Ethiopian returnee women from Arab countries: challenges of successful reintegration

ABSTRACT

This paper explores the Ethiopian female migrant’s change, sustainability of gains, and problems of adjustment and reintegration upon return from the Middle East. Data was gathered from 87 returnees. The income they earn is contributed to their households. However, remittance management and saving strategies were ineffective to bring remarkable changes. Much of the remittance sent home was spent on basic needs. Savings at home and in the Middle East were insignificant. Employment and involvement in investments in the post-return period were limited, and most were leading lives either similar to before or lower level than prior to their departure. Using a methodological classification ‘success’ or ‘failure’, one-third of them achieved relative success. Efforts should be made to develop pre-migration awareness via media such as telecom alerting radios, televisions, and posters. Interventions in skills training and counseling should also be the norm.