To be sure, reactivating workers who have been off the job for years presents big challenges for both employers and the returning worker.

WSJ: McKinsey Tries to Recruit Mothers Who Left the Fold

It offers special prizes to, say, the 100, 000th returning worker, and it helps to co-ordinate treats which are provided by the private sector.

ECONOMIST: A different kind of foreign policy

She then lived for a period in the United Kingdom before returning to Kenya, where she works now as a social worker and youth advocate.

CNN: Film shines light on Obama's Kenyan sister

Yet while the question of returning the Dunhuang treasures has arisen several times - the Chinese Worker's Daily carried a campaign for their return several years ago - Chinese authorities have never formally brought up the issue of the Dunhuang treasures.

BBC: NEWS | UK | Magazine | The original Chinese takeaway

Returning officer Chris Brook said Mr Dawson was a semi-retired consultant, Mr Gill a social worker, Mr Skinner a retired fire officer and Mr Thomas a financial analyst.

BBC: A man walks into a polling station