World market factories, female workers and national economy

Abstract

Relocation of labour-intensive manufacturing industries by mzrltinational corporations in the contemporary world economy has been one of the most dominant features since the 1960s. These corporations not only account for an important share of world production but also control a major part of all foreign direct investment in many developing countries. Abundant supply of unemployed labour force at a cheaper price and various types of facilities and incentives provided by developing country governments are the main attractions for their relocation. Evidence reveals that the implications of export oriented indzrstrialisation on developing country economies are complex and contradictory. World market factories largely employ women and employment in waged jobs give them access to financial resources although they rarely control their wages and experience various types of exploitation on the factoryfloor in dzferent ways. Governments in developing countries support the establishment of world market factories despite the fact that such industrialisation does not offer them the chance of overcoming their underdeveloped situation rather, marginalises a large part of the population without creating any precondition for alternative development.