The General

"The General" focuses on the socio-economic conditions of workers, predominantly women, in the garment and electronics sectors within special export processing zones (EPZs) in Mexico and the Philippines. This documentary sheds light on how American corporations, aiming to reduce manufacturing costs, have shifted their operations offshore. It examines the stark contrast in working conditions between these EPZs and similar factories in the U.S., highlighting the often hazardous environments in these overseas facilities. Through interviews, footage of factory life, and analysis, the film discusses the implications of this global labor shift, including issues of worker safety, wages, labor rights, and the broader impact on local communities. It serves as a critique of globalization's effects on labor practices, questioning the ethical dimensions of cost-cutting at the expense of worker welfare.