Electronic passports, automatic data-sharing can improve migration tracking – IOM report

Implementing electronic passports, collecting migration data across borders, and facilitating automatic information-sharing between migration-related entities can significantly improve migration governance in Guyana.
These were identified by the Government in a recently launched report titled Guyana Needs Assessment on Migration Governance, implemented by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) under the Western Hemisphere Program (WHP), and funded by the US Department of State, Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration.

The report is divided into six themes to guide policymakers on areas most relevant to their field as those relate to migration governance; migration policies and adherence to international standards; migration and border management; migrant protection and assistance; migration management in situations of emergencies and disasters; migration and health; and labour migration and human development.
Among the report’s findings are that the specific needs of migrants are not considered in policy documents, particularly in relation to disaster risk reduction. Consequently, it is possible that many migrants are not being reached by crisis plans and communications. To address these concerns, the study recommended that language translations for emergency situations and essential migration information be available in Spanish, Portuguese, Indigenous languages, and Haitian Creole.
A key recommendation was made to manage labour migration, including the development of a multi-agency coordination mechanism, and to develop and implement a labour policy and strategy with provisions on the integration of migrants into the formal labour force.
Further, the study recommended amendments to the Prevention Against Discrimination Act to include migrant status, and persons of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ+) community, as well as the decriminalisation of homosexuality under the Criminal Law (Offences) Act.
In addressing the vulnerabilities of women and girls, the report noted Government’s commitment to enhancing officials’ capacity on gender-based violence referrals.

Chief of Mission in Guyana, and Coordination Officer for the Caribbean, Robert Natiello, has said the Guyana Needs Assessment on Migration Governance is part of a series of other reports that cover the Caribbean and Central America.
Natiello explained that the reports address the challenges and opportunities that exist through well managed migration management policies.
“The report for Guyana has been contextualised to the country’s particular situation, and provides key information to support the Government in understanding current migration governance systems and the steps we can take to improve those systems,” shared the IOM Guyana official. He added that IOM is currently working with the Government of Guyana on the development of the Guyana Migration Profile. This profile would provide a summary of the state of migration in Guyana, and would contribute to the development of migration policy and law.
In his address, Foreign Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Robert Persaud, said these findings come at an opportune time in the country’s national development.
“We recognise that migration and its potential socioeconomic impact on the country must be carefully considered… We are cognisant that a comprehensive, whole-of-society response must be formulated, and supported as well as properly implemented,” Persaud outlined.
The Foreign Secretary added that Government has worked closely with the IOM on projects that provide data to better understand the impact of migration, and is committed to working towards creating policies that would lead to successful migration governance.
According to Persaud, better migration governance policy would guarantee that all the people of Guyana, both native and foreign-born, would be able to contribute to society. The official noted that the Guyana Needs Assessment also complements the work of the Migration Profile.
IOM, through the WHP, conducts research to provide governments with evidence on which to base the development and review of policies and practices relative to migration and migration governance. The report provides an easy-to-use tool and reference for Government officials and other stakeholders on which to base proposals and activities.
These are among the several observations noted in the study that is desegregated in its thematic areas. The report was developed in an accessible format that provides data on the structures and policies in regulating migration governance and identifying priorities for strengthening Government’s capacity to manage migration effectively.
The Migration Governance Report recommends the development and implementation of a Labour Policy and Strategy that has provisions for the integration of migrants into the formal labour force.