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.

Outsourcing Hits a New Class of Workers: Journalists

Want-ads for English-speaking journalists and graphic designers are plentiful in India
Doreen Carvajal
December 5, 2006

Strain in Spain

Spain insists that unchecked illegal immigration from Africa is a European problem
Sarah Wildman
November 8, 2006

Bush Signs Fence Bill, Pushes Back

The US remains severely divided over immigration policy and how to control borders
Nicole Gaouette
October 27, 2006

Expatriates Face a Changing Reality in Gulf Countries

Policies show increasing ambivalence toward foreign workers
N. Janardhan
October 25, 2006

Globalization Wilts Flowering Industry

New competition from Asia and Africa in the flower industry stunts wages and unionization in Latin America
Joshua Goodman
October 23, 2006