This project is funded by the European Union This project is implemented by: ADETEF – MEDSTAT III 5, place des Vins de France 75573 Paris Cedex 12 – France Tel.: +33 (0)1 53 44 25 60 / 22 84 / 22 88 Fax: +33 (0)1 53 44 22 90

Migration Task Force Brussels, 12 January 2011

Extracts for Migration Statistics from the last available Country Statistical Systems Reports

(CSSRs)

5 January 2011

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Table of contents

Algeria..................................................................................................................................................2

Egypt ....................................................................................................................................................5

Israel...................................................................................................................................................10

Jordan.................................................................................................................................................15

Lebanon..............................................................................................................................................19

Morocco .............................................................................................................................................23

Occupied Palestinian territory (oPt)...................................................................................................29

Syria ...................................................................................................................................................32

Tunisia................................................................................................................................................36

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Algeria CSSR of May 2009

8. Migration Legal framework The entry and residence of foreigners are governed by law 08-11 of 25 June 2008.

Unless there is a reciprocal agreement (Mali, Niger, Tunisia, Syria…), any foreigner must have a passport and a consular visa, valid for a period of 3 months. An extension may be obtained in the country, thanks to a regularisation visa for a maximum period of three months. Only one extension is possible in the country. The foreigner who wishes to extend his stay beyond the validity of his entry visa and be personally resident in Algeria, must have a resident’s card, usually valid for two years, except for Moroccans, Tunisians and French nationals, for whom it is 10 years. The name changes according to national origin: “identity certificate” in the case of Maghrebians, “certificate of residence” for those from other countries. Children under 18 are exempt. Foreigners’ exits are subject to the obtaining of an exit visa issued by the préfecture of their place of residence. A foreigner leaving for good must make a request for definitive departure to be granted a “definitive departure visa”. The foreigner resident in Algeria, who passes through Algerian borders is registered and his exit date communicated to the Department of Foreigners and Immigration. The stay abroad must not exceed 6 months, unless the foreigner loses his status as resident and his permit lapses. In addition, when a residency permit expires, the foreigner is considered as a definitive emigrant. The exit may be consecutive on an expulsion, for illegal entrants or for persons who have entered legally, but in an irregular situation. There may be exceptional regularisations: cases of a marriage with an Algerian spouse, followed by the birth of a child. However, the permits do not cover the entire foreign population; children under 18 are exempt from this formality. To account for children and dependents, the population census is required, the latest being in 1998. The benefit of the census is its exhaustive coverage, the disadvantage is that it is taken every ten years.

Principal players General

In Algeria, as with the countries of the Maghreb and most Arab countries, there is no unified system for statistics on international migrations or the administrative service responsible for this sector. The statistics exist, but their sources are heterogeneous: administrative sources, population censuses, surveys... There are no concerted analyses to analyse data with a view to assessing the respective qualities and faults of the various sources of data. The following are the bodies with greater or lesser responsibility for the production of statistics relating to migration.

• The National Office of Statistics (NOS); • The Ministry for the Interior, with its General Department of the Border Police

(GDBF), and National Security; • The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the consular services; • The Ministry for Employment; • The Ministry for Tourism; • The Gendarmerie Nationale; Within the National Office of Statistics (NOS), the Department of Population Statistics and Employment is the sole structure involved in the migration sector. In particular, it is involved in population censuses and surveys, which include questions or modules relating to international migration and foreign presence in Algeria. Arrivals and departures across the borders are entered by the Border Police (BP) and could provide information – with several precautions – on the migratory movements of foreigners and Algerians. The files on the residency permits issued by the General Department for National Security to foreigners legally established in Algeria provide, obviously partial, statistics on the numbers and flows of legal immigrants. These statistics could partially be completed by the data from the Gendarmerie Nationale on arrests following illegal entry, from Algeria’s land borders.

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The Ministry for Foreign Affairs though its consular services, compiles tables of Algerians resident abroad and leaving the country, provided they are properly registered with the consulates.

There is no observatory for the purpose of collecting data on migratory movements and setting up studies regarding migration.

Statistical requirements • National The request for migration statistics comes from ministries, universities and researchers

in Algeria and abroad. Sometimes, government departments ask the NOS for statistics or access data collected and processed by the administrative departments. The researchers and university professionals encountered in Alger have talked about the problem of the quality and quantity of the migratory statistics and the near impossibility of obtaining data files. The NOS has also expressed its interest in acquiring data in the form of tables or, even better, files (with precautions regarding use), drawn from censuses and surveys, on Algerian communities abroad in the main countries in which they reside: France and other countries of the European Union, the countries of the Maghreb, Canada and the USA.

• Other Requests also come from international organisations, the Algerian and foreign private sectors and the media. Many requests cannot be satisfied due to the non-availability of the data.

Offer • Standards and

methodologies;

• Principal sources

The (international) migrant is defined as a person living temporarily or permanently in the country where he was not born, usually for a period of over 6 months or who intends to stay there for over 6 months. BORDER CARDS Border cards are completed by each person crossing the Algerian borders, independent of his country of residence, including, therefore, Algerian nationals. These cards, the format of which has been slightly modified, are always processed manually by the Ministry of the interior in the form of tables for the NOS. Their reliability in terms of measuring long-term migratory flows and not merely mobility has not been tested. In principle, once short-term movements have been eliminated, an entry is compensated by an exit in the short-term; over a sufficiently long period of time, the migratory flows of foreigners, on the one hand, and Algerians, on the other, should be calculated. However, there are several problems: the cases of Algerians (mainly from France) entering with non-Algerian documents, dual national persons entering with one document and departing with another (rare). Within the context of Medstat I (Med-Migr I), proposals have been made regarding a pre-coded card in a simpler format with certain variables being added: sex, reason for stay, planned length of stay and country of residence. A sub-regional projected had been initiated under Medstat I with a view to standardising the border card for the three Maghreb countries. RESIDENCY PERMIT Following entry into Algeria, armed with a visa and, if necessary, an employment contract, the establishment of foreigners is based on their exercising an economic activity or having the status of a dependent with regard to an active person. The request for a residency permit (certificate of identity/residence) is a document (in Arabic), which includes the following information: Date and place of birth, matrimonial situation, current nationality, original nationality, profession, reason for stay and, for acknowledged refugees, an employment contract: date and number, nationality of spouse and children and, if applicable, surname and first names of children under 18. The information available is used for checking purposes; only one section is processed manually to compile statistics: number of foreigners, according to sex, nationality, wilaya of residence and the sector of activity. Proposals have been made within the context of Medstat I(Med Migr I) to improve the format and pre-code variables. WORK PERMIT From the point of view of migration, there have to be variables in the work permit, since work is the main reason for residency in Algeria for persons over 18.

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CONSULAR REGISTRATIONS The statistics supplied by the consular registrations are fairly old, since the last quantified report on the Algerian community abroad dates from 1995. In addition, there are some errors in the consular statistics that affect how numbers are measured and the actual flows of the Algerian presence abroad. Naturally, there is the case of irregular immigration, particularly the fact that many nationals resident in France (the country that hosts 9 out of every 10 Algerians residing abroad) are often considered as “French by birth” and/or they omit to register with their consulates, even if they have a right to Algerian nationality. For the moment, the published statistics only provide the total number of Algerians per host company. More details on age, sex and profession should be supplied to target better the potential constituted by the Algerian diaspora. THE POPULATION CENSUS Algeria has a long tradition of population censuses, from the colonial period, then after independence, from 1966 to 2008. The nationality of residents, those who have resided in Algeria for over 6 months or who intend to reside there, means that the number of immigrants can be identified. Other questions regarding place of birth, former place of residence (in comparison with the current place of residence) in principle allow internal migratory flows to be measured, as well as entries from abroad. Crossed with other demographic or socio-economic data, the population census allows migrants’ characteristics to be properly assessed. SURVEYS The NOS carries out surveys of households: on the working population, fecundity, health, the living conditions of households... therefore, the last survey carried out by the NOS on family health, in 2002, included a question on the intention to emigrate abroad. These surveys therefore include direct or indirect questions on migration, which are still relatively little exploited. CENSUSES AND SURVEYS REALISED ABROAD The countries where the Algerians reside, in particular France, carry out censuses and surveys that include reference to current nationality and nationality at birth. Cross-checking data would mean that information could be obtained on the numbers, flows and demographic characteristics of Algerians residing abroad. For France, however, some questions of methodology, due to definitions of nationality, may result in disparate figures (from 1 to 1.5 million, depending on the definition used). OTHERS Statistics are supplied on the savings habits of Algerians residing abroad, from France, Morocco and Tunisia, broken down into savings on salaries, pensions and retirement and postal orders. With regard to the illegal immigration of foreigners, who, by definition, cannot be precisely quantified, the only information comes from communiqués from the Gendarmerie Nationale (arrests, incarcerations and deportations). Administrative statistics allow identification of the status and flows of Algerians going abroad. On the Algerian side, there are consular statistics from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the numbers of Algerians crossing the border into and out of Algeria. However, statistics from the host country, particularly population censuses, could also clarify this aspect of the migratory phenomenon.

• Production The results of the administrative statistics and those of the census are mainly available in paper format: 1998 census, statistical directories, various surveys … rather than on the NOS internet site, which shows the natural movement of the population rather than the migrations.

Some statistics regarding migrations are summarised and published abroad, notably on the CARIM site.

• Synergies Synergies could be sought in comparable activities in the two other Maghreb countries. Locally, possible synergies could be envisaged with the tourism sector.

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Egypt CSSR of August 2009

3. Registers Main registers […] Population register: A computerised population register (‘national number card’) exists in principle for all Egyptian citizens, though full coverage is not yet achieved. It contains records of births and deaths in Egypt. The Ministry of Health supplies the births and deaths data. The register is updated whenever an Egyptian leaves the country legally either for short-term work abroad or for permanent emigration. It is also updated whenever a short-term emigrant returns. The Ministry of the Interior maintains the register. The register is not used to estimate net migration. National farm register: Based on the findings of the MEDSTAT II expert missions in May 2006, there is no national farm register used for statistical purposes in Egypt. Specific registers A register of foreigners in Egypt exists. This is a paper record compiled from the work permits of foreign experts authorised by CAPMAS and the permits issued by the Ministry of Manpower and Migration and the Ministry of the Interior. Egyptian consulates keep a record of temporary migrants who register with them and of the permanent migrants who retain their Egyptian nationality. Egyptian nationals intending to emigrate on a short-term basis have to obtain a work permit from the Ministry of the Interior (MOI) and, in some cases, from the Ministry of Manpower and Migration (MOMM). The MOI/MOMM obtain data about each worker from the work permit application. Data on permits issued by the MOMM are compiled and published by the MOMM on a quarterly and yearly basis. Egyptians wishing to study abroad have to obtain a permit from the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and to re-register on return. The Ministry holds and publishes data on these students.

8. Migration Legal framework The main legal framework for migration in Egypt is Law No 111 of 1983. The Law

consists of five chapters. Chapter 1 covers the general provisions applicable to all migrants, whether permanent or temporary. Chapter 2 covers the provisions, conditions and measures on permanent emigration. Chapter 3 covers the provisions on temporary emigration. Chapter 4 covers all issues related to migrants’ rights to sponsorship and exemption from taxes and fees. Chapter 5 contains concluding and transitional provisions relating to the rules that must be followed by Egyptians who are identified as migrants.

