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| FICCI team to discuss visa, social security issues during UK visit |
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The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) is leading a high-level delegation to the UK with the objective to strengthen bilateral trade, investment relations and broad-base and intensify engagements between India and UK. FICCI President Harsh Pati Singhania is leading the 17-member high level delegation comprising CEOs from sectors like pharmaceuticals, mining, cement, FMCG, energy, information technology, financial services, petrochemicals, textiles, tyre, paper, renewable energy and hospitality. During their two-day visit commencing 9 June, the delegation would interact and exchange views with a number of important bodies in the UK like the UKIBC (UK India Business Council), International Institute of Strategic Studies, Commonwealth Business Council, APPG (Indo-British All Party Parliamentary Group) and GOPIO. Singhania emphasised for a bilateral social security agreement with the UK to protect the interest of the large number of Indian professionals working on short-term contracts by securing exemptions from social security contributions. The delegation will also urge reconsidering the stringent conditions introduced by UK in the visa rules from April 2009 onwards. The new UK immigration rules covering highly skilled migrant workers have raised the academic and financial requirements of two categories in Tier 1 of the points-based system for foreign workers. Also, the resident labour market test has been strengthened to ensure that skilled jobs are advertised within the United Kingdom before they can be offered to migrant workers. FICCI will also push for fast track registration of Indian medical personal in UK, and urge the UK government to have a Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) with India in health services. Other issues of concern such as stringent standards for agriculture and food items in UK will also be taken up. - Agencies Related Articles:
Last update: 08-06-2009 22:29
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