The government has signed Social Security Agreements with various countries to protect persons of Indian origin living and working there. These agreements safeguard the interests of Indian professionals by providing them with all eligible benefits to which they are entitled. Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi gave this information in the Lok Sabha today.

In a written reply, he said that the government has concluded Social Security Agreements with Belgium, France, Germany, Switzerland, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Denmark and South Korea. Presently, the government is negotiating the Social Security Agreements with Australia, Japan and the United Kingdom.

Talks have been completed with Austria, Canada, Portugal and Sweden but the agreements are yet to be signed. In reply to another question, Mr. Ravi said no instance of violation of the agreements has come so far.