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.

Very little is known about the socioeconomic status of separated, deserted, and divorced women in India. Where do they go? With whom do they live after separation? And how does their life pan out?Kirti Singh attempts to answer these questions through a survey of 405 such women in mostly urban centers across India. Singh not only traces their post-separation economic condition, but also investigates their ongoing experiences with state institutions such as the police and the courts. Part of a project titled "The Rights and Entitlements of Indian Women on Separation and Divorce, including the Right to Spousal and Child Support and Right to Marital Property," this survey was conducted

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