FDI in retail will hurt livelihood of workers: BJP's Joshi

BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi today opposed any proposal to allow foreign direct investment (FDI) in the retail sector, saying that it would hurt the livelihood of workers in the unorganised sector.

"We don't need to care about the sufferings of multi-nationals but we need to care about the sufferings of the common man," he said at a function organised by the Bhartiya Jan Mazdoor Sangh here.

"FDI in retail would lead increase in job losses in the unorganised, agriculture and labour sectors," he said. Referring the neighbourhood shops, he said, "I have decided to stand by the neighbourhood stall owner."

The BJP leader said that a revaluation of the whole economic infrastructure needed to be done as the present model had led to an increase in consumerism and was promoting a culture of disparity.

On what will be his stand in case Team Anna launched a political party, he said, "This is a matter between the people and them. What can I say on this."