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Export processing zones

See also the following sections of this website:

• Labour issues - General

International Labour Organization websites:

ILO's Special Action Programme on Social and Labour Issues in Export Processing Zones (International Labour Organization) 

Other websites:

Free Trade Zones (International Textile, Garment and Leather Workers’ Federation [ITGLWF])

• {···español} Zonas Francas de Exportación

Maquilas / Export Processing Zones - Resource Centre (Maquila Solidarity Network) 

International Labour Organization materials:

Export Processing Zones (International Labour Organization, Dec. 1998) 

ILO meeting calls for improved social and labour conditions in Export Processing Zones and End to restrictions on trade union rights (International Labour Organization, 2 Oct. 1998) 

Tripartite Meeting of Export Processing Zones-Operating Countries: Note on the proceedings (International Labour Organization, 28 September-2 October 1998)

• {···español: Reunión tripartita de países que poseen zonas francas industriales: Nota sobre las labores} 

• {···français: La Réunion tripartite des pays dotés de zones franches d'exportation: Rapport} 

Labour and social issues relating to export processing zones (Auret van Heerden, International Labour Organization, Aug. 1998) 

•  {···español: Nota sobre las labores: Reunión tripartita de países que poseen zonas francas industriales} 

• {···français: Les zones franches d'exportation} 

African Regional Workshop on the Protection of Workers' Rights and Working Conditions in EPZs and the Promotion of the Tripartite Declaration of Principles concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy (International Labour Organization, July 1996)

Other materials:

2003:

Latin Sweatshops Pressed by U.S. Campus Power [Dominican Republic] -...The pact [a union-negotiated labour contract at BJ&B hat factory], signed last week, was the latest victory for a once unlikely coalition of United States college students, labor activists and world-class brands like Nike and Reebok working to improve labor conditions in the factories in developing countries that make caps and clothing emblazoned with university names and mascots...Labor leaders here and abroad now say it [BJ&B factory] is probably the largest factory among the free-trade zones of the Caribbean, Central America or Mexico to have been unionized. (David Gonzalez, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2003)

Jordan's Sweatshops: the Carrot or the Stick of US Policy? [report on working conditions in Jordan's Qualified Industrial Zones] -...more than 40 thousand workers, toiling in more than 60 factories producing solely for the US market [including Target, Wal-Mart and JC Penny] -...Jordanians own almost none of the factories. Most are owned and operated by entrepreneurs from China, Taiwan, Korea, India, Pakistan or the Philippines who import workers from over-seas...Factory owner Syed Adil Ali says his factory only contracts Sri Lankan girls. "They are very peace minded girls," he says. "I found some kind of problem with the boys. They made some kind of union, some kind of disturbance in the factory. So we prefer the girls." (Aaron Glantz, CorpWatch, 26 Feb. 2003)

Investor Dollars Versus Workers' Rights [Kenya] - Recent strikes by Export Processing Zones employees have raised questions about the Government's stand on labour interests against the need to attract foreign investment. The workers' revolt in the Export Processing Zone transfixed the nation and raised a pertinent issue: Should investor privilege compromise workers' rights?...Their complaints about poor pay and "inhuman" working conditions were peppered with accusations of racism and sexual harassment. (Ken Opala, Nation [Kenya], 21 Feb. 2003)

Processing the export zones - "Legal restrictions on trade union rights in a few export processing zone operating countries, the lack of enforcement of labor legislation and the absence of workers' organizations representation were among the factors noted as undermining the ability of zones to upgrade skills, improve working conditions and productivity and thereby to become more dynamic and internationally competitive platforms," it [ILO] said. (Sam Vaknin, Senior Business Correspondent, UPI, 10 Feb. 2003)

World Trade Body Ignores Union Appeals Over El Salvador's Treatment of Workers - The World Trade Organization praised El Salvador Wednesday for taking steps to open up its economy, but ignored a damning report from a global grouping of trade unions that accuses the country of dismissing workers' rights, particularly in export processing zones (Marty Logan, OneWorld US, 6 Feb. 2003)

El Salvador: Violations of Labour Standards Rife, says new ICFTU Report - ...the ICFTU has condemned El Salvador's failure to protect basic trade union rights in the country's Export Processing Zones...One of the many major allegations of the report was the unsafe working conditions workers face ...Gender discrimination is also widespread...The report also mentions the fact that indigenous people in El Salvador face discrimination in employment...Child labour is also widespread in much of the rural and unregulated urban economies (International Confederation of Free Trade Unions, 5 Feb. 2003)

