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 the Republic of Malawi (hereafter referred to as Malawi) 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 migratory status, have equal access as nationals to free public health care.
- Malawi has an agreement with Zambia (2003) on the portability of social security entitlements.
- Citizens of the Commonwealth and of certain African States can apply for citizenship.
Areas with potential for further development:
- Only permanent residents have equal access to employment and self-employment as nationals.
- Malawian citizens living abroad are not able to vote in national elections.
- Malawi does not have a policy or strategy to specifically combat hate crimes, violence, xenophobia or discrimination against migrants.
Key findings
Whole of government approach
Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas
- The Inter-Ministerial Steering Committee on Migration Management coordinates migration policy and political support.
- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs developed the Malawi Diaspora Engagement Policy and coordinates its implementation.
- Rules and regulations pertaining to migration are accessible on the website of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services.
Areas with potential for further development:
- Various ministries and agencies collect migration data, but these data are not published on a regular basis or analysed to inform policy development.
Key findings
Partnerships
Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas
- Malawi participates in the Migration Dialogue for Southern Africa (MIDSA) and the Migration Dialogue from the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa Member States (MIDCOM).
- The Malawi Diaspora Engagement Policy seeks to ensure “representation of the Diaspora network in the design and implementation of Malawi’s development strategies”.
- The Reserve Bank of Malawi lists several investment opportunities for the diaspora in the financial sector.
Areas with potential for further development:
- Malawi engages civil society organizations in agenda-setting and the implementation of migration-related issues only on an ad hoc basis.
- The country does not formally engage the private sector on migration-related issues.
Key findings
Well-being of migrants
Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas
- The Malawi Diaspora Engagement Policy includes strategies to promote formal financial remittances.
- Malawi accounts for migrant workers’ skills and capabilities when deciding whether to admit them.
- The Higher Education Qualification Framework establishes formalized criteria for the recognition of foreign-acquired qualifications.
Areas with potential for further development:
- Malawi does not have a national assessment for monitoring the labour market demand for immigrants or the domestic labour supply and the impact of emigration on the domestic labour market.
- Malawi does not have different types of permits to attract specific labour skills.
Key findings
Mobility dimensions of crises
Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas
- The National Multi-hazard Contingency Plan (MHCP) establishes emergency response activities to address the displacement impacts of disasters.
- The MHCP also addresses the impact of climate change and the anticipated effects of the La Niña weather pattern, including displacement due to environmental hazards.
- The Umodzi Diaspora Network Portal provides registered nationals with emergency support services during crises through missions abroad.
Areas with potential for further development:
- Malawi does not have a strategy with specific measures to aid migrants during crisis and post-crisis situations.
- Early warning systems that provide the public with information on the evolving nature of crises do not consider the specific vulnerabilities that migrants face.
Key findings
Safe, orderly and regular migration
Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas
- Malawi has an electronic system to manage visa overstays at some border posts.
- The Government of Malawi amended the 1966 Citizenship Act in December 2018 to allow for dual citizenship.
- The National Coordination Committee against Trafficking in Persons formulates policies and programmes to prevent human trafficking.
Areas with potential for further development:
- There is no formal government programme or dedicated policy that facilitates the reintegration of returning migrants.
- Data on anti-trafficking activities are collected and published on an ad hoc basis.
