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 country Profile describes examples of well-developed areas of the Republic of Seychelles (hereafter referred to as Seychelles) 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.
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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
- Migrants with regular status have the same access as citizens to Government-funded compulsory primary and secondary education.
- A pension scheme for migrant workers allows them to access the funds when they leave the country.
- There is a path to permanent residency for certain categories of non-nationals.
Areas with potential for further development:
- Only migrant workers employed by the State have the same rights as citizens in accessing all primary health care services
- Only permanent residents have equal access to employment as nationals.
Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas
- The Ministry of Employment, Immigration and Civil Status’ is the leading technical agency on migration.
- The National Labour Migration Policy identifies barriers to migrant integration and seeks to sensitize authorities, social partners, the public and employers on the issue
- Seychelles collects and publishes migration data annually.
Areas with potential for further development:
- Seychelles does not have a national migration strategy.
- There is no dedicated agency for enacting emigration policy.
Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas
- Seychelles participates in the Migration Dialogue for the Indian Ocean Commission Countries.
- Seychelles signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the Facilitation of Movement of Businesspersons and Professionals between Accelerated Programme for Economic Integration (APEI) countries.
- Seychelles and Bangladesh have signed a bilateral labour agreement (BLA) which includes principles of ethical recruitment of migrant workers.
Areas with potential for further development:
- Seychelles only engages civil society organizations (CSOs) in agenda-setting and implementation of migration-related issues on an ad hoc basis.
- The Government does not engage with the diaspora on migration-related issues.
Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas
- Seychelles collects some data on the labour market disaggregated by sex.
- The Seychelles Qualifications Authority is responsible for the evaluation of foreign qualifications with clear procedures in place.
- Seychelles participates in several international schemes related to common qualification frameworks, including the Southern African Development Community Qualification Framework (SADCQF).
Areas with potential for further development:
- There is no national assessment for monitoring the labour market demand for immigrants.
- The Government is not actively promoting the creation of formal remittance schemes.
Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas
- The Seychelles National Emergency Shelter Management Plan specifies that any person resident in the country may access shelters.
- Seychelles has communication systems in place to provide the public with information on the evolving nature of crises in English, French and Creole.
- Nationals living abroad may register with Seychellois embassies and consulates to access assistance during crises.
Areas with potential for further development:
- Seychelles does not have a strategy with specific measures to provide assistance to non-nationals before or during crises, or in post-crisis situations.
- Disaster recovery strategies in Seychelles do not address migration issues.
Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas
- The Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons Act introduces penalties for trafficking offences and establishes an inter-ministerial National Coordination Committee on Trafficking in Persons.
- The Labour Migration Division’s Welfare and Counselling Unit conducts regular investigations to workplaces to monitor the welfare of migrant workers, among others.
- The Department of Immigration and Civil Status’ website provides clear information on the types of permits required for non-nationals to live and work in the country.
Areas with potential for further development:
- Seychellois immigration officers only undergo specific training, including on human rights, on an ad hoc basis.
- There are no formal policies to attract Seychellois who have emigrated, nor is there a programme facilitating their reintegration upon return.