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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
This local Profile describes examples of well-developed areas of the City of Freetown (Sierra Leone) 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.
Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas
- All migrants can access health care under the same conditions as nationals.
- Migrants can generally access all municipal services – such as waste management, water supply and sanitation services – on the same basis as nationals.
- The Freetown City Council (FCC) coordinates with local non-governmental organizations that provide complementary support services to migrants.
Areas with potential for further development
- FCC does not have specific measures to ensure that migrants can access primary and secondary public education.
- There is no local mechanism to provide migrants with legal advice and services.
- FCC does not offer specific information or orientation programmes for newly arrived immigrants.
Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas
- The Freetown City Council (FCC) cooperates with other departments, agencies and task forces on issues related to migrants, particularly in cases of human trafficking.
- FCC participated in consultations aimed at ensuring vertical policy coherence on migration-related issues.
- FCC provides easily accessible general information relating to the public’s access to municipal services on various platforms.
Areas with potential for further development
- Freetown does not have a specific migration strategy defined in a programmatic document or manifesto.
- There is no agency or department responsible for designing or implementing migration policies.
- FCC does not collect and publish data related to migration.
Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas
- Freetown participates in the Mayors Migration Council.
- The Freetown City Council (FCC) participates in bilateral programmes for city-to-city international cooperation on international migration-related issues.
- FCC conducts regular coordination meetings with its civil society partners and actively cooperates on migration issues with IOM.
Areas with potential for further development
- FCC does not formally or regularly engage with the private sector on migration-related issues.
- Freetown engages with academia on issues such as city planning and informal settlements, but not specifically on migration.
- FCC does not engage with the diaspora community in town development planning.
Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas
- The Freetown City Council (FCC) development plan has measures to promote gender equality at the local level that also apply to migrants.
Areas with potential for further development
- FCC does not monitor the local labour market demand for immigrants nor the local labour supply and the effects of emigration.
- FCC does not implement programmes to promote and facilitate the inclusion of migrant workers in the workforce.
- There are no local programmes to support foreign residents in entrepreneurship.
Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas
- The communication systems deployed during emergencies consider the specific vulnerabilities of migrants.
Areas with potential for further development
- There is no local strategy in place for emergency management that accounts for human mobility and the specific needs of migrants and displaced persons.
- The Freetown City Council does not have coordination agreements and referral systems with key actors to assist migrants and manage large-scale population movements in times of crisis.
- Freetown does not have a disaster risk reduction strategy with specific provisions for preventing and addressing the displacement impacts of disasters.
Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas
- Freetown’s local officers and staff receive training on labour migration and trafficking through the national ministries.
- There are measures in place at the local level to facilitate migrant reintegration.
Areas with potential for further development
- There are no specific mechanisms in place at the local level to ensure that migrants have access to justice and public safety.
- The Freetown City Council (FCC) does not have a local strategy to combat human trafficking.
- FCC has not taken steps to facilitate the arrival of refugee populations under its jurisdiction.
