PANAJI
“Waning dreams” abroad, stressful working conditions, health issues and a desire for a different lifestyle, saw several Goan immigrants, off late returning back to their homeland from European nations, Gulf, America, etc.
According to a recent study undertaken by the Goa Business School of Goa University and Fr Agnel College of Arts and Commerce, Pilar, most of the returning migrants are in the middle-aged group, with the highest percentage being in the age category of 46–50. This is followed by the age groups 51-55 and 41-45.
The study conducted by Roy Gomes and Sarath Chandran – uses primary data collected from 400 return migrants on twenty-two attributes responsible for their return. In the study, a return migrant is one who migrated to another country in search of better prospects and who was engaged in some productive activity in the new country for at least a minimum of five years and returned to his home country.
Goa is a small, progressive State in India and a former Portuguese colony with a long history of international migration, experiencing return migration in recent periods.
It is revealed from the study that immigrants feel undervalued or unable to advance in their careers, prompting their decision to return home. Unfavourable workplace conditions, including lack of career progression, job insecurity, and poor health facilities, are significant drivers of return migration.
“Several factors influenced return migration for Goan emigrants, such as stressful working conditions, stress and discrimination at work, low incomes, and health issues of self and families back home. Their incomes were below their expectations, and they could not save, remit, or improve their living standards. Health issues due to extreme climatic conditions, long separation from the family, emotional support to children, and homesickness felt by them were the significant reasons to return. It is also seen from this study that some return to start entrepreneurial activities and give back to the economy,” the study revealed.
The age structure of the return migrants showed that, as senior citizens, they would like to return to their roots for settlement. Many return migrants take up business activities after returning (88.4%). Important business activities undertaken by the migrants include restaurants (28.5%), grocery (22.3%), catering (35.8%), and beauticians (1.8%).
The researchers say that the factors identified in the study — workplace conditions, personal circumstances, job status, social networks, and health concerns — are relevant for the migrant community across the globe.
“By addressing these factors through targeted policies, host countries can enhance the well-being of migrants, while countries of origin can benefit from their international exposure,” the study said.
The study recommends that the Goa government should take proactive steps to utilise the skills and experience acquired by the return migrants by creating an enabling environment in the State and rehabilitating them based on their motivation to return to their home country.
