Exploring human (in-)security from a gender perspective

Abstract

Purpose – Using the concept of human security, the purpose of this paper is to explore the subjective perception of insecurities experienced by Thai subcontracted workers in industrial value chains and examines how they mitigate these insecurities. Design/methodology/approach – This paper uses a qualitative approach and analyses the narratives from in-depth interviews with 23 female subcontracted workers in low-income communities in Bangkok, Thailand. Four male subcontracted workers were also interviewed to compare gender differences. Five key informant interviews with NGOs and academicians were conducted. Findings – There are three main findings. First, subcontracted workers’ economic insecurities are influenced by their work and personal trajectories in the labour market. Second, many of their health and care-related insecurities are fuelled by relational rather than individual experience; that is, they are worried they will not be able to provide care for their children, to fulfil their responsibility as mothers, or they are concerned with the effects of their hazardous work environment on their family members. Third, most subcontracted workers mitigate their insecurities using their immediate relational network in the absence of formal protection. Originality/value – While earlier literature on subcontracted workers’ vulnerabilities in Thailand discussed the issues from a politico-economic perspective, this paper uses the concept of human security, which enables us to better understand their insecurities as context-specific experiences in their daily lives.

Revisiting the undeclared service economy as a dual labour market: lessons from a 2019 Eurobarometer survey

“…Indeed, the declines in state economic intervention and social protection that have accompanied de-regulation are perceived by these scholars to result in those excluded from the declared labour market and social protection being pushed into the undeclared economy to make a living in the absence of alternative means of survival (Chen, 2012;Davis, 2006;ILO, 2015;Meagher, 2010;Sasaki et al, 2016;Taiwo, 2013). In other words, the undeclared economy is explained as a means of livelihood for those excluded from the declared labour market and social protection benefits (Tokman, 2001).…”