| Author | Piyaratne, P. K. |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no. HS-90-16 |
| Subject(s) | Labor and laboring classes--Dwellings--Sri Lanka
|
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of the degree of Master of Science, School of Engineering and Technology |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Thesis ; no. HS-90-16 |
| Abstract | The convergence of young migrant labour for the job opportunities
in the Export Processing Zone at Katunayake (KEPZ) has created a large
demand for accommodation in the villages around the Zone. Severe norms
of punctuality and low wages in the factories together with the irregular
transport service in the area force the migrants to stay in whatever
housing is available at low rents in the area close to the industrial
zone. The supply of housing and facilities to meet the large demand of
the workers puts a heavy pressure on the existing housing stock in the
villages situated in a limited area and in turn results in over-crowded,
sub-standard rental housing with poor facilities.
A segment of the over- crowded workers houses in five villages located
close to the industrial zone was studied. Five types of housing available
for accommodation of workers were identified such as private dormitory,
rental room, rental house, company hostel and institutional hostel, and
observed in terms of housing conditions and facilities available in each.
A sample of women workers who were renting accommodation in those houses
was interviewed to ascertain their problems while living in such houses.
In addition, various parties which are responsible and presently involved
in the provision of housing for the workers were studied namely a sample
of private land and house owners in the area, the government institutions,
the industrialists in the KEPZ and NGOs.
The results show that an alarming situation is existing in two types
of housing, namely private dormitories and rental rooms in which workers
are undergoing numerous hardships. Upgrading and increasing the existing
supply of housing through the encouragement of the private sector in the
area are two ways of solving the problem, but it is likely to be impracticable given the high cost of construction and the low affordability of
workers. Therefore, a multi- level approach of all participants, such as
the government, industrialists, private sector and workers would be a
better solution for the problem of housing of the workers. |
| Year | 1990 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Thesis ; no. HS-90-16 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Engineering and Technology (SET) |
| Department | Other Field of Studies (No Department) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Human Settlement (HS) |
| Chairperson(s) | Kioe-Sheng, Yap |
| Examination Committee(s) | Wickramanayake, B.W.E. ;Amin, A.T.M. Nurul ;Lefebvre, Bernard G.
|
| Scholarship Donor(s) | The Royal Netherlands Government; |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 1990 |