Understanding the forced repatriation of Ethiopian migrant workers from the Middle East

<p dir="ltr">This paper focuses on the forced and precipitated return of Ethiopian migrants from the Middle East and associated challenges for migrants and their households and for local and national authorities in Ethiopia. It will take into account the demographic characteristics and gender dimensions of potentially marginalized populations, migration management laws and regulations, as well as the main challenges and opportunities posed by contemporary migration flows and return to both the government and society. The paper starts by discussing some key issues and concepts of return migration and reintegration. It then provides comprehensive information on the migration profile of Ethiopia as a country of origin, transit and destination of immigration and emigration flows. It also illustrates available policies, legislations, and regulations that govern labour migration, return and reintegration of migrant workers in Ethiopia as well as the migration policies of destination countries such as Saudi Arabia. The paper also addresses the motivation and characteristics of returnees, their individual vulnerabilities, the challenges they are facing upon and after returning home as well as the role of state actors, civil society and international organisations in addressing the situation and the challenges involved. The voluntary and involuntary repatriation of Ethiopian migrant domestic workers mainly from Saudi Arabia is not only negatively influences migration investment, but also destroys the livelihoods of low-income families who rely on remittances for a living. The study indicates that returning migrants experience a number of challenges ranging from economic and social to psychosocial which hinders them from effective reintegration. Lack of funds and required skills makes it harder for returnees to re-enter the local labour market through job placement or starting small businesses. The migration cycle in Ethiopia highlights the likelihood of people to re-migrate whether the first experience was positive or not. Evidence demonstrates that remigration is often the result of lack of effective reintegration. </p>