In Mexico, I work in a maquila (sweatshop) where I make T-shirts for very little pay. In 1994, the North American Free Trade Agreement was signed and sweatshops spread rapidly throughout Mexico; many of them were, and are, illegal. During the week, my shift is from 8:30am to 8:30pm and if I don't finish the amount of clothes I'm supposed to complete in that time I must work longer hours with not pay. On Saturdays I work from 8:00am to 5:00pm without a lunch break and I earn $30 to $50 a week. Most of the people I work with are young girls who are 12 and 13 years old. I've never worn protective goggles or gloves when working even though many workers have lost eyes and fingers in our sewing machines.
Despite the mistreatment I've endured, I can't stop working because I've no other means of survival.
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