12
Methodology
To facilitate the evaluation of the conditions of sweatshop work in the country, the
report relies on primary data gathered from sweatshop workers based within the
National Capital Region (NCR). While the Commission intended broader
participation from workers in different provinces, the recently concluded national
and local elections had unwelcome repercussions in bringing them all together.
Nevertheless, survey questionnaires were distributed to 36 respondents. The
scope of the question focused primarily on the height of the pandemic situation in
the country (the ECQ period of March to June 2020). Aside from primary
information (age, gender, income), the questionnaires also covered labor and OSH
standards, experiences of financial aid, and recommendations for future
government policy.
Participant Profiles
In terms of profile, most of the respondents came from the NCR—namely
Caloocan, Valenzuela, and Quezon City. 29 of the participants (80.6%) are also in
the 31-59 age range, with seven (19.4%) between the ages of 15 and 30. 19 are
male and 15 female, with only two of the participants stating that they are part of
the LGBTQI+ community. 28 (82.4%) answered that they have no disability, with
six (17.6%) stating that they do. Of those with disabilities, half have orthopedicrelated conditions.
Regarding household size, all of the respondents answered in the three and above
ranges. Twenty-three respondents stated that they had more than five household
members, 6 have five members, 2 have four members, and 3 have three family
members in their household. Within the families, most (17) answered that a man
is the sole breadwinner. Four respondents shared that two men provide for their
households, while one each shared that they either had four or zero male family
members working. Conversely, eight respondents expressed that a woman is the
sole breadwinner, three none, and one each for 2, 3, 4, and 5 women working for
their economic needs. Most (12 or 40% of the 30 responses) also indicated that
they were the primary breadwinner for their families.