I Used to Work in the Fields

Synopsis

Malaysia, along with Thailand and Indonesia, is a second-general newly industrialising country (NIC). Following the example of other coutnries in south-east Asia, Malaysia is investing heavily in factories to produce goods for export. Many of the factories are foreign-owned, with textile and electronic industries prominent. Almost all the workforce in textile factories is female, and economic growth rates are up to 8% per year. This situation is exploitative, although the exploitation of women is mainly confined to out-workers. But new automated processes in factories may eliminate the need for workers altogether. The film explains the background to the current rash of industrialisation, which is not merely a matter of economic indicators but something that happens to people. While the factories are welcomed, industrialisation as such is neither a reliable nor an equitable process.

Series

Third World Development, Course U208

Language

English

Country

Great Britain

Medium

Video; Videocassette. Standard formats. col. 24 min.

Year of production

1993

Availability

Off-air recording licence
Sale; 1998 sale: £145.00 (+VAT +p&p)

Subjects

Development studies

Keywords

developing countries; industrialisation; Malaysia; textile industries

Credits

Producer

Meg Sheffield

Cast

Susan Rae

Production Company

Name

BBC Open University Productions

Distributor

Name

Open University Worldwide

Web

http://www.ouw.co.uk External site opens in new window

Phone

+44 (0) 1908 274066

Address

Walton Hall
Milton Keynes
MK7 6AA

Notes

NB. As of May 2016 Open University Worldwide are no longer distributing DVDs. They have posted this message on their website: ‘Unfortunately Open University Worldwide Limited has decided that product sales are no longer viable given the reduced funding to Higher Education institutions and diminishing demand for the products we have traditionally stocked. At present the Open University Students Association (OUSA) will continue to sell the "Good Study Guide", and we are in discussion with other possible distributors to continue to make The Open University’s products available for purchase. As soon as we have any information on other channels of distribution we will update this notice’. Some products are still available via second hand dealers on Amazon.co.uk