The next morning she died. This episode devastated her colleagues and they resolved to do something about it. Apart from minor flu and coughs, many of them have also developed skin irritations and breathing complications due to dust and poor ventilation in their work areas. But that was when the factory was vying for ISO approval. They do not earn much, neither do their husbands and some are single parents.
Many factories discriminate against workers in terms of sex and age.
Those who are unfortunate enough to be in this age group often find it most difficult to seek employment elsewhere. Although some of them have worked for years at the factory, their employment periods ranging from two to 10 years, their take-home pay is usually just about RM400 to RM500 a month. Increments are about RM5-RM30 a year, depending on performance. Performance appraisals are duly done every year. But that is for show only, the workers lamented, as most of them get just about the same amount of increment no matter how hard they work.