Kathmandu, Nov. 11 -- A new rule for migrant workers who have returned home from various labour destinations has left government authorities, the Nepali diaspora and labour rights activists divided, as there are fears that thousands of Nepalis working abroad could lose their jobs.

The Department of Foreign Employment, the government body responsible for overseeing labour migration, recently decided that Nepali migrant workers who have returned to Nepal for a break would be required to produce documents that prove their skills required for the jobs and mention the relevant profession on their visas in order to receive a labour re-entry permit.

The department has said that the rule is aimed at ensuring uniformity vis-a-vis the workers' vi...