Labour turnover in the West Bank : an analysis of causes of turnover in the industrial sector

The main objective of this study is to develop an understanding of the causes of turnover in manufacturing companies in the West Bank. Within this context, the study attempts to investigate the characteristics of ex-workers in relation to the causes of turnover which influence their decisions, the characteristics of short-term, medium-term and long-term quitters. In addition the way in which the reasons for turnover perceived by ex-workers, personnel managers and union leaders are examined. This study emphasises the differences between causes, conditions and correlates of turnover. Finally, the study relates the correlates to the causes of turnover rather than to the turnover rates as done by many previous studies. In order to achieve the main objective of the study, 306 ex-workers, 30 personnel managers and 10 union leaders were included in this study (questioned or interviewed). The result of the study showed that the major reasons for turnover which influenced the ex-workers were (i) inadequate salary (ii) poor supervision (iii) lack of autonomy at work. In addition availability of jobs in the neighbouring labour markets was a condition which also encouraged the workers to leave their work. Moreover, it was found that personal reasons were the least frequently cited reasons. But, personal characteristics were found to be the most important group of variables which discriminate between the responses of leavers.