KATHMANDU, July 1: Nepali migrant workers have urged the government to reverse its decision of barring overseas returnees from bringing raw gold and silver into the country.

Writing an open letter to Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli on Thursday,  Nepali Saajha Manch - an organization of Nepali migrant workers, said that the decision will make negative impact on country’s social, cultural and economic sectors.

The Department of Customs (DoC) last week published a notice, barring overseas returnees from bring raw gold into the country from July 16 onwards. The existing law permits Nepalis returning home after staying at least six months in foreign land to bring up to 50 grams of raw gold or 50 gram of golden jewelry without paying any customs duty.  Once the new law decision comes into effect, such returnees cannot bring raw gold.

“The decision bars overseas returnees from bring raw gold and silver but allows them to bring gold and silver jewelry which is not logical in any way,” a statement issued by Nepali Saajha Manch said.

According to the organi   zation, the decision is aimed at promoting foreign jewelry in Nepal and eroding competitive edge of domestic jewelry firms. “The decision will not only discourage Nepali migrant workers plying their trade in foreign land but also encourage smuggling of gold into the country,” the statement added.