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 Republic of Burundi 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 Impact. Funding is provided by IOM Member States.
Key findings
MIGRANTS’ RIGHTS
Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas
- Migrants holding valid work permits in Burundi are entitled to employment and social protection under Decree No. 100/084 concerning the missions, organization, and functioning of the Ministry of National Solidarity, Social Affairs, Human Rights, and Gender.
- Burundi has signed agreements with Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo to ensure the portability of social security rights for migrant workers.
- Refugees, East African Community (EAC) citizens, migrants with specific technical skills, and those born in Burundi have access to employment, provided they hold a valid work permit.
Areas with potential for further development
- Expanding access to government-funded health and education services for all international migrants remains an area for improvement.
- The introduction of postal or electronic voting rights for Burundian nationals abroad could be further strengthened.
- Establishing a national strategy to combat hate crimes, violence, xenophobia, and discrimination against migrants is an area with potential for further development.
Key findings
WHOLE-OF-GOVERNMENT APPROACH
Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas
- The General Directorate of Migration, under the National Police of Burundi, is responsible for designing and coordinating the implementation of migration policy, as mandated by Law No. 1/27 of December 9, 2021.
- Burundi has a dedicated government structure for implementing its emigration and diaspora policies. Under Decree No. 100/053 of September 1, 2020, the Directorate General for Diaspora within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs coordinates the country's engagement efforts with its diaspora.
- A sectoral strategy for the implementation of the 2022-2027 National Diaspora Policy was developed and technically validated in May 2022. The policy aims to "promote diaspora engagement, strengthen, and make their role more visible."
Areas with potential for further development
- Establishing a comprehensive national migration strategy would provide a framework to address migration management, integrating various sectors such as employment, security, and social welfare.
- Implementing formal measures to improve vertical coherence in migration policies is another area that could be strengthened.
- Improving the collection, integration, and publication of migration data across government agencies is an area for development.
Key findings
PARTNERSHIPS
Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas
- Burundi is actively engaged in several regional consultative processes, such as the Regional Ministerial Forum on Migration for the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and the Pan-African Forum on Migration (PAFOM).
- The country has signed formal bilateral labor agreements with key partners, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the Netherlands, which promote ethical recruitment and the portability of social security rights for migrant workers.
- Burundi is part of regional agreements promoting labor mobility, and in 2020, it signed a cooperation agreement with East African and Horn of Africa states to harmonize labor migration policies by creating a common platform for major employers of African migrants.
Areas with potential for further development
- Promoting greater engagement with civil society organizations in agenda-setting and implementing migration-related programs at the local level remains a key area for development.
- Enhancing collaboration within regional consultative processes to further facilitate intraregional mobility and address irregular migration challenges is an area with potential for further development.
Key findings
WELL-BEING OF MIGRANTS
Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas
- The Commission for the Analysis of Work Permit Applications under the Ministry of Public Service, Labor, and Employment considers the skills and qualifications of migrant workers when issuing work permits.
- Burundi grants equal access to higher education for East African Community (EAC) citizens and refugees, provided they meet equivalent admission requirements as in their home countries, in accordance with Law No. 1/05 of October 29, 2020.
- The Government has signed bilateral labor agreements with Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Gabon, focusing on ethical recruitment.
Areas with potential for further development
- The establishment of national assessments to monitor the demand for migrant workers in Burundi's labor market is an area that could be strengthened.
- Introducing various types of visas to attract specific skills to Burundi is another area that could be improved.
- Developing programs to promote the financial inclusion of migrants and their families, especially those involved in sending or receiving remittances, is another area for improvement in Burundi.
Key findings
MOBILITY DIMENSION OF CRISES
Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas
- Burundi has a disaster management framework that applies to the entire population, with the Ministry of Interior, Community Development, and Public Security (MIDCSP) responsible for designing and implementing policies related to public security and disaster management.
- Burundi is part of a regional framework that addresses internal and cross-border movements in the context of climate change, environmental degradation, and disasters, and in 2009, it signed the African Union's Kampala Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons.
Areas with potential for further development
- Developing a national disaster risk reduction strategy that includes specific provisions to prevent and address mass displacement is an area that could be strengthened in Burundi.
- Integrating human mobility into national policies on the environment and climate change is another area for improvement.
- Burundi has yet to establish a communication system that allows the public to receive information about evolving crises and communicate their needs to the government.
Key findings
SAFE, ORDERLY AND DIGNIFIED MIGRATION
Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas
- Burundi has a legal framework and national institutions governing migration, with the Ministry of Interior, Community Development, and Public Security, as established by Decree No. 100/082 of October 12, 2020, responsible for ensuring the country's border security.
- The General Directorate of Migration provides clear information on different types of visas available to migrants, with resources available in both French and English.
- Law No. 1/28 of October 29, 2014, establishes the legal framework for the prevention and prosecution of human trafficking and the protection of trafficking victims in Burundi.
- Border officials receive regular training, on an ad hoc basis, on issues related to irregular migration and human trafficking, promoting safer migration practices at the country’s borders.
Areas with potential for further development
- The establishment of a monitoring system to track visa overstays is an area with potential for further development.
- Establishing concrete procedures to identify and support migrants in vulnerable situations, including providing adequate protection services, constitutes an area for improvement.
2024 October
