Abstract:
Migration studies are an interdisciplinary study within a broader field of development studies
due to its association with debates about development and underdevelopment. Irregular
migration is one of the most significant topics in migration studies and its complex nature has
attracted many scholars around the world. In Ethiopia, large scale cross-borders migration
increased, especially in the last decades and became more complex. Irregular migration has
various impacts on migrants and the family left behind; however, there is shortage of
information on this issue. Therefore, this study examines the impact of cross-border irregular
migration from Lemo woreda of Hadiya Zone to abroad. To achieve the objectives the study
qualitative method was employed to collect the data needed for the study. Of the qualitative
methods of data collection in-depth interviews, focus group discussions and key informant
interviews were used. Primary information was collected from purposively selected migrant’s
family members left behind under in-depth interview. Religious leaders, idir leaders, school
leaders, kebele leaders returned migrants under focused group discussion and experts from
Lemo woreda governmental offices under key informant interview in the study area. Thematic
analysis was used to analyze the data. The study was applied the New Economics of Labor
Migration Theory to investigate the impact of irregular migration on migrants themselves and
migrant’s family members left at Lemo woreda.. The findings of the study shows that departing
from the traditional notion that irregular migration is only harmful, it suggest that irregular
migration have positive economic impacts and have more of negative impacts on social affairs of
migrants family members left at home though it is not similar. Irregular migration has negatively
affected the education of the students and working manpower of the woreda is another finding of
the study. In terms of social impacts, the study found that irregular migration is an influential
factor in changing roles within the family and promoting the social status in the community of
sending area. Based on the findings of this study, it is recommended that Lemo woreda
concerning bodies and offices should initiate programs to integrate returned migrants and
migrants’ family members in to productive economic activities. Also it is important if the
concerning body introduce counseling programs to migrants and to their family members,
especially for their spouse, parents and children to alleviate the problems arising due
separation. It is necessary to make the family members of migrants aware of negative
consequences of migration and how to alleviate them through the media. Besides these the
government is expected to revise policies and developmental programs to minimize migration of
citizens.