Main players Migration statistics cannot be separated from the legislative and implementing bodies, authorities and entities. Several ministries and authorities are responsible for compiling, analysing and publishing migration statistics. The main authorities involved are the: • Central Agency for Public Mobilisation and Statistics (CAPMAS); • Ministry of the Interior; • Ministry of Manpower and Migration (Emigration Sector); and • Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Migration Administration). The Higher Committee for Migration was set up by Resolution No 2000 of 1997. It is headed by the Minister for Manpower and Migration and the members include senior representatives of the Ministries of Education, Information, Scientific Research, Tourism, Foreign Affairs, Social Affairs, the Interior, Finance, Defence, Civil Aviation, International Cooperation, Planning and Local Development. Members of this

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committee attended the national workshops organised by CAPMAS during the MEDSTAT II experts’ missions.

Demand • National Strong interest is being shown in measuring the intensive emigration from Egypt at

several levels in the country: the government, parliament and the media. The private sector is also interested in data on emigration patterns, particularly the 568 private agencies specialising in recruiting and supplying Egyptian labour to the Arab Gulf States. One major new user of migration statistics in Egypt is the recently established Information and Decision Support Centre (IDSC) in the Cabinet Office.

• Other Regional and sub-regional users The main regional users of migration statistics on Egypt are: • The League of Arab States, particularly its Population and Migration Studies

Division and its specialised agencies (such as the Arab Labour Organisation, the Arab Economic Unity Council and the Arab Economic and Social Development Fund);

• UN-ESCWA and regional offices of UN specialised agencies; • The African Union Secretariat-General and NEPAD Secretariat; • Non-governmental regional organisations such as the Middle East Economic

Research Forum. International users The main international users of migration statistics on Egypt are the United Nations specialised organisations, including the UNDP, UNSD, ILO, IOM and UN-ESCWA, along with the World Bank, the IMF and the European Commission. Other users include research forums supported by the EU, such as the Euro-Mediterranean Consortium for Applied Research on International Migration (CARIM). The data on migration from Egypt in a recently published report by CARIM on ‘Mediterranean Migration 2005’ were extensively based on official statistics produced by CAPMAS.

Supply • Norms and

methodologies CAPMAS and other agencies dealing with migration statistics have their own definitions of temporary and permanent migration, which differ from the international recommendations.

• Main sources Border cards The Ministry of the Interior (Passports, Immigration and Nationality Administration – PINA) collects information from border cards from all travellers upon arrival and departure at 33 border posts: 14 airports, 13 seaports, 2 river ports, and 4 land crossings. Some of the key variables required to distinguish between long-term and short-term migrants are not available on the border cards. Of the 33 border posts, 12 are now linked to the main database at PINA headquarters in Cairo. There are plans to extend the direct electronic link to the remaining border posts. The Ministry of the Interior collects the arrival cards (inflows) and departure cards (outflows) daily and keys in the data. Annual statistics showing country of origin, occupation, etc. are sent to CAPMAS for publication. At border crossings use of OCR technology for passports is being extended to cover all passport-holders in the country. This should make it possible to produce detailed cross-tabulations based on various background socio-economic characteristics, including gender, a variable not included on the border cards. Residence permits Law No 89 of 1960 and several bilateral agreements with different countries are the main provisions governing the issuing of residence permits. The Ministry of the Interior (Residence and Work Permits Administration — RWPA), issues residence permits. There are 26 RWPA regional offices in Egypt. There are three main types of residence permit:

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• Special residence permits: These are granted to foreigners born in Egypt before 26 May 1952 and to foreigners who had been residing continuously in Egypt for 20 years prior to 26 May 1952 and their wives and children.

• Regular residence permits: These are granted only to foreigners who had been residing continuously in Egypt for 15 years prior to 26 May 1952 and to their minor children.

• Temporary residence permits: There are three types of temporary permit with different periods of validity: five years, three years and one year. They are all subject to renewal.

Work permits Egyptian nationals intending to emigrate on a short-term basis have to obtain a work permit from the Ministry of the Interior (MOI) and, in some cases, from the Ministry of Manpower and Migration (MOMM). In practice, the MOMM acts as a labour exchange for receiving countries. It has 26 regional offices in Egypt. The MOI and MOMM obtain data about each worker from the work permit application. Data on permits issued by the MOMM are compiled and published by the MOMM on a quarterly and yearly basis. Egyptian workers on short-term contracts abroad who wish to continue to work abroad after a year has elapsed have to obtain a work permit extension from the Egyptian embassy in the host country. This information is passed to the Ministry of the Interior and to the Ministry of Manpower and Migration. Such workers remain classified as short-term emigrants, regardless of the duration of their stay abroad. They have to re-register with the Ministry of the Interior on return in order to rejoin the Egyptian labour force. This re-registration information is collected and compiled by the Ministry of the Interior. The procedure described above applies to legal emigrants who obtain their work contracts for jobs abroad via the MOMM. Non-Egyptians wishing to work in Egypt on a short-term basis, in most instances because they are needed as experts, must obtain a work permit. For government and public-sector jobs, CAPMAS gives the authorisation. For private-sector jobs, the Ministry of Manpower and Migration has to obtain clearance from the Ministry of the Interior before issuing the permit. Joint CAPMAS/MOMM statistics are published annually by country of origin, occupation, etc. Other groups Long-term emigrants. Egyptian nationals intending to emigrate permanently have to make an arrangement with the embassy of the country of destination. A long-term emigration form is completed. The forms initially go to the Ministry of the Interior and then to CAPMAS where they are analysed. Once the emigrants arrive in the country of destination they have to complete a form at the Egyptian Embassy there, effectively declaring a change of citizenship. This form goes to the Ministry of the Interior and then to CAPMAS for analysis. The above-mentioned forms provide information only on legal emigrants who intend to leave Egypt permanently. Students. Egyptians wishing to study abroad also have to obtain a permit from the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and to re-register on return. The Ministry holds and publishes data on such students. Information is available back to 1898. Census One significant component of the 1996 census questionnaire was an emigration module to identify migration trends, the host countries and the remittances involved. The November 2006 census included a module on Egyptians residing abroad on a short-term basis. Questions asked included the number and gender of family members residing abroad on a short-term basis for any reason and the names of the host countries. Another question asked if any whole neighbour family was residing abroad on a short-term basis and, if so, the number of family members and the name of the host country. Other potential sources In 1997 the household survey on push and pull factors influencing international

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migration was carried out by the Cairo Demographic Center in collaboration with CAPMAS and jointly with the Netherlands Interdisciplinary Demographic Institute (NIDI). With support from MEDSTAT II, CAPMAS recently finalised a proposal for a new migration survey. The project should improve CAPMAS’s capability to process and analyse data and to provide relevant information to the government, national agencies, research and policy studies centres and international organisations for formulating, implementing, monitoring and evaluating international migration policies and programmes and for studying migration phenomena cost-effectively. As part of a larger project implemented by the ILO in Egypt, Armenia and Thailand, a pilot study on migration by Egyptians working or planning or wishing to work abroad was implemented by CAPMAS by adding a module to the labour force survey questionnaire in the July-September 2007 round. Health service and social security data are not used for migration information. A register of foreigners in Egypt exists. This is a paper record compiled from the work permits of foreign experts authorised by CAPMAS and the permits issued by the Ministry of Manpower and Migration and the Ministry of the Interior. A computerised population register (‘national number card’) exists for all Egyptian nationals, although full coverage has not yet been achieved. It consists of records of births in Egypt updated by deaths in Egypt. The Ministry of Health supplies the births and deaths data. The register is updated whenever an Egyptian leaves the country legally, whether for short-term work abroad or for permanent emigration. It is also updated whenever a short-term emigrant returns. The register is maintained by the Ministry of the Interior. It is not used to estimate net migration.

• Outputs CAPMAS receives data files from the relevant ministries on the principal administrative sources of migration statistics, namely: • Arrival/departure cards; • In the case of legal emigration, long-term emigration forms and forms from

embassies abroad; • In the case of short-term emigrants, work permits and authorisations to extend

work permits; • Re-registrations on return; • In the case of students, departures and returns; • Work permits for foreigners to work in Egypt. CAPMAS feeds this information into a model on a personal computer to estimate the net annual flow of international migration. The annual estimate is checked against the residual net migration figure obtained from census-to-census population change, after deducting the net births and deaths. CAPMAS uses the migration figures for population estimates, projections and planning and to determine the gain or loss of highly skilled and/or qualified people. CAPMAS has issued a number of publications on international migration along with reports on household surveys on international migration. In addition, three annual statistical bulletins are published on permanent Egyptian emigrants, temporary migration of Egyptians abroad and foreigners working in Egypt. As a result of the activities undertaken under MEDSTAT II and, in some cases, also of the new equipment made available by the Programme, new tables were recently produced on: - movements across borders for 2006, 2007 and the first months of 2008, always as

single-variable tables based on border cards; - work permits issued by the MOI each month to Egyptian nationals to work abroad

for January-August 2008, cross-tabulated by (a) country of destination, type of permit (new/renewal) and sex and (b) country of destination, type of permit and level of education;

- contracts arranged via the MOMM for Egyptian nationals to work abroad for the first two quarters of 2008;

- work permits issued by the MOMM to foreigners to work in Egypt.

• Availability The annual Statistical Yearbook of the Arab Republic of Egypt produced by CAPMAS includes detailed tourism statistics, but only estimates of the numbers of Egyptians

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living abroad by country of residence. CAPMAS publishes a statistical bulletin on foreigners working in Egypt. The latest issue, published in June 2008, includes tables on foreigners working in Egypt by nationality, education, speciality, length of contract and work permit. The latest issues of the annual bulletin on permanent Egyptian emigrants and of the annual bulletin on temporary migration of Egyptians abroad were published in May 2008 and August 2008 respectively. The bulletin on the Egyptian labour market is published quarterly by the Ministry of Manpower and Migration (MOMM) in collaboration with CAPMAS and the IDSC, in both hard copy and CD-ROM format. It includes statistics and estimates on the labour force and unemployed, state employees, work contracts negotiated by the MOMM for Egyptians to work abroad, work permits issued to foreigners working in Egypt, the demand for labour and small enterprises funded by the Social Fund for Development.

Synergies Stronger synergies with the tourism sector could be important in order to capitalise further on the data available from border cards. CAPMAS requests the European Commission and other potential donors to provide technical and financial support for design and implementation of the Egyptian International Migration Survey (EIMS), possibly under a regionally coordinated survey programme for the MED countries. A new initiative by ESCWA on development of migration statistics at regional level should be launched soon.

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Israel CSSR of August 2010

3. Registers Main registers Population register: The Population Administration Office of the Ministry of the Interior manages the Population Register. New immigrants, potential immigrants, and immigrating citizens receive an ID number and are registered in the population register immediately after arrival. This register also includes persons without Israeli citizenship but with permanent residence status. Non-nationals staying over six months for specific purposes (study, temporary work, etc.) are considered to be temporary residents and are not included in the population register. […] Specific registers for MEDSTAT III sectors: Separate registers are held by the Border Control Police (border control file) with entry/exit data for all travellers (passport data). Persons of Israeli or Jewish origin also have to register with the Border Control Offices of the Ministry of the Interior on the basis of a previously obtained immigration visa. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs manages a register of entry visas and residence permits for specific categories of persons. The Ministry of Immigration Absorption registers new immigrants, immigrating citizens and returning emigrants. Registration is based on family units and includes complementary details on level of education or previous occupation. The Workers Bureau manages a register of granted work permits (except for the construction sector). This register does not cover all foreign workers in Israel, since work permits for some categories are administered directly by the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

8 Migration

Legal framework Sections 7(1) (population and housing), 7(2) (entry into and exit from Israel) and 7(3) (demography and health) empower the ICBS to collect statistics relating to migration.

