Post-COVID socio-economic impact on migrants and role of emotions. (A Multi-sited Ethnography, Dera Ghazi Khan)

Abstract

This multi-sited ethnographic research study was aimed at exploring the post-COVID 19 socio-economic impacts on migrants and the role of emotions in the journey of migrants‘ life in district Dera Ghazi Khan. The research is multi-sited ethnography and employs qualitative research methods such as case study, interview guide and in depth interviews to collect data from a sample of 26 male migrant returnees. The sample was selected by using a combination of mixed methods purposive and snowball sampling techniques. This research envisions the survival strategies of those migrants who have been impacted by COVID-19 and returned to Pakistan. In the return adopted different strategies for income to fulfil the basic needs of family members. The key role of migration in the family relationship was deeply observed in that the relationships positively changed due to migration, on the other hand, the same positive relationships took a negative turn in terms of behaviour and attitudes when these migrants returned to their home country. The perception of migrants about their emotions was analyzed in this research. The study highlights the adopted strategies which were mainly the start of small businesses after the return and engaging themselves in labour work while selling their precious properties such as gold and lands. Meanwhile, migration strengthens family bonds because the living standards of family members have been improved which gives them recognition in society. Furthermore, on the return of migrants again a drastic change has been seen in family relationships due to a lack of income because of the post-COVID-19 impact. The returnees were challenged to face the rude behaviours and attitudes. In the overall journey of migration, emotions were highly impacted whether the migrants were living abroad or returning to their home country due to COVID-19. Multiple circumstances were revolving around these migrants from their disturbed hopes to anxiety and losing the emotional attachment to their family members, especially their life partners. Key words: post-covid-19, socio-economic, multi-sited ethnography, behaviours, emotions, family relationships, disturbed hopes, anxiety, lost emotional attachment.