Pregnant with her first child, an employee at Trelleborg Sealing Solutions is concerned about her future after her hours were reduced - along with hundreds of her colleagues - due to the downturn within the global automotive industry.
"These are tough times, especially with the rising cost of living... It's going to be difficult to cope with the house loan, especially when I go out on maternity leave," she said, wrapping her arm protectively around her belly.
The woman, who preferred to remain anonymous, has been working at Trelleborg for over 12 years and likes her job. It has pained her to see that all her colleagues have been beset by uncertainty as their working hours are reduced to a four-day week.
"I know this isn't the company's fault... The current global situation does not only affect us workers; it can be felt all across the spectrum," she said.
Jesmond Camilleri, who has worked at the factory for over a decade, may have to cancel a cruise in August that he planned at the beginning of this year.
Mr Camilleri and his colleague Paul Vassallo see dark clouds hanging over their lives now that their salaries have fallen.
Both men are glad that no employees have lost their jobs. However, they fear their jobs might not be spared once the government's proposed utility tariffs raise the company's costs.
They are among the 600 employees at Trelleborg, formerly known as Dowty, that produces O rings for the car industry. The prevailing global financial crisis has had a ripple effect that has lowered the demand for cars and, consequently, the company's order book has suffered.
Since August, the management and the General Workers' Union have been working hand in hand to ensure there would be no redundancies. Overtime was stopped and the three shifts were reduced to two. However, with the order books still showing a decline in demand, employees will next week go on a four-day week, GWU section secretary Jason Deguara said.
Mr Deguara said union representatives went to the shop floor yesterday to answer any workers' concerns. Hopefully, the situation will return to normal once the financial storm is over, he said.