AITUC to oppose SEZ concept

Mysore, Jun 18 (UNI) All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) today strongly opposed the Centre and State governments Special Economic Zone (SEZ) concept.

SEZ were the consequence of imperialist globalisation, AITUC Karnataka General Secretary H V Anantha Subbarao told mediapersons here today.

Stating that AITUC would launch agitations against SEZ concept and extend support to the farmers, he said 346 SEZs were being set up all over the country in five lakh acres of land.

The hallmarks of SEZs were loss of huge taxes to the government, taking away farmers land, ruthless exploitation of workers and curtailing trade union and democratic rights, while it was bonanza for the land sharks and developers.

The AITUC would oppose all 'anti-workers and anti-people' policies of both state and central governments, he added.

Charging the state government with trying to market SEZ by providing irrigated lands to the investors and paying meagre amount to the farmers for acquisition, Mr Subbarao demanded that the government should stop acquiring lands for SEZs.

Due to the state government's apathy, the problems relating to labour were increasing, he said adding that despite AITUC demand, the tripartite meeting consisting of representatives of central trade unions, employers and the government had not been called so far.

The AITUC was demanding that suitable measures be taken by the government to protect the workers in the state.

UNI