Draft Migration Policy to be Completed By June

The draft of the National Policy and Plan of Action on International Migration and Development is at an advanced stage and should be completed by June 2013.

This was disclosed by Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Hon. Arnaldo Brown, during his contribution to the 2013/2014 Sectoral debate in the House of Representatives on May 15.

He informed that other deliverables to complement the National Policy and Plan of Action are the formulation of an implementation plan, a monitoring and evaluation framework, and capacity assessment.

“The policy will improve the Government’s capacity to monitor and manage international migration in line with the country’s socio-economic development priorities as outlined in Vision 2030 Jamaica,” he said.

Mr. Brown noted that the policy is being developed as a response to key global developments, which have exposed the need to address the broad and evolving range of challenges and opportunities associated with the trans-boundary movement of people.

We realise that we cannot ignore or benignly neglect the impact of migration on our development agenda. The National Policy and Plan of Action seeks to promote better understanding of the links between migration and development, particularly within the context of globalisation and the need to maximise the benefits and minimise the negative effects of this phenomenon,” he stated.

He said that Diasporas can make significant contributions to economic, social, and political development in their countries of origin as well as their host countries, and can contribute as well, through the application in their home country, of newly developed skills and entrepreneurial activities.

“Migrants are agents of development as they contribute to economic growth through remittances, investment and expenditure, as well as provide avenues for knowledge transfer, innovation and development,” Mr. Brown noted.

He said that given the current economic climate in Jamaica, it is imperative that the country engage all its assets, at home and aboard, towards nation-building.

“Jamaica’s elaboration of an international migration and development policy is therefore timely and is evidence of our recognition that effective management of migration can contribute to the achievement of our development goals including poverty reduction, maternal and child health, primary education and gender empowerment,” Mr. Brown told the House.

Contact: Latonya Linton