Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/243416 
Year of Publication: 
2021
Series/Report no.: 
WIDER Working Paper No. 2021/90
Publisher: 
The United Nations University World Institute for Development Economics Research (UNU-WIDER), Helsinki
Abstract: 
The quality of people's jobs is a fundamental determinant of their well-being, and judging the state of a labour market on the basis of job quantity alone delivers a very partial picture. This study is an attempt to place the spotlight on the working conditions of workers in the Myanmar manufacturing sector. Using a model of job demands and job resources, we focus on the balance between different stress factors and the support workers get. We find that a large fraction of workers face severe pressures. In particular, nearly one half faces severe time pressure; nearly a quarter is exposed to health hazards, such as loud noises, carrying heavy loads, and operating in uncomfortable or painful positions. These factors are often not met with adequate support from the firm. Male workers and those with lower levels of education are most exposed to occupational risks. Contrary to the narrative that a trade-off might exist between firm competitiveness and job quality, we find that labour productivity is higher in firms where working conditions are better.
Subjects: 
job quality
productivity
working conditions
Myanmar
JEL: 
D22
J81
L2
P2
O53
Persistent Identifier of the first edition: 
ISBN: 
978-92-9267-030-6
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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