Nurses and teachers are leaving Saint Lucia in droves, officials say, revealing one aspect of a multipronged reality that has shaped the draft of a new national gender-sensitive migration policy aimed at addressing the risks and opportunities of people moving in and out of the country.
Saint Lucia already has an Immigration Act, a Citizenship Act, and constitutional provisions governing people and movement. However, officials say that factors such as climate-related disasters, declining birth and fertility rates and shifting geopolitical tensions are raising new questions about the country’s demographic and economic future and how it manages migration.
“…We are facing slightly above zero percent population growth,” IOM Caribbean Coordinator Patrice Quesada said about Saint Lucia during a media briefing for the policy draft. He noted that fertility rates have already fallen below 1.4 percent, compared with the 2.1 percent generally considered necessary to sustain population growth. Other experts, including Paul Kalicharan, a statistician at the National Insurance Corporation, have previously hinted at these statistics, highlighting the need for imported skilled labour to fill future gaps.
During the briefing, perceived opportunities for migrants were also acknowledged as exceeding those available to Saint Lucians who have never left the country. Julian Dubois, Ambassador of Saint Lucia for Diaspora Affairs, said the policy draft provided the opportunity for such issues to be reviewed with “an objective eye” and in a way that allows policymakers to “get a sense of balance”.
Officials also say that migration can bring benefits, such as the substantial remittances sent home by Saint Lucians living abroad. Because of this, migration is now seen more as a way to support sustainable development and social inclusion.
Taking these factors into account, the new national gender-sensitive migration policy draft was developed through a partnership between the Government and the International Organisation for Migration following consultations with several civil, security and social agencies across Saint Lucia and the region.
The draft is expected to be tabled before Cabinet ahead of implementation.
Priority areas outlined in the policy draft briefing issued by the government include:
Labour Migration and Decent Work
The facilitation of fair recruitment, strong protection and full integration of migrant labour to maximise national and family benefits, while eliminating gender disparities and safeguarding the rights of vulnerable groups.
Migration Data, Monitoring and Evidence-based Research
Building a robust evidence base and monitoring framework to measure migration flows, outcomes, vulnerabilities and policy impact in a gender-sensitive way.
Protection, Human Rights and Social Inclusion
Support offered to all migrants, especially vulnerable groups, by providing access to comprehensive protection mechanisms, rights and social inclusion, free from discrimination and stigma.
Migration, Diaspora and Development Synergies
The leveraging of migration and diaspora to support sustainable development, economic growth, knowledge exchange, and resilience, while minimising adverse effects.
Migration in Crises and Environmental/Climate-related Mobility
The strengthening of institutional readiness and policy mechanisms to anticipate, mitigate, and manage migration associated with crises and environmental change in a manner that is protective and gender-sensitive and offers durable solutions.
Remittances and Development
Strengthening the contribution of remittances to national development by reducing transaction costs, expanding financial inclusion and promoting the productive, gender-responsive use of remittances to enhance household resilience, economic opportunity and sustainable growth in Saint Lucia.
Return and Reintegration
Development of comprehensive reintegration support systems to facilitate the sustainable economic and social reintegration of returnees, ensuring dignity and inclusion.
Border Management and Safe and Orderly Migration
Strengthening of Saint Lucia’s capacity for integrated, rights-based border management and ensuring safe, orderly and regular migration while preventing irregular flows and protecting vulnerable migrants.
