CASTRIES, St Lucia (CMC) — The St Lucia government says it is collaborating with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in the development of a national migration policy.

It said that the policy will be developed under the leadership of the Ministry of External Affairs, International Trade, Civil Aviation and Diaspora Affairs and is part of a broader project launched earlier this year aimed at strengthening migration management.

Government said that the policy is also to ensure that the migration policies align with national and international best practices, and will support national development strategies.

“All things considered, migration plays a crucial role in St Lucia’s socio-economic landscape, with significant implications for the labour market and availability of skills, economic growth, diaspora engagement, border management and social integration.

“Thus, a well-structured policy will provide a clear framework for managing migration in a way that benefits both the country and migrants themselves.  It will also support St Lucia’s commitments under regional and international agreements, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), particularly SDG 10.7 which is guided by the Global Compact for Migration (CGM),” the government said in a statement.

It said that as part of this initiative, IOM is seeking a qualified consultant to lead the development of the policy.  The consultant will be responsible for conducting a comprehensive assessment of St Lucia’s migration landscape, engaging stakeholders and drafting a policy that addresses migration challenges while leveraging opportunities for national growth.

The statement said that the ideal candidate will have proven experience in policy development, stakeholder engagement and migration governance, preferably within the Caribbean context.