Government has signed three kinds of agreements/ MOUs with foreign countries to protect the interest of overseas Indian workers. Firstly, Agreements/ MOUs have been signed with Malaysia, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait and Jordan. These agreements lay down the framework for bilateral cooperation to secure protection and welfare of overseas Indian workers. Secondly, India has signed Social security Agreements with Belgium, France, Switzerland, Netherlands, Denmark, Hungary, Czech Republic and Luxembourg.Theseagreements provide for exemption of temporary detached workers from social security contribution in the host country, portability of social security benefit in case of relocation of the worker and tantalization of contribution periods. These provisions protect the workers against double contribution, loss of benefit and loss of contribution. India has signed an agreement on social insurance with Germany which exempts detached workers from Social Security Tax. Thirdly, Government has signed a Mobility Partnership with Denmark to facilitate legal migration with a view to address skill shortages and combat irregular migration.
The Government is pursing bilateral MOUs with Yemen and LibyaSocial Security Agreements with Norway, Canada, Germany, Korea, Australia, Japan and the United States and Mobility Partnership with Netherlands, France, Belgium and the European Union.
The bilateral agreements have enhanced the protection and welfare of Indian migrant workers on account of enhanced bilateral cooperation, standardization of contracts and sharing of data between the two sides. Joint Working Groups have been constituted under these agreements which meet regularly to discuss and resolve any problems relating to overseas Indian workers and devise practical means for improving the condition of overseas Indian workers. Mobility Partnership will provide greater marker access to Indian workers to address the skill shortages in the countries of destination.
This information was given by the Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs, Ravi in a written reply in the today.