This paper analyses the concept of SEZs in Zimbabwe as contained in the Special conomic Zones Act, particularly in terms of labour rights, more specifically those guaranteed by the Constitution and by the Labour Act of Zimbabwe and the ILO Conventions that the Government of Zimbabwe ratified. It offers recommendations as to how SEZ’s can contribute to economic development without contravening workers’ rights and even basic human rights. As the country seeks to re-awaken investor interest, the current Government, through the SEZ Act (which is a re-drafting of the former EPZ Act), is intending to reintroduce EPZs in the form of SEZs. To date, three geographical locations have been selected for pilot operational areas: Sunway City Integrated Industrial Park, Harare, the financial hub in Victoria Falls and the industrial hub in Bulawayo. If the trial runs prove successful, the SEZ initiative will be rolled out to the rest of the country. Given the history of SEZ’s in Zimbabwe this paper also makes reference to other countries’ experiences of the same and extrapolates best practices, highlights the challenges of SEZ’s in Africa in general and in Zimbabwe, giving recommendations for a sound policy implementation.