Cabinet approves India-Denmark MoU on labour mobility

The union cabinet today approved the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on labour mobility partnership agreement between India and Denmark.

The MoU will facilitate safe and legal migration by promoting orderly migration of workers from India to meet the growing demand for skilled and trained workers in the Danish economy while at the same time preventing illegal migration and the smuggling of people for financial benefits.

Under the proposed MoU, the two countries will cooperate in the areas of labour market expansion, employment facilitation, organised entry and orderly migration and  exchange of information and cooperation in introducing best practices for mutual benefit of labour and employment for qualified workers within their national objectives and the relevant laws.

The two countries will also offer equal treatment to workers and promote direct contact between the employers in Denmark and recruiting agencies in India - both private and state-managed - without intermediaries to facilitate regular and orderly recruitment of workers.

The MoU would ensure protection and welfare of all categories of workers under the labour laws and other relevant laws of the host country.

The MoU also provides for constitution of a joint working group of both the countries, which will study employment opportunities and suggest means for enhancing cooperation between states, interpret the provisions of the MoU and oversee its implementation.

The MoU will create guidance material on rights and duties of employers and workers to minimise labour disputes and create information material about the existing system for dispute settlement, suggest amendments for better achievements of its objectives and recommend measures to prevent misuse of visit visas by unscrupulous employers and recruiting agencies as also recommend initiatives to address any issues that might arise in the context of the MoU.