Stitched with Strain: A Qualitative Exploration of Job Dissatisfaction among Female Apparel Workers in Sri Lanka
Keywords:
Apparel industry, Female workers, Job dissatisfaction, Labour conditions, Sri Lanka, Work–family conflictAbstract
Job dissatisfaction remains a persistent concern in Sri Lanka’s apparel sector, despite its significant contribution to national employment and export earnings. This qualitative study explores the lived experiences of female sewing machine operators in a Free Trade Zone to understand why they remain dissatisfied with their jobs. Data were gathered through semi-structured interviews with ten participants and analysed using thematic analysis. Findings reveal five key sources of dissatisfaction: unfair and inadequate remuneration; heavy workloads with unrealistic performance targets; hostile supervision and a lack of managerial support; poor working conditions coupled with excessive pressure; and disruptions to work–life balance. These conditions not only undermine physical and psychological well-being but also erode dignity, motivation, and sense of agency. The study further highlights how structural power inequalities and exploitative labour practices perpetuate vulnerability, emotional exhaustion, and feelings of worthlessness among workers. Consistent with global literature on labour exploitation in the garment sector, the findings reaffirm that dissatisfaction is rooted not merely in individual perceptions but in systemic organisational and industry-level dynamics. The study underscores the urgent need for fair compensation systems, supportive supervisory practices, humane workload management, and worker-centred labour reforms to ensure sustainable and dignified employment within Sri Lanka’s apparel industry.
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