Nepal has launched protests following a decision by Saudi Arabia to impose a mandatory skill test on migrant workers seeking employment in the kingdom. The new visa requirement applies to workers from Nepal and adds thousands of rupees to their overall migration costs.
According to officials in Kathmandu, the program was introduced unilaterally by Saudi Arabia without a formal bilateral agreement between the two nations. The unexpected mandate has raised concerns over the financial burden placed on departing workers and the lack of coordination between the governments regarding the new testing procedures.
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