Following the creation of the state of Israel there was a strong interest in Jewish migration, which led to the introduction of two basic laws, i.e. • the Law of Return (1950), which facilitates entry and gives wide immigration rights,

including citizenship (automatically granted upon entry), to every Jew, any person born of a Jewish parent as well as their family members who intend to settle in the country;

• the Law of Entry (1952, amended in 1996), which regulates the entry of nationals and non-nationals, the issuance of visas, residence permits and the acquisition of citizenship.

Due to the scale of Jewish immigration, these laws represent most of the legal framework for the migration sector. Among other laws, a series of provisions ending with a law of 1965 concerns Population Registration, while the Foreign Workers Law (1991, amended in 1995) regulates the employment of foreign workers. Non-Jewish labour migration is basically considered to be temporary and therefore subject to some restriction (status and rights). Massive inflows were mostly registered in the last 20 years (especially in the 1990's),, including Jews from the former Soviet Union (over 1,220,000 immigrants, including about 656 000 in 1990-1996) and, to a minor extent, from Ethiopia and other countries. The most recent flows have involved non-Jewish legal and illegal migrants too, the latter mostly people who enter Israel as tourists or as legal working immigrants and overstay their permit. 45 categories of persons have been identified by the Ministry of the Interior. As there is no formal migration policy except for Jews, permission is mostly by individual decision of the Ministry of the Interior. Some new legislation has been approved in recent years following appeals to the supreme court, such as in the case of children born in Israel to parents who are illegal migrants.

Main actors The following authorities are relevant actors:

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• the Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics (ICBS);

• the Border Control Police, for registration at border crossings;

• the Airports Authority, even if its tasks are mostly administrative (management of airport premises, regulation of flights, etc.);

• the Population, Migration and Border Control Authority (the Ministry of the Interior), for registration of entry/exit for Israeli nationals and persons with residence status (Border Control Office), for registration in the Population Register (Population Administration Office) and for the granting of visas, residence permits and work permits to specific categories;

• the Foreign Workers Bureau (the so-called ‘Migration Authority’, actually under the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Employment), for most foreign workers, Lately became an independent authority; Since October 2008 the functions and the unit moved to the Population, Migration and Border Control Authority

• the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, for entry visas and residence permits for specific categories of persons;

The ICBS units dealing with migration are its Migration Division (for migration flows) and Population Estimates Division (for stocks), both operating under the responsibility of the Demography Sector (Demography, Census and Geography Department).

The Demography Sector also includes two divisions dealing with population issues, methodology and population projections and all matters concerning households, fertility and marriage rates.

The ICBS staff dealing with migration was restructured in 2005. Today, it is composed of three experts, who have responsibility for immigration statistics and establishing stocks from the census, emigration statistics and statistics on the movements of foreign workers. These three experts each have a Master’s degree, including qualifications in statistics and demography. They have good technological skills acquired during their academic studies and also benefit regularly from in-house training and direct support from the computer department. In 2000, all migration-related databases were transferred from the mainframe to PC applications.

Demand

National The demand for statistics on international migration is driven by the follow-up and planning needs of different political and administrative organisations such as: the Prime Minister’s Office, the Ministry of Immigration Absorption, academic institutes, the Jewish Agency (non-governmental organisation responsible for Jewish immigration), the Ministry of the Interior, the Knesset (Israeli Parliament).

There is continuous dialogue between the ICBS and various organisations on specific data requests to support discussion, such as by an ad hoc parliament committee on the differences between ICBS and Ministry of the Interior figures on foreign workers (the Committee’s conclusions were that differences are due to different definitions and different coverage — workers from some countries such as Jordan are differently treated).

Some official data producers simultaneously use data produced by the ICBS and their own data. The two data sets are not necessarily compatible.

Other No special demand.

Supply

Norms and methodologies

Border Registration

The use of paper border cards by Israeli citizens was abolished in 1993. For tourists border control cards have not been recorded since 2000. Instead, passport data are used for registration and for entry/exit data.

The Border Control Police introduced a new system in January 2008. This system includes optical technology and a biometric recognition system. It automatically or manually links an exit record with the corresponding entry record, which is used, not without difficulty, by the ICBS in producing statistics.

Registration of Immigrants

Following border control registration, persons of Israeli/Jewish origin immediately have to

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register with the Border Control Offices of the Ministry of the Interior on the basis of the immigration visa previously obtained. At this level, the distinction is mostly between the following categories:

• Immigrants eligible under the law of return (new immigrants, ‘olim’) are granted Israeli citizenship upon crossing the border at special offices of the Ministry of the Interior.

• ‘Potential immigrants’ persons eligible to immigrate under the law of return and who want to explore the possibility of immigration to Israel are granted the special status of ‘potential immigrants’ and 3-year residency status. These immigrants have to change their status to ‘new immigrant’ within three years or to leave the country. At present, however, this migrant status hardly exists in practice (it mostly concern persons arriving alone).

• ‘Tourists who have changed status’: immigrants entering under the law of entry (as tourists) are granted residency status after verification of their eligibility under the law of return.

Israeli citizens and their offspring

- ‘Return emigrants’: Israelis re-entering to settle again in Israel (after staying at least 3 months) after an absence of more than one year;

- ‘Immigrating citizens’: the offspring of Israeli citizens who were born abroad and have come to stay in Israel.

Immediately upon arrival, at border posts, new immigrants, potential immigrants and immigrating citizens receive an ID number and are registered in the Population Register (if they are not yet registered in the case of immigrating citizens).

The Population Register, under the Population Authority, is a centralised system directly updated by regional registration offices or border posts. The Register allows family members to be linked through ID numbers and addresses. Changes in the Register due to vital events or migration are used to update the population estimates based on the last population census. Currently, the Register includes persons who are living permanently abroad and might no longer be alive; the over-count is estimated to be in the order of 11-13 %. The Population Register also covers persons without Israeli citizenship with permanent residence status such as the Palestinians in Jerusalem and those holding no passports but ‘Travel Documents’ granted by the Israeli authorities.

Other persons without Israeli citizenship or origin, labour migrants or immigrants for family reunification are generally considered as visitors or temporary residents.

Temporary residents are considered to be non-nationals who enter Israel for a stay of over six months for the purpose of temporary work, study or other reasons.

After registration at border posts they are entered in the separate registration system for visas, residence permits and work permits. They are not included in the Population Register.

Registration of Israeli immigrants at the Ministry of Immigration Absorption

‘New immigrants’ and ‘Immigrating Citizens’ also register at the Ministry of Immigration Absorption, the authority in charge of supporting immigrants during the first years of settlement in Israel with various subsidies and support for housing, education, language courses, employment, etc. Registration is based on family units and may supplement previous registrations with details such as the level of education or occupation abroad (before immigration). In fact, the Register available at that Ministry is a supplementary source of data for ICBS for more specific statistics and studies (see below).

Registration of Foreign Workers

In Israel, employers generally have to apply for permits for foreign workers. The issuance of such permits by the Foreign Workers Bureau is subject to annual decisions by the Government for each broad category of economic industry (i.e. home care, agriculture, construction, industry and hotels/restaurants as well as high-skilled workers in specific occupations). Once permission is granted, employers go to the Ministry of the Interior with the names of the foreigners they intend to hire and apply for visas for them. Visas normally last one year but may be renewed. The Foreign Workers Bureau undertakes inspections in the field. Each year, it also tries to record the foreign workers already in the country.

The Foreign Workers Bureau may provide data on permits granted (not on actual workers), except for workers in construction. In any case, the registers do not cover all foreign workers in Israel, as work permits for some (small) categories are administered directly by the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Population Census and Other Surveys

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In Israel there is no legal requirement for regularly conducting population censuses. . Last census was conducted in 2008 The ICBS has moved from a ’traditional’ to an ’integrated’ census, with enumeration of only a 20 % sample of the country’s area. In fact, several limitations in the system, such as the lack of addresses for foreigners, do not allow the ICBS to simply use the Population Register. The fieldwork enables it to check and to integrate what may be available at administrative level and from the Population Register and other sources. National estimates are made once estimates of demographic and socio-economic characteristics are established, based on the sample enumeration for geographical areas. The enumeration includes foreigners living in households. As all other foreigners are registered at local level, there is no way to extend the estimates from the sampled areas to national level. Therefore, the partial results for foreigners will be analysed but will not be used in the count. Finally, the census is not the only data source due to the availability of statistics based on administrative sources.

In the Labour Force Survey, data on foreign workers are collected only for those living within Israeli households, but are not used for publication due to the small sample size. The last migration survey in Israel was conducted by the ICBS in 1996 with the main aim of analysing flows from the former Soviet Union. A border survey on departures to collect information on country of destination and reason for departure was conducted until 2002, when it was stopped by the Police Authority because of privacy concerns. These concerns also do not allow the implementation of another survey collecting information on travel via mail. Immigrant survey will be held in October 2010 – May 2011. It will include immigrants who immigrated in the years 1990-2006. It will focus on "social and economic integration in the Israeli society".

Main sources The production of annual immigration statistics for Israel is based on data collected each month from the Population Register. Israeli immigration is tabulated according to different combinations of variables, including the following categories of migrants: • immigrants; • potential immigrants; • tourists who have changed their status to immigrants; • tourists who have changed their status to potential immigrants; • potential immigrants who have changed their status to immigrants; • immigrating citizens.

Following requests from users, data on persons belonging to the two last categories above are counted and published separately (cf. Statistical Abstract of Israel 2005, Table 4.3). Apart from this exclusion from the count of total immigrants, these statistics conform with the international recommendations.

Different sources may be used for non-nationals, but as permits are granted by different administrations and as there are some gaps in the registration of change of status (e.g. change of permit or change of employment), the ICBS needs to use specific solutions including a statistical model for foreign workers.

The incomplete deregistration of people living for long periods abroad from the Population Register and other limitations for non-nationals make it difficult to produce emigration statistics. The ICBS therefore uses the border records, waiting until the availability of data for the first quarter of year t+2 in order to produce statistics for the year t. Under the methodology used, new emigrants are those who leave for at least one year, while returning residents are those who have spent at least one year abroad before coming back to Israel.

ICBS receives data on arrivals and departures separately and links them, not without difficulty given that different documents may be used at border crossings (for instance by persons with multiple citizenship and passports — cases of travellers entering the country several times without leaving over the same period are reported). Other limitations are due to the lack of registration of change of status (e.g. family reunification is counted only for those taking up Israeli citizenship). However, further improvements and changes are being implemented. Among other things, ICBS should soon have cheaper access to administrative data generally managed by outside contractors on behalf of ministries.

Considering the overall system for the production of statistics as it is now, the main weaknesses may be attributed to the following reasons: • errors at registration level; • use of different documents at border crossings; • different coverage of different sources; • lack of updating of changes in the status of migrants; • lack of information on the location of non-nationals within the country (which is the

reason for their exclusion from the population estimates);

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• the high cost for the ICBS to obtain different data sets.

