Roget dismisses boycott criticisms

Roget made that call during last Friday’s trade union march in Port-of-Spain. He also gave what appeared to be a hint of some of the businesses in that category that JTUM wants its members to boycott.

Speaking with reporters outside Tower C of the Port-of-Spain International Waterfront Centre, after a meeting with Energy Minister Franklin Khan, Roget remarked, “They are entitled to their own opinion.” Roget also said JTUM is entitled to, “direct our members as to where to spend their money to get the most amount of benefit.” He reiterated a list of the one percent of businesses in TT to be boycotted will be made public soon. He also said a separate list of the 99 per cent of businesses in the country which should be supported will also be made public.

“It is time that we start to focus on buying doubles, pelau, roti, bake and shark.” In supporting businesses in the 99 per cent category, Roget remarked, “Let us do it on any day, not just Tuesdays and Fridays. Let us not have a ritual in doing it.” When a reporter told him boycotting businesses would affect the people employed by those businesses, Roget countered, “They are sending them home in any case.” He said JTUM would welcome these people, “being absorbed into businesses that really will boom as a result of the 99 per cent taking charge.”