Determinants of return decisions taken by migrant workers from peripheral areas

Abstract

The paper presents results of the research focused on decisions taken by migrant workers to return to Poland from abroad with a special focus on those individuals who come from peripheral areas in Małopolska and Podkarpacie regions. The purpose of the analysis was to define the most important determinants of the return decisions and to estimate potential impact of the same on processes involving local activation of the areas in question. As part of the research 15 decision-related elements were identified; the achievement of the goal being the accumulation of a specific capital was considered by the respondents as the most important factor among economic ones. The return of the migrants who successfully completed their agenda, may become an important pro-growth stimulus provided that at least a portion of that capital is invested to create new or develop the existing jobs while, on the other hand, the consumption of the accumulated funds may yield local benefits due to multiplier effects. It is also worthwhile to stress that predominant economic factors included those related to the improvement of the migrant’s individual position on the local labor, namely, finding a job in Poland and as well as knowledge, experience and skills acquired abroad allowing them to function on the market in their homeland more effectively. Non-economic stimuli emphasized by the respondents included the importance of the risk of their families or relationships breaking down as a result of prolonged separation, migrants’ health problems and the necessity of taking care of children and the elderly. Also alternative incomes determining the return of the migrants were analyzed and the results of the evaluation of migration from the perspective of the respondents were discussed.