Kathmandu, July 23 -- Saudi Arabia has unilaterally introduced a skill certification programme in Nepal, adding a new financial burden on migrant workers seeking employment in the Gulf country. Workers without a skill verification certificate will no longer be eligible to obtain Saudi work visas.

The Saudi Embassy in Kathmandu has made it mandatory for workers to submit a skill verification certificate before applying for visas. Saudi Arabia had planned to enforce the requirement from June 17, but the rollout was halted after manpower agencies vandalised a training centre assigned to conduct the skill certification test.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Youth, Labour and Employment has sent a diplomatic note to Saudi Arabia through the Minist...