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.

Migration: Illegal But Integral to Economy

Undocumented immigrants keep Europe afloat
Sanjay Suri
January 25, 2006

Carpenters’ Union Courts Immigrants to Increase Clout

Unions make illegal immigrants an offer they can refuse
Miriam Jordan
December 16, 2005

East-to-West Migration Remaking Europe

Latvian’s journey to Ireland for work reflects new dynamic of enlarged EU
Kevin Sullivan
November 29, 2005

Corporate Europe Ignores Diversity at its Peril

Europe’s insular corporate culture leaves women and minorities out in the cold
Marta Dassu
November 30, 2005

African Aviation Strangled By Brain Drain

Trained African pilots take flight for other nations, causing trouble back home
Dagnachew Teklu
September 7, 2005