In 1996 ILRIG published a booklet entitled Export Processing Zones: Solving the Problems of Southern Africa? Since that time the South African government, along with many other governments in the region, has moved ahead with export-oriented economic policies. In many cases, this has included the setting up of export processing zones, free trade zones and, in South Africa, Spatial Development Initiatives (SDIs) and Industrial Development Zones (IDZs). The expansion of sites which produce only for export (no matter what these facilities are called) has serious implications for workers and working class communities.
In this booklet we will try to explore some of the key issues which
have emerged from the issues of export-oriented initiatives.
SDIs and IDZs: Promoting growth or promoting poverty?
