Kudos to the Lahore High Court (LHC) for taking up the case pertaining to the highhandedness being meted out to domestic workers in urban areas of the country. For years, domestic workers have been among the most exploited of all workers. Numerous cases have been reported about criminal assaults by employers against their workers that occur on a regular basis. They are treated like domestic slaves by their employers. These miserable souls remain busy in doing petty household chores to earn a few bucks while no law exists that could regulate their services. In this situation, an intervention by the LHC is welcome. The court has ordered the Punjab government to promulgate legislation to implement the Minimum Wages Act 1961 for domestic workers. The much needed ruling has raised hopes that something will be done to ease the dire conditions of their lives. According to estimates, there are almost 8.5 million domestic workers in the country that mostly comprise women and underage children. However, no law exists that could protect their basic rights. Even the existing labour laws do not cover domestic workers. In January 2015, a union of 235 domestic workers was registered in Lahore under an International Labour Organisation project. More such unions need to be formed. Unless workers are mobilised by committed leadership within its own ranks, or through missionary zeal by activists, workers’ collective voice will remain suppressed. Unfortunately, no guidelines exist that could determine the status and employment conditions of domestic workers. This is the reason that they are forced to work in homes without any fixed duty hours. They cannot avail any holidays and are meted out inhuman treatment by their employers. They constitute a major workforce in the private sector. In a democratic state, it is the government’s responsibility to end this injustice against domestic workers. It needs to protect their fundamental rights and implement legislation as soon as possible. They need to be treated as human beings. They deserve respect from their employers and other people. The government needs to take into consideration their needs and enact laws that could stop employers from abusing their rights. Although the court has passed the order, the real issue is its implementation. Over the years, the Punjab government has shown apathy towards addressing workers’ grievances. However, by safeguarding the rights of the most marginalised segment of society, the Punjab government can set a good example for other governments. *