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.

Migrant Domestic Workers and Work Conditions

Satveer Kaur-Gill and Mohan J Dutta
July 4, 2017

Prepare for the 21st Century Exodus of Migrants

Policy planning requires new assumptions about migration in a densely populated world with conflict and climate change
Joseph Chamie
September 27, 2016

Brexit Blues in Central Europe

Eurosceptic rhetoric among Hungary, Poland and other Central Europe EU newcomers belies strong attachments
Joji Sakurai
July 28, 2016

India’s Digital Revolution Poised to Propel Services

The India Stack – connecting bank accounts, unique ID numbers and mobile phones – will deliver massive productivity in services
Nandan Nilekani
July 26, 2016

A Quarter Century of Market Reform Leaves India Richer With Wider Inequality

India joined global markets with its 1991 New Economic Policy, lifting GDP, but the income gap widened
Dilip Hiro
July 12, 2016

An Alternative to Boycotts or Divestment for Israel

Boycotting Israeli firms that hire Palestinians won’t deliver peace; business-housing programs like New York’s Co-op City offer an alternative
Ian Shapiro and Nicholas Strong
May 26, 2016