However, apart from the current solutions and the forthcoming improvements, the ICBS is looking for further files available at administrative level, normally used for internal purposes only. The linkage of all possible data would significantly improve the quality of current statistical production.

Outputs The ICBS produces a huge number of migration tables and reports. All publications are usually presented on the website.

Migration data are also published on quite a few international organizations websites.

Apart from the ICBS, other national administrations and agencies present migration statistics in their works and publications, such as the reports on the absorption process by the Ministry of Immigration Absorption.

Availability Mostly, migration tables are presented regularly in the annual Statistical Abstract of Israel, issued in September each year, and in the Monthly Statistical Bulletin(1). Periodical statistical production feeds publications on general issues, population sub-groups or specific topics, such as Immigration to Israel 2000-2001(2), Ethiopian population in Israel, Demographic characteristics 1996-1999, and several works on Jewish immigration from the former Soviet Union.

Plans for improvement

The ICBS plans to link the database on flows and the database on vital statistics under the same platform.

Following participation in the MEDSTAT II Study Visit to the Netherlands and Finland, the ICBS has started to consider bringing the Israeli system into line with international requirements for migration statistics. The adoption of a ‘Dual Record System’ aiming to satisfy both national needs and international standards is currently envisaged.

1 Available at www.cbs.gov.il. 2 A new version of this publication covering the years 2000-2003 is forthcoming.

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Jordan CSSR of November 2008

3. Registers Main Registers Population register: A vital registration system is in place. The Civil Status and Passports Department manages the population register, It issues the “ National ID number “ which exists for all Jordanian citizens, It contains records of births and deaths in Jordan, Civil Status and Passports Department supplies births and deaths data, the data updates continuously. The Residence and Border Department (part of the Public Security Directorate, operating under the umbrella of the Ministry of Interior) deals with all operations related to border control, such as entry Visas, Temporary Visas ...ect. The Ministry of Higher Education has registers for all non-Jordanian students in Jordanian Universities, and for Jordanian students studies abroad. The Ministry of Labor issued a work permits for legal non-Jordanian workers. […] Specific Registers The Residence and Border Department - part of the Public Security Directorate (police structure operating under the umbrella of the Ministry of Interior) is in charge of and manages administrative registers related to: (i) all operations related to border control, (ii) entry/temporary visas, and (iii) the applications for residence permits.

Border cards and border registration - Border cards were recently abolished in Jordan, and replaced by an efficient centralised system for border control (picture and finger printing of travellers entering the country), managed by the Residence and Border Department. The border passages are directly registered in a central database in Amman. The database also integrates the results of the registration of foreigners. A set of terminals are spread all over the country (at border points, main headquarters and governorates’ headquarters and at police stations) and linked to the central database with accessibility according to the authority given to each user.

Visas – A system of visa is in place, which excludes nationals of Egypt and Syria living in Jordan. Foreigners are split in two main categories depending from their country of citizenship (List A = Arab countries, EU countries, USA, Canada and other countries with facilitated provisions; List B = other countries).

Residence Permits – A centralised application for residence permits is in place, managed by the Residence and Border Department. It covers all foreigners, except from Egypt and Syria and it is not used at present for statistical purposes. Permit data are not tabulated regularly but are already made available outside the Department upon request.

Work permits – A system is in place, covering all categories of foreign workers, under the responsibility of the Ministry of Labour.

8. Migration Legal framework

The legal framework for migration in Jordan is mostly contained in the Law on Residence and Foreigners’ Affaires (law 24/1973), which stipulates the conditions for foreigners for entering and staying in the Country(3). In addition, a number of bilateral agreements are in force, including the Memorandum of Understanding with the UNHCR (which excludes the cases of Palestinians, under the responsibility of UNRWA(4)) and another one with UNIFEM(5) for the amendment of the labour law to cover the emerging category of foreign domestic workers.

3 Further description of this law and other legislation-related aspects may be found in the ‘Jordan: the legal dimension of international migration’, a contribution prepared by Prof. Mohamed Y. Olwan for the Mediterranean Migration Report 2005 edited by CARIM - Euro-Mediterranean Consortium for Applied Research on International Migration. 4 United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in Near East.

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Main actors There is no established statistical system on migration in Jordan. The Directorate of Population and Social statistics, which is composed of three divisions (population, social and gender statistics) and 12 staff members, directly undertakes statistical work on its different sub-sectors. On the administrative level, the national authorities mostly involved in the Sector are the following: • the Residence and Border Department, part of the Public Security

Directorate (the police structure operating under the umbrella of the Ministry of Interior). This authority deals with all operations related to border control, entry visas and temporary visas for selected categories of non-nationals, and the administration of the applications for residence permits;

• the Nationality Department, directly under the Ministry of Interior, has the responsibility for entry in Jordan and the extension of temporary residence for other categories of non-nationals as well as the decision to grant every residence permission;

• the Ministry of Labour, responsible for work permits. The relevance of other authorities such as the Ministry of Education may be marginal, although they have some migration data.

Demand • National Given a certain lack of sources, migration statistics requests to the DoS are limited.

However, there is a large interest to get accurate information on foreign population in Jordan as well as on Jordanians abroad. Statistics on international migration flows regularly available on a yearly basis would also be directly useful to the DoS in its computation of the annual population estimates. Other related topics of increasing interest are internal migration.

Supply • Norms and

methodologies The concept of migrants used by National Authorities is not commonly shared by statisticians and researchers.

• Main sources BORDER REGISTRATION Under Medstat I, only at a later stage did Jordan become a pilot country for the adaptation of border cards. As of today, border cards have been abolished everywhere and the registration of border crossing points operated by the Residence and Border Department feeds into a centralised system. Palestinians refugees may cross the border thank to temporary passports or travel documents. Given its position and the emergencies interesting the region, the country also knows a transit migration and illegal movements, mostly recognised refugees or other persons from Iraq. For the past, data on arrivals and departures suffer several deficiencies: as a result, the difference between total numbers of arrivals and departures over a 10 year period stand up to the high level of 2 million. Arrival and departure data by citizenship, month, border post and means of transportation are regularly provided each month from the Residence and Border Department to the DoS, the Ministry of Tourism and other authorities concerned with border crossing. The DoS publishes the corresponding tables in the Statistical Yearbook. ENTRY VISAS AND RESIDENCE PERMITS Nationals of Egypt and Syria living in Jordan are not submitted to any visa or residence permit requirement. However they need permission to work. The residence permits are administrated by the Residence and Border Department. However, the decisions on the issuance of permissions are always taken by the Ministry of Interior. In the case of workers, residence permits are granted only after the issuance of the work permit. Simultaneously to the granting of permits, the Residence and Border Department also deliver a residence card. The register of residence permits held by the Residence and Border Department includes all non-nationals except Egyptians, Syrians and Palestinian refugees. The

5 United Nations Development Fund for Women.

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system is centralised and may conveniently provide all kind of extraction possibilities. Permit data are not tabulated regularly but are already made available outside the Department upon request. WORK PERMITS Even if Jordan doesn’t apply visa requirements to Egyptians and Syrians, they have to obtain a work permit. However, the unregistered residence for non-working purposes leads to the fact that many of them who entered the country as visitors may start working without asking the permission to do so. Falling under the same work permit system are all the categories of foreign workers, including the many domestic workers who may be hired only by employers through private employment agencies authorized by the Ministry of Labour. The Ministry of Labour processes and publishes statistics on work permits according to different demographic and socio-economic characteristics (including the salary level) and by status. Data are also available by month or governorate. OTHER SOURCES Among other non statistical authorities, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Higher Education gathers statistics on non-Jordanian students. Other data on labour migration may be available from the social security sector, depending on the categories of workers. Finally, the Central Bank of Jordan may provide some migration-related data concerning the migrants’ remittances (to and from Jordan), their wages or other topics. Among alternative and partial sources for migration data, the compulsory housing-unit rent and business-deals registration could also be considered as a possible way to improve the annual statistics.

POPULATION CENSUS The DoS produces migration statistics mainly at the time of the decennial population census. The last population and housing census was conducted in October 2004. The 2004 Census was based on the de facto and de iure methods and asked questions concerning the place of the mother’s usual residence at the time of birth, place of current usual residence, duration of stay in Jordan (with 6 months as a threshold to define the usual residence) and country of citizenship. The Census also tried to count the Jordanians abroad or, better, those who still have household members in the country. SURVEYS Two household surveys, i.e. the Employment Survey (covering establishments with five or more employees) and the Employment and Unemployment Survey are regularly carried out by the DoS, on an annual and quarterly basis respectively. These surveys provide limited information on non-national workers. A tourism survey which has been carried out jointly with the Ministry of Tourism, the Central Bank and the Tourism Authority Abroad has not been considered for the purposes of measuring international migration, mostly in order not to enlarge the sample or the questionnaires. The survey, based on two separate forms for arrivals and departures, mostly addresses the topics of tourism expenditures, means of transportation and reasons for visiting Jordan or a foreign country. The frequency of the survey is episodic (it is expected to be undertaken every 5 years).

• Outputs Following the DoS’ policy, the Population and Social Statistics Directorate publishes statistics through hard copies and soft format publications as well as on the DoS Internet website.

• Plans for improvement

Several projects on migration focused capacity building have just started or have been recently defined. These projects directly involve the Ministry of Interior, the Public Security Directorate, the Ministry of Labour and other ministries. The Residence and Border Department intends to further develop its border control system. International experts working under MEDSTAT II and direct support from ISTAT-Italy strongly recommended the establishment of a regular exchange of administrative data and its provision in the way of individual records, what would probably encompass new relationship between DoS and its partner institutions. The DoS benefited from the 2004 Census for the purpose of analysing migration. Therefore, after the main publication at the national, besides the production of

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publications at level of governorates, the Department prepared some working papers on several topics including migration. Directly concerning migration, an important survey was conducted in 1987. Since a few years the DoS is considering the organisation of a qualitative survey focusing especially on internal migration, a topic of high concern mostly linked to the population movement from some areas to other areas.

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Lebanon CSSR of July 2010 3. Registers Administrative registers

Automation and networking of the main administrative registers is a key component of the Lebanon National e-Strategy, formalised in 2003 in a project co-sponsored by the OMSAR and UNDP6. Based on the available information, gathered during the MEDSTAT II fact-finding mission or found on the Internet, the following administrative registers exist in Lebanon:

Main registers […] Specific registers Separate administrative registers are kept in the Directorate-General for General Security (DGGS) of the Ministry of the Interior for passports, entry/exit, visas and residence permits. Migration of all these registers to a new Oracle platform has already been completed in DGGS. An electronic work permits system is in place under the responsibility of the Ministry of Employment. Work permits are linked with residence permits only at paper level. At present, the level of computerisation is not fully consistent with use of the data for statistical purposes. The Ministry of Tourism manages collective tourist accommodation registers, with information on the various kinds of lodging facilities. Statistical registers

As mentioned earlier, a census of buildings, dwellings and establishments was carried out in 2004-05 and business surveys have been conducted regularly in recent years (13 000 units, from the internal commerce, construction, financial, industry, services, transport and insurance sectors). Further information is needed to ascertain use of these sources for establishing statistical registers at the CAS. 8. Migration Legal framework The main legal basis for statistics on the migration sector is the Law of 10 July 1962

governing the residence of foreigners in Lebanon.

