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.

An Immigration Raid Aids Blacks – For a Time

After federal raids over immigrant labor, company raises wages to hire locally
Evan Perez
January 18, 2007

Too Much Globalization, Or Not Enough?

Skilled immigrants increasingly contribute to US innovation over the past decade
Andrew Leonard
January 5, 2007

Migranomics Instead of Walls

Stemming illegal immigraton requires fair policies, based on economic principles
Ernesto Zedillo
January 4, 2007

Migrant Power

Migrant workers promote economic growth in Eastern Europe and Central Asia
January 19, 2007

Thailand's Cynical Ploy on Burmese Migrant Workers

The world will condemn governments that treat immigrant workers as slave labor
Kavi Chongkittavorn
December 13, 2006