Unpaid Domestic Care Provided by Women Factory Workers: A Survey Study

Abstract

Aim of the study: This study investigates the unpaid domestic care work of women factory workers and its impacts on their economic value and emotional well-being in the urban stings of Gilgit. It seeks to highlight the often-overlooked contributions of women in the domestic sphere and the dual burdens of paid and unpaid labor they shoulder.

Methodology: adopting quantitative research approach, data were collected through a structured questionnaire administered to a random sample of women factory workers. The survey instrument, based on Tabassum et al. (2023), encompassed diverse domains of care dimension; including child care, elderly care, and special need care.

Findings: the results reveal significant time allocation of unpaid care work, which adversely affects the economic well- being of the participants. Women reported high levels of stress and emotional exhaustion, compounded by the lack of recognition and financial compensation for their domestic contributions.

Conclusion: The study underscores the urgent need of policy interventions to recognize and value unpaid care work, promoting gender equality and economic justice. It advocates for systemic changes to support women balancing paid and unpaid responsibilities. This research contributes to the literature by providing empirical evidence on the multifaceted impacts of unpaid domestic care work and offers actionable insights for policymakers, academics and activists. Future studies should explore intersectional experiences of women in varying socio-economic contexts inform more inclusive and effective policy frameworks.