• Internationally recognised core labour standards in El Salvador (International Confederation of Free Trade Unions, 4 Feb. 2003)

• {···español} El Salvador: Proliferan las violaciones de las normas laborales, dice un reciente informe de la CIOSL (Confederación Internacional de Organizaciones Sindicales Libres, 5 febrero 2003)

• {···français} El Salvador: les violations des normes du travail sont courantes, affirme un rapport de la CISL (Confédération internationale des syndicats libres, 6 février 2003)

2002:

Dominican Republic: high-risk work in free trade zones and sugar cane plantations - In a new report produced for the WTO's review of trade policies of the Dominican Republic (7 to 9 October), the ICFTU denounces the serious infringements of workers’ human and trade union rights, particularly in the country’s free trade zones and sugar plantations. (International Confederation of Free Trade Unions, 7 Oct. 2002)

• {···español} República Dominicana: trabajo de alto riesgo en las zonas francas y en las plantaciones de caña de azúcar (Confederación Internacional de Organizaciones Sindicales Libres, 7 octubre 2002)

• {···français} République Dominicaine : travail à haut risque dans les zones franches et les plantations de cannes à sucre (Confédération internationale des syndicats libres, 7 octobre 2002)

• Dominican Republic Assailed on Labor Rights (Jim Lobe, OneWorld US, 8 Oct. 2002)

Internationally-recognised Core Labour Standards in India -...India has only ratified four of the core ILO labour conventions. In view of serious problems of child labour and forced labour, as well as restrictions on the trade union rights of workers in EPZ’s and continuing gender discrimination in employment, determined measures are needed (International Confederation of Free Trade Unions, 11 June 2002)

Spolight on the 'informal sector' in Haiti: Patrick Numas, General Secretary of OGITH [refers to labour rights issues & export processing zones] (International Confederation of Free Trade Unions, 10 June 2002)

• {···español} En primer plano: El "sector informal" en Haití: Patrick Numas, Secretario General de la OGITH (Confederación Internacional de Organizaciones Sindicales Libres, 10 junio 2002)

• {···français} Gros Plan sur Patrick Numas - de l’OGITH en Haiti (Confédération internationale des syndicats libres, 10 juin 2002)

{···français} Travailleurs étrangers [Ile Maurice]: Le ministère du Travail recrute une " social coordinator " chinoise - Le ministère du Travail et des Relations industrielles a recruté, au début de cette semaine, une Social Coordinator d'origine chinoise, Mme Chan Kane Lin, qui aura pour principale responsabilité d'agir en tant que Liaison Officer entre les ouvriers chinois travaillant à Maurice, notamment dans le secteur de la zone franche, et le ministère du Travail (Le Mauricien [Ile Maurice], 18 avril 2002)

{···français} Main-d'œuvre étrangère [Ile Maurice]: de nouvelles directives en préparation (Le Mauricien [Ile Maurice], 15 avril 2002)

press release: The Great Trade Robbery: Rich world swindles millions from the benefits of trade as global wealth divide widens to all time high - OXFAM today accused the rich world of robbing the poor world of $100 billion a year by abusing the rules governing world trade and denying millions of poor people their best escape route from poverty. (Oxfam, 11 Apr. 2002)

• report: Rigged Rules and Double Standards: Trade, globalisation and the fight against poverty (Oxfam, Apr. 2002)

• Oxfam demands end to 'unfair' trade: The international development charity Oxfam has called for a change in global trade rules, which it says are unfairly biased against poor countries. (BBC News, 11 Apr. 2002)

• Oxfam brands EU bloc as most protectionist:...A report by the international aid agency ranks the EU ahead of the US, Japan and Canada on the basis of 10 measures of trade protection. It accuses the four powers of practising "double standards" by urging poor countries to liberalise, while keeping their own markets closed. (Guy de Jonquieres,  Financial Times, 11 Apr. 2002)

• EU and US selling poor down the river: Oxfam report accuses west of double standards on trade - The European Union and the United States are robbing the world's poor of billions of dollars each year in export earnings by preaching free trade while protecting their own markets, development campaigners claim today. (Charlotte Denny, Guardian [UK], 11 Apr. 2002)