Main actors The CAS has no department directly working on migration. Consequently, the Department for Household and Social Statistics is responsible.

As there is not yet a statistical system for this sector, the Directorate-General for General Security (DGGS) in the Ministry of the Interior is associated with the CAS as the authority responsible for administrative border crossing registration and other types of registrations such as visa delivery, residence permits, etc.

Further, the Ministry of Employment, with its departments responsible for work permits, is the third player.

The Directorate for Lebanese abroad under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has shown interest in participating in the project.

Demand

National There is strong interest in measuring the intensive Lebanese emigration as a result of the fact that at least as many Lebanese live abroad as in Lebanon. This concern has been strongly voiced at several levels in the country, such as the discussion recently held in parliament on extending voting rights to nationals living abroad. Significant and increasing interest is being shown in immigration by non-nationals, whose numbers are high.

Due to the limited coverage of these topics, the CAS is ready and willing to start

6 For further information see: www.e-gateway.gov.lb/EN/Main/index.asp? This site does not provide updated information on the state of implementation of the strategy.

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production and publication of migration statistics, although sound results are not firmly guaranteed. Several other issues related to international migration, such as the internal movements and immigration, are of interest.

Other In addition to the EU, ESCWA has shown interest in migration statistics at regional level by organising one experts’ meeting in 2005, but there have been no further activities so far. New coordination schemes are scheduled to start from 2009 on, although this will depend on availability of funds.

Supply

Norms and methodologies

The CAS mostly works with self-developed programs for data entry and data cleaning, SPSS for first tabulation and then simple tools for publishing. The dissemination policy mostly relies on electronic products to be made available on the website, electronic copies available for free at CAS new website http://www.cas.gov.lb. Taking the Living Conditions survey for 2007 as an example, tables were published on the Internet in Arabic and English, and the final report and methodological material in Arabic. In addition to electronic publications, the CAS has made the yearly statistical book and survey results final reports available in hard copy, they are also available in hard copies.

Main sources and outputs

ADMINISTRATIVE SYSTEMS IN THE MINISTRY OF THE INTERIOR A visa is required in order to enter Lebanon. Nationals of a number of countries may obtain a visa free of charge at the border. The visa is normally issued for one month and may be renewed. Since November 2003, optical character recognition (OCR) has been adopted for reading new Lebanese passports. Separate entry/exit cards are in use for non-nationals. They were amended under MED-Migr I and mention the purpose of the stay with six categories for arrivals (business, study, hospitalisation, private reason, tourism and staying) and five for departures (business, study, hospitalisation, tourism and immigration). Concerning registration of the administrative procedures and events, for the moment the whole system is split into separate registers/databases for passports, movements, visas and residence permits. Concerning border crossings, data on nationals holding new passports are automatically registered and collected at the border points; for nationals holding old passports data are registered manually at the borders. For non-nationals data are collected at the borders on border cards (one form for entry and another for exit) which are then transferred within 24 hours to headquarters in Beirut, where the data are typed in and stored. In all cases the data are stored in the electronic database at headquarters in Beirut. The wide use of different documents by persons crossing the borders may lead to some limits in correct identification of cases for statistical purposes, e.g. persons with dual nationality and therefore more than one passport. The same concentration of material and data entry at headquarters is also seen for other kinds of registration. Transmission of further data, such as on guests registered in hotels, supplements the sources available at DGGS in the Ministry of the Interior. DGGS is converting the administrative registers to a new platform in Oracle. Ultimately, the system will allow linking of all kinds of procedures and will show the whole chain of movements of any individual. Senior representatives of DGGS reported no limits on providing further data to outsiders for statistical purposes. WORK PERMIT SYSTEM Admission into the country for work is subject to a work permit issued after a prior arrangement has been made with the employer. Work permits have a duration of one or two years, but may be renewed. For Syrians and Palestinians, the procedure is facilitated (such as lower fees). The linkage with the residence permits is established only at the level of paper documentation, as the residence permit is issued only after the work permit has been granted. Electronic registration of permit data stopped for few years but restarted in 2008. It is possible to distinguish between permits issued and permits valid on a given date. The procedure allows some break between the date of expiry and date of renewal of a permit. Tables are still prepared manually. Moreover, the classification of professions is not standardised and remains unclear, as the labels correspond to those provided by the employers following the slight adaptation at data entry level. Finally, the level of computerisation and other conditions are not too helpful yet. In any case, the ministry is ready to cooperate further, by improving data and providing further details. As a first step, the ministry is going to evaluate the possibility of introducing the classification of professions suggested by the CAS.

STATISTICAL SOURCES

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For household and population statistics, the CAS mostly conducts sample surveys. As the population census has not been carried out since 1932, these surveys are the main sources for population estimates and indicators.

To follow up a survey conducted in 1997, a new living conditions and households budget survey was conducted during 2004 in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Affairs and with the support of the UNDP and technical assistance from the INSEE on the methodology. 13 000 of the 15 000 households sampled answered the questionnaire. The CAS allocated most of the costs to the regular budget for studies. The questionnaire for the survey consisted of three parts (living conditions, expenditure over each quarter and current expenditure over the last 14 days). The following variables were collected for each member of households: name, relationship with the reference person, sex, age, place of residence, citizenship and second citizenship (for Lebanese respondents). Persons were included in the count only if they had been staying within the household for at least six months. Persons there for less than six months (e.g. persons usually resident in a collective household) were considered temporary residents. No questions were asked on past presence in the household. There was also a question on the number of members of the household abroad and on their year of departure (three categories: before 1994, 1994-2002 and from 2003 on). However, there was no way of reporting different years if more than one person left for abroad. One major limitation of the methodology was that there was no way to include whole families that had moved abroad. This survey results are available at CAS website at : http://www.cas.gov.lb/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=108&Itemid=2. Also, a family health survey was conducted in 2004-2005 in the Pan-Arabic Programme for Family Health (PAPFAM) based on the common questionnaire established for most of the nine Arab countries participating in the programme. The survey was made up of four modules and separate questionnaires covering the general and demographic level, reproductive health, elderly population and young population, the latter conducted in 2005. Only the young population were asked questions on their intention to emigrate and the reasons for this (four categories: work, marriage, better life, others).The final report and the results of the survey have already been published. In 2004 the CAS also conducted a census of buildings, dwellings and establishments. This survey results are available at CAS website at : http://www.cas.gov.lb/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=108&Itemid=2 In 2007, CAS conducted a Living Conditions Survey in partnership with the Ministry of Social affairs the ILO and UNDP, results are published at CAS website at http://www.cas.gov.lb/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=108&Itemid=2 . The survey covered demographic, education; labour force and other housing characteristics of household after the 2006 war. The CAS finalized the MICS 3 multiple indicators cluster survey (MICS 2 was conducted in 2000) in collaboration with UNICEF. A migration module from outside MICS standard questionnaires, mainly prepared with assistance from MEDSTAT II, was run within this survey in spring 2009. This operation is expected to test the methodology provided by MEDSTAT II expert and to provide relevant indicators on emigrants since 2004. Survey results will be available soon. CURRENT STATISTICS Current statistical production and publication is limited to arrivals and departures by month, country of citizenship and sex calculated from the border crossing and border cards data received from DGGS. These statistics (part of the CAS Statistical Bulletin in the past and now available on the website) are of limited relevance, because there is no distinction between categories of persons. In addition, the CAS regularly publishes tables on the number of work permits issued by month and citizenship or by month and profession, based on tables made available by the Ministry of Employment. Further information can be made available by the two ministries. The mission found wider publication of data from the administrative level in statistical publications from the early seventies (see annexes). Further statistics CAS and DGSG will meet together after the TF in order to check the feasibility on making more data available with regard to immigrants in Lebanon according to some

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characteristics.

Availability

Data tables are transmitted from the ministries to the CAS on disks. Depending on the changes to be made to the data to be transmitted, different and protected means should be introduced.

Plans for improvement

A broad recruitment drive was planned by the first half of 2007. The social statistics department has now 8 permanent interviewers

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Morocco CSSR of May 2009 3. Registers […] Specific Registers

Consular Registration The Office of Consular and Social Affairs (OCSA) recently renovated the system of consular registration.

Registration of Residency Permits: The Directorate General of National Security (DGNS) of the Ministry of the Interior furnished new data in 2007 that will be useful for the field of international migration statistics. 8. Migration

Legal framework The Law of 2003 governs in a unified manner the entry and stay of foreigners in Morocco. Previously, the legal conditions concerning this were spread throughout several legislative acts. This new law, which is a part of the framework of business reforms over the past years, provides the strategic axes in response to illegal migration and to various forms of human traffic. This law severely punishes, for the first time, illegal movements and their support. In the framework of this law, the operational structure of the Ministry of the Interior was strengthened by the creation of two new entities, the Office of Migration and Border Surveillance and the Observatory of Migration.

Other measures concerning foreigners in Morocco come from the new Labour Code of 2003(7) and other legal texts on mixed marriages, civil status, nationality, etc. Morocco signed with the member states of the European Union several accords for the readmission of immigrants and maintains close relationships with sub-Saharan countries.

Principal actors In Morocco, there is no formal statistical system in existence for neither international migrations, nor a statistical service/unit responsible for this sector. Migratory statistics are especially furnished in the population censuses. The entities concerned directly or indirectly by migration statistics are:

• The High Commissariat for Planning (HCP) and within it the Directorate of Statistics (DS);

• The Ministry of the Interior, with its Directorate General of National Security (GDNS), the Office of Migration and Border Surveillance, and the Observatory of Migration;

• The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, in particular with its Office of Consular and Social Affairs (OCSA);

• The Delegated Ministry Charged with the Moroccan Community Resident Abroad; • The Ministry of Employment and Professional Training; • The Ministry of National Education, Higher Learning, Executive Training, and

Scientific Research; • The Ministry of Tourism and Crafts; • The Centre for Demographic Studies and Research (CDSR); • The National Institute of Statistics and Applied Economics (NISAE); • The Hassan II Foundation for Moroccans Resident Abroad; • The Council of the Moroccan Community Abroad (CMCA); • The Maghreb Association for Study and Research on International Migration

(MASRIM).

Within the Directorate of Statistics (DS) of the HCP, the Population Census and Civil

7 Law No. 65.99.

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Status Division is the principal institution for migrations. The General Directorate of National Security (GDNS) records border crossings and issues residency permits. The Office of Migration and Border Surveillance is responsible for putting in place a national strategy in the fight against human traffic and for border checks. The Observatory of Migration associated with the above, puts together and communicates information required by other services. The Office of Consular and Social Affairs (OCSA) establishes statistics relating to migrations by moving abroad and possibly the return of immigrants. Other ministries are concerned, such as the Ministry of Employment and Professional Training by the recording of work permits, and the Ministry of Education for foreign students or students abroad.

Created near the end of 2007, the CMCA is charged with a consultative mission with His Majesty, serving as an observatory of analyses on emigration and its problems. This new institution contributes to the development of a national strategy of migration – global, multi-dimensional, and taking into consideration the developments and accelerated mutations associated with this phenomenon. A phase of reflection about initiating an information system on the migration phenomenon is currently in process: it is being carried out in collaboration with the departments concerned, in this case the HCP.

