Women and export manufacturing : a review of the issues and AID policy

companies in so-called export processing zones (EPZ"s) in developing countries. What advantages and disadvantages accrue to the women who hold about 80% of the 1 million jobs in these zones? A review of the literature on the subject worldwide reveals a complex situation. On the basis of women"s actual employment alternatives, EPZ employment clearly provides a steady income under conditions no worse than in other sectors. At the same time, EPZ"s perpetuate occupational and wage discrimination by sex, may in some industries subject women to particular health hazards, and may improve women"s financial position only in the short term. Faced with this situation, A.I.D. should adopt a twofold policy. (1) It should try to improve women"s quality of life and job satisfaction by encouraging EPZ employers to tolerate workers" associations and unions and to provide transportation to and from work, health care, food aid, child care facilities, training and job referral, and savings schemes. (2) A.I.D. can consider EPZ"s a convenient site in which to prepare women for work after they leave the EPZ"s, e.g., by establishing savings and credit programs to help workers and their families establish small businesses and through training to help women workers find new employment or become self-employed. (Author abstract, modified)