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Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) Libya’s Migrant Report: Round 44 | September - October 2022

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OVERVIEW

IOM Libya’s Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) programme identified a total of 683,813 migrants from over 42 nationalities in the 100 Libyan municipalities during Round 44 of data collection (September - October 2022). The number of migrants in Libya has continued to increase slightly compared to the previous reporting period (679,974 migrants, Round 43, July – August 2022) in line with a trend that started at the beginning of 2021.
Prior to 2021 the number of migrants in Libya had been declining following the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
The number of migrants in Libya identified during Round 44 is also higher than the number of migrants for the corresponding period in 2019 (654,081 migrants, Round 28, October - November 2019).

Socio-economic situation

The unemployment rate among migrants interviewed in September and October continued to increase (26%) compared to the last round (24%) in line with a trend that started at the beginning of 2022 (Fig 1). Furthermore, the current unemployment rate among migrants (26%) remains higher than pre-pandemic levels (17%, Round 29, February 2020) and is similar to the rate observed at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic when the socioeconomic impact was at its peak (29% in June 2020 and 27% in August 2020) due to factors such as mobility restrictions and a slowdown of economic activity.
In line with these findings, financial difficulties remain the most pressing issue for more than three in five migrants (62%) interviewed in September and October 2022 followed by identity documents issues (30%), a lack of information (22%), security concerns (20%) or food and water insecurity (18%). The percentage of migrants who reported financial difficulties as one of the three main issues they faced has been increasing since the beginning of the pandemic from 48 per cent in February 2020 to 62 per cent two years and a half later (Fig 1).

The socio-economic impact faced by Libyans and migrants as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic has been further heightened by rises in the price of basic commodities following the beginning of the war in Ukraine. This trend may potentially exacerbate pre-existing vulnerabilities and erode the coping capacity of the poorest migrants.

Labour market

Overall, a greater proportion of female migrants reported being unemployed (66%) than male migrants (25%). Similarly, more females mentioned that financial issues were among the top three difficulties they faced (73%) compared to males (62%).

A greater percentage of migrants who were less than 30 (33%) or over 60 years old (31%) stated being unemployed than those who were aged 30 – 59 (19%) (Fig 2).

Social networks

Nearly four in five migrants (79%) reported having found their current job through a friend or an acquaintance, mainly through migrants from their own country (86%).
This highlights the significant role that social ties play as a means of sharing information about labour opportunities.
For example, a DTM Libya study found that a greater percentage of migrants who reported lacking a social network (family, friends and acquaintances) in Libya prior to migrating reported facing more difficulties whilst looking for employment than migrants who had a social network.

Fields of employment

The largest share of migrants interviewed in September and October 2022 were employed in elementary occupations1 (40%) while a minority were working as craft and related trades workers (16%), as technicians and associate professionals (12%) or in the service and sales industry (10%). Around three in five (59%) migrants who were working in elementary occupations reported being employed on a short-term or casual basis.

Working conditions

Migrants interviewed in September and October 2022 identified that a lack of job security (36%), followed by employers paying less than the agreed wage (24%) or delayed payment (18%) were the main risks they faced at work. Half of migrants surveyed mentioned being employed on a short-term or casual basis (50%) while a quarter or less claimed holding permanent (25%) or fixed-term employment (22%) (with regular and predictable monthly salaries).

A minority of respondents mentioned having three or more income-generating activities (4% or 153 respondents). The average monthly earnings of those with three or more income-generating activities (839 LYD and 553 LYD, respectively) was lower than those who stated being engaged in one (993 LYD) or two income-generating activities (965 LYD). This may indicate that migrants are potentially engaging in multiple jobs as a coping strategy to cover their basic needs rather than as an income diversification strategy to earn (and save) more.

The majority of employed migrants (69%) interviewed reported only possessing an oral work agreement for their employment in Libya. Around a quarter (28%) reported that they were without a contract and a minority stated that they possessed a written and signed contract (3%).

A greater proportion of migrants who stated they possessed a written and signed contract claimed to be somewhat or very satisfied with their current employment (81%) compared to those with an oral contract (58%) or no contract (53%) (Fig 3). Lacking a (more) stable income at a level that can sustain one’s personal needs, including those of their household members, is associated with a greater level of vulnerability to violence, exploitation and abuse. Without a written contract migrant workers are more exposed to risks of abuse and changes in the nature of the work undertaken, rates of pay and working hours, for example. A minority of migrants reported having a work permit (16%) or resident status in Libya (14%).