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 the Republic of Suriname (hereafter referred to as Suriname) 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.
Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas
- Migrants, irrespective of migratory status, have access to government-funded emergency medical treatment.
- The Personnel Act (1962) and the Family Employment Protection Act (2019) state that labour-related benefits – such as maternity leave and invalidity benefits – are provided to all employees regardless of nationality.
- Migrants can access government-funded primary and secondary education as well as vocational training on the same basis as citizens of Suriname.
- All temporary foreign residents can apply for a permanent residence permit after legally residing in Suriname for at least five years.
Areas with potential for further development
- Only certain categories of migrants have equal access to employment as nationals.
- Citizens of Suriname who are abroad cannot vote in national elections.
- There is no specific policy or strategy to combat hate crimes, violence, xenophobia and discrimination against migrants.
Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas
- The 2022–2026 Multi-Year Development Plan (2021) take migrations issues into consideration.
- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Business and International Cooperation collaborates with the private sector for its e-visa platform. The General Bureau of Statistics collects and publishes migration data on a regular basis.
- Suriname’s latest census, conducted in 2012 by the General Bureau of Statistics, contained a dedicated section on international and domestic migration.
Areas with potential for further development
- There is no overall coordination mechanism on migration issues.
- Suriname does not have an active inter-ministerial coordination mechanism on migration issues.
- The majority of rules and regulations pertaining to migration are presented mostly in Dutch language.
Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas
- Suriname participates in the South American Conference on Migration as well as the Caribbean Migration Consultations and is a member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).
- The country is a signatory of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas establishing the CARICOM Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME), which allows labour mobility between member states.
- In 2008, Suriname’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Business and International Cooperation signed a memorandum of understanding on readmission with the Ministry of Justice of the Netherlands.
- Suriname engages civil society organizations in migration policy development.
Areas with potential for further development
- Suriname engages members of diaspora and expatriate communities in national development policy on an ad hoc basis.
- The country engages the private sector in migration-related policy development on an ad hoc basis.
Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas
- The Department of Labour Statistics has a working group together with the General Bureau of Statistics to monitor labour market demand for immigrants.
- The General Bureau of Statistics collects labour market data disaggregated by migration status and sex through its annual household surveys.
- Suriname accounts for migrant workers' skills and capabilities when deciding whether to admit them.
- The country has accreditation procedures and formalized criteria for recognizing international qualifications.
Areas with potential for further development
- Suriname does not have a national assessment for monitoring the domestic labour supply and the effects of emigrants on the domestic labour market.
- The country does not have different types of visas to attract specific labour skills.
- International students do not have equal access to university education compared to nationals.
- There are no specific measures in place to promote ethical recruitment for migrant workers.
Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas
- The National Coordination Centre for Disaster Relief (NCCR) is mandated to provide displaced persons with relief camps, shelters and medical assistance.
- The NCCR also coordinates with the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) to set up effective emergency responses in the event of crises and disasters.
Areas with potential for further development
- Suriname does not have a specific national disaster risk reduction strategy to provide assistance to migrants during crises or a contingency plan to manage large-scale population movements in times of crisis.
- There is no strategy in place for addressing migration linked to environmental degradation and the adverse effects of climate change.
Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas
- The Central Bureau for Civil Affairs maintains a database for the registration of nationals residing abroad, disaggregated by age, sex, nationality and residence.
- The Directorate of National Security operates a border management system that monitors visa overstays.
- Border staff are regularly trained by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Business and International Cooperation as well as other international partners.
- Suriname has a policy focused on attracting returning nationals and people with ancestral links to the country.
Areas with potential for further development
- Suriname does not have a comprehensive strategy for countering trafficking in persons.
- There are no specific measures to protect migrant workers from exploitation.
- There are no specific procedures in place to ensure the timely identification of migrants in vulnerable situations and provide them with adequate referral and protection services.
