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.

Good for Obama’s Jobs Council, Good for America?

US jobs experts rely on foreign markets for growth
Jia Lynn Yang
June 17, 2011

Defenders of the Schengen Zone Face a Battle

Nationalism thrives on distrust over EU's open borders
Stanley Pignal
June 7, 2011

As China’s Workers Get a Raise, Companies Fret

Asian workers compare wages online and add to global price pressure
Keith Bradsher
May 31, 2011

US Sours on Globalization

Angry about a lack of jobs, Americans hunt for scapegoats
Nayan Chanda
May 25, 2011

513 Migrants in Two Tractor-Trailers

Drug cartels expand operations to transport illegal migrants
Ioan Grillo
May 20, 2011