India taking all steps to protect its workers abroad: Ravi Indo-Asian News Service
New Delhi, Jan 5 (IANS) India is serious about the condition of its workers abroad and is taking a number of steps to ensure the protection of their rights. Speaking at a press conference here Thursday, Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi said that India has already signed a landmark social security agreement with Belgium and is in the process of signing similar agreements with other European countries as well. The agreement, signed by Ravi and Belgian Foreign Minister Karel de Gucht during the course of Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt's visit here last November, provides several benefits to Indians and Belgians working in each other countries. Those working on a short-term contract of up to 60 months are exempted from social security contributions in the host country provided they continue to make social security payments in their home countries. Those who live and work for periods longer than 60 months and make social security contributions under the host country laws will be entitled to the export of the social security should they relocate to the home country on completion of their contract or on their retirement. Coming to the plight of Indian workers in the Gulf, Ravi said that only last month India and the United Arab Emirates signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to safeguard the interests of the Indian workers in that country and to ensure their welfare. Ravi and UAE Minister for Labour Ali Bin Abdulla Al-Ka'abi signed the MoU that provides for the facilitation of manpower recruitment and mutual sharing of information and experience. The MOU is the first of its kind signed by the UAE Government and has immense significance for the protection and welfare of Indian workers in the UAE. There are approximately 1.4 million Indians in the UAE. Under the MoU, all categories of workers will enjoy protection under the UAE labour law and regulations. Terms and conditions of the employment contract will have to be in conformity with the work permit that the employer obtains from the UAE government. The MOU has come into immediate effect and will be valid for four years. All contracts from now on will have to be authenticated by the UAE government and the employer will have no right to change the contract conditions. The minister said that his ministry is negotiating similar MoUs with other countries in the Gulf and expects to conclude them expeditiously. Also in December, US Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade Franklin L. Lavin had said that his country was seriously considering a pact with India to refund social security contributions by Indians on their return even if they had not worked for a requisite number of years. Ravi Thursday said that his ministry is aware of problems faced by Indian workers in various countries and is seriously considering signing labour welfare pacts with all such countries. To another question on granting voting rights to overseas Indians, he said that this right could be given only to those holding Indian passports. He said that the proposal for granting voting rights to NRIs has been placed before the parliament but could not be passed in the last session. "Once it is cleared, we will put their names on the voters' roll," he said.