Decent work or distress adaptation? Employment choice and job satisfaction in the Sri Lankan garment industry

This paper investigates the factors underlying the employment decisions of female garment workers in Sri Lanka's Export Processing Zones. It finds that most are 'pushed' rather than 'pulled' into EPZ employment by poverty and a weak labour market. Workers come from poorer than average households. Their remittances make a vital contribution to family welfare, and more often than not are the sole source of regular household income. Generally low levels of job satisfaction and workers' employment preferences indicate that most would prefer to be elsewhere, but their employment choices are constrained by a limited and unattractive range of alternative livelihoods.