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
Information
This country profile describes well-developed areas and areas with potential for further development in the Republic of Serbia’s (hereafter Serbia) migration governance structures, as evaluated by 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 dimension 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
Domain 1. Adherence to international standards and fulfilment of migrants' rights
Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas:
- All foreigners, including labour migrants, who hold a residence permit have the right to health protection in Serbia. Refugees and individuals with subsidiary protection status, asylum-seekers, refugees from former Yugoslavia and internally displaced persons (IDPs), and non-nationals holding a temporary or permanent residence permit have access to government-funded health services.
- Non-nationals who have been granted temporary or permanent residence in Serbia and those who have been granted asylum can apply for work permits, according to Serbia’s Act on the Employment of Foreigners. Foreigners holding a work permit enjoy the same labour and social rights as Serbian national employees.
- Serbia is a party to numerous international conventions and frameworks that include the rights of migrants, including the Convention of the Rights of the Child, the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, and the Conventions on Statelessness.
Areas with potential for further development:
- Only Serbian nationals are permitted to work as civil servants in the public sector.
- Serbia has not ratified the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families (ICRMW).
Key findings
Domain 2: Whole of government approach
Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas:
- Horizontal coordination between institutions is ensured through several inter-ministerial bodies: the Coordination Body for Migration Monitoring and Management, the Council for the Reintegration of Returnees, the ad hoc Working group on Mixed Migration Flows, and the Technical Working Group for Development of the Migration Profile.
- Vertical coordination is ensured through local Migration Councils, who report to the national Commissariat for Refugees and Migration on migration issues in the territory of the municipalities and autonomous provinces.
- There are legal and regulatory frameworks in place for immigration, emigration, internal displacement, forced displacement and human trafficking.
- The Commissariat for Refugees and Migration has collected and published migration data on an annual basis since 2010 in the Migration Profile of the Republic of Serbia.
Key findings
Domain 3: Partnerships
Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas:
- Serbia participates in several multilateral and regional partnerships, such as the Budapest Process, the Regional Cooperation Council and the Prague Process.
- Serbia’s partnership with the European Union was reinforced with the signing of a Stabilization and Association Agreement in 2008.
- Specific migration issues between Serbia and other countries are regulated through bilateral agreements, such as those concerning readmission with each EU Member State.
The Government of Serbia includes civil society actors in the development of migration policy, for example, through the Office for Cooperation with Civil Society, which was established in 2011.
Key findings
Domain 4: Well-being of migrants
Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas:
- International students can enroll in education programmes under the same conditions as Serbian nationals. They can also work during their studies for a maximum of 20 hours per week.
- Serbia has mechanisms in place to protect immigrants working in the country and its nationals working abroad. Because of national legislation harmonization with the EU, Serbia’s framework to protect the rights of emigrant workers is largely in line with international standards.
Areas with potential for further development:
- There is no defined programme for managing labour immigration, or specific visa schemes in place to meet demand for skills.
- Remittance flows take place outside the financial system. There are no programmes in place to promote the use of formal financial institutions to transfer money or reduce fees.
Key findings
Domain 5: Mobility dimensions of crises
Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas:
- Humanitarian assistance is provided regardless of migration status, and is coordinated by the Commissariat for Refugees and Migration.
- Authorities use several types of communication systems to spread information on the evolving nature of crises, including channels to reach immigrants.
- A response plan was adopted in 2015 to be able to effectively respond to rapid increases in the number of migrants and asylum-seekers entering Serbia. The plan is regularly updated according to need.
Areas with potential for further development:
- There is currently no comprehensive policy or legislative framework that addresses environmental degradation and the adverse effects of climate change.
- The National Strategy for Protection and Rescue in Emergency Situation, adopted in 2011, does not include specific provisions for addressing the displacement impacts of disasters.
Key findings
DOMAIN 6: SAFE, ORDERLY AND REGULAR MIGRATION
Migration Governance: Examples of well-developed areas:
- Border control and enforcement is managed centrally, by the Ministry of Interior’s Border Police Directorate.
- The website of Serbia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs clearly indicates visa options and eligibility criteria.
- The Centre for Human Trafficking Victims Protection publishes monthly statistical data on human trafficking, as well as annual work reports.
Areas with potential for further development:
- There is currently no comprehensive system to monitor visa overstays.
- Visa applications can only be submitted in hard copy to Serbian embassies or consulates prior to arrival.
2018 May
Migration Governance Profile: The Republic of Serbia
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Additional information and resources
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Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of Sweden or the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The designations employed and the presentation of material throughout the report do not imply expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of IOM concerning legal status of any country, territory, city or area, or of its authorities, or concerning its frontiers or boundaries.
Funding is provided by IOM Member States, including the Government of Sweden.
Last updated on
08.22.2019
