Two months after expelling the gnomes, the Goblin Council of Elders has announced a minimum wage for gnome workers and a streamlined visa to bring more of them back.
"We have listened to the gnome community," said Elder Gnarltooth, sounding uncharacteristically conciliatory. "We recognize the valuable contributions gnomes make to our society, particularly in sanitation and plumbing, particularly this week."
The new minimum wage is 10 fermented mushrooms an hour, up from the old rate of 5 mushrooms a day. The fast-track visa lets qualified gnomes earn goblin citizenship within weeks.
The reversal is widely seen as an admission that the nation cannot function without gnomes. Gnome businesses are popular with goblins again, and the gnome workforce is now considered essential to several key industries, chiefly the ones underground.
"This is a victory for gnome rights and a testament to our perseverance," said Gnorman Gnomington, back from exile and back in business. "We have proven our worth to the Goblin Nation."
From Rigatonia, the Pastafarians approved. "The Flying Spaghetti Monster teaches us to treat all creatures with respect," said High Priest Gurgleblaster. "Also, we're glad they're in your pipes and not ours."
The nationalists are furious. "It's a slippery slope," warned Grungle Gritsnatcher of the Goblin Purity League. "Next we'll be eating gnome food and celebrating gnome holidays. Where does it end?" The gnome visa office reports that his application for a plumber arrived the same afternoon.
