Abstract:
This research aims to study quality of working life of female labors in electronic factories in Phranakhon Sri Ayutthaya province. Quantitative and qualitative research were used. The quantitative research dealt with quality of working life and factors related to quality of working life of female labors. The study was done with sample groups who were 435 female labors in electronic factories in Phranakhon Sri Ayutthaya. They were selected by multistage sampling. The study took place during January to March 2005. Questionnaires were used to collect the data. The qualitative research dealt with quality of working life of female labors who were selected by purposive sampling. The willingness and readiness of the subjects to provide the information were emphasized. There were 15 of them and from different factories. The data was collected by deep interviews. Quantitative data analysis was done by finding percentage, arithmetic means, standard deviation, multiple regression analysis with Stepwise method, and qualitative data with the content analysis.
The research results are as follows:
1. The quality of working life of female labors in electronic factories in Phranakhon Sri Ayutthaya province was in a moderate level. Regarding income aspect, it was found that working conditions with the awareness of safety and health promotion revealed the highest means, followed by the usefulness to the society, social integration, the balance between work and personal life, democracy, stability and career advancement, sufficient and fair wages, and the potentials of the workers, respectively.
2. Factors related to quality of working life of female labors in electronic factories in Phranakhon Sri Ayutthaya province were the welfare receiving, good relationship with supervisors, and the receiving of sufficient and clear news and information. The 3 factors indicated the predictable value at 50 percents.
The predictable raw score and standard score of working quality can be written as:
Working quality raw score = 1.054 + .237 (receiving welfare) + .238 (good relationship with the supervisor) + .128 (receiving of sufficient and clear news and information)
Working quality standard score = .404 (standard score of receiving welfare) + .356 (standard score of good relationship with the supervisor) + .147 (standard score of receiving of sufficient and clear news and information)
From the study, the researcher would like to suggest that quality of working life of female labors should be continuously paid attention. Every sector such as government, especially the Department of Welfare and Labor Protection, employers, supervisors, as well as the female labors themselves should work together to solve problems and to improve working quality so that the female workers can dedicate themselves physically and mentally for work. That will increase the productivity which can be beneficial to the development of the countrys economy in the future.