Dr Bilesha Weeraratne Shares Insights on Economic Reintegration of Return Migrants at the Sixth Bali Process Technical Expert Group Meeting

5 March 2024

IPS Research Fellow Dr Bilesha Weeraratne highlighted the need for a comprehensive approach in supporting economic reintegration of returning migrants at the Sixth Bali Process Technical Expert Group meeting on Returns and Reintegration in Bangkok, Thailand.

During her presentation, Dr. Weeraratne discussed various avenues for providing economic reintegration support to return migrants, encompassing labour market considerations, skills training, qualification recognition, entrepreneurship opportunities, and other income-generating endeavours. She stressed the importance of addressing both demand and supply side issues in supporting reintegration, drawing from a recent IPS study that revealed a significant gap in understanding among returned migrant workers regarding the services and support available to them.

Furthermore, Dr. Weeraratne shared insights into the gendered nature of reintegration outcomes, particularly noting the challenges faced by female returnees, including care deficits and limited networking opportunities. She discussed how limited economic reintegration can lead to economic vulnerability, which compels re-migration through irregular channels leading to potential abuse, exploitation and trafficking. She also underscored the interlink between economic reintegration and mental stress and strained family and social relationships, which are parts of social and psychosocial reintegration.

The Bali Process Technical Expert Group on Returns and Reintegration serves as a vital platform for collaborating on practical measures to combat people smuggling, trafficking, and related transnational crimes in the Asia-Pacific region. The Sixth Meeting, focusing on the returns and reintegration of trafficking victims and vulnerable migrants, brought together practitioners and experts from member states and organizations to enhance the effectiveness of return strategies and ensure the timely and dignified reintegration of migrants.