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.

Airlines Outsource Upkeep

As carriers scramble to cut costs, offshoring of maintenance tasks produces new safety concerns
Sara Kehaulani Goo
August 23, 2005

Catering for Globalization

Labor dispute at Heathrow reflects the current face of international business and employment trends
Salil Tripathi
August 24, 2005

Reinventing the Union

The shift of the US economy from manufacturing to services has brought about the splintering of the labor union
Gary Fields
July 28, 2005

How France Can Win From Offshoring

How can France best take advantage of outsourcing?
Tony Blanco
August 15, 2005

The End of Work

Outsourced jobs aren't necessarily going to the Chinese – they're going to the robots
Jeremy Rifkin
August 5, 2005