Costs of Doing a Job for Urban Women in Sri Lanka

Verité Research recently concluded an event titled ‘HER COSTS: What Prevents the Entry and Retention of Women in Sri Lanka’s Labour Market’. The event focused on the research findings of the Senior Analyst at Verité Research, Sumini Siyambalapitiya, and featured a distinguished panel consisting of, Kasturi Chellaraja Wilson, Sulochana Segera, Tusitha Kumarakulasingham, and Eran Wickramaratne, while Subhashini Abeysinghe moderated the discussion.

The research revealed 3 findings: (1) women’s overall cost of labour force participation is higher than income, (2) the [lack of] affordable and reliable childcare facilities made a critical difference, and (3) carefully designed “Return To Work” (RTW) programs could facilitate re-entry for women with career breaks.

The analysis by Verité Research further highlighted that for every Rs.100 employed urban women earn through labour force participation, it costs them Rs. 160. The cost calculation estimated both monetary costs incurred (eg. travel, clothing) as well as non-monetary costs (eg: psychological and physical cost of double burden). Notably, 57.5% of the total costs were non-monetary, highlighting the hidden nature of these costs.

You may find the link which directs to you the stream of the event and the research findings in the link stated below.

We are making ourselves available to present our findings to your institution. This would give your employees the opportunity to ask questions and to engage in a discussion. If your institution is interested in this opportunity, please be kind enough to reply to this email and let us know what works best for you.

This research is supported by the Australian High Commission to Sri Lanka and Maldives through a Direct Aid Program Grant.

Her Costs: What Prevents the Entry and Retention of Women in Sri Lanka’s Labour Market