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.

Slash and Burn

Trying to compete in glutted cotton markets, farmers take on too much debt and resort to suicide
Saumya Roy
May 26, 2006

“I’ll Make It to Europe, Or Die Trying”

African refugees endure unimaginable risks to make it to Europe
Matthias Gebauer
May 25, 2006

US Plan to Lure Nurses May Hurt Poor Nations

US plan to lift immigration restrictions for nurses could backfire and spread global disease
Celia W. Dugger
May 30, 2006

The World: Set Ways; Vive La Dolce Vita

Nations express uneasiness and long for some certainty as globalization proceeds
Roger Cohen
April 25, 2006

The Silent Globalization of Remittances

In an unequal world, a remittance economy contributes to world stability and safety
Richard Reeves
April 26, 2006