COVID-19 Faces of Migration – Story of Mariam (age 26), returnee from Greece

Mariam has been participating in various talent shows her whole life. She has been singing since she was 5 years old. Inspired by several Georgian singers, who managed to build successful singing careers in Greece, Mariam also decided to try her luck.

In 2018 she went to Greece with her friend. She spent weeks going from one Georgian restaurant to another, but she could not find what she was looking for. Without work permit it was not easy to find a well-paid job either. She still had to work to make a living, so Mariam had to take several jobs during 1.6 years of her stay in Greece. Though she finally managed to find a restaurant, where she could sing and work, performing these two roles was too stressful for Mariam and she decided to return home.

IOM arranged her departure and Mariam returned to Georgia in March 2020, right before COVID-19 related restrictions were put in place. With IOM’s support Mariam purchased musical equipment and is now pursuing her career as a freelance singer. Her real goal is to become a backup singer at concerts and charity events. COVID-19 gave her much needed time to focus on her plans and set new goals. Experience gained in Greece empowered her – Mariam feels like she can overcome any challenge that may come her way. Mariam believes in herself and knows that she will achieve her dream and find success in Georgia.   

Nearly all countries worldwide have enforced travel/movement restrictions to contain the spread of COVID-19. Measures such as border closures, curfews and internal lockdowns have had wide-ranging implications for both local population and third country migrants, leaving many unable to return to their countries/areas of origin or to reach their intended destinations.  Some had to endure many challenges to return home in the time of pandemic. Many migrant workers in different parts of the world are unable to return home, stuck in their countries/areas of work without employment.

In various parts of the world IOM is assisting thousands of migrants who have been affected by movement restrictions and are unable to work or return home.
 

Photos by Eric Gourlan