An Analysis of the Relationship Between Problems of Working Women and their Socio-Economic Conditions in Tiruppurcity

Objectives: To capture problems faced by working womenin their work place and their socio-economic status both in organised and unorganised sectors in the study area.

Methods/ Statistical Analysis: This study is based on primary data collected from working women in both organised and unorganised sectors. For the analysis purpose, problems of working women in this study have been categorised into five groups. To find out the causes for problems faced by working women in the work place, their socio-economic factors viz age group, education and incomeof the respondents are related with their nature of problems by using chi square test.

Findings: Despite the sector in which women are working, still they are victims of multiple forms of oppression. Poor working conditions, physical problem and lack of monetary benefits are associated with the women working in unorganised sector whereas mental problem is mainly associated with organised sector. The physical problem and sexual harassment are observed in both organised and unorganised sector but the percentage is more in organised sector. In terms of socio –economic conditions the mental problems, physical problems and sexual harassment are associated with age group on the other side lack of monetary benefits and poor working conditions are associated with income of the respondents. It is also observed that sexual harassment is more among the working women who are completed higher education which indicates the institutional failure in implementing women’s safety and their rights. Thus mere increasing the literacy rate alone would not increase the women’s participation in labour force and also it is required improving the working conditions by implementation of standard wage rate and regulation of working hours in unorganised sector.

Application/ Improvements: The findings of this studyhelpful to the policy makers to locate the nature of problems faced by working women and designing and implementing the welfare policies accordingly.