Lived Experiences of Reintegrated Returned Domestic Workers from the Gulf Region in Ghana

Abstract

The migration and reintegration experiences of Ghanaian domestic workers returning from the Gulf Region remain underexplored. This qualitative study addresses this gap by investigating the factors contributing to return migration, the role of families in reintegration, livelihood strategies adopted by returnees, and their future migration aspirations. In-depth interviews with 24 purposively chosen return migrants in the Madina community revealed diverse demographic profiles and shifts in occupational landscapes towards entrepreneurship. Economic hardships, social influences, and personal aspirations emerged as key factors motivating initial migration, while adverse living conditions, legal status concerns, and health issues prompted return. Reintegration challenges included financial struggles, heightened societal expectations, and paradoxical feelings of isolation. Family support and entrepreneurship facilitated smoother transitions, but returnees also grappled with employment difficulties and emotional adjustment. Theoretical perspectives such as the push-pull framework, transnationalism, social networks, and structuralism provided valuable lenses for grasping the manifold nature of return migration and reintegration. The study concludes that comprehensive support mechanisms adopting the social, economic, and psychological magnitudes of reintegration are crucial. Key recommendations include strengthening the regulation of recruitment agencies, fostering supportive social networks, facilitating access to mental health services, and promoting entrepreneurship among returnees.