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.
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Key findings
INTRODUCTION
This country Profile describes examples of well-developed areas of the City of Monrovia (Liberia) 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.
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Key findings
Migrants' rights
Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas
- Migrants in the city of Monrovia have access to government-funded health services provided by public institutions through a payment-upon-service basis.
- Migrants have access to public schools offering pre-primary, primary, secondary and vocational level education, all of which are operated by the Monrovia Consolidated School System.
- Monrovia City Corporation (MCC) takes ad hoc measures to ensure that those who have migrated to Monrovia as a result of conflict, human rights violations or environmental factors, can access local social housing.
Areas with potential for further development
- There are no mechanisms in place to provide migrants with legal services or advice in the city of Monrovia.
- There is no evidence of a specific policy or strategy to combat hate crimes, violence, xenophobia and discrimination against migrants at the city level.
- MCC does not have specific measures designed to ensure the protection of migrant children, unaccompanied and separated children or children without parental care as a consequence of migration and displacement.
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Key findings
WHOLE-OF-GOVERNMENT APPROACH
Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas
- Monrovia City Corporation (MCC) runs an Inter-City and International Affairs Department that leads engagements with diaspora groups.
- At the national level, Liberia’s Diaspora Affairs Unit was established in 2010 and there is a Diaspora Engagement Program with Liberian committees in Canada, Chin, Ethiopia, Ghana and the United States of America.
Areas with potential for further development
- MCC does not have a unit or department responsible for designing or implementing migration policies and there is no migration policy or strategy document at the city level.
- Providing information on migrants’ rights, obligations and access to local public services, including through information campaigns, is an area with potential for development.
- MCC does not collect or publish data on migration.
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Key findings
PARTNERSHIPS
Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas
- Monrovia City Corporation (MCC) actively participates in the Mayor’s Migration Council, an initiative aimed at facilitating the exchange of best practices on migration issues among cities.
- Participation in the Mayors Migration Council allows MCC to reflect on its interests in regional and international discussions on migration, refugee protection and inclusion.
Areas with potential for further development
- MCC does not formally engage with civil society organisations, the private sector, academia or migrant associations in agenda setting and implementation of migration-related programmes and policies.
- MCC does not currently have any bilateral programmes in place for city-to-city cooperation, whether within the country or internationally, specifically focused on international migration-related issues.
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Key findings
WELL-BEING OF MIGRANTS
Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas
- MCC implements national-level measures to promote gender equality among migrants in the labor force such as under Liberia’s National Gender Policy (2009).
- The MCC Strategic Plan 2014–2019 (2014) includes a strategic intervention focused on capacity building and business training for women and young entrepreneurs, including foreign residents.
- MCC operates a youth empowerment programme that entails training and employment of young people, including vulnerable youth such as migrants in the city.
Areas with potential for further development
- There is no local-level assessment for monitoring labour market demand for immigrants in Monrovia.
- MCC has not developed measures to promote the ethical recruitment of migrant workers though there are some national-level provisions.
- The establishment of programmes to promote the financial inclusion of migrants and their families, particularly when they are remittance senders and/or receivers in the city of Monrovia, is an area for development.
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Key findings
MOBILITY DIMENSION OF CRISES
Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas
- The city of Monrovia implements measures aimed at assisting migrants before, during and after crises under the National Disaster Management Policy (2012) and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience Strategy of Liberia (2020-2010).
- The implementation of national communication systems at the local level in Monrovia plays a critical role in receiving information on the evolving nature of crises and providing channels for the public to access assistance.
Areas with potential for further development
- There is no evidence of coordination agreements, partnerships or referral systems in place with key actors to assist migrants at the local level in Monrovia in the event of local emergencies.
- The development of a local environmental and disaster risk management plan and specific provisions for preventing and addressing the displacement impacts of disasters are areas with potential for development.
- There is no evidence of measures to promote the reintegration of migrants who have fled during crises, both at the local and national levels.
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Key findings
SAFE, ORDERLY AND DIGNIFIED MIGRATION
Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas
- The Monrovia City Police Department (MCPD) and the City Court of the Monrovia City Corporation (MCC) serve nationals and migrants on an equal basis.
- MCPD officials receive training on human rights, use of force and the Constitution of Liberia (1986).
- At the national level, migrants are able to access services under the Independent National Commission on Human Rights (INCHR), established by the INCHR Act (2005) which has been designed to promote and protect human rights.
Areas with potential for further development
- The establishment of programmes by MCC to build capacity of local-level public servants on migration rules and migrants' rights, or cultural sensitivity are areas for development.
- There is no local mechanism in place to combat human trafficking in Monrovia; nor is there a specific local body responsible for anti-human trafficking efforts, or a local statistical office that produces information on human trafficking.
2024 January
