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 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 EconomistImpact. Funding is provided by IOM Member States.

Key findings
Migrants' rights

Migration governance: Examples of well-developed areas

  • The Eighth Amendment to the Lesotho Constitution Act (2018) improved access to social benefits for Basotho diaspora by allowing for dual citizenship and the acquisition of citizenship through marriage of a citizen of Lesotho.
  • Migrants have the same access as nationals to Government-funded health services, including access to COVID-19 vaccinations.
  • The Aliens Control Act (1966) provides for family reunification rights to all foreigners legally residing in Lesotho that can prove sufficient financial means to support the incoming members of their family.

Areas with potential for further development:

  • The list of reserved business activities as stipulated by the Business Licensing and Registration Act (2019) and the Business Licensing and Registration Regulations (2020) limits access of non-nationals to self-employment.
  • The National Assembly Electoral Act (2011) stipulates that citizens of Lesotho have the right to vote from abroad for the National Assembly elections, yet this right has only been exercised by Basotho diplomats.
  • There are no integration programmes to help migrant and local workers understand their rights and responsibilities.
Key findings
Whole of government approach

Migration governance: examples o well-developed areas

  • The National Diaspora Policy launched in 2021 created the Diaspora Directorate under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to serve as its coordinating mechanism.
  • The National Diaspora Policy also encourages the creation of the Basotho Diaspora Association, the Lesotho Diaspora Support Programme, and the Lesotho Leads Network.
  • The Bureau of Statistics collects and publishes migration data through the national census, periodic surveys, and compilation of administrative data.

Areas with potential for further development:

  • Newly adopted policies, such as the Lesotho Immigration and Citizenship Policy (2018), the National Diaspora Policy, and the National Labour Migration Policy, are not easily accessible online.
  • There is no centralized electronic database specifically used to collect and process migration data.
Key findings
Partnerships

Migration governance: Examples of well-developed areas

  • Lesotho is part of regional migration consultative processes, including initiatives coordinated by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Secretariat and the African Union.
  • The Government of Lesotho engages in both national and regional migration policy consultations with civil society organizations.
  • Members from the National Consultative Committee on Migration and Development include civil society, diaspora organizations, academia, labour agencies, State-owned entities and respective ministries.

Areas with potential for further development:

  • The private sector only participates in the National Consultative Committee on Migration and Development in an ad hoc manner.
Key findings
Well-being of migrants

Migration governance: Examples of well-developed areas

  • Lesotho participates in a regional qualification scheme, the Southern African Development Community Qualifications Framework.
  • The Labour Code Order (1992) and the National Labour Migration Policy for Lesotho (2018) promote the ethical recruitment of migrant workers, including provisions for pre-departure training and licensing for private employment agencies.

Areas with potential for further development:

  • There are no programmes to monitor labour supply and demand, despite the plan to collect information on occupations in demand detailed in the second National Strategic Development Plan (NSDP II) adopted in 2018.
  • Migrants can access tertiary education on the same conditions as nationals, except for the 25 per cent higher tuition difference. Furthermore, international students do not have the right to employment during or after their studies in Lesotho.
  • The Gender and Development Policy (2018–2030) adopted in 2018 notes a lack of gender-responsive labour market policies and supportive labour market information systems.
Key findings
Mobility dimensions of crises

Migration governance: Examples of well-developed areas

  • The Climate Change Policy (2017) aims to address climate-induced migration by improving access to microcredit and social benefits among migrants.
  • Lesotho’s National Strategic Development Plan II (2018) includes measures to address displacement caused by environmental factors and localized violence, as well as guidance on managing internal migration.
  • Lesotho has a well-established and integrated local chieftainship and central government system that coordinates and disseminates disaster warnings.

Areas with potential for further development:

  • The Disaster Management Act (1997) does not explicitly address migration or displacement, nor does it provide procedures to manage large-scale population movements at the time of disasters or crises.
  • Crisis communication is only conducted in English and Sesotho; hence excluding vulnerable groups and migrants who may not speak those languages.
Key findings
Safe, orderly and regular migration

Migration governance: Examples of well-developed areas

  • Lesotho has two policy documents addressing the issues relevant to returning migrants: the National Diaspora Policy (2021) and the National Labour Migration Policy for Lesotho (2018).
  • The Lesotho Immigration and Citizenship Policy (2018) recognizes the importance of attracting the Basotho diaspora back to Lesotho and facilitating skills transfers.
  • The 2021 amendments to the Anti–Trafficking in Persons Act (2011) criminalize all forms of sex trafficking, removing the option of a fine in lieu of imprisonment for trafficking offences.
  • The Government adopted in 2021 the National Referral System and Standard Operating Procedures of Referral of Victims of Trafficking and Care as well as the Lesotho National Strategic Framework and Action Plan to Combat Trafficking in Persons (2021–2026).

Areas with potential for further development:

  • Lesotho lacks an effective system to monitor visa overstays; monitoring is done on an ad hoc basis or by border officials.

2021 December

Migration Governance Indicators: The Kingdom of Lesotho Second Profile