Demonstration at Chennai-against FDI in retail trade

      As per the call given by AIIEA to protest against the central governments move to introduce 51% of foreign direct investment in multi brand retail trade, a powerful demonstration was held in the LIC Building in Chennai, which is the landmark building. A huge gathering of employees, officers and agents were present to express their opposition to the government’s move to allow FDI in retail trade. The protest demonstration was held on 1.12.2011 at 1.00 p.m. Sri.Vellayan President of Tamil Nadu Traders association addressed the protest rally.  The class I officers association and the agents association led by LICOAI also joined the protest rally. More than 300 women including class I women officers attended. Sri.Vellayan in his address praised the AIIEA for its valuable support for the traders in their fight against FDI in retail. He fondly remembered that AIIEA Chennai unit released a booklet in the year 2006 against the evils of allowing FDI in retail. He assured the insurance employees the unequivocal support in their fight against the government’s attempt to destablise the public sector LIC. Com.S.Ramesh kumar ,General Secretary, ICEU, Chennai division-I, presided the protest rally. While welcoming Sri.Vellayan, he reminded the employees about the dangers of the insurance bills which are pending in parliament for approval and also reminded Sri.Vellyan about the convention held in Chennai in the year 2006 against allowing FDI in retail trade, in which he participated and addressed, in which  Com.Deepankar Mukharjee, then Deputy Leader of Rajya Sabha,CPI(M),  was the chief guest at that convention, On behalf of AIIEA he assured full support for the traders in their fight against FDI in retail trade. Com.K.Swaminathan, General Secretary was present in the meeting.