My name is Gina. I am a contractual employee at a textile factory inside the Cavite Economic Zone. I have a 6 month old baby and a husband who works at an electronics factory also inside the Cavite Economic Zone

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My husband is still at work. My baby, does not stay here. I’ve sent her to my mother because I want her to live in a decent house. Besides, my sister also lives here. It is already crowded as it is. This is no place to raise a child.

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No don’t worry, you are not the first to notice. There have been more than a couple of other community workers who interviewed us. They are often surprised to find out that I have never been regularized in all my 3 years of being employed.

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One of the community workers who visited me said you could get regularized after working for 6 months. But that can never happen where I work because the longest contract is only good for 5 months.

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Yes, I’ve tried looking for work outside of the economic zone but the offer is too low. The high-paying jobs require a degree which I can’t apply for because I only finished high school. The economic zone is still my best option even if I don’t get mandatory government benefits.

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My husband and I do our best to make ends meet. We are able to buy food and send some money to my mother so she can take care of my baby. My husband and I combine our income so we can pay the rent for this little space.

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Of course, I have dreams. I used to dream of owning a clothing business. Perhaps it may still come true if I just work hard.

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But for now, my dreams have to take the backseat. I need to focus on saving enough money to send my baby to school and put food on the table. It’s my turn to cook today because I’m on an earlier shift than my husband.

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My husband is very thin so he is never assigned tasks that require a lot of heavy lifting. He needs a lot of nutritious food. It’s his turn to be nourished because I’ve already recovered from giving birth.

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But I’m afraid our income is not always enough. I always tell him to rest because it is not practical to get sick. We are both contractual workers and do not get medical insurance. If he falls ill, our savings would be depleted.

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I know things will get better and I know my baby will have a bright future. Why? Because the meek shall inherit the earth.

rondevera | 27FEB2011