India and Finland signed an agreement in New Delhi today to enhance bilateral cooperation on social security. A release by Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs said that after this agreement, no social security contribution will be paid by detached Indian nationals working on a short term contract up to five years in that country, provided they continue to make payment in India. The benefit will be available even if an Indian company sends its employees to Finland from a third country.

Under the agreement, Indian workers will be entitled to the export of social security benefit if they relocated to their home country after completing their service in Finland. Besides, self-employed Indian nationals will also be entitled to the same benefit on their relocation to India. The period of contribution in one contracting state will be added to the period of contribution in the second contracting state for determining the eligibility of social security benefits.

AIR correspondent reports, there are about five thousand Indian nationals working in Finland, most of whom are professionals and self employed. There is a huge potential for Indian workers to avail of employment opportunities in Finland as there is a huge supply gap in the market.