The CDSR is a research centre within the HCP. It is responsible for the preparation of demographic studies and population projections. Even though it depends on data produced by the DS, the CDSR can collect data directly through surveys. The NISAE is especially concerned with training, but its teachers occasionally participate in research on international migration. The Hassan II Foundation for Moroccan Residents Abroad also participates in studies and surveys on legal and illegal migrants. The MASRIM is an interdisciplinary association of researchers created ten years ago, and works on different topics related to migration through studies, work on the ground, and workshops. It provides support for international partnerships. Human Resources:

The Division of the Population Census and Civil Status is made up of five services, Civil Status, Demographic Surveys, Logistics, Carrying out and using the Census, and Analysis. The personnel of the Division number 75 people and are currently composed of 5 demographers, 9 statisticians, 2 analysts, 13 technicians, and 46 agents/editors/assistants. The majority of the personnel are still assigned to the exploitation of the population census of 2004.

On the side of administrative partners, the Office of Migration also includes a statistics team. The Division has very modern and developed facilities.

Demand for statistics

• National Demand for statistics from the Census Division comes from the ministries, universities, and research centres, especially the CDSR and the Observatory of the Living Conditions of the Population of the HCP. For migrations, the government services ask for statistics from the DS and use data collected by internal services. The Hassan II Foundation required the extension of the census of 2004 to three million Moroccans residing abroad. The representatives of the Foundation expressly highlighted the lack of harmonized sources and instruments to follow the flow of migrants.

Demand for data also comes from the private sector, media, and international institutions. Particularly for migrations, many requests remain without a response due to limited access to administrative data. The requests for data on foreigners made by the DS and the CDSR to the GDNS are rarely honoured; only the totals are furnished.

On the other hand, users have wide access to data produced by other countries. But differences exist between the sources, for example between the statistics of the Office of Consular and Social Affairs (OCSA) and those of the number of Moroccans accounted for in the countries of arrival.

Currently the HCP is interested in evaluating the impact of the transfer o the Moroccan community abroad on local development. The lack of precise and trustworthy statistics handicaps this project.

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Supply of statistics

• Norms and methodologies

Arrival/Departure Cards Morocco was a pilot country throughout the MEDSTAT I project for the adaptation of these cards and thus decided on two new cards – one for arrivals, one for departures – including detachable parts with statistical purposes. Outside of the format of the cards, the proposal of common operations with administrative and statistical aims was not accepted for logistical and budgetary reasons. This modality would have notably permitted a total computerization of statistical production. As a result, the DS, the GDNS, and the Ministry of Tourism and Crafts decided to prepare another proposal for an integrated card and the establishment of a committee to study the possibilities for their adoption. Meanwhile, since the end of MEDSTAT I there has not been any improvement, because of the lack of follow-up due to logistical and financial constraints posed by the operations of data recording and exploitation. The current cards have undergone slight changes in response to needs linked more to statistics on tourism.

Residency Permits

After entry into Morocco, eventually after obtaining a visa and/or a work contract, the establishment of foreign workers should be motivated by an economic activity or dependant status. According to the Law of 2003, registration cards are issued to foreigners who live in Morocco for a period greater than three months. There are three different cards according to purpose – visit, study, work – with the detailed mention of the activity of the holders. The period of validity of these cards, which varies from one to ten years, is renewable. Residency cards are given to foreigners residing uninterruptedly for 4 years. These cards do not have a fixed duration.

• Main sources Arrival/Departure Cards

Cards are filled out at the Moroccan borders by travellers regardless of country of citizenship, nationals included.

The work led by the CDSR on historic series of border crossings, have not otherwise been able to explain the positive migration balance. Over periods of several years, for short-duration stays, the exits should make up for the entries (the case of tourists) while for long stays, the exits should pass the entries, but Morocco is a country of net emigration. It is generally admitted that the use of different travel documents at border crossings (two different passports for people with dual nationality) can affect the validity of this source of data.

Residency Permits

Statistics on permits issued were furnished by the Directorate General of National Security (GDNS) only upon request and normally only in “total” terms. But from the year 2007 files relating to individual data on residency permits granted are put at the disposal of the Directorate of Statistics notably with some main variables. These files for the years 2005, 2006, and 2007 were already sent to the DS at the end of December 2007. A pilot exploitation was launched on these data following available recommendations, notably a manual established under MEDSTAT I.

Work Permits

New arrangements on foreign workers in Morocco were introduced in the new Labor Code of 2003 and its application decrees.

Illegal Migration

After the legislation of 2003, Morocco is carrying out border checks and the fight against illegal traffic with a monitoring system put in place by the new Office of Migration. The system is centralized in Rabat and fed by furnishers of local data, as well as by the GDNS. The system, which is based on standards applications shared between the entities involved and the verification of data by those available from other sources, furnishes a regular surveillance service, useful for the strategic orientation of border control. This limited access is supplemented by information destined for the media (press communiqués).

Consular Registration

The Office of Consular and Social Affairs (OCSA) recently reformed the system of

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consular registration. The application, now centralized, links the 42 consulates and the 82 diplomatic missions with a consular section. The new registrations and the changes (notably of personal status) registered in different locations, allow the elimination of double counting (registrations in the register of the consulate of the former country of residence), which should facilitate the electoral registers of Moroccan residents abroad during the legislative elections of 2007. This system was modernized for administrative reasons, but its statistical utility is evident.

Consular registration is produced on the basis of voluntary participation but the need for documents and/or services and the wish to keep a tie with the country allow Moroccans residing abroad to be rather well represented in this register. The recent evolution of the system permitting in the long term the elimination of multiple registrations should reduce the gaps with the statistics of numbers furnished by the country of arrival. Beyond the specifications and methodological changes in the OCSA system, differences persisting between the two sources should fall especially to dual citizenship and be only partially clarified(8).

The detailed statistics of the OCSA are furnished on request, according to the registration country at the moment; otherwise by age, sex, and profession.

Population Census

The Population and Housing Census (PHC) was carried out in September 2004, ten years after the previous one. The concept of habitual residence, set at a threshold of 6 months, was adopted. A different questionnaire was used for the nomadic population. The PHC-2004 was revamped by the introduction of new technologies, notably optical reading of questionnaires, rendered effective by the creation of a large Centre for Automated Document Reading (CADR) which permitted the reduction of the timeframe for exploitation and dissemination of the data. Three questions directly concerning migration, were asked in the PHC:

• The place of last residence, if in the country (with the indication of municipality) or abroad;

• Length of residence (in years); • The place of residence in July 1999;

Information was collected on the members of the household who emigrated during the 12 months preceding the census: name, date of departure, age, sex, civil status, type of economic activity, and principal profession.

The PHC found a population slightly lower than the one estimated in the projections.

Household Surveys

The DS of the HCP undertakes, from households, a permanent survey on employment and other surveys of a limited, sometimes regular nature, on other topics. Surveys on living conditions and on the consumption and expenditures of households are also led. For the fiscal year 2006-2007, surveys on household standards of living, and modules consisting of international migration and transfers were included. A demographic survey is also planned for 2009-2010. Following the example of the survey of repeated visits carried out in 1986-88, this operation will eventually allow estimation of internal and external migration flows and to establish a picture of the migrant population. Technical and logistical assistance/support from the MEDSTAT program would be desirable in this regard, for a better coverage of migrants, notably in transplanting a detailed module onto the parents resident abroad.

The CDSR recently produced statistics thanks to two surveys on Moroccan nationals resident abroad. The first in 2003 on return migration of Moroccans residing abroad (MRA), the second in 2005 on the socio-economic insertion of the MRA’s in the country of arrival. In 2000 NISAE also led a large survey on Moroccan migrants abroad9.

Other Statistics

Notably the Foreign Exchange Office on international remittances and transfers produces other statistics on migration.

8 According to the OCSA, Moroccans resident abroad numbered 3.1 million at the end of 2005 and 2.5 million in 2002. 9 Les Marocains résidents à l'étranger. Une enquête socio-économique, INSEA, Imprimerie El Maarif, El Jadida, 2000

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• Results The dissemination plan for the results of the 2004 Census is the following: in first place the legal population by different administrative municipalities, then the principal demographic and socio-economic characteristics, then a statistical supplement containing other results, including tables concerning international migrations. Some tables and publications have been disseminated through the Internet sites of the HCP (the DS, CADR…). The CADR site provides on-line an application allowing the generation of dynamic tables by location, geographic zone, and different levels: national, regional, provincial, or local(10). This site does not yet provide tables on migration. In the aim of promoting statistical products, the FNUAP supports the preparation and dissemination of certain census products in electronic format.

Concerning the use of administrative data, the DS is trying to improve, enlarge, and produce on an annual basis tables on international migration, notably in better exploiting the sources of consular registration data and those of the registry of residency permits.

The DS also edits “The Planning Notebooks,” an information and analysis magazine in which outside university scholars and researchers, who already offered, in relation to migration topics, results produced by other countries such as Spanish statistics on repression, participate(11). In accordance with the principle of increasing public access and also to reach a larger number of people, the statistics, bulletins, and studies are published on the HCP website.

Statistics on migration are organized and published outside Morocco, including on the CARIM website. Among different work and publications concerning migrations, we mention here some important projects of the European Commission on the study of the factors of attraction and repulsion of international migration in Morocco(12) and another project supported more recently on the development possibilities linked to emigration abroad(13).

• Availability of information

The data produced by the HCP (DS, CADR…) and the DACS are available on their respective websites.

Synergies During MEDSTAT II, the three Maghreb countries participated in a study visit on the French national system and the methods of carrying out migration statistics practiced. On the request of Spain, Morocco also participated with a Syrian delegation on a similar study visit on the Spanish system, also organized by MEDSTAT II.

The following synergies could be envisaged in the future • The Moroccan experience of exploiting data from residency permit registers

could be reproduced in Algeria and Tunisia. • An exchange of data could be established with France and Spain.

Internally, activities should be practical and shared on the widest level possible

The possibility of synergies with the Tourism sector concerning the border card has been excluded for the moment; the interests of the two sectors do not converge on the quantity of information to be collected through these cards.

Improvement plans

Some important personnel changes have taken place in light of the preparation and execution of the 2004 Census. With the decrease in activities linked to this census, the Division carried out in 2008 a redistribution of resources.

The existence or creation of an official statistics unit/entity, responsible for statistics on international migration, will allow better support for coordination and collaboration between different national actors. The above was recently relaunched by the organization of national committee meetings and of bilateral working groups.

The quality of work and publications on international migration seems to be able to be supported by more complete and more regular statistics. It is, however, necessary to

10 The respective sites are : www.hcp.ma, www.statistic-hcp.ma et www.clad.hcp.ma. 11 N. 2005, 3 12 Facteurs d’attraction et de répulsion à l’origine des flux migratoires internationaux. Rapport national – Le Maroc, Eurostat Working Papers Population et conditions sociales, 3/2000/E/n°6, Luxembourg, 2000 13 Le migrant Marocain en Italie comme agent de développement et d’innovation dans sa communauté d’origine, COOPI, AMERM, El Sur et Punto sud, 2004.

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strengthen through other means the institutions and collaboration with a view of obtaining better data collection and result validation instruments. This could be done in collaboration with the member states of the EU that welcome the bulk of the Moroccan community abroad.

