Elizabeth Castro on Faye Harrison’s Article

          One of the many points the author tries to convey is how the structural adjustment policies are a major problem affecting impoverished countries. These policies are said to help such countries to strength their economy but as the author explained, they’re “strings attached” for aid from the IMF (International Monetary Fund) and World Bank.

According to the author, women are most affected by the policies implemented by the IMF. She used the term “social shock absorbers”. I believe this is the perfect word to describe the situation, not only in Jamaica but also in others countries who are in the Free Trade Zone program. Women who are the breadwinners of the household, such as Beulah Brown, are the most vulnerable. SAPs (Structural adjustment programs) implement programs that have internal changes such as privatization and the reduction of trade barriers. One might think, well how does this affect women? These policies cut back social services, increase the price on food, and most importantly decrease the access to medical care. These are just to name a few. Without the access to medical care, there is an increase in the spread of disease sometimes leading to death, a miscarriage, and so forth. The increase in consumer goods could be the cause of single mothers working extra hours. As goods are increasing, the currency can lower therefore mothers and children are prone to malnutrition.

The countries that acquire loans from SAP tend to concentrate more on trade and production in order to boost their economy. As the author explains, the IMF and World Bank delimit terms for Jamaica’s restructuring that further integrate the island into a global hierarchy of free-trade relations. They are left without a choice. The free trade policy creates inadequate working conditions in the workplace with no labor protection laws. Women are exploited and paid less than men. Paying less for domestic merchandise decreases the value of labor therefore millions die each year! How can these policies still exist today? I am bewildered. In my opinion, this could be another form of genocide.

The picture below shows women who are referred to as "Zapatistas". Zapatistas (EZLN) is an indigenous armed organization that declared war on the Mexican government after signing the North American Free Trade Agreement (1994).  The reason for war was because they viewed it as a threat to indigenous interest. This relates to how the free trade policies affect natives who occupy such countries. The people from Chiapas, Mexico decided to fight for their rights and land. By signing the free trade agreement they saw it as government betrayal by opening opportunities for the US businesses to buy or rent their land.

 

Are there any improvements to these policies/programs since it first development in 1950s?If not, can there be something done to improve third world countries without having the burden to sign such horrible agreement?