Cycle of poverty: analysing the social structures of the women of Kapashera

This feminist ethnographic study explores the intersection of work, informality, and gender dynamics in Kapashera, a peri-urban settlement on the outskirts of Delhi, focusing on rural–urban migrant workers. Methodologically, it employs in-depth interviews and participant observation to uncover the challenges faced by this community. Findings reveal blurred distinctions between permanent and contractual employment, heightened exploitation post-COVID due to increased subcontracting, and gender-specific challenges for women in exploitative working conditions. The study underscores the urgent need for policy interventions addressing workers’ rights, subcontracting issues, and gender disparities in the informal labour sector.