Kathmandu, Sept. 10 -- Just before the lockdown began in the third week of March to contain the spread of the coronavirus, Umesh Prasad Singh had more than 400 Indian seasonal workers at his two brick factories at Tarapatti Sirsiya, Dhanusha. He had employed 300 Nepali workers as well.

His brick factories have remained shut since the nationwide lockdown was imposed on March 24. Although the lockdown was lifted on July 21, his factories have failed to resume operations, as most of the workers who had returned home have not come back.

"I am waiting for them to come back," Singh said. "Most Nepalis do not want to work at a brick factory."

Singh, who is also the acting president of the Federation of Nepalese Cottage and Small Industries, e...