International labour migration presents a basic asymmetry: labour-receiving countries have a much better control over the flows than sending countries. Immigration countries' policies can range from a total closing of their borders to free entry of foreigners. In comparison, emigration countries' policy options are more restricted. The article treats policy options open to both these categories of countries in different ways. Whereas the section on the receiving countries gives an overview and categorization of past policies and assess their effects, the section on the sending countries focuses on policy options in the light of stated policy aims. Government policies are in the centre of attention, as other important actors such as individual migrants, employers and trade unions in sending and receiving countries or NGOs militating in favour of migrant workers. Also governments' policy options can be limited by pressures from all these actors and by human rights considerations. -Authors

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receiving country donor country policy option population social policy demography Migrants developing country Population Dynamics labour migration Developing Countries Developed Countries policy human rights labor migration immigration policy Article migration international migration developed country Demographic Factors World Emigration and Immigration Transients and Migrants public policy Migration Policy Population Policy