Catherwood LibraryILR School

The proposed Central American Free Trade Agreement has become a source of tension in the Latino community over whether the pact will bring prosperity to the countries involved or exploitation of workers and the environment. At a conference last week in Los Angeles for Latino business leaders, proponents stated that lowering the duty rates will give large companies more confidence in investing in those countries and thus, help struggling economies. Those opposed to the pact listed concerns including increased outsourcing of U.S. jobs and the lack of legal protections for workers. CAFTA still must be ratified by Congress and the six Central American countries involved.