Influence of socio-economic factors and wages on gender relations among workers of Teza Tea Company, Muramvya - Burundi

Abstract

Most rural men in Muramvya have opted to be employed in Teza Tea Company. An assumption in this study was that their earnings were not utilized properly and intra-household gender relations were negatively impacted. In this work, the general objective of this study was to assess the influence of socio-economic factors and wages on intra-household gender relations among wage labourers. Specifically, the objectives of the study were to: examine socio-economic factors of wage labour and their impacts on familial relations among workers; analyze the effects of wage utilization on gender relations among households of workers. The study was guided by the bargaining theory of Krishnaraj. Mixed methods research design was adopted in this study and 24 % of the target population was used to select the sample size of 150 respondents. Sampling techniques in this study included disproportional stratified sampling to enroll respondents depending on their categories and number. Then, simple random sampling was used in different strata. The methods of data collection included secondary data, interviews, focus group discussions, key informants, informal discussions and observations for triangulation. Data were analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively. This study found that tea workers at Teza were driven into casual labour by social and economic factors with impacted on gender relations. On social level, organized welfare for the workforce led to wage labour and allowed familial bonding. On economic level, the study found that the need for acquisition of land and housing led to employment at Teza. Material acquisitions from the wages of men tied women to the homesteads for their organization and maintenance which resulted in stability of rural households. The study found three effects of wage utilization on intra-household gender relations: men’s savings were used by their wives in economic activities and this increased the level of bonding among partners; wage utilization raised inter-spousal decision-making which resulted in pleasant relationships in households of workers; traditional roles of men and women have changed due to depressed wages and this led to non-fixed gender roles between spouses. In conclusion, socio-economic factors and wage utilization have brought effects on intra-household gender relations. The study recommended evaluation of the existing social facilities at Teza to single out the shortcomings in order to come up with effective amendments for the betterment of workers and their families. There is also need to review labour wages for the workers to earn decent payments in order to improve their material possessions and earning power of spouses for stabilized intra-household gender relations.