BOOKS

WOMEN IN INDUSTRY: NORTH-SOUTH CONNECTIONS,
A STUDY BY THE NORTH SOUTH INSTITUTE

Editor's SUMMARY

This book was published by the North-South Institute, a non-profit, independent research institute founded to provide policy-relevant research and information on 'North-South' issues from a Canadian perspective for policy makers, interested groups and the general public. This current publication is the report of a study of women working in two industries which operate both in the Third World and in Canada. This particular study of women in the electronics and clothing/textile industries, was co-sponsored by Status of Women Canada.

The book begins by tracing the rise of Third World manufacturing and developing patterns of trade and production in newly industrialized countries (NIC's). The role of transnational corporations is examined, particularly in relation to the growing phenomenon of subcontracting of Third World enterprises for assembly of goods at much lower wages, for re-importation to developed countries. The response of Northern markets to the expansion of Third World export has been the establishment of increased trade barriers and tariffs.

The third chapter looks specifically at women in Third World electronics industries and in a separate section, at women in textile and clothing manufacturing. Chapter four discusses the linkages between women's employment in parallel Canadian industries, among the most vulnerable in the Canadian economy. The alternative employment adjustment problem for women in these industries is explored, particularly in relation to Employment and Immigration Canada training policy vis-a-vis women.

The fifth and final chapter discusses Canadian responses to labour conditions abroad; raises again, the issue of fair trade practices, and examines the effectiveness of Canada's use of international mechanisms for improving Third World labor conditions.

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Reviewed by Alice de Wolff

Women in Industry: North-South Connections is a timely addition to the current public debates and research about Canada's international trade relations. "Women" and "trade" are rarely addressed together. Through the study of two industries, the book provides an introduction to research about where and how international agreements about trade in manufactured products are connected with the lives of women employees. This is valuable information. Unfortunately, the study's discussion of policy and what governments might do, is more than frustrating because it doesn't allow the concerns of women - which are well outlined - to seriously shift the North South Institute's already established positions on supposedly "bigger" questions of trade and development.

The two industries described are electronics, and clothing and textiles. In the newly industrializing countries of Latin America and Asia these two are among the businesses which have grown quickly during the past two decades, producing goods which are intended for markets in industrialized countries. Their success is in part based on lower wage costs, and their workforce is almost entirely female. The growth in both industries is representative of important changes in the international division of labour. A growing percentage of global manufacturing is taking place outside of Europe, Japan and North America; and much of this workforce consists of Third world women. Most governments, aid agencies, banks, private businesses and, apparently the North-South Institute, understand and support this shift to manufacturing for export as an important strategy for DEVELOPMENT.