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Monday | 7 October 2024 | Epaper
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Reintegration of our returnee migrants crucial  

Published : Monday, 7 October, 2024 at 12:00 AM  Count : 84
Dr Matiur Rahman
Migrant reintegration has emerged as a crucial area of focus in recent years, particularly for countries like Bangladesh, which has a significant number of citizens working abroad. When these migrants return home, the reintegration process becomes complex and multifaceted. 

They must adapt to the socio-economic conditions of their homeland and make emotional, psychological, and professional adjustments. In this regard, social networks facilitate the returnees' reintegration into their communities. 

The role of social networks in reintegration is paramount and can be best understood within the framework of social capital theory. Social capital, which encompasses the networks, relationships, and connections individuals can draw upon to access resources and support, is a critical factor in reintegration. 

These networks, including family members, friends, community leaders, and institutional contacts, become valuable tools for returnee migrants. They ease their transition into their communities by providing emotional support, job opportunities, or assistance in re-establishing social status.

Historically, migration has been a significant source of income for many households in Bangladesh. The remittances from overseas workers have substantially contributed to the national economy and household welfare. However, the return of these migrants, especially those returning after long periods abroad, often brings challenges. 

Many returnees struggle to find employment, navigate social expectations, and readjust to the cultural norms they left behind. At this critical juncture, the support from their social networks becomes indispensable.

Family, a cornerstone of Bangladeshi society, plays a pivotal and often overlooked role in helping returnee migrants reintegrate. Many migrants' families are the primary source of emotional and financial support upon their return. In Bangladesh, where familial bonds are strong, returning migrants often rely on their relatives for moral and practical assistance. 

Families provide a sense of belonging and acceptance, helping to alleviate the alienation some returnees feel after long absences. Moreover, family networks can facilitate access to housing, financial loans, and job referrals. In some cases, family businesses provide a platform for returnees to re-establish themselves economically.

Beyond the immediate family, returnees also depend on extended kinship networks, friends, and community groups. These broader social circles can provide vital information and opportunities to ease reintegration. 

For instance, community leaders and local organisations may help returnees by connecting them with employment opportunities or advocating for their needs in regional forums. Moreover, being part of a community allows returnees to regain a sense of identity and inclusion, countering any feelings of displacement they may experience.

At the community level, informal social networks, such as village councils and local religious groups, are equally significant. These networks often serve as platforms for collective problem-solving and resource-sharing. Migrant returnees frequently seek these informal groups for advice, moral support, or participation in community events. 

These engagements allow returnees to rebuild their social standing within the community and reinforce their ties with their homeland. Such networks also offer a sense of continuity, providing returnees with familiar cultural and social practices to ease the transition back into daily life.

In recent years, digital social networks have also begun to play a more prominent role in reintegration. Many returnees remain connected to their peers abroad and at home through social media platforms. These platforms offer an additional layer of social capital, enabling returnees to maintain ties with friends and acquaintances from their migration experience. 

Through social media, they can tap into broader transnational networks, which can help them find employment, business opportunities, or investment prospects upon their return. This is particularly important for younger returnees, who are more likely to be tech-savvy and comfortable with digital communication.

Formal networks, such as non-governmental organisations (NGOs), sometimes contribute to migrant reintegration. NGOs working in the areas of migrant rights and reintegration offer structured programs aimed at supporting returnees through skills training, counselling, and economic support. 

These organisations often collaborate with local communities to create sustainable reintegration models that draw on social capital and institutional resources. For returnees who lack personal solid networks, these formal supports can be a lifeline, providing critical services they may not be able to access through informal channels.

However, not all returnees can leverage social networks for reintegration. Returnees' social capital level often depends on their socio-economic background, education level, and migration experience. For instance, migrants who have been away for extended periods or worked in low-skill jobs abroad may find it more challenging to re-establish connections within their home communities. 

Additionally, migrants who return under adverse conditions, such as those who were deported or faced exploitation abroad, may experience stigma and social exclusion upon their return, which can hinder their reintegration efforts. In such cases, the absence or weakness of social networks becomes a significant barrier to successful reintegration.

Social networks play a critical role in the reintegration of returnee migrants in Bangladesh. These networks provide essential resources, emotional support, and opportunities that help returnees adapt to their home environment. Whether through family, community groups, or digital platforms, returnees draw on their social capital to navigate the complexities of reintegration. 

While many returnees benefit from strong networks, those who lack these connections may face more significant challenges, underscoring the need for targeted interventions to support their reintegration. As migration continues to shape Bangladesh's socio-economic landscape, understanding the role of social networks in reintegration will be crucial for developing effective policies and programs to support returnee migrants.

The writer is a researcher and development worker



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