ඇඟලුම් කර්මාන්ත ක්ෂේත්‍රයේ නියුතු කාන්තාවන්ගේ රැකියා තත්ත්වය ගෘහස්ත ජීවිතයට සිදු කරන බලපෑම පිළිබඳ අධ්‍යයනයක් - The Impact of Employment Conditions of Women Employed in the Garment Industry on Their Domestic Life

Among Sri Lanka’s export-oriented industries, the garment industry occupies a prominent position. It plays a vital role in the national economy both as a major source of foreign exchange earnings and as a significant generator of employment. The garment industry is particularly important as a key source of employment for women. From its inception, women have constituted the majority of the workforce in this sector, accounting for approximately 80 percent of total employment. Although women represent the dominant segment of employees in the garment industry, they are confronted with a wide range of challenges.
Against this backdrop, the main objective of this research is to examine the impact of the employment conditions of women engaged in the garment industry on their domestic lives. Specifically, the study seeks to explore how work-related pressures experienced by women in the garment industry influence their domestic life, to identify the attitudes of family members towards their employment, and to determine possible forms of social intervention to address the effects of women’s employment conditions on household life. Accordingly, the research problem focuses on identifying the challenges faced by women employed in the garment industry in balancing occupational responsibilities with the maintenance of domestic life. For the purpose of the study, a non-probability purposive sampling technique was employed, and twenty women employed in garment factories in the Katunayake Free Trade Zone were selected as the study sample. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and case studies. Analysis of the collected data reveals that the employment conditions of women in the garment industry have a substantial impact on their domestic lives. The inability to achieve a proper balance between work and household responsibilities has resulted in numerous adverse outcomes, including physical and mental health problems, domestic violence, family conflicts, anxiety, child-related issues, weakened social relationships, and heightened psychological stress.
Overall, the findings of the study indicate that women employed in the garment industry face a wide range of challenges in maintaining their domestic lives. In light of these challenges, the study highlights the necessity of professional interventions to promote positive social recognition and to support women in achieving a balanced and sustainable domestic life.