A recent study published in the International Journal of Migration and Integration (IJMI) highlights the employment difficulties faced by Gulf returnees in Kerala. Conducted by researchers from Mar Ivanios College and the University of Kerala, the study examines how returnees attempt to reintegrate into the job market and identifies key obstacles preventing their successful transition. Despite gaining valuable skills and international experience, many returnees struggle to secure stable employment due to skill mismatches, bureaucratic inefficiencies, financial pressures, and a lack of structured support systems. The research calls for urgent policy interventions to improve the employability of returnees and prevent a cycle of re-migration.
Barriers to Reintegration
Returning to Kerala presents unexpected challenges for many Gulf migrants. While they often acquire expertise in various sectors abroad, these skills may not align with the local job market, leading to underemployment or a complete shift to unrelated professions. This mismatch results in frustration and financial distress.
Financial instability further complicates reintegration. Many returnees return with debts or pressing family responsibilities, such as caring for elderly parents or funding their children’s education. The urgency of earning an income forces them to take low-paying jobs that do not align with their experience or long-term career goals.
Government regulations and administrative delays create another layer of hardship. Many returnees face difficulties accessing financial assistance, lack structured reintegration programs, and struggle to adapt their skills to the domestic job market due to inadequate training and employment support.
Impact of Return Circumstances on Employment
The study also highlights how the reasons for returning influence employability. Those who return voluntarily—driven by family commitments, investment opportunities, or personal preferences—tend to transition more smoothly. Their preparedness, including financial planning and skill development, provides them with an advantage in securing stable employment.
However, returnees who are forced to leave due to job losses, economic downturns, or other unfavorable conditions in the Gulf find it much harder to reintegrate. Their return is often abrupt, leaving them financially unstable and unprepared for Kerala’s job market. The COVID-19 pandemic further worsened this issue, forcing thousands of migrants to return unexpectedly without savings or job security.
The Role of Preparedness in Employment Success
The study emphasizes that proper planning significantly influences a returnee’s employment prospects. Those who plan their financial standing, maintain professional networks, and prepare for career transitions find it easier to reintegrate. However, most returnees do not approach their return strategically; instead, they return due to necessity rather than opportunity. This reactive approach leaves them unprepared for the realities of the local job market, leading to long-term employment struggles.
According to Dr. Biju AV, one of the study’s authors, structured reintegration programs could greatly benefit returnees. He suggests that the government implement financial incentives for returnee-led businesses and align educational institutions with global industry demands to retain talent and support skilled professionals.
Potential as Job Creators
Despite the challenges, the study notes that returnees have significant entrepreneurial potential. With the right support, they could contribute to Kerala’s economy by leveraging their international experience to start businesses and create employment opportunities. However, bureaucratic hurdles, skill mismatches, and inadequate institutional support often prevent them from successfully launching ventures.
Experts suggest that Kerala’s government should introduce reintegration policies, including incentives for returnee entrepreneurs, skill development programs, and financial aid. These measures could improve returnees’ employment prospects while simultaneously reducing youth migration by creating more job opportunities within the state.
What Needs to Change?
The study underscores the necessity of a long-term, structured approach to reintegration, calling for:
- Pre-departure financial and career planning programs to ensure returnees are better prepared.
- Private sector-friendly policies that create high-skill job opportunities within Kerala.
- Government-backed reintegration initiatives, including skill adaptation courses and financial aid for returnee entrepreneurs.
- Psychological and social support to help returnees cope with emotional and financial stress.
Looking Ahead
If effectively managed, return migration can be an asset rather than a challenge for Kerala. By harnessing the expertise, experiences, and networks of Gulf returnees, the state could drive economic growth, reduce brain drain, and build a more dynamic workforce. However, without strategic interventions, many returnees will continue to face unemployment, forcing them to consider re-migration as their only viable option.
About the Study
The study was conducted by researchers Chinnu Thomas, Dr. Biju AV, and Dr. Ratheesh R. Using purposive and snowball sampling methods, the research surveyed 400 returnees across five key Kerala districts—Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur, Thrissur, and Thiruvananthapuram. The data, collected between December 2021 and March 2023 through field surveys and in-depth interviews, provides valuable insights into the reintegration challenges faced by returning migrants.
