*INDIAN PROFESSIONAL TO BE SOON EXEMPTED FROM PAYING SOCIAL SECUITY IN PORTUGAL *
* * Thousands of Indian professionals working in Portugal will soon be exempted from making social security contribution in the European country if they make such payments in India. The agreement was signed here by Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Paulo Sacadura Cabral Portas. * * The benefit will be available under the social security pact India inked with Portugal which will also provide for cooperation in area of labour market expansion with that country where over around 75,000 Indian professionals are working currently. * * Under the agreement, India workers on short-term contracts of up to five years will not be required to make any social security contribution in Portugal provided they continue to make social security payments India. * * The relief will be available to Indian workers even if an Indian company sends its employees to Portugal from a third country. Officials said similar relaxation will be provided to Portuguese citizens working in India. As per the pact, Indian workers will be entitled to "export" of their social security benefits if they relocate to India after completion of their service in Portugal. * * India has already signed similar agreements with Austria, Belgium, Germany, France, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Luxembourg, Hungary, Denmark, Czech Republic, South Korea, Norway, Finland, Canada and Japan.
