| Author | Swaleh, Masooda |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no. HS-90-26 |
| Subject(s) | Women clothing workers--Pakistan--Karachi
|
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of requirements for the degree
of Master of Science, School of Engineering and Technology |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Thesis ; no. HS-90-26 |
| Abstract | This study attempts to highlight the role of women in the textile
and garments industry and their perception towards their work place and
its impact on their family life. The main objective relates to the
perception of workers towards their work environment, economic needs and
alternate choices available for their aspiration. The compatibility of
rules and regulation for the provision of facilities and benefits to the
workers and their appropriate implementation to facilitate the workers
was also studied.
Textile and garment industries are increasingly employing women
workers at all levels. Analysis of the study shows that a large majority
of workers in textile industry are young and are in their early twenties
which is beneficial for the employers . These workers do not have the
responsibilities of the head of the household. Therfore their income is
supplementary in nature.
It is found that there is a tendency for women to increasingly
participate in jobs and become economically independent. Their
participation has increased due to economic compulsions of higher costs
of living. They are, therefore, coming out of their traditional role.
This is particularly true of young unmarried women entering the formal
sector of the labour market. The increasing participation of women in
textile and garments has given monetary benefit to the workers and
influenced their standard of living. The study also shows that female
workers are satisfied with the social conditions in the work place but
were critical of the pysical work conditions. Viewed in the cultural
context of Pakistani society where women are not encouraged so much to
work, the workers felt socially secure in their work place. Economically
also they experienced job security. There were however differences
between the skilled and unskilled workers especially in relation to salary
received. The workers were not enjoying the facilities to which they were
entitl ed to by the labour laws of the government. Most of them were not
aware of these. It has been observed that absenteeism is high among
married women due to domestic compulsions. Some of the industries have
introduced an attendence a llowance to combat this absenteeism. But there
are incidences of the workers being deprived of a part of this allowance
if they happen to take leave for more than three days.
Women prefer to work in segregated work environment and under female
supervisors. This is in consonance with the prevailing social s etup in
Pakistan. An encouraging factor was the positive perception of the workers
towards education of their children especially girls and their
participation in work in the future . However in the present setup there
is a need for the unskilled women workers to be trained further in their
work. |
| Year | 1990 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Thesis ; no. HS-90-26 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Engineering and Technology (SET) |
| Department | Other Field of Studies (No Department) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Human Settlement (HS) |
| Chairperson(s) | Wickramanayake, B.W.E. |
| Examination Committee(s) | Demaine, Harvey ;Weber, Karl E.
|
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Canadian International Development
Agency; |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 1990 |