Assessing the situation of women working in CALABARZON / Divina M. Edralin

This paper assessed the situation of women working in the CALABARZON. Using descriptive, comparative, and evaluative research designs, a survey was conducted among 227respondents from among 172 firms registered with the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) operating in the economic zones in Cavite, Laguna, and Batangas. Results showed that majority of the women workers got employed as a walk-in applicant. They perform their jobs 6 days a week for an average of 8 working hours per day.They received a monthly salary ranging from P2,000 to P12,000 per month. Results further showed that many of the women workers claim that they are given technical training opportunities by their firm. Since the women workers started working in their enterprise, the majority have only been promoted once. Very few women, however, have experienced sexual harassment and discrimination. The study showed that there is a relatively low level of adoption of the provision for women facilities, family planning services, health, and dental and occupational safety measures for the protection of women in the CALABARZON companies. Only a handful of the firms in the CALABARZON are unionized. On post-employment conditions, the analysis indicated that the number one reason for termination is serious misconduct or willful disobedience by the women worker of the lawful orders of the employer or its representatives in connection with work.