National Policy on International Migration and Development

The National Policy on International Migration and Development recognizes that Jamaica is a country of origin, transit and destination. It is also recognized that relationships exist between migration and the economic, social and cultural conditions in developing countries, such as Jamaica.
Date

All courses of action promote the development of mutually beneficial relationships and strengthen transnational networks the skills, expertise and wealth of migrants are enhanced through sustainable development, management and technology transfers to provide tangible benefits to migrants, host and origin countries remittances — in the form of cash transfers and social remittances — contribute to sustainable development, the human rights of migrants are promoted and protected through compliance with international domestic protocols, laws and conventions

General Objectives

International migration is adequately measured, monitored and streamlined to serve national development goals embodied in Vision 2030 Jamaica. 

In pursuit of this policy goal, the following objectives will apply: 

a) all courses of action promote the development of mutually beneficial relationships and strengthen transnational networks 

b) the skills, expertise and wealth of migrants are enhanced through sustainable development, management and technology transfers to provide tangible benefits to migrants, host and origin countries 

c) remittances — in the form of cash transfers and social remittances — contribute to sustainable development 

d) the human rights of migrants are promoted and protected through compliance with international and domestic protocols, laws and conventions 

e) Adequate data and information systems for policy, planning and decision-making are designed, strengthened and implemented.

Beneficiaries
Migrants
Country
Type
Public policy
Responsible institution
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade
Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ)
Link
Website
Topics / Chapters
 F. International migration
Main Priority Measure

F.66 - International migration

Ensure that international migration issues, including migration regularization policies are fully incorporated into global, regional and national post-2015 development agendas and strategies.

F.67 - Assistance and protection to migrants

Provide assistance and protection to migrants regardless of their migration status, especially vulnerable groups, with full respect for their rights and in accordance with the provisions of the International Convention on the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families and those of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, highlighting the need to afford them comprehensive attention in countries of transit and destination.

F.68 - Global and regional strategies for the protection of the rights of migrants

Prepare comprehensive global and regional strategies to prevent infringement of the human rights of migrants, as well as to take advantage of the benefits and face the challenges arising from migration, including those relating to remittances and skilled migration in high-demand sectors, as well as the differential participation of men and women and the transnationalization of care.

F.72 - Decriminalize migration

Protect decisively the human rights of all migrants, avoiding any form of criminalization of migration, and guarantee migrants access to basic social services in education and health, including sexual health and reproductive health, where appropriate, regardless of their migration status, with special attention to highly vulnerable groups, including unaccompanied minors, displaced persons in an irregular situation, women who are victims of violence, victims of trafficking, returnees and forcibly displaced asylum-seekers.