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Occupied Palestinian territory (oPt) CSSR of September 2010, including some updating on the text below 3. Registers The Master Plan for occupied Palestinian territory Official Statistics recommends that official statistics should be based to the greatest possible extent on administrative records (central population register, central register of enterprises, central register of land and land use). The reported situation is as follows: The central registers are still at an early stage of development, with the exception of the population register, which is updated and maintained by the Ministry of Interior, and the establishments register, updated and maintained by PCBS. Other central registers such as the agricultural holdings register, the buildings register, the diseases register either do not exist or cannot be used for statistical purposes. It should be mentioned that data derived from secondary sources are not fully compliant with international standards and definitions. Therefore, a national effort was made by PCBS in coordination with other stakeholders to modify forms and procedures to comply with international standards, but still a lot has to be done. 8. Migration Legal framework

The General Statistical Law No 5 of 2000 specifies the areas of migration that should be covered in statistical activities.

Main actors

The main Palestinian producers are:

PCBS;

Ministry of the Interior.

Demand National

The main Palestinian users are:

Ministries;

Research institutions;

Universities.

Other

The main international users are:

International institutions;

NGOs.

Supply Norms and methodologies

The PCBS applies UN International standards, and privacy of Palestinian conditions.

Main sources

The main sources for migration statistics are the household surveys and population census. Household surveys: PCBS has conducted several household surveys, including migration questions, such as the 1995 Demographic Survey, the 2004 Health and Demographic Survey; and the 2006 Survey of the Impact of the Israeli Unilateral Measures on Palestinian Households.

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Population census: PCBS conducted two Censuses in 1997 and 2007, featuring the following questions relevant for migration: place of usual residence; where the mother of the individual reside at the time of the individual birth (place of birth), current and previous usual place of residence; duration of residence at current usual place of residence, and reason for changing previous place of residence. As far as administrative sources are concerned, due to Israeli security control over the borders, data from border registration are limited to a land border crossing only (Rafah), which is closed for the time being; these data are intermittent and in any case insufficiently detailed for the purposes of migration statistics (lack of variables useful for distinguishing residents and visitors, the time of arrival or departure and the reason for each movement). On the other hand, the population register containing data on the place of residence of individuals are not updated on a regular and urgent basis due to lack of legal provisions forcing citizens to register any change of residence. National Migration Survey 2010: The migration survey 2010 in the Palestinian Territory was the first by its nature that conducted by PCBS. Statistical Bureau has given the migration survey special interest, because of the urgent needs for migration data. It is worthily mentioned that this survey is the first in the Arab region. During the preparation stage, PCBS examined the standard migration questionnaire that was developed by MEDSTAT in cooperation with member states. In addition to that, PCBS conducted a national workshop to discuss with stakeholders and main beneficiaries the content of the proposed migration indicators. Survey's Questionnaires Household Questionnaire: the questionnaire includes detailed questions about the demographic, social, educational, and marital status characteristics of persons. In addition, this questionnaire includes questions on housing and emigrants. Emigrant's Questionnaire: this questionnaire included questions regarding short-term migration and citizenship of emigrants who are now 15 years old and above. In addition, there are sections on the background characteristics of emigrants, motives for emigration, emigrants' social relations abroad, the date on emigrant started to work abroad, the desire to return, impressions of emigrant's experience abroad, as well as emigrant's money transfers. Returned Emigrant's Questionnaire: this questionnaire includes questions regarding date of return for emigrants who came back since 1990 and were when returned 15 years or above, motivates for emigration, emigration networks, emigrant's social relations outside the Palestinian Territory, date of work, motivates behind return, perceptions about the experience of emigration, and the money transfers of returnees during the stay abroad, and when returned. Non-immigrant's Perception towards External Migration: this questionnaire includes questions about temporary and past emigration as well as the desire and motives to emigrate. One person within the age group (15-59) years was selected from each sampled household using KISH table. Sample and Frame Targeted Population The targeted population of the migration survey – 2010 includes all persons in the Palestinian Territory (West Bank and Gaza Strip). Sample Design The survey was based on stratified cluster targeted sample design using a two-stage method for the selection of surveyed households. Sampling Frame The sampling frame consists of enumeration areas that were used in the Population, Housing and Establishment Census 2007. Each enumeration area consists of inhabited housing units. The enumeration areas were used as Preliminary Sampling Units (PSUs). Sample Size The sample size of the migration survey was 15,050 household distributed as 9,900 household in the West Bank and 5,150 in the Gaza Strip.

Outputs and Availability

Statistical reports, press releases, public use files (PUF), papers, soft copies (CDs, Website).

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Synergies

There is a need for cooperation with the Ministry of Interior to collect data on arrivals and departures within the borders.

Plans for improvement

Cooperation to provide data on arrivals and departures within the borders;

Studies and surveys on characteristics of migrants and the determinants, orientation of external migration;

Building staff capacity to analyse international migration data.

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Syria CSSR of August 2009 3. Registers

The following administrative registration systems are utilised for statistical purposes: Main Registers Population register: a system of local Civil Registers is in place. It does not include foreign nationalities, and it is based on the place of registration, i.e. each person is registered regardless of his/her place of birth or place/country of residence. Separate local registers are used for the Palestinian refugees. […] Specific Registers Border cards and border registration: A system of border cards – revised under MED-Migr I – is in place. Cards are filled in by all non-nationals, i.e. Arabs and others. The system is in line with international standards for migration statistics, but at present data are entered only partially by the Department of Immigration and Passport (Ministry of Interior). Visas and Residence Permits: Visa and residence permits systems are in place, based on 15 local registers hold at headquarters in Damascus and in the 14 local branches of the Department of Immigration and Passport. The systems are computerised and registers are interrelated. Work for the technical linkage of the local registers with other systems managed by the Ministry of Interior is underway. The issuance of residence permits is linked to the work permits system. Work permits: A work permit system is in place, based on manual registration, under the responsibility of Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour.

8. Migration Legal framework The rules governing the entering, staying, leaving and other situations of persons in the

country is scattered in several legal acts starting from 1970. The presence of Palestinian refugees and some population flows from abroad characterises this set of acts. As a main issue for the Sector, the consideration of Arabs and other foreigners has been recently harmonised in the practise, as in the case of the border registration instruments developed under MEDSTAT I and the registration of residence permits. According to the existing regulation, the systems of entry/exit registration, extension of visas and deliverance of residence permits result centralised under a same directorate of the Ministry of Interior. The issuance of residence permits is linked to the work permits (the latter under the responsibility of Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour) but there are practical limitations between, in the order, a computerised system of interrelated registers and a system still based on manual registration.

Main actors CBS is responsible for the organization, conduction and elaboration of household surveys through its Population and Social Statistics Directorate. The department is composed with three directorates, as follows: - Central of Population and Economic Studies - Population Census and Social Statistics - Manpower and Labour Force Statistics The central service is supported by local offices that are established in each of the other 13 governorates (Mohafazat). The Department of Immigration and Passports (Ministry of Interior) is the main actor in the sector. The Department benefits of an efficient network. A first level of registration occurs at the border crossing and at the deliverance of residence and other permits. Data on migration are also registered at the level of the 24 border points and the 15 offices (headquarters in Damascus and offices in the governorates). Since 2002 all

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these offices have a direct access to their respective databases for consultation. After the important revision in the system of entry/exit border cards implemented in 2002 under MEDSTAT I, the Department is currently undertaking the upgrading of the passport system. The new system will consist in the adoption of optical reading technology for both personal data and visas issued by Syrian diplomatic missions abroad. Other potential actors for the Sector are the Ministry of the Social Affairs and Labour, the Department of Civil Registration (Ministry of Interior), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Tourism as well as the Ministry of Emigration recently created (2002).

Demand • National The demand for migration statistics in the Country is formally limited but exists, first of all

at level of administrations and for basic information. For instance, the Mission has identified that the effective number and composition of foreigner workers community in Syria today is a matter of concern for the same Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour. Statistics are supposed important for ministries that were not meet during the Mission, such as the Ministry of Emigration. The latter intends to reach the Syrians abroad – from permanent Syrian emigrants of 1920-1950 or later, a period characterised by intensive flows towards the Gulf countries and Libya especially during the seventies - in order to develop services to them involve them in the modernisation and development of the Country.

• Other Other countries and international organisations are the data users at international level. These same international data users play a significant role in favouring the development in the Sector.

Supply • Norms and

methodologies

• Main sources

CIVIL REGISTRATION Civil Registers are hold in about 220 local offices. The registration concerns only the nationals and is based on the place of registration, i.e. each person is registered regardless of his/her place of birth or place/country of residence(14). Therefore, these local registers still include Syrians who emigrated many years ago, even persons died abroad. Separate local registers are used for the Palestinian refugees living in most the governorate (however about 70% are in Damascus). BORDER CARDS AND BORDER REGISTRATION Syria was a pilot country for the adaptation of the border cards under MED-Migr I (Action B). The card used today (covering both the entry and the exit) is that significantly changed at that time in synergy with tourism, with the inclusion of the reason of entry/exit and the (intended) duration of stay. The card may be heavy for travellers but is fully compatible with the international recommendations for migration statistics and is filled in by all non-nationals, i.e. Arabs and others. Unfortunately data are partially entered by the Department of Immigration and Passport, although plans foresee an extension of the data entry to the two variables above by the end of 2006. As border cards are no applied for Syrians, the registration of their passage at border is done on the basis of passport - manually or through the optical reading technological which is currently being introduced in the border posts and in the main consular missions. However, the passport information does not comprise enough information for the purposes of migration. VISAS AND RESIDENCE PERMITS Visas are mostly delivered by consular missions abroad. Arabs can freely enter into the country and staying there for periods within 3 months; afterwards they can obtain a 3 month extension, before a residence permit. All other non-nationals need a visa according to the reason: if they are tourists, for instance, they may have three times a 2 month visa. Separately, the visa and residence permits systems are based on 15 local registers hold at headquarters in Damascus and each of the 14 branches in the governorates of Department of Immigration and Passport. Local systems may reciprocally read each other. Work for the linkage of those and the other systems administrated by the same authority is under way. WORK PERMITS Apart from Palestinian refugees, each foreigner working in Syria needs to have delivered a work permit. However, most the Syrians in the country until one year ago were working

14 As an example, a Syrian born in Aleppo may be registered there together with his/her children born in Damascus, where all the family lives since years. The principle corresponds to those adopted in other countries such as Greece or Lebanon.

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without any permission. Following the issuance of a work permit a residence permits is necessary. As already anticipated above, the system is based on manual registration and there are not yet plans for its computerisation. POPULATION CENSUS A last population census was conducted in 2004 having 15th of September as reference date and a two week data collection period. Concerning migration, respondents were asked about country of citizenship and the usual residence at time of the census and in the past, the latter representing an innovation compared with the previous exercise in 1994. Personal information (on sex, date of birth, education level, time, place and reason of departure) was also collected on members of the households who went abroad for more than six months in any time before the census. The count omitted the households which were entirely emigrated. OTHER HOUSEHOLD SURVEYS CBS performed with traditional capability household surveys which had however not relevance to measure international migration. Migration surveys were conducted in 1976-79 and in 1995.

