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.

Statistics Chief Karen Dunnell Inflames Row Over Foreign Workers

Ignorance is not bliss though, during a global economic crisis
Sam Coates
February 12, 2009

Democrat Hopefuls, Lawmakers Denounce Outsourcing

Cheap foreign labor blamed for US job loss
February 7, 2004

Grassley, Others Rip Bush Official's Pro-Outsourcing Remark

Lawmakers from both parties say economic policy should not promote job loss
Margaret K. Collins
February 12, 2004

Meet the Zippies

US job outsourcing creates a new generation Z in India
Thomas L. Friedman
February 22, 2004

'Offshoring' Has Its Trade-Offs

Sending work overseas isn't always the smartest management decision
Steven Pearlstein
February 11, 2004