Export Processing Zones in Africa: Implications for Labour

Abstract

For many developing countries export processing zones (EPZs) are vital investment-promotion strategies. Even though most African EPZs have not attracted much investment, interest in developing them continues to grow. Over the years EPZs have acquired a bad image because of widespread reports of violations of national and international labour standards. The experiences of countries in other regions show that labour problems arise from an underestimation of the need to address the labour-related aspects of activities in EPZs, the non-observance of national labour standards, lack of social dialogue and weak supervisory institutions. There are signs that the conditions that have led to labour problems in other regions are being replicated in Africa, causing tensions in certain zones. The article argues that on-going efforts in different regions to deal with these problems hold useful lessons for EPZ host countries in Africa.