Analysis of the quality of life of university employed subcontractor laborers in the context of social work

Abstract

On a global scale, subcontracted labor is being practiced to reduce labor costs in enterprises. This method of non-union, precarious employment, sometimes below the minimum wage, increases the urban poor and relative poverty through the subcontracted laborers. For this reason, this research aims to determine the quality of life of subcontracted laborers working in universities and to propose solutions in this regard. The sample of the research was determined by random sampling method among subcontracted laborers working in a foundation university in Istanbul and subcontracted laborers working in a state university in Konya, in 2017. A 27-item WHOQOL-BREF Quality of Life Scale was used in the study. The quality of life of the sample group was found to be moderate. The research also examined the relationship between the demographic characteristics and the quality of life of the sample group. The quality of life of the subcontracted laborers working in the state university in Konya was found to be related to their marital status and the number of individuals in their family. The quality of life of subcontracted laborers working at foundation universities in Istanbul was found to be related to their age, educational status, the number of individuals in their families, the number of working individuals in their families, monthly household income, and monthly household food expenditure. In line with these findings, proposals have been suggested to employers in order to improve the quality of life and work efficiency of subcontracted laborers.