This chapter considers the evolution of the role of Zimbabwean cross-border traders against a bac... more This chapter considers the evolution of the role of Zimbabwean cross-border traders against a backdrop of the development of the informal economy, whose significance in Zimbabwe has increased since the colonial era. It highlights the changes in the demographics of traders, the nature of goods traded and the countries in which cross-border traders operate. Importantly, it highlights the significance of cross-border trade in providing access to outside markets for local producers in other countries, matching supply and demand across borders, and promoting food security. The chapter demonstrates that despite their significant socio-economic role, the position of cross-border traders in Zimbabwean law is at best ambivalent.
Migration, Cross-Border Trade and Development in Africa, 2017
This chapter deploys a qualitative study of informal cross-border traders (ICBTs) at the Ramokgwe... more This chapter deploys a qualitative study of informal cross-border traders (ICBTs) at the Ramokgwebana border post between Botswana and Zimbabwe (Francistown–Plumtree–Bulawayo interface) and the Beitbridge border post between South Africa and Zimbabwe (Johannesburg–Messina–Beitbridge interface), to explore their activities and operations. It was established that ICBTs travel between these countries for the purposes of buying and selling different types of goods. Cross-border economic activities between Francistown and Plumtree and Bulawayo, and between Johannesburg and Messina and Beitbridge on the Zimbabwean side seem to be integrated economically. Consequently, the chapter argues that ICBTs constitute an important and innovative bottom-up initiative in the SADC regional integration debate. On this basis, policies that could enhance the activities of the ICBTs are advocated, so they are seen as an integral part of the regional integration project in the SADC.
Trade liberalisation is increasingly promoted and regulated through regional, bilateral or unilat... more Trade liberalisation is increasingly promoted and regulated through regional, bilateral or unilateral trade arrangements. In recent years some of these arrangements have provided for sanctions in the case of non-compliance with the labour standards included in the agreement. This link between trade rights and labour standards is controversial. Those who argue in favour of the inclusion of labour standards in trade agreements do so on either economic or normative grounds: the economic argument is that a trading partner that does not adequately protect labour standards affords that country an unfair advantage over a country that does protect labour standards; while the normative argument is that it is morally offensive to trade in goods that have been produced by exploited labour. Those who argue against the inclusion of labour standards in trade agreements also advance economic and normative grounds: from an economic perspective, exclusionists argue that the comparative advantage of developing countries is their ability to produce low-wage goods and are concerned that a link between trade and labour standards may be exploited for protectionist purposes. Normatively motivated exclusionists argue that labour standards are a human rights concern that should not be linked to trade and should be promoted through other means. This contribution assesses the arguments for and against the inclusion of labour standards in trade arrangements against the backdrop of a case study involving a recent complaint against Guatemala for failure to enforce its labour standards in terms of the Dominican Republic - Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR).
This chapter considers the evolution of the role of Zimbabwean cross-border traders against a bac... more This chapter considers the evolution of the role of Zimbabwean cross-border traders against a backdrop of the development of the informal economy, whose significance in Zimbabwe has increased since the colonial era. It highlights the changes in the demographics of traders, the nature of goods traded and the countries in which cross-border traders operate. Importantly, it highlights the significance of cross-border trade in providing access to outside markets for local producers in other countries, matching supply and demand across borders, and promoting food security. The chapter demonstrates that despite their significant socio-economic role, the position of cross-border traders in Zimbabwean law is at best ambivalent.
Migration, Cross-Border Trade and Development in Africa, 2017
This chapter deploys a qualitative study of informal cross-border traders (ICBTs) at the Ramokgwe... more This chapter deploys a qualitative study of informal cross-border traders (ICBTs) at the Ramokgwebana border post between Botswana and Zimbabwe (Francistown–Plumtree–Bulawayo interface) and the Beitbridge border post between South Africa and Zimbabwe (Johannesburg–Messina–Beitbridge interface), to explore their activities and operations. It was established that ICBTs travel between these countries for the purposes of buying and selling different types of goods. Cross-border economic activities between Francistown and Plumtree and Bulawayo, and between Johannesburg and Messina and Beitbridge on the Zimbabwean side seem to be integrated economically. Consequently, the chapter argues that ICBTs constitute an important and innovative bottom-up initiative in the SADC regional integration debate. On this basis, policies that could enhance the activities of the ICBTs are advocated, so they are seen as an integral part of the regional integration project in the SADC.
Trade liberalisation is increasingly promoted and regulated through regional, bilateral or unilat... more Trade liberalisation is increasingly promoted and regulated through regional, bilateral or unilateral trade arrangements. In recent years some of these arrangements have provided for sanctions in the case of non-compliance with the labour standards included in the agreement. This link between trade rights and labour standards is controversial. Those who argue in favour of the inclusion of labour standards in trade agreements do so on either economic or normative grounds: the economic argument is that a trading partner that does not adequately protect labour standards affords that country an unfair advantage over a country that does protect labour standards; while the normative argument is that it is morally offensive to trade in goods that have been produced by exploited labour. Those who argue against the inclusion of labour standards in trade agreements also advance economic and normative grounds: from an economic perspective, exclusionists argue that the comparative advantage of developing countries is their ability to produce low-wage goods and are concerned that a link between trade and labour standards may be exploited for protectionist purposes. Normatively motivated exclusionists argue that labour standards are a human rights concern that should not be linked to trade and should be promoted through other means. This contribution assesses the arguments for and against the inclusion of labour standards in trade arrangements against the backdrop of a case study involving a recent complaint against Guatemala for failure to enforce its labour standards in terms of the Dominican Republic - Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR).
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