Return Migrants Reintegration Policy Recommendations and their Socioeconomic Impacts

I- Policy Recommendations

To ensure horizontal and vertical coherence of return migrant reintegration policies, here are some key recommendations:

Establish multi-level coordination mechanisms

Vertical: Strengthen links between national, regional and local levels to ensure that reintegration policies are coherent and adapted to local realities. Involve local authorities in the implementation of national policies, while allowing for adjustments based on regional specificities.

Horizontal: Foster inter-institutional collaboration between different ministries, government agencies, international organizations and civil society actors. As migration affects various sectors (employment, education, health, etc.), a coordinated approach ensures that policies do not contradict and reinforce each other.

Integrate migration into sectoral policy planning

Ensure that sectoral policies take into account migration realities. For example, employment policies should include specific provisions for the integration or reintegration of migrants. Similarly, educational programmes should promote skills acquired abroad to facilitate the professional reintegration of returning migrants.

Strengthen institutional capacities

Train and raise awareness among key actors (policy makers, civil servants, local organisations) on the importance of an integrated approach to migration. This includes understanding migration dynamics and how they interact with other public policies.

Develop tools and platforms to facilitate the exchange of information and good practices between different levels of government and institutions involved in migration management.

Involve migrants in the design and implementation of policies

Migrants should be considered as key actors in the development of policies that concern them. Their feedback can contribute to the development of policies that are more adapted to their needs. Creating spaces for dialogue where migrants can express their challenges and suggestions is essential for an inclusive approach.

Promote public-private partnerships

Encourage collaboration between the public and private sectors to create professional reintegration opportunities for migrants. Companies can play a crucial role by providing training, internships and jobs tailored to migrants’ skills.

Evaluate and adjust policies

Establish monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to measure the effectiveness of reintegration policies. These evaluations should be used to adjust policies based on results achieved and emerging needs.

Mobilize financial and technical resources

Allocate sufficient resources to support reintegration programs, ensuring that they are available at all levels of implementation. Technical resources, such as training for local officials, are also crucial for the success of reintegration initiatives.

II- Socioeconomic Impacts

When migrants return with new skills, knowledge and experience gained abroad, they can contribute to innovation and productivity in their home countries. Policies that recognize and utilize these skills can help fill gaps in critical sectors, such as health, education and technology, thereby boosting economic growth. Even when migrants return home, they often maintain networks and connections in the host country. This can facilitate bilateral trade, investment and technology transfer between the host and return countries, benefiting both economies.

Reintegration policies that include education, training and upskilling programs enable return migrants to better integrate into the local labor market. This not only improves their personal livelihoods, but also the overall quality of the workforce, contributing to economic development. Migrants often hold jobs that are critical to the host country’s economy. By ensuring their successful reintegration, host countries can foster a positive reputation that attracts future skilled migrants, creating a sustainable cycle of human capital development.

Migrants who return with capital, savings, or investment ideas can start businesses, create jobs, and spur economic growth in their communities. Policies that provide access to credit, business training, and market information can amplify these impacts. Diaspora members who have successfully reintegrated often become investment ambassadors in their host country. They can encourage foreign direct investment, tourism, and trade between the two countries, contributing to the economic development of the host country.

Reintegration policies that promote social inclusion and support community projects can help reduce tensions between returnees and local populations. This promotes social cohesion, which is essential for long-term stability and development. Inclusive policies in the host country that prepare migrants for eventual return can lead to more positive experiences for all involved, reducing xenophobia and social tensions. This social stability is essential for sustainable economic development in the host country.

By aligning reintegration policies with broader national development goals, such as poverty reduction and infrastructure development, countries can ensure that returnees contribute to sustainable development. This alignment can also attract international support and funding. Host countries that support reintegration efforts can strengthen diplomatic and economic ties with countries of return. This collaboration can lead to mutually beneficial agreements on labor mobility, development assistance, and trade, contributing to the long-term economic and social development of both nations.

Returning migrants often continue to send remittances, which are a vital source of income for many families and communities. Policies that support financial inclusion, such as access to banking and remittance services, can enhance the impact of these remittances on local economic development. By supporting remittance channels and ensuring low transaction costs, host countries can facilitate the continuity of financial flows, which contribute to the economic stability of the return country. This, in turn, supports global economic stability and development.

Migrants bring back not only skills and capital, but also new ideas, values, and practices. Policies that encourage innovation and cultural exchange can lead to the adoption of more efficient practices, new industries and a more dynamic economy. Exposure to diverse cultures and ideas through migrant populations can stimulate innovation in the host country. This diversity often leads to new products, services, and business models, enhancing the host country’s global competitiveness.

Reintegration policies can help address demographic challenges, such as an aging population or youth unemployment, by bringing back a skilled and often younger workforce. Host countries can benefit from a managed flow of migrants that addresses their own demographic needs, such as filling labor shortages in critical sectors. By supporting reintegration, they maintain a balanced migration cycle that supports long-term demographic and economic stability.

BEUGRE JEAN AKA,

Researcher in Migration Studies, Project Cycle and Programme Management Assistant, Coordinator of Migration Project and Digital Communication Manager