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.

A Modern Tale of Meatpacking and Immigrants

New immigrants, new tensions on the rise
Kate Linthicum
February 2, 2010

Falling Dollar Pushes Manufacturing Out of Europe

Currency exchange affects industrial growth and job security
Dinah Deckstein, Frank Dohmen, Dietmar Hawranek, Alexander Jung
December 10, 2009

Money Trickles North as Mexicans Help Relatives

Job-starved immigrants look back home for a bail-out
Marc Lacey
November 23, 2009

The Long March

Unskilled Chinese workers take jobs from Indians; get paid more in the process
Debarshi Dasgupta
November 5, 2009

Dollars Without Borders

Amid the global economic downturn, remittances remain strong
Dilip Ratha
October 20, 2009