What’s more disturbing?  The current rise in part-time workers has not been steady or gradual.  Quite the opposite, in fact.  The sudden rise of part-time employment, which you’ll see is linked to economic recession (see the rise in the early 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, all periods when the U.S.

While Obama did not address these issues, they were weighing heavily on the minds of human rights and labor advocates in the US and Ghana leading up to Obama's visit.  A broad range of US and Ghanaian organizations developed a press booklet (available here) before Obama's trip outlining a range of recommendations for improving US policy toward Africa.  Additionally, the Ghana Federation of Labor (GFL) joined with the International Trade Union Confederation in holding a two-day conference in Ghana highlighting violations of worker rights in the US.  The GFL endors

Asbestos is dangerous for workers because they are exposed to very high concentration of asbestos fibers. The asbestos fibers can be inhaled by laborers and cause cancerous growths in the lungs and abdomen. Workers in the developing countries are at even higher risk as are their families and communities that also come into contact with asbestos. Worldwide, about 125 million people are exposed to asbestos at work and at least 90,000 die each year from asbestos-related diseases, according to the World Health Organization.

Globally, the economic opportunities for women are even worse.  According to the International Labour Organization’s recent report on “Global Employment Trends for Women,” female workers not only receive lower pay, but in many countries, they are often restricted from the ability to work even though it would significantly benefit their families.  Even when they are allowed to work, they are often limited in their employment options due to a lack of access to certain industries.