Oscar apologises for remarks on CEO lynching, promises action news
25 September 2008

Mumbai: Under fire from both government and industry for his off-the-cuff remarks on the lynching of the chief executive of  Cerlikon-Graziano, an Italian company in Greater Noida, as a ''warning'' to managements, labour minister Oscar Fernandes has retracted his words and promised stringent action against those responsible for the murder of the CEO.

Fernands' reaction to the brutal murder of Chaudhary by laid-off contractual employees evoked sharp reaction from industry, which described it as ''shocking,'' and said that whatever the circumstances, murder could not be condoned.

In a damage-control effort, the government also convened a high-level meeting to discuss the issue.

Fernandes later said that he was sorry and expressed his ''profound apologies.'' He said, ''I never supported any violence. I did not refer to any specific incident. If anyone was hurt, I offer my apologies. I would like to close the chapter by saying sorry. I was giving a general view.'''

Commerce minister Kamal Nath also stepped in to reassure industry, saying,  Chaudhury's death in labour violence was ''unfortunate and completely at variance with the Indian culture and tradition of peace.''

''In our society, labour unrest has abundant legal forms of expression as also pursuance of grievances,'' he said, adding ''This stray tragic occurrence would not be allowed to mar India's position as an investment friendly destination where our states compete with each other to be investor friendly.''

The incident highlights the lack of reform of labour laws governing industrial disputes and the lack of political will to bring in new regulations.

It also points to the larger issue of a general lack of safety for the common man and a poor law and order response.


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Oscar apologises for remarks on CEO lynching, promises action