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.

US Lets in More Immigrants for Farms

Forget that big border wall, urges a US in need of farm workers
Nicole Gaouette
October 9, 2007

Outsourcing Is Too Wild to Fit Economic Theory

IT work does not stop for any border
Andy Mukherjee
October 9, 2007

Children Trafficked From Asia to UK to Work in Cannabis Factories

Decriminalizing marijuana has an unintended consequence
Nina Lakhani
September 27, 2007

Towns Rethink Laws Against Illegal Immigrants

Effective crackdowns on illegal immigrants leech lifeblood from US towns
Ken Belson
October 1, 2007

Outsourcing: External Affairs

New trends in outsourcing may end some of the political scaremongering in the West
August 26, 2007