WASHINGTON, March 23 (UPI) -- A U.S. Agency for International Development official said U.S. jobs were considered when the agency decided to switch to cheaper sources for condoms.
"Of course, we considered how many U.S. jobs would be affected by this move," said a USAID official who did not want to be named, The Kansas City (Mo.) Star reported Monday.
Over the years, the agency has distributed about 10 billion condoms worldwide to prevent the spread of AIDS. But, a move to buy condoms made in China and South Korea -- for 2 cents apiece, as opposed to 5 cents -- could cost 300 U.S. jobs, the newspaper said.
Presently, the federal government's sole condom supplier is Alatech, a major employer for the small town of Eufaula, Ala.
"We pay taxes down here, too, and with all this stimulus money going to save jobs, it seems to me like they should share this contract so they can save jobs here in America," said Fannie Thomas, an employee of nearly 40 years.
The switch became an option when a federal appropriations bill two weeks ago failed to include a buy-American provision for condoms, as it has in the past, the newspaper said.
