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NewsFlash: January 9, 2008

U.S.-Africa jobs plan falls short  

Seven years ago, a promising trade preference agreement aimed at stimulating job growth in sub-Saharan African countries was passed by Congress.  But, according to Global Policy Network organizer Tony Avirgan, the agreement has not lived up to its potential.  In today’s Snapshot, Avirgan illustrates how the stimulus agreement, called the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), has created low-wage, unstable jobs and caused some African governments to lose the money they invested in incentive packages.

Note: The Economic Policy Institute hosted a day-long conference on the winners and losers under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) on Thursday, January 10, 2008 from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm Eastern time.  Click here for more information on the event and to listen to an audio transcript.

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