WORKING CONDITIONS, CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES OF WOMEN IN MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES: THE CASE OF CEMENT AND TEXTILE INDUSTRIES IN DIRE DAWA ADMINISTRATION

Abstract

This study was conducted with the objective of investigating the working conditions, challenges and opportunities of women in manufacturing industries focusing on textile and cement factories in Dire Dawa Administration. This thesis was undertaken by employing both primary and secondary data sources. Descriptive survey research design was employed to carry out the study. Survey was conducted on 255 women industrial workers derived from the selected four factories, and key informant interviews were conducted with officials of Dire Dawa Administration Labor and Social Affairs Agency Industry Relations team leader and human resource personnel from Dire Dawa Textile and Ture Cement factories. In addition, three focus group discussions were held with women working in National Cement Factory and Dire Dawa Textile Factory. The collected data was coded, tailed, tabulated and categorized. The quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics such as percentage, frequency distributions and Chi-square tests. The qualitative data was analyzed through thematic interpretation of meanings and pattern observed in the data. Finally, the qualitative and quantitative data was triangulated in an integrated manner in accordance with the objective of the study. The findings revealed that women do not have copies of their contractual agreements on hand and did not get safety trainings as part of their inductions. This eventually led them to encounter work related injuries. For 74.6% of the married women, working in large manufacturing industries became an additional burden while 63.6% of the women working in the industries encountered challenges such as harassment from male coworkers and the surrounding community when they have night shifts. Life improvements in terms of economic, social engagement as well as personal and psychological developments are among the opportunities. Employers paid less attention for improving women’s occupational role, and inflexible work schedules are hindering women from taking further education to improve their positions in the factories they work in. Coordinated efforts by women employees, employers and government offices play vital roles to improve the working conditions of women working in large manufacturing industries in Dire Dawa Administration.