India and China have signed the first-ever memorandum of understanding (MoU) on closer cooperation on key labour issues to hasten the pace of economic growth. India has signed a MoU with China after both sides recognised the importance of employment, vocational training and social security to national economic devetopment, labour minister Dr Satyanarayan Jatiya said. He said the MoU would help to strengthen and broaden mutual cooperation with the People's Republic of China, and noted that both nations were celebrating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.

Under the MoU, valid for three years, labour ministries of India and china have identified five areas to broaden exchange and cooperation, including labour and social security legislation, employment promotion, labour relations, vocational training and social security system, essential in the face of globalisation of economy, Jatiya, who is on an official visit to China, said. The MoU, signed by Jatiya and Chinese minister for labour and social security Zhang Zuoji in Beijing, Tuesday evening, calls for organising joint training programmes, exchange of information,experience and documents and study tours. Bureau Report