A Social-Philosophical Study on Working Environment and Job Satisfaction

Employees with quality, skills and knowledge are essential in the global market. It is often noted that quality human resources act as a prerequisite for the competitive advantage and competitive edge of any organization. Accordingly, the study focused on the job satisfaction and work environment of garment workers employed in the Free Trade Zones (FTZs), where Sri Lanka earns a large amount of foreign exchange. The literature has examined how the working environment and job satisfaction interact, particularly in industries such as garment manufacturing, which rely heavily on manual labour. The main objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between the working environment and job satisfaction among garment workers in Sri Lanka’s Free Trade Zones. The Free Trade Zones of Sri Lanka, key economic hubs that generate substantial foreign exchange for the country, have often been chosen as research settings. The methodology employed in this study was secondary data collection, utilizing a comprehensive review and analysis of existing academic literature, organizational reports, and philosophical texts related to the concepts of working environment and job satisfaction. The relationship between the working environment and job satisfaction was comparatively analysed in the article, and it was examined socially philosophically using theories related to the concepts of the working environment and job satisfaction. It was found that not only the work environment but also the performance of the individual, the enhancement of the employer-employee relationship and other factors have an impact on job satisfaction. The existing literature highlights that job satisfaction is influenced by multiple factors beyond the physical working environment. Accordingly, personal achievement, growth opportunities, and the quality of relationships between employers and employees are significant contributors. Studies consistently show that fostering strong employer-employee relationships, promoting personal achievement, and offering professional development opportunities enhance job satisfaction, which in turn boosts organizational performance.