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.

Beware, The Robots Are Coming

Robots could handle most US careers in 20 years
Kevin Rafferty
January 30, 2014

The Plight of the Globe’s Domestic Workers

ILO points out the work category reflects inequality in terms of wages, gender, geographic locale
Susan Froetschel
January 15, 2014

Bulgarians and Romanians Free to Work in UK as Controls End

But some in the UK want to extend immigration controls
Mark Lowen
January 2, 2014

The Bad Bargain

Labor, to prevent eroding bargaining power, could organize globally
Daniel Altman
December 27, 2013

Delhi Should Avoid Lasting Damages to India-US Ties

Policies for diplomats go under the global microscope
Rajesh Rajagopalan
December 18, 2013