Work on Migration and Development Policy Advanced

State Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Hon. Arnaldo Brown, says work on the International Migration and Development Policy is far advanced.

The policy, an undertaking by the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ), seeks to address the broad and evolving range of challenges and opportunities associated with migration.

“Not too long from now, once Cabinet approves, we should have that policy tabled in this honorable House to indicate how it is that we are treating with this issue of migration and development,” Mr. Brown said, while making his contribution to the 2015/16 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on Wednesday, May 6.

The policy will deal with nine thematic areas: Human Rights and Social Protection; Labour Mobility and Development; Public Order; Safety and Security; Family; Migration and Development; and Data, Research and Information Systems.

The State Minister further informed that “much is also being done to expedite” the Diaspora and Development Policy.

He said even though the policy “has taken some time in terms of gestation” it is well advanced in terms of its drafting.

“There is a draft policy in place…further consultations are taking place and I anticipate that in the wake of the Diaspora Conference 2015, we will have a Green Paper on Diaspora and Development,” he assured.

The Jamaica Diaspora Conference 2015 will be held from June 13 -18 at the Montego Bay Convention Centre in St. James, under the theme: ‘Jamaica and the Diaspora: Linking for Growth and Prosperity.’

Mr. Brown told the House that reports on the Diaspora Policy and the International Migration and Development Policy will be provided at the conference.