Reasons and Prospects for Return Migration and Reintegration in Myanmar from ASEAN Countries

Abstract

This thesis looks at skilled and unskilled economic migrant workers from Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand who have returned to Myanmar after receiving different kinds of human capital and how they integrate into Myanmar current economic reforms. The objectives of the research are to identify the factors of return to the country of origin by using the migration theory of push and pull factors from three major ASEAN receiving countries during 5 years and to analyze human capital and economic reintegration of returnees. The research is a qualitative case-study using in-depth interviews and snow ball sampling methodology and altogether 15 cases interviewed who returned from 3 ASEAN countries, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand comprising 5 cases per country, covering skilled and unskilled returned migrant workers within Yangon region. The study showed that the reasons of return home are mainly starting business, looking for new job opportunities and family reason both for voluntary and involuntary return. Both skilled and unskilled returnees’ reasons are examined by the theory of the structural approach of return migration. Most reasons are covered under the theory of return for starting business, return for family reunion, return for retirement and return for job opportunities. The research used the theory of human capital on what they learned from their country of destinations which include learned languages, working skills, working experiences, formal education and remittance. The reintegration process is different for skilled and unskilled returnees based on the human capital they received. While most of the skilled returnees are employees in international companies or NGOs with formal education, work experiences and working skills learned from other countries; the unskilled returnees used their remittances to start up the new business or to expand the existing family business. The process of reintegration process is also different between skilled and unskilled migrant workers. Skilled migrants can reintegrate better and faster compared to unskilled returned migrant workers. Normally the returned migrant workers took a significant time-frame of 6 months period for adaptation in reintegration of both self-employed and employee groups. Some returned for further studies, taking care of their own baby and retirement.