Irregular Migration

The MOU between Italy and Libya includes cooperation in combating irregular migration, human trafficking and migrant smuggling, and on reinforcing border security between the two countries. Libya and Italy also agreed to set up a joint operations centre to identify migrant smugglers and human traffickers, facilitating cooperation between the coastguards, the Department of Combatting Illegal Migration, the Libyan Attorney General, and intelligence services from both countries.

Decree No. 1061 waived the fine for overstaying visas, which was 20 Tunisian dinars for every week of irregular overstay in the country with no capping of fees, for vulnerable migrants including victims of trafficking and vulnerable migrant students wishing to leave the country.

The flexi-visa scheme enables regularization for migrants with irregular status working in “non-specialized occupations” through self-sponsorship, with the possibility to work for different employers in exchange for a fee. The purpose for introducing the Flexi-permit scheme was to combat irregular employment and that migrant workers benefiting from the scheme occupy jobs that are not sought by Bahrainis. In February 2019, the fee was increased as part of the National Employment Programme to promote the employment of Bahraini nationals, with a two-year permit costing BHD 1,469.

Regulation No. 108 establishes a flexible work permit system that allows undocumented workers who meet certain conditions to regularize their status and obtain a work permit without a sponsor for two years subject to renewal.

The 2016 MOU between Italy and Libya aims to conduct a training programme for the Libyan coast guard and navy to better secure Libyan waters, and to enhance their law enforcement capacity in tackling human trafficking and migrant smuggling and preventing deaths at sea. This agreement was renewed in 2019.

Decision No. 386 establishes the Directorate for Combating Illegal Migration, an independent agency, to address illegal immigration.

Morocco launched a four pronged, three-year strategy with a view to integrating regularized migrants, reviewing and adapting the legal, procedural and institutional framework in connection with migration, and basing migration management on human rights principles.

Drafted in 2010 and adopted in 2012, this national strategy involves seven ministries, focuses on three sector-specific areas (migration and development, migration and vulnerable groups, and border control and protection of migrants), highlights two cross-cutting areas (knowledge of migration phenomena and the legal framework for migration management), and addresses migrants’ rights, expatriate engagement, human trafficking and migrant smuggling, asylum management, irregular migration and border management.