Katie Kuschminder

Diaspora Engagement and Policy in Ethiopia

Ethiopia is one of the largest and poorest countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Although Ethiopia has a low emigration rate at 0.7 per cent (World Bank, 2011), compared to other sub-Saharan African countries, due to its sheer population size of approximately 83 million people, it has a large diaspora community in absolute terms. The exact size of the diaspora is unknown, but is estimated to be 1–2 million people with large populations in the Middle East, North America and Europe. Ethiopians are the second largest group of sub-Saharan Africans in the United States (after Nigeria) and the fifteenth largest in Europe (AFTDC-AFTQK, 2007).

Strong ties, weak ties: Exploring the role of networks in domestic worker migration from Ethiopia to the Middle East

This article explores how migrating via a strong or weak tie results in different outcomes for Ethiopian domestic workers in their migration to the Middle East. Few studies have examined this question. Ethiopian domestic workers are a good case for this analysis as networks are critical for providing information and support for live-in domestic workers in the Middle East. Migrating via a strong tie was expected to result in better migration outcomes. The results, however, suggested that migrating via a strong tie can provide support in some cases, but is not enough to guarantee protection to Ethiopian migrant workers in the Middle East.

Migration and multidimensional well-being in Ethiopia: investigating the role of migrants destinations

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to better understand the relationship between migration and multi-dimensional well-being in the context of Ethiopia. We investigate the differences in well-being between migrant, non-migrant and return migrant households. We then go a step further to understand the role of migrants destinations for well-being by disaggregating migration destination to the Middle East, Africa and the North. We find that migrant and return migrant households are better off in terms of well-being than non-migrant households. Furthermore, the findings underline the importance of taking migrants destinations into account in determining the wellbeing of the households left behind. While households with a migrant in the North are significantly more likely to report higher well-being outcomes than non-migrant households, this is not true for households with migrants in other destination regions.

Structural and Cultural Environment of Female Return Migration to Ethiopia

This chapter will provide an analysis of the structural and cultural conditions of the return environment in Ethiopia. The four key elements utilized in this study to examine the structural and cultural environment of return are as follows: (1) the governments’ policies and approach towards returnees, (2) locals’ attitudes and perceptions towards returnees, (3) the private sectors attitudes and approach towards returnees, and (4) the flows of return migration to the country. Combined, these factors determine whether the structural and cultural environment is favourable or adverse to return migrants’ reintegration in their country of origin. Following from these categories, this chapter first provides a brief history of return migration to Ethiopia. The next section examines the current forms and flows of return migration to Ethiopia. Third, this chapter discusses the role of government policies and different institutions involved in return migration to Ethiopia. The fourth section explores local attitudes and perceptions towards returnees. The final section provides an assessment of the structural conditions of the return environment for each return group of interest in this study: professionals, students, and domestics.

Reintegration Strategies of Female Return Migrants to Ethiopia

This chapter discusses the reintegration strategies of the respondents in this study. The analysis highlights how different forms of reintegration across the dimensions affect the returnees’ overall reintegration strategy. In following up from the previous chapter, the reintegration strategies also illustrate how the choices the return migrants make affect their overall reintegration. The objective of this chapter was to examine different reintegration strategies. That is, this chapter assesses how the return migrants reintegrate within the typology of the reintegration strategies. Furthermore, this section considers how the analytical groups fit within the model of the reintegration strategies and assesses whether there is a difference between the theoretical categories and the analysis of the participants. This section emphasizes variations within the reintegration strategies and inferences that can be made regarding each reintegration strategy as a whole. This chapter will discuss each of the four reintegration strategies of reintegrated, traditionalists, enclavists, and vulnerable, followed by a discussion of how returnees can move between the reintegration strategies and finally an overall analysis.

Reintegration Dimensions of the Analytical Groups

Following from the previous chapter, which explored the life cycle of the analytical groups, this chapter will examine how the different analytical groups vary across the four dimensions of the reintegration strategies. The reintegration strategies define how an individual reintegrates based on the choices the individual makes across the dimensions. In establishing the reintegration strategies of return migrants, Chap. 2 discussed the four dimensions that characterize the reintegration strategies: cultural orientation, social networks, self-identification, and access to rights and institutions. Following from the previous chapter, it is evident that the analytical groups have varying migration and return experiences and therefore it is assumed that the analytical groups’ experiences will vary across these dimensions. The objective of this chapter was to show how/in what dimensions the analytical groups are differently reintegrated and how this impacts their lives upon return. This chapter then leads to the next chapter which discusses the reintegration strategies of the participants.

Overview of Female Return Migration to Ethiopia: Professionals, Students, and Domestics

A key element in assessing return migrants’ reintegration strategies is understanding the role of their life cycle in their return migration. The life cycle includes experiences prior to migration, during migration, and upon return. Critical to the reintegration strategies approach is the class of the individual, their opportunities for integration abroad, and their preparedness and process of return. This chapter examines the life cycle of the different analytical groups including their life prior to migration, reasons for migration, experiences abroad, decision-making factors and readiness and return, and experiences of return. This chapter highlights the large differences in experiences between and within the analytical groups.

A History of Pashtun Migration, 1775-2006

presentation of theories of citizenship rights and debates about citizenship flow naturally on from this opening. This is followed by a discussion of the relationship of refugees and immigrants to the state, the market and civil society; the latter is the most central for the book and is given the most attention. One chapter also gives a short, but good, introduction to various concepts used to describe immigrant inclusion in the society of settlement: acculturation, integration, assimilation and multiculturalism. The book continues with a presentation of the political context of integration and practice modes for settlement social work. Separate chapters about ‘the second generation’ and social work practice with family systems are also included. Towards the end of the volume, the author discusses differences between countries with regard to the development and implementation of social policy and settlement services. The book ends with a discussion of settlement practice and ethical principles, connecting back to the author’s general emphasis on linking social work closely to questions of human rights and citizenship. As its title suggests, the book is focused on the integration and settlement of immigrants and refugees in their new countries. Migration as such and the consequences of emigration in the countries of origin receive less attention, and mainly as part of a very brief discussion of the topical question of transnationalism among immigrant groups. However, themes such as these are covered in other works, and a book focusing solely on the integration and settlement aspects of the migration process is most welcome. The book’s wide coverage of theories and concepts from various social science disciplines makes it suitable for readers both within and outside the specific discipline of social work. The volume’s strength is this broad theoretical and general perspective, while more detailed discussions have to be sought elsewhere. Social Work and Migration provides an important reference source and can profitably be used in combination with other books with a more specific focus. The author’s own extensive experience has contributed to this well-balanced introduction to a difficult subject.