The North American Free Trade Agreement was signed at a time when the position of women in the world economy had come under increased scrutiny. The changes that have taken place in the Mexican labor force since, and sometimes as a result of, NAFTA, with particular concern for the maquiladoras, tax-free assembly plants that use large numbers of low-paid Mexican women, are examined. Undoubtedly the advent of free trade has affected the position of women in the Mexican labor force, but whether this has affected their position ultimately for their real benefit is still a highly contentious subject.
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