Cabinet nod to social security MoUs with Germany, Holland

New Delhi, Aug 8 (UNI) Indian nationals working in Germany and the Netherlands on short-term contracts will no longer have to pay social security contributions in the two countries provided they continue to make social security payment in India.

This provision will come into force after India signs the social security agreements with the two countries, approval for which was given by the Union Cabinet today, Science and Technology Minister Kapil Sibal told reporters.

Under the agreement between India and Germany, Indian nationals need not pay social security contribution if they are working on short-term contract upto 48 months, while the agreement with the Netherlands will provide this benefit to workers who are on contract upto five years.

Indian workers in the Netherlands will also be entitled to the export of the social security benefit if they relocate to India after the completion of their service. They benefit will be available even when the Indian company sends its employees to the Netherlands from a third country. The self-employed Indians in the Netherlands would also be entitled to export of social security benefits on their relocation to India.

The Cabinet also cleared the proposals for signing of memorandums of understanding (MoU) by India with Canada and Bostwana in agriculture and allied sectors, Mr Sibal said.

Ex-post facto approval was also given for the signing of bilateral investment promotion and protection agreement between India and Syria, an MoU between India and the Netherlands in ports and maritime transport and logistics, and an MoU under which China would provide to India hydrological information of the Brahmaputra/Yaluzanggu river in flood season 2008 to 2012.

The Mou with China will enable India to improve forecasting and timely warning for mitigation measures in the downstream reaches of the Brahmaputra river.

UNI YJ SK DS1540