Puducherry: Secretary of the Centre for Indian Trade Unions (CITU) W.R. Varadarajan objected to the UPA Government's indiscriminate sanction of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) across the country, as they would possibly become "deemed foreign territories" and keep out all welfare measures for workers.

Addressing presspersons during a visit to the tsunami affected villages along with a delegation of the France-based "Confederation General Du Travail Avenir Social De France" here on Friday, Mr. Varadarajan said that the UPA Government had failed to implement most of the assurances contained in the Common Minimum Programme. Trade unions were facing sufferings in various States. Those in unorganised sector went without social security and welfare measures.

Detailing the reasons for all trade unions to launch a nation wide strike on December 14, Mr. Varadarajan said that the Central and State Governments were deciding on labour-related issues without consulting trade unions.

Labour laws were also frozen in so far as textile industries (export oriented units) were concerned. SEZs would exempt industries in their limits from payment of taxes and duties and ultimately the Government Exchequer would lose a big chunk of revenue. He also criticised the policy of the Puducherry administration in setting up an SEZ. He protested against the Centre's plan to grant autonomy to JIPMER, as it would be injurious for the workers and staff.

French delegation

Mr Alphonse Veronese, president of the France-based confederation and its member Ms. Corinne Chaigne earlier visited some of the tsunami-affected villages here. Mr. Alphonse told newsmen that an industrial training centre would be set up at a cost of Rs.60 lakh in Nagapattinam as a joint project with the CITU. He also said that livelihood support measures and vocational training would be made available to women members in the fishermen families in tsunami hit areas in Puducherry and Tamil Nadu.

An investment of Rs.95 lakh would be made by the confederation and the CITU for the projects, Mr. Varadarajan said. K. Murugan (secretary of CITU, Puducherry) T. Murugan and V. Perumal, CPI (M) were also present.

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