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Cousins from overseas: How the existing workforce adapts to a massive forced return migration shock

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: The 1975 eruption of Civil Wars in Portuguese-speaking Africa sparked the return of half a million retornados to Portugal. We use census data from 1960 and 1981 to study theimpacts of this massive influx of workers on the existing workforce. We observe gendered effects in natives’ labour market outcomes: male and female natives leave dependent employment. However, male natives partially compensate by moving into self-employment, while females move to inactivity. Our findings suggest that the effects are driven by the repatriates who were Portuguese-born. The identification strategy exploits the repatriates’ municipality of birth and a large-scale resettlement program relying on hotel capacity.

Source: European Economic Review

DOI: 10.1016/j.euroecorev.2024.104925

Authors: Lara Bohnet, Susana Peralta, João Pereira dos Santos

Language: English

Topic: Migration and Labor Dynamics

Subfield: Sociology and Political Science

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Decent work and economic growth, Reduced inequalities, Gender equality, Peace, justice, and strong institutions

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,170