Reintegration experiences of returnee migrant workers in the Kurunegala District: A qualitative study

Background: Over 1.5 million Sri Lankans are employed overseas, primarily in the Middle East under temporary, contract-based agreements. Return and Reintegration represent a critical yet often overlooked phase of the migration cycle, despite their significant implications for the social determinants of migrants' health and the overall well-being of migrant workers and their families.
Objectives: To understand social and economic dimensions of reintegration through exploring lived-through experiences of returnee Middle East migrant workers in Kurunegala District, Sri Lanka.
Methods: A qualitative phenomenology study was conducted using focus group discussions (FGDs) and one-on-one interviews, among male and female returnee Middle East migrant workers employed under heterogeneous manpower levels and their family members residing in the Kurunegala District. A pre-tested semi-structured moderator/interviewer guide was used for data collection. Six FGDs involving 51 participants and 19 one-on-one interviews were conducted until theoretical saturation was achieved. Data were analysed using thematic analysis.
Results: The overarching theme of social reintegration emerged from sub-themes, including reintegration within family, community reintegration and support networks. Economic reintegration was formed by sub-themes: economic engagement, utilisation of the foreign earnings and use of accumulated savings. Reintegration was revealed as a time bound process which requires the commitment from returnees, family, and community. Those who carefully planned the migration process, considering reintegration as part of their migration cycle, were better positioned to acquire useful skills and leverage financial capital to become economically active upon return.
Conclusions and Recommendations: Social reintegration is deeply influenced by family dynamics, community ties and support networks. While economic needs pushed most to seek overseas employment, a successful reintegration demands proactive planning and strategic use of remittance and human capital. Further research across multiple districts with more diverse returnee groups is recommended to strengthen the generalisability of these findings and inform reintegration policy and practice.