In The News

Public and Government Views on Migration Diverge

Joseph Chamie October 16, 2009
There is a surprising gap between government and public views on migration. Most governments tend to be favorably disposed to immigration, while the public remains fearful of admitting foreigners. Such a divergence in opinion is likely to cause significant turmoil in the future, according to Joseph Chamie, research director at the Center for Migration Studies. Less than 20 percent of governments...

Free Trade Has Enriched the World with More than Diverse Goods

Daniel Griswold October 2, 2009
Amid the rise in unemployment across the globe, trade is the oft-cited cause for the current malaise. Hence, according to populists, restricting trade should be the cure. But, Director for Trade Policy Studies at the Cato Institute Daniel Griswold says the populists have it wrong. If one really wants to help the poor, fostering trade is the key since it delivers the lowest cost staple goods that...

Angolan Riches Lure New Wave of Workers

Susan Ferreira September 29, 2009
The global economic crisis has hit small countries like Portugal particularly hard. With few natural resources and a service-driven economy, Portuguese laborers have long relied on seasonal construction jobs elsewhere in Europe, which have grown harder to find as other countries tighten their belts during the downturn. But Angola, Portugal’s former colony, is just emerging from four decades of...

Numerous Foreign Trainees Forced to Work under Harsh Conditions in Japan

September 1, 2009
Far away from home and eager to work, migrant workers can be easy targets for exploitation. In Japan, the story is no different. Foreign vocational trainees in Japan, especially from China, have been forced to work overtime at little or no pay and are often paid illegally low wages. Even worse, foreign employment agencies charged exorbitant fees to send trainees to Japan, leaving many indebted...

American Graduates Finding Jobs in China

Hannah Seligson August 19, 2009
Faced with near double-digit unemployment at home, US college graduates are flocking to China due to its growing economy, entrepreneurial atmosphere and lower cost of living, not to mention its low urban unemployment. What is perhaps surprising is that a number of these graduates knew little about China or its language before arriving. But the opportunity for quick advancement proved more...

Mining Giants Are Forced To Lessen Global Ambitions

Robert Guy Matthews July 23, 2009
The recent decline in commodity prices along with greater government intervention has led mining companies to slow projects in emerging markets. Last year Guinea, unsatisfied with the pace of an iron ore project, stripped miner Rio Tinto of its rights to develop the reserves. Rio Tinto then decided that the project was unfeasible and started to withdraw from what was to be a $6 billion investment...

Will the Crisis Reverse Global Migration?

Jayati Ghosh July 14, 2009
The current global financial crisis has led many an analyst to predict a reversal of recent growth trends in migration and a dramatic fall in remittances. While some data may confirm such predictions, it may not turn out that way in the end. As economist Jayati Ghosh argues, remittances may not decline as much due to gender issues and demographic factors and migration may be stickier than...