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7 - Precarity and Diversity

The Intersectional Case of Female Christian Janitorial Workers

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 February 2024

By
Mariam Mohsin  and
Jawad Syed
Edited by
Elina Meliou ,
Joana Vassilopoulou  and
Mustafa F. Ozbilgin
Elina Meliou
Affiliation:
Brunel University
Joana Vassilopoulou
Affiliation:
Brunel University
Mustafa F. Ozbilgin
Affiliation:
Brunel University
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Summary

This chapter presents case studies of female janitorial workers, working on a contractual basis, in a public sector organization in Pakistan where the typical employment format is full-time and permanent. Drawing on these cases, the chapter seeks answers to three interrelated research aims: (1) to study the gendered aspect of precarious work in Pakistani organizations, (2) to identify the intersectionality of gender, social class and religion in relation to precarious work, and (3) and to understand the various dimensions of precarity in specific reference to the intersectionality of gender, social class and religion. The findings offer insights into conceptualizing precarious employment and present a taxonomy that divides precarity into three distinct categories: (1) precarity in terms of job security and continuance of employment, (2) precarity in terms of financial stability, and (3) systematic precarity that affects certain groups more than the others. Findings reveal that these categories have distinct effects on different categories of individuals.

Keywords

female employeesgenderintersectionalityprecaritysocial class
Type
Chapter
Information
Diversity and Precarious Work During Socio-Economic Upheaval
Exploring the Missing Link
 , pp. 119 - 136
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2024

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