Return Migration and Reintegration: An Analysis of International Female Domestic Workers from Kerala

Abstract

Return migration is an important aspect in the migration of females. The current status of return migrants, the impact of return migration on the individual and their family and the future plans of return migrants are issues, which need to be explored. The present paper, based on primary data collected from six villages in Kerala, focuses upon return migration and reintegration of female domestic workers who migrated internationally. The analysis reveals that the major reason for return was related to health. While a substantial proportion had returned because of unfavourable conditions they had to face abroad such as non-payment of salary, verbal, physical and sexual abuse, some others had returned because of other familial reasons. About three-fourths of the female migrants had faced financial stringency after return and some of them faced some kind of tensions in the family because of their return. A large proportion of them wanted to migrate in the future. The intention of future movement was comparatively higher among females who had financial as well as other familial problems after their return.