Migrant Workers' Narratives of Return: Alienation and Identity Transformations

Ladegaard's book explores the experiences of Indonesian and Filipina migrant workers who have returned to their home countries after years of work abroad,separated from their loved ones. It highlights the experiences of abuse and exploitation in the diaspora and the challenges of coming home,including the need to reinvent themselves. The book also discusses the differences between Filipina and Indonesian migrant workers' experiences overseas and how research on disenfranchised groups can be used for social and political action.

Format: Hardback
Length: 156 pages
Publication date: 23 August 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Drawing on a corpus of 113 narratives told by migrant workers who have returned to their home country, Ladegaard delves into the experiences of Indonesian and Filipina (domestic) migrant workers upon their homecoming after years of work abroad, separated from their loved ones. The narratives encompass two major themes:
1. Migrant workers' experiences in the diaspora, which, for many, particularly Indonesian workers, were characterized by abuse and exploitation, resulting in trauma.
2. Migrant workers' experiences of coming home, encompassing the joyful reunion with family but also concerns about not fitting in and the need to reinvent themselves due to changes since their departure. This is particularly true for workers whose migratory journeys have not been successful and who have returned to their hometowns without any financial reward.
Chapters also explore the significant differences between the overseas experiences of Filipina and Indonesian migrant workers. The Filipina returnees share predominantly positive stories, while the Indonesian returnees uncover predominantly negative stories, shedding light on what may explain these diverse migratory experiences.
Finally, the book discusses how research on disenfranchised groups, such as (domestic) migrant workers, can be utilized for social and political action.

This captivating text is highly appealing to academics, teachers, and postgraduate students in the humanities and social sciences, particularly in sociolinguistics, applied linguistics, intercultural communication, anthropology, and migration studies. It offers valuable insights into the lives and experiences of migrant workers, shedding light on the complexities and challenges they face during their migratory journeys and upon their return to their home countries.

Weight: 470g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032202587