IPSS Theses and Dissertations

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Browsing IPSS Theses and Dissertations by Author "Betseha, Miheret"

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    Exploring the Aftermath of Forced Mass Return: Reintegration Challenges of Deported Ethiopian Migrant Workers from Saudi Arabia
    (Addis Ababa University, 2016-06) Betseha, Miheret
    Forced return migrants often encounter challenges in reestablishing their lives in home societies due to their abrupt and sudden return as well as for having returned empty handed. This study explored one such event which resulted in mass expulsion of migrants from one of the biggest migrant hosting countries, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Earlier on November 2013, Ethiopia started receiving over 163,000migrant workers expelled from Saudi. Two years has passed since their return and this study explores the aftermath of forced mass return by looking at the current living situation of returnees. It looks into the various stages of migration to fully understand issues relating to their return. The study mainly made use of Qualitative research approach as its the approach that best suits to meet the objectives of the research. An in depth semi structured interview was conducted on 14 returnees of Saudi crackdown which reveal the agonies of return. Non Participant Observation method has also been used as the researcher directly went to the allocated sheds of returnees and witnessed the manner by which returnees are coping up. The Findings of the study indicate that majority of Saudi returnees are not in a self-sufficient situation and that they are currently facing several challenges relating to the business sheds allocated, government bureaucracy, of being organized into groups, and due to stringent requirements in vocational choices. They also established several social challenges intertwined with their sudden forced return such as shame of returning empty handed, tension with family members as well as social isolation. The Ethiopian government need to give huge emphasis on the push factors that lead people to resort to migration and it should also come up with policies that are aimed at better regulating migration as well as return migration. A mechanism that allows for a multi stakeholder cooperation in such emergency situations should also be created and should be made locally adopted. The international community should also put pressure on the government of Saudi Arabia so that the country respects the rights of migrants as they make up a great section of the society.