India-Norway inks Social Security Agreement

To enhance the cooperation on social security and facilitate the movement of professionals between the two countries, India and Norway signed a Social Security Agreement (SSA) on Friday in New Delhi. The Agreement was signed by the Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs, Vayalar Ravi and Trond Giske, Minister of Trade and Industry of Norway.

Addressing on the occasion, Ravi said, “The detached workers sent by Norway-based companies to their Indian subsidiaries, or those sent by Indian companies to their branches in Norway will be exempt from social security contribution in the host country for a period of 60 months.” While working abroad, these employees will only be subject to the social security regulations of their home country. “It (SSA) will boost bilateral trade and investment especially in telecom, oil and information technology sectors”, added Ravi.

The Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs informed the Day After News, Feature and Editorial Services (DANFES) that SSA provides that an employed or self-employed person, other than detached workers shall be subject to the legislation of the host country only. It also provides for portability of the benefits at the time of relocation. It also makes provision for payment of benefits under the legislation of one Contracting State to the nationals of other Contracting State, residing or staying in the territory of a third State, on the same conditions and to the same extent as to nationals of the first Contracting State who reside or stay in the territory of a third State, the ministry informed.

“This significant agreement will further strengthen the bilateral relations and it will play an important role to ease the professionals’ mobility between the two countries”, said Trond Giske, Norwegian Minister of Trade and Industry.

This agreement is expected to provide relief to near 13,000 Indians in Norway and around 140 Norwegian nationals working in India. The Administrative Arrangement of the Social Security Arrangement was also signed during the occasion by the officials of both the countries. The agreement will come into effect after the fulfillment of the national requirements. India has signed similar agreements with Belgium, Germany, France, Switzerland, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Hungary, Denmark, Czech Republic and the Republic of Korea.