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 overview describes examples of well-developed areas of the State of Kuwait’s (hereafter referred to as Kuwait) 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 the support of the Economist Intelligence Unit. Funding is provided by the Government of Sweden.
Key findings
Migrants' rights
Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas
- Kuwait issues eight types of residence permits / visas (iqama) to its Temporary Contractual Workers (TCWs).
- The “Security Protection for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)” allows nationals of GCC countries to contribute to their own country’s pension insurance while working in Kuwait.
Areas with potential for further development:
- All TCWs are tied to an employer that sponsors them, through the ‘Kafala’ system, which especially for domestic workers, prevents them from changing jobs or leaving the country without the employer's permission.
- Kuwait does not offer pathways to permanent residence to TCWs.
- The majority of TCWs’ children do not have access to public schools, but they can enroll in private educational institutions.
Key findings
Whole of government approach
Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas
- In 2007 and 2009, the Ministry of Labour issued two decrees prohibiting employers from confiscating the passports of TCWs.
- In 2010, new measures also covering TWCs, such as increasing minimum wage or setting overtime pay rates, were added to Kuwait’s labour law for the private sector.
- Kuwait’s Central Statistics Bureau (CSB) publishes migration data periodically.
Areas with potential for further development:
- Kuwait’s legal framework for migration is based on the 1959 Aliens Residence Law, which continues to govern the residence and employment of TCWs through the sponsorship system.
- The country does not have a formal strategy or mechanism to enhance vertical policy coherence.
Key findings
Partnerships
Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas
- Kuwait is a member state of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which gives the right to all GCC nationals to participate in all spheres of economic activity within GCC member states’ territories.
- Kuwait has signed a number of bilateral migration-related agreements with Asian and African countries; including the Arab Republic of Egypt and the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka’s labour union.
- Kuwait has also signed Memorandums of Understanding with Asian countries, such as the Republic of Indonesia and the Republic of India to regulate the movement and working conditions of TCWs in Kuwait.
- The Government of Kuwait consults private sector representatives about labour market demands and the recruitment of migrant workers.
- The country is also a member of the Abu Dhabi Dialogue Ministerial Consultation (ADD).
Areas with potential for further development:
- Kuwait has ratified 19 International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions. It has not signed and ratified further conventions, protocols and treaties relating to migration.
Key findings
Well-being of migrants
Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas
- Besides regulating the movement and working conditions of foreign workers in Kuwait, agreements signed with other countries also aim to prevent human trafficking and the exploitation of TWCs.
- The establishment of various government units, such as those dedicated to recruitment and labour inspection, are among the measures undertaken by the government to promote the ethical recruitment of migrant workers.
Areas with potential for further development:
- Kuwait lacks a formal assessment mechanism to monitor labour market demand in Kuwait.
- The government has not implemented a specific programme to manage labour mobility.
Key findings
Mobility dimensions of crises
Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas
- The GCC Emergency Management Centre (EMC) based in Kuwait, aims to enhance regional risk management and also conducts outreach activities to increase awareness about disaster risks among nationals and migrants.
- The Kuwait Civil Defence operates a public emergency communication system to warn the population about disaster risks in several languages.
Areas with potential for further development:
- The country has not implemented a specific strategy to provide assistance to TCWs in the event of a crisis nor regarding the return of TCWs who fled the country as a consequence of a disaster.
- Kuwait’s national development plan does not specifically address displacement issues or humanitarian crises.
Key findings
Safe, orderly and regular migration
Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas
- Kuwait is engaged in combating trafficking of TCWs through the implementation of a number of laws and regulations and through the work of an anti-human trafficking department.
- Government Shelters for foreign workers helps victims of trafficking and exploitation meet their basic needs and it offers legal assistance and voluntary return services.
- The Ministry of Interior monitors the number of overstays through their regularly updated information system.
Areas with potential for further development:
- The Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour has a website with minimal information on how to apply for a work permit in Kuwait.
- Kuwait’s Ministry of Interior does not publish official information about counter-trafficking activities.
