LAHORE, July 26: Former Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Sherry Rehman, has said that the rights of women are being exploited all over the world and they must make a collective struggle against all forms of exploitation in the society.She was speaking at the oath-taking ceremony of newly elected office bearers of Women Workers Union (WWU) here Sunday.

She said that PPP government has always patronised ‘vulnerable community’ of the society adding that women have been provided equal opportunities, honour and dignity.

Sherry lauded the services of home based workers for their contribution to the economy of the country.

She congratulated the organizers of the WWU and urged them to prefer collective interests of the community to individual benefits.

"You have planted a sapling today and it is your responsibility to nurture it into a stalwart tree ", she said adding "Have faith in your abilities and put up your best efforts for your rights as God helps those who help themeselves".

She reiterated PPP’s committment to work for the welfare and betterment of the 51 per cent of society. She said that labour community has been the first preference of PPP’s manifesto.

Responding to a demand of the WWU, she said that government would consider ratifying ILO-177 but the ILO 2002 has its lacunas.

Referring to her committment to the cause of women, Sherry Rehman said that she has tabled ‘Sexual Harrassment Bill ‘in the National Assembly. Women would be protected against all kinds of harrassment at work places, she added.

Later, talking to the mediamen she said that PPP government has always worked for the cause of the downtrodden segments of society.

To a query, Sherry said that Musharraf’s statements about Shaheed Mohtarama Benazir Bhutto are a pack of lies and the late leader of a democratic party could never ask a dictator to be the president of the country.

To another question, she said that all dictators should be brought to book in the interest of the country and democracy.

Earlier, the WWU office bearers demanded of the government to weed out all anti-labour policies and ensure minimum wages of Rs 6000 for the workers as promised by the Prime Minister, Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani.