Return and Reintegration

In line with the Philippines' commitment to progressively align its programmes and policies towards the fulfillment of the 23 Objectives of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM), notably Objective 21 (Cooperate in facilitating safe and dignified return and readmission, as well as sustainable reintegration), the International Organization for Migration (IOM) supports the Philippine Government and other stakeholders in strengthening the evidence base and building capacity on return and reintegration. Through its research efforts, IOM aims to foster discussion and advocates for the sustainability and gender-responsiveness of return and reintegration interventions that bring about mutually beneficial outcomes for both migrant and non-migrant members of the Philippine society. 

Policy Briefs: Return and Reintegration Experiences of Overseas Filipino Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic 

The unexpected return to the Philippines of massive numbers of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) during the COVID-19 pandemic—the largest return migration ever—posed urgent humanitarian concerns and long-term challenges for reintegration.  To provide a holistic response to these challenges, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) conducted a survey in September-December 2020. A total of 8,332 OFWs participated in the telephone survey. In May 2021, the results of the survey were released in the report, COVID-19 Impact Assessment on Returned Overseas Filipino Workers (IOM, 2021). The dataset provides an opportunity to generate empirical evidence depicting the return conditions and reintegration prospects of OFW returnees during a time of a global crisis. In cooperation with the International Organization for Migration in the Philippines, the Scalabrini Migration Center carried out a reanalysis of the 2020 survey by unpacking the diverse population of OFW returnees according to key variables. After reviewing and cleaning the dataset, the reanalysis sought to probe the return and reintegration experiences of OFW returnees which produced three policy briefs: 

• Re-migration or Reintegration: What Explains the Intentions of Overseas Filipino Workers 
• How the COVID-19 Pandemic Affected Land-based and Sea-based Workers 
• Uncertain Homecoming: Uncertainties Faced by Returned Overseas Filipino Workers 

A Handbook for Reintegration Programming in the Philippines: Designing, Implementing, Monitoring and Evaluating Reintegration Assistance Programmes for Overseas Filipino Returnees 

The Handbook covers Philippine migration governance in the context of reintegration, highlighting the country’s best practices and relevant examples from around the world to support stakeholders from various sectors handling all levels and dimension of reintegration in the Philippines. The Handbook also takes into account the developing situation of the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on overseas Filipinos, their families, and communities. Watch the Handbook’s explainer video to find out more. 

Returning During the Pandemic: How OFWs Navigated Reintegration in the Philippines 

Following the COVID-19 Impact Assessment on Returned Overseas Filipino Workers launched in 2021, this returnee survey report looks at the experiences of OFWs over an extended period of return in the Philippines. The report aims to understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economic conditions and well-being of OFWs and their households, how OFWs coped with the disruption of their overseas employment, their help-seeking behavior, and sources of support, and plans and prospects.