Indian workers' social security issue raised with US

Government Wednesday highlighted India's concerns on the US Totalisation and Social Security Act's impact on Indian workers in the US.

The issue over Indian workers losing their social security contributions due to discrepancy in the visa and social security regimes in the Totalisation and Social Security Act was raised by Commerce Secretary Rajeev Kher who met Wendy Cutler, acting deputy US trade representative.

Cutler on her visit to India as part of an inter-ministerial discussion to deliberate on the agenda setting, modalities and dates for convening the next Ministerial Level Meeting of the Trade Policy Forum (TPF) in New Delhi.

"Issues of high visa costs and corresponding higher wage implications and its impact on India's (information technology) IT industry and professionals under the US immigration reforms was also mentioned for inclusion in the agenda (for TPF)," Commerce Ministry said.

"Market access of agrarian products also figured in the discussion as did textile products which is acting as a non-tariff barrier for exports of certain textile products to US markets."

On the IPR (intellectual property rights), India raised the issue of market access for pharmacopeia and professionals under India's traditional system of medicines (Ayush) and also suggested a bilateral institutionalised mechanism for discussing issues of bio-piracy.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to US also came up for discussion as did India's stand on the food security and trade facilitation as part of the Bali Agreement," the ministry added.

Kher reiterated India's avowed position on food security and trade facilitation reassured India's commitment to the Bali Agreement while seeking a time bound and permanent solution to the food security issue.