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 Saint Lucia’s 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 Impact. Funding is provided by IOM Member States.
Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas
- All migrants in Saint Lucia, regardless of migration status, can access Government-funded health services under the same conditions as nationals.
- All migrants, regardless of their migratory status, can access government-funded primary and secondary education on the same basis as nationals.
- Regular migrants in Saint Lucia enjoy similar access to social protection as citizens as guaranteed by the National Insurance Corporation Act (2005) and the Social Protection Policy (2015).
- Saint Lucia has agreements with Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) countries regarding the portability of social security entitlements and benefits, allowing individuals from these countries to transfer their entitlements and benefits when moving to Saint Lucia.
Areas with potential for further development
- Only foreign residents who possess a CARICOM Skilled National Certificate and citizens of OECS with freedom of movement and employment across member States can access private sector employment under the same conditions as nationals.
- Under the Civil Status Act (1879, revised in 2005), only citizens and residents can apply for birth and death certificates through the Government’s web-based platform digiGov.
- Temporary residents are entitled to apply for permanent residency, but conditions vary according to nationality.
Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas
- The Diaspora Affairs Office, under the Ministry of External Affairs, engages with the diaspora and provides assistance for their economic, social, physical, moral, and educational improvement.
- The Diaspora Policy (2014) defines the rights, privileges, and obligations of Saint Lucians abroad, and it gives embassies and consultates the responsibility for the dissemination of information about issues affecting Saint Lucians living abroad.
- The Immigration Act (1954, revised in 2018) and its subsequent amendments is Saint Lucia 's primary legislation governing immigration.
- The 2020 Population and Housing Census by the Central Statistical Office includes a section dedicated to international migration.
Areas with potential for further development
- There is no national interministerial coordination mechanism for migration issues.
- Saint Lucia has no national strategy on migration set out in a programme document or manifesto.
Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas
- The Government formally involves the diaspora and expatriate communities in agenda-setting and the implementation of policies. The national Diaspora Policy (2014) requires consulates and overseas missions to encourage overseas nationals' participation in developmental discussions.
- Saint Lucia is party to CARICOM-Costa Rica (2005) and CARIFORUM-EU (2008) agreements, allowing temporary labor movement for various professionals, including business visitors and intracorporate transferees.
- Saint Lucia signed the Treaty of Chaguaramas (2001), which allows nationals of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) member States to seek employment in any participating CARICOM country without obtaining work and residence permits.
- Saint Lucia has memorandums of understanding (MoUs) related to migration with various countries.
Areas with potential for further development
- The Government of Saint Lucia consults CSOs and the private sector on migration issues on an ad hoc basis.
Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas
- Saint Lucia has the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Skilled Nationals Act (1996), which eliminates entry restrictions for skilled nationals from qualifying CARICOM members and holding a CARICOM Skilled National Certificate.
- As part of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (1973), Saint Lucia participates in the CARICOM Qualifications Framework.
- Saint Lucia participates in the Virtual University for Small States of the Commonwealth (VUSSC) Transnational Qualifications Framework for higher education and vocational training across countries.
- Saint Lucia's Constitution (1978, revised in 2006) and The Labour Act (2021) include general provisions against workplace discrimination apply to both citizens and migrants.
Areas with potential for further development
- Limited data is available for monitoring the labour market demand and supply for immigrants and the domestic labour supply, along with the effects of emigrants on the domestic labour market in Saint Lucia.
- There are no laws specifically promoting the ethical recruitment of migrant workers in Saint Lucia.
- Establishing formal remittance programmes and promoting the financial inclusion of migrants and their families are areas with potential for further development.
Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas
- The Disaster Management Act (2006) establishes the National Emergency Management Office to notify the public of hazards and emergencies, and to provide disaster assistance to all residents, including migrants, without discrimination.
- The Third National Communication on Climate Change (2017) and National Adaptation Plan (NAP) 2018–2028 both include specific provisions for preventing and addressing the displacement impacts of disasters.
- A communications system is in place to facilitate the flow of information during crises and enable the public to communicate their needs.
Areas with potential for further development
- Developing an emergency management framework and implementing specific measures to aid migrants during crises is identified as an area for further development.
- Saint Lucia makes provisions for exceptions to immigration procedures for migrants whose country of origin is experiencing a crisis on an ad hoc basis.
- The Government collects data on impacts of disasters on an irregular basis, and these do not cover displacement and are published only on request.
Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas
- The Saint Lucia International Association (SLIA) addresses the needs of returnees in the country.
- The Counter Trafficking Act (2010) outlines strategies to combat human trafficking, with particular attention to women and children. In 2017, the Government developed a standard operating procedure for identifying and protecting victims of trafficking in Saint Lucia.
- Saint Lucia has formal cooperation agreements with France (2004) and the United States (2010) to prevent and counter migrant smuggling.
Areas with potential for further development
- There is no dedicated body specifically responsible for integrated border control and security in Saint Lucia.
- There is no system in place to automatically monitor visa overstays in Saint Lucia.
- There is no policy or strategy in place to ensure that migrant detention is used only as a measure of last
- resort.
- The establishment of formal cooperation agreements with other countries to trace and identify missing migrants is an area for further development.
