The AITUC has expressed reservations against the setting up of special economic zones in the country. As far as the Kerala-specific safeguards, which have been incorporated by the LDF Government, are concerned the AITUC will react only after the notifications are issued, according to the AITUC state general secretary Kanam Rajendran. AITUC is not happy with the assurances given to the working class for protecting their interests. Kanam Rajendran said that the CPI was a political party which represented various sections of the society and therefore it would have a different opinion about SEZs but the AITUC represents the workers and it was worker’s interests which were of prime importance. Even in the public sector SEZs like the Cochin Export Processing Zone the labour laws were being flouted.

On the comment of LDF convenor Vaikom Viswan that those who were opposing SEZs were actually not loving the nation. Kanam Rajendran said that nobody need preach about patriotism to the AITUC. The AITUC had agitated against the East India Company in 1920. He said that the AITUC always believed in peaceful methods of agitation and not in violence.

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