Overview of migration trends in Montenegro

Transcription

1 Overview of migration trends in Montenegro Tirana, Albania Western Balkans Migration Network (WB-MIGNET) Annual Conference April 15-16, 2016

2 Strategic and institutional framework Main strategic document dealing with migrations Strategy for Integrated Migration Management , followed by biannual Action Plans Action Plan for implementation of Strategy for Reintegration of Returned Persons based on Agreement on Readmission Law on Foreigners Laws on employment, asylum and education

3 Strategic and institutional framework Coordination body for monitoring of Strategy for Integrated Migration Management implementation was established in This body was established to manage, organize and coordinate activities of governmental bodies and institutions relevant for migration policy.

4 Main institutions Ministry of Interior Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare Ministry of Health Ministry of Education Public Employment Service Statistical Office (MONSTAT) Department for Taking Care of Refugees Office for Fight Against Trafficking in Human Beings

5 The profile of migrations in Montenegro Internal migrations show strong movements from North to South Migrations into and from Montenegro are mainly caused by movement of labour force. The majority of migrants are from the WB countries (regional migrants)

6 Internal migrations

7 Internal migrations by age and gender

8 Socio-economic and demographic characteristics of migrants Structure by age Younger population is dominant among immigrants (especially from regional countries.) There is obvious trend of increase of the number of immigrants aged during recent period. The share of these immigrants in total number of immigrants from regional countries increased from 12% (2010) to more than 20% (2014) Still, the largest share among regional immigrants belong to those aged (approximately 60-65% over last several years).

9 Structure of immigrants by country of origin

10 Structure of immigrants (by gender)

11 Structure of immigrants by education Regarding educational level, the structure of immigrants from the WB countries is such that majority are unqualified or law qualified persons.

12 Socio-economic and demographic characteristics of migrants Employment Statistics on employed immigrants in Montenegro also show that largest portion of them work in services sector and construction, but also there is increasing trend of those whose work is related to professional scientific and technical activities.

13 Employment of immigrants Law on Employment and Work of Foreigners from 2008 defined the framework of determining the number of work permits for foreigners, through the annual Decision on determining the number of work permits for foreigners. In 2009 and 2010 a broad framework for the employment of foreigners was defined, since the number of work permits was at the level of per year. As the economic crisis has actually reduced the volume of total employment, including employment of foreigners, the decision of the Government was to reduce the number of work permits for foreigners.

14 Employment of immigrants Number of work permits defined by law

15 Employment of foreigners By permit type - the largest number of permits was related to permits for employment and seasonal work, or 90.9 % of the total; By activity - most work permits were issued for construction purposes 20.8%, tourism and hospitality industry 20.0%, wholesale and retail trade 14.8%, scientific and technical activities 7.3% and agriculture 6.4%;

16 Employment of foreigners By level of education - most work permits were issued to foreigners with primary or vocational school %, while 6.8% of work permits was issued to those with secondary education and 5.5% of the total number of work permits was issued to foreign workers with higher education; By country of origin - workforce mostly comes from regional countries (74.5 % of the total) % of foreigners with work permits in Montenegro are from Serbia, 22, 5% from Bosnia and Herzegovina, 7,2% from Macedonia and 3 % from Kosovo.

17 Administrative gaps The Law on Employment and Work of Foreigners, which was effective from January 1st, prescribed the conditions under which foreigner may be employed or work in Montenegro, such as work permit, approval for permanent or temporary residence and concluded contract of employment or a contract for the performance of services. Therefore, three institutions participated in the process of hiring foreigners - Public Employment Service where the employer paid for the work permit, - Ministry of Interior in charge of issuing a residence permit, - Tax Administration, where the foreign worker applied for compulsory insurance. Despite the established legislative framework in the area of keeping records on labour mobility, available data are much poorer and records from Ministry of Interior, Public Employment Office and Tax Office are not aligned and consistent.

18 Administrative gaps Problems related to institutional capacity gaps, were observed at the very beginning of the application of the law. It was evident that there was not developed data exchange, since each institution provided information only within their jurisdiction. Operations in several institutions, with different deadlines and documentation was disincentive for employers, and that is one of the reasons why some employers partly or entirely avoided adherence to the Law on Employment and Work of Foreigners.

19 New legislative New Law on foreigners Work permits are abolished as a condition for EU nationals and their family members to undertake work in Montenegro. Establishment of a single procedure for both residence and work permits In future, Ministry of Interior will issue all necessary documents for foreign workers (residence and work permits)

20 Thank you for Your attention!