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.

India's Lower Castes Seek Social Progress in Global Job Market

Activists expect private businesses to take action in ending centuries of discrimination
Emily Wax
September 5, 2007

The Tale of Globalization’s Exiles

With a global workforce on the move, economists focus on the increasing sums of remittances sent to poor nations
Richard Lapper
August 30, 2007

Migrants Agree: It's Harder to Get Jobs

Immigrant workers confront increasing discrimination in the US
Pablo Bachelet
August 15, 2007

Outsourcing: External Affairs

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

Surge in Immigration Laws Around US

States step up as the national government fails to act on a hot issue
Julia Preston
August 10, 2007