The impact of globalization on selected human rights -a case study of Kenya’s export processing zones.

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.