International Labour Migration: The Missing Link in Globalization

Abstract

The paper analyzes the linkages between globalization and international mobility of people and labour, and concludes that labour migration is the missing link in globalization. It highlights that recent trends in labour mobility across borders hardly match optimistic rhetoric on migration and development and transnationalism at the international level. This paper briefly reviews recent trends in international mobility, particularly of workers, and reviews evidence and causes of mounting barriers to mobility. It discusses the emerging areas of convergence and divergence on policy and institutional options to optimize migration of labour for the welfare of the global economy.

Keywords: international labour migration, globalization, migration trends, barriers to mobility, global migration governance regime, migrant workers