{···français} Faut-il une seule loi du travail pour tous les secteurs? La grève des travailleurs chinois la semaine dernière a mis en lumière la face cachée des conditions de travail dans la zone franche [Ile Maurice]. Une loi-cadre est-elle nécessaire? Débat: Louis Laï Fat Fur, Président de la Mauritius Export Processing Zone Association (MEPZA); Yacoob Ghanty, Management Consultant (Lyndsay Prosper, L'express [Ile Maurice], 24 mars 2002)

{···français} Formation de dix jours pour les employés d'"Island Clothing" [Ile Maurice]: Le coup d'envoi d'une session de formation de dix jours (du 5 au 22 mars) sur le site de travail à l'intention des employés d'Island Clothing a été lancé, hier, par le ministre du Travail et des Relations industrielles, Showkutally Soodhun. Cette formation s'inscrit dans le cadre d'un programme de formation globale qui touchera soixante-dix neuf entreprises de la zone franche sensibilisera les employés aux droits du travail et aux procédures en vue de régler des conflits au travail. (Le Mauricien, 7 mars 2002)

A fresh start for human rights in Pakistan:...The purpose of this project is to help vulnerable working people - particularly, but not exclusively - those who are not covered by existing labour law. This includes women workers, bonded labour, child labour, home based workers, contract and casual labour and workers in EPZs. (Labour and Society International, 5 Mar. 2002)

ICFTU report condemns deplorable conditions for workers in Malawi [refers to restrictions on the trade union rights of plantation workers and workers in export processing zones, and problems with anti-union discrimination and child labour] (International Confederation of Free Trade Unions, 6 Feb. 2002)

• {···español} Informe de la CIOSL condena las deplorables condiciones de los trabajadores de Malawi

• {···français} Un rapport de la CISL condamne les conditions déplorables des travailleurs au Malawi

• full report: Report for the WTO General Council review of trade policies of Malawi (International Confederation of Free Trade Unions, 6 Feb. 2002)

Free Zone Workers Want 10-Month Pay ...Want Taylor to Intervene [Liberia] (The News [Liberia], 18 Jan. 2002)

Labour Abuses in Sri Lanka's FTZs Condemned Internationally: Anti-union practices by foreign companies operating in Sri Lanka’s Free Trade Zones have come under attack from a global union representing workers in the garment sector. (International Textile, Garment and Leather Workers’ Federation, 15 Jan. 2002)

2001:

A Trade Union Guide to Globalisation:...released...on March 26, 2002, focuses on the impact of globalisation on workers, and trade union responses...The Guide to Globalisation gives a tour of the wide array of new approaches in the field of corporate social responsibility, from the UN's Global Compact, to the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises to unilateral codes of conduct....Central to the guide is the ever-increasing role of multinational enterprises...The guide points to "new management methods, sometimes ‘best practice,’ but too often ‘worst practice’, and the threat to relocate to countries with lower social or environmental standards and no independent trade unions." [other topics include export processing zones; exploitation & abuse of women workers] (International Confederation of Free Trade Unions, Dec. 2001)

• {···español} Una guía sindical sobre la mundialización: En una guía sobre la mundialización se ponen de relieve las peores prácticas (Confederación Internacional de Organizaciones Sindicales Libres, diciembre 2001)

• {···français} Guide syndical de la mondialisation: Un guide syndical sur la mondialisation pour dénoncer les pires pratiques (Confédération internationale des Syndicats Libres, décembre 2001)

Tibet gets development zone: China plans to create a special economic zone (SEZ) to attract investment to the Tibetan capital city of Lhasa, according to official media...China's stress on modernising the Tibetan economy has attracted criticism from supporters of Tibetan independence and human rights activists, who say it threatens to destroy traditional Tibetan culture. (BBC News, 5 Nov. 2001)

A time to support each other [Namibia]: Within the EPZs [Export Processing Zones] working conditions are worse than in Namibia generally, pay is lower, hours are longer and health and safety conditions are worse. Yet unions are not allowed to organise there. (ACTSA [Action for Southern Africa], 1 Oct. 2001)

Bangladesh...Ending the Race to the Bottom [report on sweatshop abuses in factories in Bangladesh producing for over 20 universities and Nike] (National Labor Committee, Oct. 2001)

Campaign to support the Free Trade Zone Workers Union of Sri Lanka - Freedom of Association in Sri Lanka: At a Critical Juncture - Freedom of association (FoA) and the right of workers to organise in the Free Trade Zones of Sri Lanka is currently at a critical juncture. (Clean Clothes Campaign, Sep. 2001)

