Jobs are the lifeblood for national economies and family budgets. The search for economic opportunity often drives people to move around the globe. The most educated and highly skilled workers are in demand, and immigration policies often reflect that priority. Less skilled would-be immigrants, however, are often subject to tighter restrictions – even in nations where native citizens refuse to take on harvesting, construction, cleaning or other difficult tasks. Advanced technology reduces the need for labor; employers also rely on outsourcing, contract workers and the internet for digital work, including tax preparation, X-ray analysis or graphic design. Nations fiercely compete for jobs while multinational corporations reduce labor costs to increase profits.

Europe Can No Longer Rely on Immigrant Workers

Rethinking the workforce
Jonathan Power
February 19, 2004

Women's Work: Globalization's Mixed Blessings

Empowering as garment factory jobs might be, they are not a way out of poverty
Erika Kinetz
February 21, 2004

What Goes Around…

…Comes around, and also benefits Americans
Thomas L. Friedman
February 26, 2004

Where Are the Jobs? The Harsh Truth about Outsourcing

It's not a mutually beneficial trade practice – it's outright labor arbitrage
Paul Craig Roberts
March 15, 2004

Use Outsourcing to Spur Change in India

Anti-outsourcing initiatives should be designed as negotiating tools to force India to liberalize
Bruce Stokes
February 28, 2004