Expectations, Realties and the Developmental State Narratives on the Ethiopian Industrial Parks

Abstract

The current industrialization process in Ethiopia appears to be a state-centric affair. Industrial Park is also the key tool that state authorities have employed to achieve their goals of creating industrialized country. This study aimed to analyze narratives about development, industrial park, labor, and the formation of industrialized country in a socio-political setting that is fragile. To persuade international investors, rural workers and the rest of society, Ethiopian government narratives, as described in its own national media, portray the Hawassa industrial park as a model for other future parks in Ethiopia. Using Hawassa industrial park as a case study, this article examines how industrial park is functions as government narrated and as a site where various hopes come realized. This preliminary research identifies workers have faced various problems such as low wage, unhealthy working conditions and tough city life. Whereas the government attempt to addressing complaints on policy, bureaucracy, and infrastructure, however the voice of the workers are still invisible in national media news and program coverage. Though the government has a goal to transform Ethiopia into Africa's manufacturing powerhouse, I contend that it will not be at the expense of young workers.

Keywords: Industrialization, Industrial park, Discourse, labor, wage and Media

DOI: 10.7176/JCSD/68-02

Publication date:October 31^st 2022