Experiences Of Ghanaian Return Migrants From The Gulf States: A Case Study Of Nima

ABSTRACT

There is a dearth of literature on return migrants from the Gulf region and their migration experiences while abroad. Anecdotal evidence indicates that the experiences of migrants from the Gulf region have been characterised by a lot of abuses and inhumane treatment on the part of the employers of these migrants. Therefore, the objective of the study was to explore the migration experiences of return migrants from the Gulf region. The research design that was adopted for the study was the mixed methods design. The sample size was made up of 50 respondents selected through the snowball sampling technique. Instruments used for the study were semi-structured questionnaires and in-depth interview guide. The quantitative data was analysed using SPSS version 20 and the qualitative through the use of thematic analysis. The results show that more than half of the returnees prior to migration seek for assistance from travel agencies with funding of migration done by migrants and their immediate families (spouse and sibling). The findings indicated that, after migration, three-quarters of the respondents spent 1 to 3 years at the destination, depending on the type of contract signed. Again, it was evidential that abuses such as denial of food and unpaid extra allowance for extra work done were the immediate abuses encountered which were more associated with family and company employers. The type of work at the destination that came with good salary was domestic work (household chores), ranging from 1100 to 1600 Ghana Cedis. In spite of the negative perception about migration to the Gulf region, some of the respondents‟ status improved economically. It is concluded that return migrants came back to their origin country unprepared with no significant funds, and this had effect on their ability to reintegrate economically and socially.The study concludes that the negative experiences of migrants while abroad pose challenges to returnees upon coming to the home country. This supports Cassarino‟s (2008) explanation of the structural approach which suggests that a social, economic and political condition at destination determines the migrants‟ ability to mobilise both tangible and intangible resources for final sojourn. Recommendations are made for governments and other stakeholders to create awareness about the dangers of domestic work in the Gulf region and the need to seek the right information at the appropriate quarters.