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 Belize’s 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:
- Migrants, regardless of status, have access to primary health care.
- According to the Education and Training Act, citizens and permanent residents are eligible for admission to any government or government-aided primary or secondary school without admission fees.
- Through the Social Security Act and accompanying regulations, the Government of Belize provides basic social and economic protection for citizens and regular migrants active in the labour force, as well as their dependents.
- Non-nationals can vote in local elections under certain conditions.
Areas with potential for further development:
- Belize does not have a policy or strategy to combat hate crimes, violence, xenophobia or discrimination against migrants.
- There are no provisions in current national laws for overseas voting.
Key findings
Whole-of-government approach
Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas:
- The Inter-ministerial Steering Committee is responsible for developing national migration and development policy, aligned with the Government’s development strategy and national vision.
- The national census includes questions on migration.
Areas with potential for further development:
- The Government of Belize collects and publishes data on migration on a regular basis, but such data is not consistently used to develop national programmes and policies.
Key findings
Partnerships
Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas:
- Belize signed the Treaty of Chaguaramas, which allows nationals of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) member States to seek employment in any participating CARICOM country without obtaining work and residence permits.
- The Governments of Belize and El Salvador signed a memorandum of understanding which led to the establishment of a subgroup on migration co-chaired by the two countries.
- Belize formally engages members of the diaspora through its Belizean Diaspora Program.
Areas with potential for further development:
- The Government of Belize engages only indirectly with civil society organisations (CSOs) through its election process for senators.
Key findings
Well-being of migrants
Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas:
- The country has measures in place to promote gender equality in the labour force, and these also apply to migrants.
- International students who are nationals of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) member States that are party to the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas can workin the country upon completion of their studies.
Areas with potential for further development:
- Limited data is available for monitoring the labour market demand and supply for immigrants.
- Belize does not promote the creation of formal remittance schemes.
Key findings
Mobility dimension of crises
Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas:
- The Belize National Hazard Management Plan provides national arrangements for the return of displaced populations to their homes once the threat has subsided.
- The voluntary, online system for the registration of Belizeans overseas captures information on nationals living abroad, such as their age, marital status, level of education and occupation.
Areas with potential for further development:
- Belize has no provisions to make exceptions to immigration procedures for migrants whose country of origin is experiencing crisis.
- There are no specific legal provisions for the sustainable reintegration of migrants who have fled the country during a crisis.
Key findings
Safe, orderly and dignified migration
Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas:
- The Border Management Agency is tasked with integrated border control and security.
- The Government uses the Migration Information and Data Analysis System (MIDAS) to manage its borders more efficiently, including through automatic checks of all recorded entry and exit data at border posts.
- The Anti-Trafficking in Persons (A-TIP) council coordinates governmental efforts to combat human trafficking.
Areas with potential for further development:
- There is no formal government programme or dedicated policy that focuses on facilitating migrant reintegration in Belize.
- The country does not have systems in place to identify missing migrants within the national territory.
