IFTU describes SEZ plan as 'colonisation'

Visakhapatnam, Dec 18: Indian Federation of Trade Unions (IFTU)'s AP unit State General Secretary Prasad today assailed the 'indiscriminate' allotment of lands to special economic zones (SEZs) in the country undermining labour rights.

Addressing a meeting organised to mark the state council meeting of the IFTU here, Mr Prasad said the government's plan to set up 300 SEZs all over the country was similar to bringing back ''new colonisation'' at the cost of farmers' interests.

''The situation was akin to the pre-independence times when the Dutch, the British and the French set up colonies,'' he said.

The 'mini colonies' coming up in the name of SEZ's would facilitate implementation of law favourable to those operating the zones, he added.

UNI