New Delhi: India and Canada are expected to
sign a social security agreement next month which will relieve
workers from double taxation while working in each other`s
country.
Under the agreement, Indian workers on short term
contracts of up to five years are likely to get relief from
making any social security contribution in Canada provided
they continue to make similar payments in India. Similar
benefits will also be available to Canadian citizens working
in India.
"We want to get it signed at the earliest. Canada is
supposed to get back to us with a date on which we can sign
the pact," Atul Kumar Tiwari, Joint Secretary in Ministry of
Overseas Indian Affairs, told agency.
Sources said the pact is likely to be signed during
Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper`s visit here next
month.
"Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper is expected to
visit India in the second half of November. The agreement is
expected to be signed then," they said.
The agreement will also help in transfer of benefits in
case a worker relocates to India after having made social
security contribution during a longer term employment in
Canada.
The number of Indians and Indian origin people in Canada
is around 10 lakh.
India has already signed similar agreements with Germany,
Belgium, France, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Luxembourg,
Hungary, Denmark, Czech Republic, South Korea and Norway.
The signing of the agreement would help Indian companies
operating in Canada as exemption from social security
contribution will reduce cost of operation.
PTI
