| dc.description.abstract | This study investigates the impact of globalization as manifested by the operations of Export
Processing Zones (EPZ's) on selected human rights, namely: trade union rights, right to
personal dignity and the right to work including just and favourable conditions of work.
Recognizing that human rights are universal indivisible and interdependent, the study also
looks at other aspects of globalization and human rights as a build up to the specific focus on
the impact of EPZs operations on selected human rights of workers. These aspects are: the
applicable human rights framework, main features and experiences of globalization,
globalization and women's rights, equality and non-discrimination, the institutional context
of globalization and the role of the UN agencies in human rights and globalization. Women's
rights become important in this study because of the fact that most of the workers in the
EPZ's are women.
The study draws conceptual linkages between globalization and human rights and shows how
the operations of EPZs as a manifestation of globalization, impact on the enjoyment of the
selected human rights mentioned above.
By analyzing previous studies carried out on the EPZ's the study identifies instances of
human rights violations perpetrated by the operations of the EPZs. The study establishes that
the operations of EPZs have a negative impact on the promotion and protection of trade union
rights, right to self-dignity and the right to work as well as just and favourable working
conditions.
Finally the study reaches the conclusion that El'Z's operations have a negative impact on
human rights and gives recommendations on the normative and institutional frameworks for
regulating the activities of the EPZs in order to ameliorate the adverse impacts on the the
selected rights. In so doing, the study recommends a code of conduct for EPZ companies to
be developed by a tripartite consultative group including the employers, the Ministry of
Labor representing the government and the workers unions.
At the global level it is recommended that there should be a critical re-conceptualization of
the policies and instruments of international trade, investment and finance, which are the
major driving forces of globalization. Such re-conceptualization should lay particular
emphasis on human rights. | en |
