CPI leader reverses stand on SEZs

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A day after voicing strong opposition to Special Economic Zones (SEZs), CPI's Kerala unit secretary Veliyam Bhargavan clarified today his party was not opposed to such exclusive zones as such but was concerned about denial of labour rights in the zones.

Setting up SEZs would do good for the state but it should not be at the cost of infringing the rights and privileges of workers earned through prolonged struggle, he told reporters.

Bhargavan also said he did not think that a separate piece of legislation was required to safeguard labour rights in SEZs in the state since they were going to be allowed on a clear policy framework which had addressed these issues.

At a public meeting organised in connection with the state meet of the party's trade union wing AITUC, the CPI leader had said that if SEZs were allowed it would trigger a virtual ‘riot’ by disgruntled workers.

AITUC, as well as the party's youth outfit AIYF,have refused to relent from their anti-SEZs position even after the LDF cabinet approved the policy earlier this week.