Self-perceptions of free trade zone migrant female garment factory workers of Sri Lanka.

摘要

The purpose of this study was to learn more about the perspectives regarding employment decisions and experiences of the free trade zone (FTZ) migrant female garment factory workers in Sri Lanka. This study explores the FTZ female migrant garment factory workers within a post-colonial contextual framework. Given that Sri Lanka was a colony of western powers for centuries and subsequently influenced by globalization for decades, understanding the FTZ workers from a western theoretical framework is appropriate. A modest amount of empirical research has explored Sri Lankan FTZ migrant female garment factory workers. However, there is a limited number of studies that specifically explore the perspectives of the women themselves. To fill the gap in the literature this study investigated five research questions: (a) What reasons motivate these women to look for work in the FTZ garment factories? (b) How do the women describe themselves? (c) How do these women think society in general views them? (d) To what extent is the self-perception of these women congruent with their perception of society's opinions about them? (e) From their point of view, to what extent will the decisions these women make to work in the FTZs influence their subsequent life choices and/or work opportunities?;This study used the survey research method and the paper/pencil self-administered questionnaire used to collect data was designed in English, and then translated to Sinhala, a national language of Sri Lanka.;Based on the survey findings the young women were motivated to migrate from home to the FTZs to find employment and to support family members. They do not consider themselves to be individuals with low value and low moral character and they do not think that society regards them as such individuals with low value and low moral character. They also do not have significantly different views of themselves as compared to their perceptions of societal views of them, and appear to treat this occupation as relatively short term.;The theoretical framework of the study includes motivation theories, labeling theory, and Women's Ways of Knowing and contributes to the field of adult education in several aspects. Information regarding vulnerable populations such as Sri Lankan FTZ migrant female garment factory workers, from the participants themselves, may influence practice and policy. This research will likely impact how the FTZ migrant female garment factory worker is perceived in Sri Lanka in the future.