while some people disappoint us and say that this is not suitable for women.’

Sana added that the station administration is very helpful and protects from customers who cause problems or misbehavior.

Rukhsana Bibi, who works at the PSO station in the F-8 sector of Islamabad, said she feels ‘safe’ on the job as CCTV cameras are installed at all stations.

Middle -class and limited educated Rukhsana said she had left home not only for income but for her children’s better future.

“My husband is a laborer and his income does not cover home expenses and children’s education, which is why I decided to make a job.”

Jahanzeb Abbasi, deputy division manager of PSO Islamabad, said, “The company started employing women as equal opportunities during the Karuna epidemic.

He said: ‘We have a very positive response, now many women have been working with us for six months to two years, and they are satisfied and happy with their job.’

One of the consumers, for Azaki Durrani, watching women working with confidence on petrol pumps is a symbol of women’s sovereignty and social change. ‘

Seeing the petrol recruitment in the car, he said: ‘Whenever I see these women working on a petrol pump, I feel myself empowered.’