Special Economic Zones in the OIC Region:

Learning from Experience

include anti-union and labour-suppressing aspects which have been criticised for their negative

impacts on SEZ workforces. Significant issues have been identified with regards to:



Restrictions on the freedom of association and collective bargaining;



Bans on the right to strike; and



Non-observance of national labour legislation within zones.

Whilst progress has been made in recent years through the efforts of trade unions and non-

governmental organisations (NGOs) as well as improved enforcement by the International

Labour Organisation (ILO) there are still discrepancies in the implementation of policies and

enforcement practices.

Women’s rights have also previously been a subject of criticism within SEZ development due to

practices of gender discrimination and gender related barriers in zones such as equal pay,

pregnancy and childcare, suitable working hours and forced dismissals. In some cases with

regards to the SEZ development, labour rights and working conditions may be ignored.

It is noted however that when considered in the context of global SEZ development, these issues

are most prevalent within a small number of zones, and in particular are almost wholly

associated with older, government run SEZ programmes focusing on lower value products and

outputs.

Ibid