CONTENTS | ANB-BIA HOMEPAGE | WEEKLY NEWS
A couple of short articles providing information
on two subjects seldom talked about in Africa:
drug abuse and the free trade zones
by Doumbia B. Moise, Côte d'Ivoire, July 1998
THEME = <+><+>DRUGS<+><+>
For some time now, no country has been spared the onslaught of drugs' abuse. Let's take a look at what's happening in Côte d'Ivoire.
In previous years, only the major urban centres were the principal victims of this disaster, and a great deal of time and money was spent in tackling the drugs problem in these areas. Sad to say, these last years, the disease has spread rapidly to our villages and rural districts. A recent survey conducted in these areas shows that the level of drugs abuse has indeed reached the rural areas. Here, drugs and narcotics are produced and used as one wishes (with young people the main consumers). The situation is worsened by the fact that some adults are active in producing and selling the products.
Drugs abuse is now part of village daily life, especially among young people. Duekoué and Bangolo departments (in the region of Man) are the hot zones for drugs, and the population pays the price. Young people, fed up with the fact they can't get education, and seeing more and more of their friends leaving the countryside for the towns, give themselves over to this evil.
In some areas, the cultivation of marijuana and cocaine now rivals that of big rice plantations. Drugs are bought and sold as if there is no tomorrow by young people and even by mothers. Buying and selling drugs is conducted in the same way goods are bought and sold in markets - "business" goes on throughout the day. The police can do nothing, even if sometimes the perpetrators are unmasked.
Such a situation should alarm the african authorities, especially the ones in Cote d'Ivoire.
by Doumbia B. Moise, Côte d'Ivoire, July 1998
THEME = ECONOMY
The International Labour Organisation (ILO) held a Workshop from 11-15 May 1998 at its head office in Abidjan. The Workshop dealt with protecting trade unions' rights and ensuring adequate working conditions.
Trade Unions' leaders from several French-speaking African countries were invited. Participants were able to exchange points of view concerning the existence of free trade zones and their economic and social effects in each country.
Mauritius - In 1970, the government established a free trade zone for goods destined to be exported. Operations got underway in 1971. The government's main objectives were: to obtain more foreign currency; to create employment opportunities. Workshop participants agreed this was a worthwhile project in the long run. In the beginning of the 1980s, the government offered potential investors a number of attractive facilities, such as tax exemption for a period of 10-20 years on income derived from the business, and for five years on dividends paid out to investors in the company concerned; tax exemption on imported machines, equipment and spare parts; the possibility of taking investment capital out of the country, etc. Such tax and investment advantages obviously attract many foreign investors to the country.
Côte d'Ivoire - Mauritius' experience aroused a great deal of interest during the Workshop. Experts concluded that Mauritius' experience was a success because part of the investment came from local sources. Can such a project be undertaken in other countries? What precautions must be taken so that free trade zones are not set up in a haphazard way with no adequate background research being done?
Côte d'Ivoire has two free trade zones, situated at Grand Lahou and Jacquesville in the south. The three main Ivoirien trade unions, FESACI, UGTCI and DIGNITE, wondered what steps are needed so that their members working in these zones can be associated in discussions on the project? Workshop participants agreed that the ordinary worker in Côte d'Ivoire's free trade zones must have his/her say as to how these places are organised and run. On their side, investors pointed out two reasons for establishing free trade zones: To give developing countries the opportunity of acquiring foreign exchange; To provide employment.
Truth to say, those responsible for setting up the free trade zones are so sure of themselves that they completely bypass labour regulations, ignoring all control by the authorities and work inspectors. The fact is, workers in the free trade zones are dehumanized, and certain businesses pay less than the official going rate. Also, products are directly exported with all fiscal regulations ignored.
It is urgent that our countries demand a minimum of social and salary guarantees from the multinationals concerned.
END
CONTENTS | ANB-BIA HOMEPAGE | WEEKLY NEWS
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