| Author | Maskay, Jyotsna |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.GD-04-08 |
| Subject(s) | Women employees--Thailand
|
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science, School of Environment, Resources and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Thesis ; no. GD-04-08 |
| Abstract | Crisis constitutes of ala1ming features in the world today. It affects labor, health and
education. It has a negative impact of the economy of any country especially if the country
happens to be export oriented since the value of the respective country will be devalued in
valuation with US Dollars. It can lead to closure or downsizing of various manufacturing
factories. Such factories employ women workers on a large scale as it does not require
specialized skills with poor working conditions. But, the women workers could benefit
from stable monthly income, secure job and access to social security. In order to stabilize
the economy, the countries adopt structural adjustment policies provided by the World
Bank and IMF. These policies are bias towards women and tend to leave out women in
development. After their retrenchment in an unfairly manner, the women workers
dispersed to other areas for employment and undertook other forms of employment related
to their previous skills or "woman skills".
The major focus of this research is to investigate the impact of the post economic crisis on
the retrenched women workers in Thailand at the chosen research area such as Pathmunthai
province, Samut Prakarn province and Bangkok. In spite of the economic growth, the
retrenched women workers have been marginalized and deprived from entering the
mainstream economy. Lack of opportunities has further pushed the retrenched women
workers into the info1mal sector that itself is a web that consists of low minimum wages,
unprotected labor laws, worse working conditions that leads the retrenched women
workers into the pool of vulnerability.
It has been found out that the retrenched women workers lived a very stressful and a
hopeless life. Some of the retrenched women workers still await justice from the labour
court. Since the responsibility of the family falls on the shoulders of the women, they have
to balance their productive and reproductive roles. In doing so, these women workers take
the initiative to find jobs fast to earn the household income. They do not get the
opportunity to enhance their skills and instead of improving their lives, they have to adjust
to their new life with the support of their friends and family members who are their strong
source of social capital. The life history of the retrenched women workers and their current
employment status has been illustrated with qualitative research methodology. Moreover,
lack of social security benefits from the government has marginalized the women workers
as well. The problems of old age have hampered the women workers from developing their
life style.
Recommendations for the needs of the women workers are provided as support mechanism
and recommendation for further research that will enhance to examine their situation and
steps to be fu1ther taken to solve it. |
| Year | 2004 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Thesis ; no. GD-04-08 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Other Field of Studies (No Department) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Gender and Development Studies (GD) |
| Chairperson(s) | Kusakabe, Kyoko; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Resurreccion, Bernadette P.;Sununta Siengthai;
Rakawin Leechanawanichphan; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Asian Institute of Technolgy Fellowship; |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2004 |