The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) gives 37 African countries who qualify for favorable trade status a competitive advantage in textile manufacturing. Even with this advantage, only a small number have been successful in increasing exports. Since AGOA came into effect in October 2000, more than 35,000 new textile jobs have been created in Lesotho, one of the world's poorest countries. However, there are down sides ? low pay, long hours, unsafe working conditions and rapid urbanization which brings slums, crime, prostitution, and AIDS. Key provisions of AGOA expire in September, and the U.S. Congress is currently debating whether to renew them.
See "Lesotho Sees Benefits, Costs of U.S. Trade", Associated Press, The New York Times, June 3, 2004