Trade Liberalization in the Marikina Shoe Industry and its Shoemakers

Abstract

Footwear can be considered a basic need as relative to clothes. This industry boomed in the 18" century. But as trade liberalization was imposed by the GATTWTO (General Agreement on Tariff and Trade — World Trade Organization) in our country, it decreased the development of the shoe industry especially that of the Marikina Shoe Industry, which is the shoe capital of the Philippines. Due to stiff competition with the shoes from other countries, many shoe factories shut down and as a reaction, many shoemakers lost their jobs and causes more poverty in their part.