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The social and livelihood implications of rising living costs for sanitation workers: a sociological investigation based on the University of Jaffna

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dc.contributor.author Sarththiga, G.
dc.date.accessioned 2023-01-30T10:24:54Z
dc.date.available 2023-01-30T10:24:54Z
dc.date.issued 2022-12-06
dc.identifier.citation 11th South Eastern University International Arts Research Symposium on “Coping with Current Crisis for the Sustainable Development with Partners in Excellence” on 06th December 2022. South Eastern University of Sri Lanka, University Park, Oluvil, Sri Lanka. pp. 56. en_US
dc.identifier.isbn 978-624-5736-64-5
dc.identifier.uri http://ir.lib.seu.ac.lk/handle/123456789/6547
dc.description.abstract The economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic means sanitation workers are already vulnerable to many risks, especially those whose livelihood relies mainly on sanitary work and those who are less likely to receive social and economic protection. The overall purpose of this study was to assess the social and livelihood issues of living costs for sanitation workers. According to a report issued by the Clean Well Company, there are 109 sanitary workers working at the University of Jaffna. This study utilized a mixed methodology. A questionnaire survey, key informant interviews, and case study methods were employed as the primary data. All 106 sanitary workers were included in this study. Research ethics were strictly followed by the researchers throughout the research. The quantitative data collected through the questionnaire method were analysed using descriptive statistical methods with the usage of SPSS version 21. Qualitative data obtained from the case study methods and key informant interviews were analyzed thematically. Results revealed that Hinduism (90.6%) was the predominant religion of the majority of the respondents, and 22.6 % of the respondents belonged to the age group of 21–25 years. The majority (85.8%) of the sanitary workers have completed their secondary educational qualifications. More than 26% of the respondents’ monthly income was less than 20, 000 Sri Lankan Rupees. Results also highlight that sexual threats (8.5%), poor participation in social functions and neglect of social activities (24.1%), poverty and education-related problems of children (26.5%) were the significant social issues faced by sanitary workers. Results also indicate that daily living costs (59.4%), debt issues (58.5%), unemployment (9.4%), and lack of employability skills (0.9%), wage exploitation (10.4%), educational expenses for children (1.9%), and transport expenses (13.2%) were the major underlying livelihood issues of sanitary workers. The findings of the study revealed that sanitary workers encountered severe social and livelihood problems. This study strongly suggests that the government should provide employment opportunities and should enhance the quality of life and well-being for them. en_US
dc.language.iso en_US en_US
dc.publisher Faculty of Arts and Culture South Eastern University of Sri Lanka, University Park, Oluvil. en_US
dc.subject Corporation en_US
dc.subject Quality of life en_US
dc.subject Sanitation worker en_US
dc.subject Waste collection en_US
dc.subject Well-being en_US
dc.title The social and livelihood implications of rising living costs for sanitation workers: a sociological investigation based on the University of Jaffna en_US
dc.type Article en_US


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