Carla was only 24 when she left the Philippines to work in Malaysia. She had just finished a vocational course in electronics but couldn’t find a stable job in her hometown. Her parents depended on her, and her younger siblings were still in school. When she was offered a job as an assembly line worker in an electronics factory, she accepted, determined to ease her family’s struggles.
Her first day inside the factory was overwhelming. The long rows of machines, conveyor belts, and workers in uniforms made her nervous. She was assigned to assemble small electronic components that would later become parts of gadgets exported worldwide. The work required precision and speed every second counted. With the constant hum of machinery and flashing indicator lights, it felt like stepping into a different world.
The tasks seemed simple at first; connecting wires, checking circuit boards, and fastening tiny screws. But after hours of repeating the same motions, her hands grew sore and her back ached. The shifts were long, sometimes extending to 12 hours when production was high. Mistakes were not tolerated, as a single faulty part could delay thousands of units. Carla often went home exhausted, collapsing into her bed in the dormitory she shared with other OFWs.
But she wasn’t alone in her journey. Her dorm mates were also Filipinos some single, others with families waiting back home. At night, they shared meals, stories, and laughter. They found comfort in each other’s company, calling themselves a family abroad. Even when homesickness crept in, Carla felt stronger knowing she wasn’t carrying the burden alone.
Still, there were sacrifices. Carla missed her mother’s cooking, her siblings laughter, and the comfort of her own home. She cried quietly during video calls when she saw her siblings growing up without her presence. Her mother often reminded her, Anak, your sacrifice is not in vain. Because of you, your brothers and sisters can continue their studies. Those words gave Carla renewed strength.
Over time, she became more skilled and efficient. She learned how to spot defects quickly and even helped train new workers. Her supervisor noticed her dedication and promoted her to line leader, giving her the responsibility of guiding a small team. It wasn’t a huge increase in salary, but it was recognition that made her proud.
The most rewarding moment for Carla came when she returned home for vacation after two years. She brought gifts bought from her savings, but the greatest gift she gave her family was hope. Her siblings were still in school, and her parents no longer had to borrow money from neighbors. Sitting at the dinner table, eating her mother’s adobo, she realized that every sleepless night and aching hand had been worth it.
Carla’s story as an assembly line worker in Malaysia is a reminder that behind every shiny gadget we use lies the unseen labor of workers like her. It may not be glamorous work, but it is full of dignity, perseverance, and love. She may have stood on an assembly line every day, but in reality, she was building her family’s dreams piece by piece, part by part.
