Ways to hire a worker in Pakistan, compared
There are three common ways to hire a karigar or daily-wage worker in Pakistan: go to the chowk, post on a classifieds site or Facebook group, or use a marketplace built for it like Digital Dehari. Here is how they actually differ.
Ways to hire a worker in Pakistan, compared
If you need someone today and price is all that matters, the chowk is still the fastest option. If you want the person entering your home to have a verified identity, ratings from previous hirers, photos of work they finished, and a written record if something goes wrong, Digital Dehari provides all four — and takes no commission on the wage you agree.
Common questions
What is the safest way to hire a worker in Pakistan?
The safest approach is to hire someone whose identity has been verified and who has a record of past work. On Digital Dehari every karigar's CNIC is checked by an admin, and profiles carry ratings and photos of completed jobs. Whichever route you use, agree the scope and the wage in writing before work starts.
Is it safe to hire workers from OLX or Facebook groups?
Classifieds sites and Facebook groups are built for buying and selling items, not for hiring labour. The format has no identity verification, no ratings for work quality, and no process for labour disputes. If you hire that way, ask to see the CNIC yourself and settle the price before anything begins.
Is Digital Dehari cheaper than hiring at the chowk?
The wage is negotiated between you and the worker exactly as it is at the chowk, and Digital Dehari takes no commission on it, so the worker keeps the full amount. The difference is not price — it is that you know who you are letting into your home before they arrive.
| What you want | Digital Dehari | The chowk | Classifieds / FB groups |
|---|---|---|---|
| Identity is verified before you hire | YesEvery worker submits their CNIC and an admin reviews it. Only approved profiles show a Verified badge. | NoYou meet a stranger in person with no document check of any kind. | NoA listing is text and a phone number. The format has no identity step. |
| Ratings from people who hired them before | YesRatings are left after a completed job and shown on the profile. | NoNo history travels with the worker. Every hire starts from zero. | NoClassifieds rate the seller of an item, not the quality of labour done. |
| Photos of work they actually completed | YesKarigars build a portfolio of past jobs on their profile. | NoYou judge on appearance and a short conversation. | PartlySome posts include photos, but nothing ties them to that person's work. |
| A record if something goes wrong | YesThe conversation stays in the app, and either side can file a Report that an admin reviews. | NoNothing is written down. Once they leave, there is no way to follow up. | PartlyChat logs may exist, but the platform has no process for labour disputes. |
| Built specifically for hiring labour | Yes11 trades across 12 city hubs, with availability, skill, and city as first-class filters. | PartlyIt is exactly for labour, but you have to travel there and take who is present. | NoLabour posts sit alongside cars, phones, and furniture in a general marketplace. |
| Works fully in Urdu | YesRight-to-left interface throughout, plus Urdu voice search for workers who prefer not to type. | YesConversation is face to face in Urdu or the local language. | PartlyInterfaces are usually English-first even when listings are written in Urdu. |
| Takes a cut of the worker's wage | No0% commission. The wage is agreed and paid directly between hirer and worker. | PartlyNo platform fee, though a middleman or thekedar often takes a share. | NoNo commission, but also no verification, ratings, or dispute process. |
| Free for the worker to be listed | YesRegistration, profile, portfolio, and job applications all cost the worker nothing. | YesFree, but it costs a day of standing and waiting with no guarantee of work. | PartlyBasic posts are free; visibility usually requires paid promotion. |
Where we are not the answer
Digital Dehari is not the right choice every time. If a mistri in your own street has already done good work for you, call him — you do not need an app for that. And if you need someone in the next ten minutes on the same road, the nearest chowk is still faster. We are useful specifically when you are letting someone new into your home and want to know who they are first.