• Outputs CIVIL REGISTRATION Statistics on Syrian population resulting from the Civil Registration are yearly published in the Statistical Abstract. Due to the different coverage and the emigration abroad, the figures significantly differ from census results. Figures on registered Palestinian refugees are also published in the same publication. BORDER CARDS AND BORDER REGISTRATION The traditional transfer of data to CBS allows the publication in the annual Statistical Abstract of statistics on arrivals and departures of non-nationals or nationals which have no relevance for migration either for tourism. With no distinction between the categories of travellers and lack of information on their intended duration of stay, statistics on migration flows for a given calendar year could be however compiled through the exploitation of entry/exit data for three consecutive years. Visas and Residence Permits The systems are not used for statistics. Population Census 2004 After the provision of preliminary results in 2005, the publication of detailed (analytical) results started at the beginning of 2006.

• Availability Population and social statistics are mostly published in the classical way, through hard copy publications, and provided free of charge. Computer programs mostly used at CBS are IMPS, CSPro and Excel, the latter normally used for preparation of tables for publication. Apart from the internal operations, the few data collection for the sector is based on a “gentlemen agreement” between CBS and the Department of Immigration and Passports. CBS is aiming to develop a permanent link with all the ministries cooperating and sending data. Complete and comprehensive publications about this sector is not available, but there are some information mentioned in the tourism sector regarding the number of arrivals and departures abroad.

Synergies Synergy with the Sector Tourism under MEDSTAT I for the adaptation of the border cards system was important and successful. The most complete and effective registration of border cards data and its transmission to CBS would mean a significant advantage for both sectors. Apart from that, for the Project’s purposes it is expected that CBS establishes some synergy with other national actors such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. CBS expresses its interest and availability to participate to regional and sub-regional activities. CBS expressed interest for the analysis of migration phenomena through regionally coordinated migration surveys based on model questionnaires to be prepared under MEDSTAT II.

Plans for improvement

The preparation of statistics on migration flows is mentioned as one of the objectives of the strategy for the development of statistical system in the period 2006-2010 elaborated by the CBS. - A committee has been composed to initiate a study on the Internal Migration in

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cooperation with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)

- A proposal has been submitted by the CBS Syria participants to the MEDSTAT II regional training on International Migration Statistics held in Lisbon in February 2008 to form a committee including all the interested sides and working on establishing a data base for the International Migration in Syria as both importing & exporting country for emigration.

- Some output tables concerned by migration data have been prepared. They amount up to 15 tables including a set of demographic, social and economic variables.

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Tunisia CSSR of April 2009 3. Registers Main registers […] Vital statistics: As of 2010, the NIS will no longer receive vital statistics information, but may extract information directly from the MADANIA computer system. […] Specific registers Work Permit: The DGEM has a register of work permits given to foreigners legally and regularly working in Tunisia. The information available is on gender, age, qualification, the employing company, the dates of entry and departure. 8. Migration Legal framework • The Act 68-7 of 8 March 1968 on the entry and stay of foreigners and the

decrees assuring its implementation.

• More recently, Act 2004-6, 3 February 2004 aimed primarily at combating illegal migration in transit from Tunisia has changed the standards for passports and documents, standards depending on a 1970s law. There is not really a law on immigration, for which everything is based on bilateral agreements with the countries of destination.

Actors The main actors involved in the statistics on migration are:

• The National Statistics Institute (NIS), including the Central Directorate of Social and Demographic Statistics;

• Ministry of the Interior and Local Development, including the Directorate of Border and Foreigners (DFE), which as the basis of its responsibilities maintains information on movements at the borders and residence permits;

• Ministry of Social Affairs, Solidarity and Tunisians Abroad, including the Office of Tunisians Abroad (OTE);

• Ministry of Employment and the Employability of Youth, particularly the Directorate General for Employment and Migration (DGEM) and the National Agency for Employment and Independent Workers (ANETI, the former Tunisian Agency for Employment), both agencies have information on foreign labour working in Tunisia on certain categories of Tunisian workers placed abroad and emigrants seeking assistance for family reunification;

• Ministry of Development and International Cooperation, in particular the Tunisian Agency for Technical Cooperation (ATCT), which manages data on foreign placements in technical cooperation;

• Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Directorate General of Consular Affairs (DGAC), which manages registration on a voluntary basis of Tunisians abroad.

Resources

NIS. The Central Directorate of Demographic and Social Statistics is composed of about 30 people who are statistician engineers, statistical assistants and operators. This staff is divided into four divisions: Demography, Employment, Income and Wages and Consumption and Household Living Conditions. Within the Demography Division, the Migration Unit was formally given a place. Other services. Government officials, of varied profiles, work in the national agencies

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involved in this sector. Many of them have a high level of studies, some have already become familiar with and contributed to the work of MEDSTAT I.

Statistical demand

• National National statistics of international migration in Tunisia are of interest to population projections, planning for employment and social services, border control and national security, migration management, studies on the living conditions, working and the integration of Tunisian emigrants abroad. Particular attention is paid to Tunisian nationals abroad, given the prospects for possible economic development. It should be noted also that there is a strong interest and increasing demand for statistics on the topic of internal migration..

Supply of statistics

• Norms, methodology and main sources

Border cards

The travellers at 37 Tunisian border posts fill out entry/exit cards. These cards do not distinguish between migrants from other categories of international travellers and do not even have a question about the duration of the trip. Going forward, different cards could be used (with the inclusion or exclusion of the reason for the trip) and they not systematically collected, particularly at exit. Once collected, the cards would not be used except for a DFE manual for the current statistics.

Residence permits

According to the manual prepared under MEDSTAT I, residence in Tunisia is normally obtained through:

• Temporary Residence Visas (VRT); • Ordinary Residence Visas (VRO). •

The validity of VRT is the same as the document on which the visa was issued and may not exceed one year unless otherwise authorized. The VRO may be issued to foreigners who have resided in Tunisia on a temporary basis for five years without interruption, dependent foreign workers, foreign spouses of Tunisians, foreigners with Tunisian children and foreigners who have rendered significant services to the Country. These permits are normally granted for a period of two years. Temporary or ordinary residence cards are issued at the end of the two procedures. The two types of permits are renewable. However, Other types of permits may be granted in respect of certain conditions, such as financial investment in the country. The proposal made by the MEDSTAT I Expert for adapting the resident permits system to the Maghreb countries passes through the establishment of a tracking sheet on foreigners for the production of statistics of international migrants of long duration. In the case of Tunisia, significant changes should have been made to application forms for obtaining permits as tools for the registration of licenses (in terms of coding of variables). According to the NIS, the DFE would not have accepted the proposal, or made other changes. Finally, the register of residence permits would not be used for statistical purposes.

Work Permits

The DGEM has a register of work permits for foreigners working in Tunisia legally and regularly. The information available is on sex, age, qualification, the employer company, the dates of entry and departure and other variables. For non-nationals, the award of a residence permit depends on a work permit.

Consular registration

Through the DGAC, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs provides a permanent record of Tunisians living abroad. This registration is done on a voluntary basis, at the request of the service by citizens at the Tunisian consulate. In the past, campaigns have been organized with the help of associations of emigrants to update entries. As in other contexts, this system suffers problems with unregistered departures (final departures or changes in country of residence), not counting the people who did not need consular

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services and the non-inclusion of some births. The system takes no account of dual nationality. Today, the statistics on the Tunisians registered in the consulates are conducted through the submission of data to the consulate by the DGAC and the aggregation of these results. In order to improve the system, in 2002 the DGAC organized a workshop for the harmonization of consular registration cards and the creation of a coherent framework to produce reliable statistics. The NIS attendee to this meeting was charged the following year with a project to create a database of Tunisians abroad. The new registration forms are transmitted directly to the consular statistics service. Approximately 30,000 cards have been sent so far.

Other administrative sources.

• The Directorate General for Employment and Migration (DGEM) for certain categories of Tunisian worker invested abroad in the framework of bilateral agreements with Other countries, especially Italy and France;

• The National Agency for Employment and Independent Workers (ANETI formerly ATE), for certain categories of Tunisian workers and seasonal migrants seeking assistance for family reunification;

• The Tunisian Agency for Technical Cooperation (ATCT) for placements abroad of national government employees and Other people with an employment contract,

• THE DGEM and ANETI also have information on a significant portion of foreign labourers working in Tunisia.

Summary tables are prepared on an irregular basis at the request of users, notably other government services. The basic information (sex, age, nationality and country of origin/destination) is normally available in these different sources.

Household surveys and population censuses

The last census was conducted in April 2004, ten years after the previous one. The 2004 census identified:

• People who were displaced and changed residence between April 1999 and April 2004 within the country and those who came from another country (international migrants);

• Individuals who were a member of a family (limited) in April 1999 and went abroad. Such individuals may be declared only once per household.

In terms of internal migrants and immigrants, the information collected relates to the delegation (2nd level administrative divisions of Tunisia) or the preceding country of residence (in 1999), the previous place (municipal/non-municipal) of residence and the main reason for the movement, in addition to all the usual questions on the census form (i.e.: the delegation of country or countries of residence of parents at the time of birth, country of nationality, Other demographic and socio-economic factors). More limited information was collected for people living abroad, namely: full name, relationship with the head of household, sex, year of birth, year of emigration, cause of emigration and host country. A period of 6 months was chosen as the threshold for the definition of habitual residence. The annual survey on population and employment in 2006 has been incorporated into a module on migration on half of the sample (about 35,000 households). The observation period was between May 2005 and May 2006. This panel of households allowed identification of all of the characteristics of immigrants (2006 survey) and emigrants (2005 survey). This experiment was repeated in the 2007 survey on a sample of about 35,000 households. The same experiment was also repeated in the 2008 survey with a sample of 70,000 households. The 5-year survey on Population and Housing in 2009 will be administered to a sample of 162,000 households and includes a migration module covering the period 2004-2009. This module is similar to that which has been integrated into the 2004 R.G.P.H.

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• Production and access

Statistics on the entries and exits of certain categories of travellers are released by the NIS in the directory: These tables reflect the following:

• Entries of non-resident travellers by country of nationality, month, and means of transport;

• Exits of non-resident travellers by country of nationality, month, and means of transport;

• Entries of non-resident travellers by means of transport and border crossing; • Exits of non-resident travellers by means of transport and border crossing; • Tunisian entries by means of transport and border post; • Tunisian exits by country of destination and means of transport.

At the 2004 census, the first results (Volume 1) covered a sample of 22% of the results of questionnaires followed by an administrative unit (Volume 2) (five volumes with the comprehensive results at the local level by region and delegation have been published - versions in Arabic only). Thematic publications, including internal migration, international migration and the characteristics of the foreign population in Tunisia have been completed. Data in electronic format are also available through CD and online tables on the website of the Institute.

The OTE conducts on an annual basis a publication covering Tunisian emigrants abroad and their characteristics, teaching of the Arabic language (abroad or summer courses), financial transfers, economic projects benefiting Tunisians abroad or conducted by them, and Other topics. These data are produced by the Ministry of Education and Training, the DGAC, the ATCT, OIM (France), the Central Bank, the National Post, the Office of Exchanges and some investment promotion agencies. The publication is intended for internal use in the services of the National Administration.

• Synergies In terms of internal stakeholders, the NIS may consider coordinating with the OTE. In the unlikely event of changes in the border card system or data use, a synergy should be established with tourism.

• Programming and improvement plan

The Migration Unit of the NIS is principally engaged in the publication and analysis of the results of the Population Census of 2004 and other activities concerning internal migration, a very fascinating subject for the country. Prospects for expansion of this unit are planned such as working for the census, with the goal of establishing a system for regular statistics production on flows and international migrants. The collaboration of national partners, including the Ministry of the Interior, will obviously be essential.