PM to host TV forum after overseas medical

On his return from a medical check-up overseas, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley will again meet with trade unions and host an open televised forum on the state of the economy.

PNM chairman Franklin Khan, after yesterday's post-General Council meeting at Balisier House, Port of Spain, told reporters the one-day open forum would provide the tripartite view of the country’s economic situation from the standpoint of the government, trade unions and the business community.

Rowley made the suggestion last Wednesday at a meeting with the trade union movement at the Office of the Prime Minister in St Clair. He is due to meet labour leaders on September 13, after his return from his overseas medical on September 11.

A date for the open forum is still to be scheduled. Khan said Government would outline the country’s financial state of affairs, challenges, plans, and possible solutions, and the trade unions and business stakeholders would also put forward suggestions.

“There would be no closed-door session to say you come out of as meeting, hold a press conference and say this was agreed to, this wasn’t agreed to, this was where we had conflict. The population would be part of this open forum, like the town hall concept in the United States of America. We think it’s a good thing for the democracy and it’s a good thing for people’s participation to make the required judgement as to whether the government is performing to their satisfaction. ”