QUALITY OF LIFE AND WORK CONDITION OF SUB-CONTRACT WORKERS AT INDUSTRIAL ESTATE IN THE EASTERN REGION

Abstract

The study aimed to explore the quality of life and work conditions of sub-contract workers, including the guidelines to enhance the quality of life of sub-contract workers. This is mixed-method research and employs a concurrent approach to gather data. For quantitative research, the sample consisted of 771 sub-contract workers who work at industrial estates in the eastern region: Chasernngsao, Chonburi, and Rayong provinces. Quota sampling was used and collected 257 samples in each province by questionnaire. For qualitative research, collecting the data by interviewing 3 sub-contract workers and 3 human resource practitioners was conducted.

The findings revealed that the total and each aspect of sub-contract worker quality of life: physical, psychological, social relations, and environmental aspects, was at a moderate level, and the work conditions followed the Labor Protection Act 1998 (B.E. 2541). However, there were more than 10 percent that the enterprises need to consider for improvement. These include annual leave (leave with pay, vocational leave, sick leave, personal leave, and maternity leave), equal pay and benefits, training and knowledge development, modification of employment status, danger of contracting illness on the job, and risk of workplace accidents. Considering the guidelines to enhance the quality of life of sub-contract workers, enterprises must emphasize work motivation and work equality. As per the guidelines for enhancing the quality of life of subcontractors in the Eastern Industrial Estate, employing enterprises must prioritize providing incentives for subcontractors to work and promoting gender equality in the workplace.