Garment industry plagued by poor environment, low wages: A recent study conducted by the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare has exposed the unhealthy and polluted working environment in the garments sector. The study also recommended that the ministry impose a minimum investment ceiling of Dh7 million in order to obtain a licence for a garment factory to ensure owners create a healthy working environment.  (Saifur Rahman, Gulf News [United Arab Emirates], 29 July 2001)

Cameroon: New international report points to labour violations - Restrictions on the right to organise, regular interference by the government in trade union activities, blatant discrimination based on gender and ethnicity, and widespread use of forced labour in prison. (International Confederation of Free Trade Unions [ICFTU], 25 July 2001) 

• {···español: Camerún: Nuevo informe internacional habla de violaciones de derechos sindicales}
• {···français: Cameroun: Un nouveau rapport international fait état de violations des droits du travail}

Women Activists Share Experiences: On February 10-17, eight women from Asian labour rights and women’s organizations met in Nicaragua with their Latin American counterparts to exchange experiences and strategies. (Maquila Solidarity Network, June 2001) 

Worker Rights in the Americas [El Salvador]? A Rare Inside Glimpse: Suppressed USAID-funded investigation documents systematic denial of rights and "abject poverty" wages of eighty-five thousand maquila workers, mostly young women sewing garments for Nike, Jordan, Adidas, Gap, Ohio State, Duke, University of Michigan, Georgetown, Kohl's, Wal-Mart and Elderwear school uniforms. (National Labor Committee, May 2001)

ILO focusing on garment industry, EPZ [export processing zones] for enforcing conventions: Workshop participants find indifference [among governments] to implementing workers' rights (The Independent [Dhaka, Bangladesh], 15 May 2001)

Costa Rica pressured to improve labour rights situation urgently (International Confederation of Free Trade Unions, 14 May 2001)

Canada's Military Exports: Fuelling wars and abusing international human/labor rights (The Coalition to Oppose the Arms Trade [COAT], 25 Apr. 2001)

The terms of global trade [Wal-Mart/ASDA letter to Guardian responding to 9 Apr. 2001 article concerning allegations of child labour at textile suppliers in Bangladesh] (letter from Christine Watts, Corporate affairs director, ASDA, Guardian [UK], 14 Apr. 2001)

Textile workers build solidarity in Bangladesh (Seumas Milne, Guardian [UK], 9 Apr. 2001)

Occupational Safety and Health in China: Chinese authorities and employers may argue that a low level of occupational safety and health (OSH) is inevitable, because China is still in the primary stage of capital accumulation. However acceptable OSH standards in the working place are basic human rights...30 workers in the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone are injured every day. (Tony Fung Kam Lam, Hong Kong Christian Industrial Committee, in Asian Labour Update, Apr.-June 2001)

Sweating it out: Nicaraguan women try to organize in a free trade zone (Megan Rowling, InTheseTimes.com, 5 Mar. 2001)

Breaking Boundaries, Building Alliances: A Latin America / Asia Women's Exchange for women organizers and advocates - On February 10-17, eight women from Asian labour rights and women’s organizations met in Nicaragua with their Latin American counterparts to exchange experiences and strategies. (Maquila Solidarity Network, Feb. 2001)

•  {···español: Rompiendo barreras, Construyendo alianzas: Intercambio entre mujeres de América Latina y Asia para organizadoras y promotoras}

2000:

Nicaragua's textile battle zone (Andrew Bounds, Financial Times, 28 Nov. 2000)

African trade unions faced with globalisation (François Misser, Trade Union World, 15 July 2000) 

SEZs - Specially Exploitative Zones [regarding Special Economic Zones in China] (Corporate Watch magazine, Issue 11, summer 2000)

1999:

Building Workers' Human Rights into the Global Trading System (International Confederation of Free Trade Unions, Nov. 1999) 

Sita and her daughters: Women workers at an Indian export-processing zone (T.K. Rajalakshmi, PANOS, 1 May 1999)

1998:

The social cost of the boom in export processing zones (Natacha David, Trade Union World, 1 Dec. 1998)

The Africa of EPZs and SAPs (Luc Demaret, Trade Union World, 1 June 1998)

LABOUR: China, EPZs [export processing zones] Listed as Major Violators of Workers' Rights (Moyiga Nduru, Inter Press Service, Apr. 1998)

Communique - Export Processing Zones (African and international trade union organisations, 1998)

1996:

Behind the Wire: Anti-union repression in the export processing zones (Jean-Paul Marhoz and Marcela Szymanski, International Confederation of Free Trade Unions, Apr. 1996)