Walter E. Washington Convention Center
801 Mt Vernon Pl NW, Washington, DC 20001
Sep 16, 2013
1:30 PM - 3:30 PM (GMT-5)
Host:
Congressional Black Caucus Legislative
The Great Recession had a serious and enduring impact on African American employment, but even in the best of economic times, unemployment among African Americans tends to be substantially higher than the jobless rates for the country as a whole. Economists typically expect that increases in education and work experience will increase workers’ productivity and translate into higher compensation.
But, the share of black workers in good jobs- one that pays at least $19 per hour, has employer- provided health insurance, and an employer-sponsored retirement plan- has actually declined even while education and work experience has increased.
This panel, part of the 43rd Annual Congressional Black Caucus Legislative Conference, looked at these trends and policies that would have a large, positive impact in creating quality jobs for black workers. CEPR Senior Economist John Schmitt took part in the panel, which was hosted by Rep. John Conyers, Jr.
