(a) the names of the countries with whom the Government has signed the Bilateral Social Security Agreements;
(b) whether the Government has taken steps to sign Bilateral Social Security Agreements with more countries;
(c) if so, the details thereof; and
(d) the number of professionals, skilled workers and corporates who were benefited by these agreements during the last three years?
MINISTER OF OVERSEAS INDIAN AFFAIRS (SHRI VAYALAR RAVI)
(a) The Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs has signed Bilateral Social Security Agreements with Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Norway, South Korea, Switzerland, and The Czech Republic. Of these eight have been operationalised.
(b) Yes, Madam.
(c) Negotiations for Social Security Agreements have been completed with Finland, Portugal, Canada, Austria and Sweden. Social Security Agreements with Japan and Australia are being negotiated.
(d) The number of “certificates of coverage†issued to Indian professionals till date is 9,401 in respect of Social Security Agreements with Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, South Korea and Switzerland,
the eight countries where SSAs have been operationalised.