About the Migration Governance Indicators
About the Migration Governance Indicators
Migrants' rights
Migrants' rights

Indicators in this domain assess the extent to which migrants have the same status as citizens in terms of access to basic social services such as health, education, and social security. It also describes the rights of migrants to family reunification, to work, and to residency and citizenship. The ratification of the main international conventions is also included within this domain.

Indicators in this category look at the extent to which migrants have access to certain social services such as health, education and social security. They also examine measures to ensure integration and access to work.

Whole of government approach
Whole of government approach

Indicators in this domain assess countries’ institutional, legal, and regulatory frameworks related to migration policies. Domain 2 also reviews the existence of national migration strategies that are in-line with development, as well as institutional transparency and coherence in relation to migration management. This domain also investigates the extent to which governments collect and use migration data.

Indicators in this category assess the institutional frameworks of cities for migration. This area also examines the existence of migration strategies consistent with development objectives, as well as institutional transparency and coherence in migration management.

Partnerships
Partnerships

This domain focuses on countries’ efforts to cooperate on migration-related issues with other states and with relevant non-governmental actors, including civil society organizations and the private sector. Cooperation can lead to improvements in governance by aligning and raising standards, increasing dialogue and providing structures to overcome challenges.

Indicators in this category focus on cities’ efforts to cooperate on migration issues with the national government as well as other cities and relevant non-governmental actors, including civil society organizations and the private sector.

Well-being of migrants
Well-being of migrants

This domain includes indicators on countries’ policies for managing the socioeconomic well-being of migrants, through aspects such as the recognition of migrants’ educational and professional qualifications, provisions regulating student migration and the existence of bilateral labour agreements between countries. Indicators equally focus on policies and strategies related to diaspora engagement and migrant remittances.

Indicators in this category assess cities’ initiatives in terms of international student mobility, access to the labour market and decent working conditions for migrant workers. Aspects related to diaspora engagement and migrant remittances are also included in this domain.

Mobility dimensions of crises
Mobility dimensions of crises

This domain studies the type and level of preparedness of countries when they are faced with mobility dimensions of crises, linked to either disasters, the environment and/or conflict. The questions are used to identify the processes in place for nationals and non-nationals both during and after disasters, including whether humanitarian assistance is equally available to migrants as it is to citizens.

Indicators in this category examine the type and level of readiness of cities to deal with aspects of mobility crises. The questions focus on the processes in place for citizens and non-citizens both during and after disasters, especially if humanitarian assistance is available for migrants and citizens.

Safe, orderly and regular migration
Safe, orderly and regular migration

This domain analyses countries’ approach to migration management in terms of border control and enforcement policies, admission criteria for migrants, preparedness and resilience in the case of significant and unexpected migration flows, as well as the fight against trafficking in human beings and smuggling of migrants. It also assesses efforts and incentives to help integrate returning citizens.

Indicators in this category look at the cities’ approaches to migrant safety as well as return and reintegration policies and the fight against trafficking in persons.

Key findings
Introduction

This country Profile describes examples of well-developed areas of Republic of Cabo Verde (hereafter referred to as Cabo Verde) migration governance structures and areas with potential for further development, as evaluated through the six domains of the Migration Governance Indicators (MGI). These address migrants’ rights, a “whole-of-government” approach, partnerships, socioeconomic well-being of migrants, the mobility dimensions of crises, and safe and orderly migration.

Click the icons on the wheel to explore the key findings.

The Migration Governance Indicators (MGI) initiative is a policy-benchmarking programme led by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and implemented with research and analysis from the Economist Intelligence Unit. Funding is provided by IOM Member States.

Key findings
Migrants' rights

Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas

  • All migrants, regardless of their migration status, have the same access as citizens to Government-funded primary and secondary education and vocational training.
  • Cabo Verdean citizens living abroad have the right to vote in national legislative and presidential elections in designated polling stations, such as embassies and consulates.
  • The second National Plan of Action for Human Rights and Citizenship (II Plano Nacional de Ação para os Direitos Humanos e Cidadania, 2017–2022) provides for a specific campaign against racism, xenophobia and negative stereotypes about foreigners.

Areas with potential for further development:

  • Migrants have access to Government-funded health services depending on their migration status.
Key findings
Whole of government approach

Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas

  • The National Immigration Council (Conselho Nacional de Imigração) ensures the participation of relevant public and private entities in the definition and implementation of migration policies.
  • Cabo Verde’s National Immigration Strategy aims to regulate migratory processes and promote equal and adequate conditions for the fulfilment of immigrants’ rights.
  • The General-Directorate of Communities, Consular Affairs and Migration (Direção Geral das Comunidades, Assuntos Consulares e Migraçoes, DGCACM) is responsible for defining policies affecting Cabo Verdean communities abroad, including any issues related to their social and economic integration in the country where they reside.

Areas with potential for further development:

  • Most migration data are not published and are inaccessible to policymakers, researchers and the general public.
Key findings
Partnerships

Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas

  • As a member of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Cabo Verde adheres to its provisions on the free movement of migrants between its member States.
  • In 1999, Cabo Verde signed an agreement on free movement with Senegal, and an agreement on the abolition of entry visas with Cuba in 1982.
  • The National Council for Immigration holds regular meetings to discuss immigration-related issues in which civil society organizations and the private sector are also invited to participate.

Areas with potential for further development:

  • The Cabo Verdean Government consults its diaspora on migration issues on an ad hoc basis.
Key findings
Well-being of migrants

Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas

  • Cabo Verde has different types of visas to attract specific labour skills.
  • The National Commission for Professional Equivalences (Comissão Nacional de Equivalências Profissionais) assesses foreign professional qualifications to ensure the effective recognition of skills and qualifications acquired abroad.
  • Cabo Verde has a number of Casas do Cidadão (Citizen’s Houses) in main destination countries of the Cabo Verdean diaspora offering a range of public services, such as the issuance of civil documents.

Areas with potential for further development:

  • Cabo Verde does not have a national mechanism to monitor labour market demand for migrants.
  • There are no laws specifically promoting the ethical recruitment of migrant workers in Cabo Verde.
Key findings
Mobility dimensions of crises

Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas

  • The National Welfare Centre (Centro Nacional de Prestações Sociais) is responsible for managing government pensions allocated to emigrants who are deemed socially and economically vulnerable.
  • The Framework for Post-disaster Recovery (Quadro de Recuperação Pós-desastre, 2017) outlines measures to assess and respond to the economic and social needs of displaced persons.

Areas with potential for further development:

  • Cabo Verde does not have a strategy with specific measures to provide assistance to migrants before or during crises or in post-crisis situations.
  • Cabo Verde does not have a strategy in place for addressing migratory movements caused by the adverse effects of climate change.
Key findings
Safe, orderly and regular migration

Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas

  • Nationals who resided abroad for over four years and return to Cabo Verde are eligible for exemptions from customs duties.
  • Cabo Verde facilitates the reintegration of returning nationals through various projects that promote business opportunities, labour market inclusion and the provision of information.
  • The National Plan Against Human Trafficking (Plano Nacional contra o Tráfico de Pessoas) (2018–2021) aims to reinforce the legal, judicial and institutional framework for combating human trafficking.

Areas with potential for further development:

  • Border officials do not receive training on cultural and gender aspects and language training is provided on an ad hoc basis.

2021 March

Migration Governance Profile: Republic of Cabo Verde