Returning and Re-Emigrating Gendered Trajectories of (Re)Integration from Greece

Abstract

The aim of this research paper is three fold: (1) to shed some light on the struggles Albanian return migrants are facing in their psycho-social, cultural and labor market reintegration in the origin country, looking as well to the gendered trajectories of return and re-emigration(2) to highlight their gendered strategies in transferring back in their home country their financial, social and human capital;(3) to better understand the dynamic paths of their migration trajectories and finally (4) to push policy makers to put with high priority the returnees reintegration plan into the policy agenda. We base our analyze on 42 life stories of Albanian migrants, from which, 12 interviews with return migrants from Greece, 30 migrants that are actually in Greece (from which 50% have at least made an 1 attempt to return in Albania and 5 are circular migrants).The study found that: many Albanian migrants return to Albania to stay either temporary or permanently with the idea of investing in home country, though not all of them who return stay in Albania. Returnees and at a greater degree women, face lot struggles and difficulties in their psycho-social, cultural and economic reintegration upon their return, which make them mentally and psychologically vulnerable. Women experienced a sense of disempowerment, reconfiguration and re-traditionalisation of gender relationships upon their return. Labor market integration seem more problematic especially for returned women who faced a gendered gap in labor force participation 1 . Moreover, despite migrant willingness to invest their financial and social remittances in Albania by bringing new ideas in the labor market trend, they experience a sense of disillusion. Therefore, having no support system back home, remaining jobless and in many cases failing in their investment endeavors, make returnees consider further re-emigration as a surviving strategy. This study suggest that it is time for policy makers to compile with high priority and with a gender lens analysis a new National Migration Strategy and Return Reintegration strategy, while developing concrete and coherent measures upon returnees successful reintegration in the home country. This policy research brings at the policy agenda an holistic and multidisciplinary approach to returnee reintegration through better multi-level/stakeholder collaboration and dialogue.

Interaction of ancestry and agency: Challenges, constraints and options for second‐generation Albanian youth relocating from Greece

“…In doing so, they illustrate the claim by Blunt and Dowling (2006, p. 23) The word 'freedom' was mentioned frequently during the interviews, by both male and (especially) female participants. There is a widespread consensus about the lack of freedom, independence and prospects for women in Albania, in contrast to the autonomy and choice they enjoyed in Greece (Xhaho & Çaro, 2016). As Ada (F23) said, 'Albania is behind the times; men and women are not equal'.…”

“…On the other hand, as we shall see presently, for the second generation, the self‐perceived degree of integration into Greek society is greater—partly because, unlike first‐generation immigrants, the second generation has a different and more restricted set of reference points, having grown up and been socialised almost entirely in Greece. Based on the evidence of prior studies (Kokkali, 2011; Michail & Christou, 2016, 2018; Xhaho & Çaro, 2016), this life experience tends to reinforce their identification with Greece and to suppress their Albanian heritage—also because of the residual stigmatisation of Albanians by more conservative elements of Greek society. This experience likewise limits their ability or willingness to embrace a truly transnational or hybrid identity, although naturally individuals' identificatory outcomes vary and may evolve over time, as we shall see.…”

Empowerment or a double burden? Work, family, and agency among Albanian migrant women in Greece

“…Moreover, the Greek labour market is highly segregated in terms of gender and ethnicity, with male migrants being mainly employed in the construction, agriculture, and manufacturing sectors; and women migrants being primarily employed in the domestic and care sectors (Xhaho and C¸aro 2016). Albanian migrants are often active in the underground economy, and thus have fewer opportunities for upward mobility than the native-born population (Çaro and Lillie 2016).…”

“…The economic crises: The global financial crisis, which had very strong negative effects on the Greek economy, and on the wider economic, social, and cultural conditions in the country (Gemi 2014), challenged and destabilised Greek employment regimes (Xhaho and C¸aro 2016). The economic crisis significantly affected labour sectors that were overwhelmingly comprised of immigrant men (Xhaho and C¸aro 2016).…”

Fragmented and Fluid Mobilities: The Role of Onward Migration in the New Map of Europe and the Balkans

“…The Greek economy was now seen as less crisisridden than in the past, so there was some hope that the job situation might have improved. None contemplated a return to Albania, even if, from migration statistics and some relevant literature, it is known that many migrants did return from Greece to Albania (Barjaba and Barjaba, 2015;Ker-paci and Kuka, 2019;Xharo and Çaro, 2016). Other options considered by the participants to be a possibility were to onward-migrate again to another EU country or to the United States, but none had concrete plans to do so.…”