News
US worried that TCI taking sex & human trafficking lightly
Providenciales, 19 Aug 2015 – A shocking and vile allegation is included in a 2015 Human Trafficking report, and it says that Turks and Caicos officials are not only ignorant and but insensitive about sex and human trafficking within this country.
US Secretary of State, John Kerry, who was last year in the TCI on holiday is quoted on the issue of human trafficking globally as appalled and outraged by the acts.
One comment from Kerry on the freshly published 2015 report centers on abuses for workers: “It highlights the hidden risks that workers may encounter when seeking employment and the steps that governments and businesses can take to prevent trafficking, including a demand for transparency in global supply chains.”
The US believes since a 2012 report the Turks and Caicos has done and is doing nothing to better the laws to reduce or limit the potential exploitation of migrant workers and children.
In that 2012 report it is said, “According to local experts, the large population of migrants from Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and Jamaica are vulnerable to sex trafficking and forced labor, with stateless children and adolescents especially at risk.”
The report continues with: “Local stakeholders, including law enforcement officials, have reported specific knowledge of sex trafficking occurring in bars and brothels and noted trafficking-related complicity by some local government officials was a problem.”
TCI is somewhat sheltered by protocols of the United Kingdom, but it is still believed the jurisdiction on its own is not proactive enough to safeguard against these global and growing atrocities.
The Opposition Leader, Sharlene Robinson broached the subject in the House of Assembly, in her two minute opening statement on Monday, Hon Robinson challenged the PNP Administration on the matter.
She said in part, “…the Government has been silent on multiple reports (three that I am aware of) that include these Islands among countries where there exists forced sexual labour. Mr Speaker this also has negative implications for our country’s reputation. I wait to hear the Government’s official response on this issue…”
The TCI Sun newspaper has carried two articles on this subject in recent years; one in 2013, the other over the weekend.
As for what the US recommends to the Turks and Caicos to improve anti-trafficking efforts; basically stop turning a blind eye to the potential of human trafficking and forced sexual labour – starting from the leader in foreign affairs, who is the Governor right down to civilians.
By Deandrea Hamilton
Editor
#TurksandCaicos, September 4, 2023 – After judges and attorneys in the Turks and Caicos vocalized their concern over the number of American tourists arrested for breach of firearms laws, there comes a notable change in the Travel Advice from the US Embassy, based in Nassau, Bahamas.
Too many arrests and too many convictions of American visitors to Turks and Caicos over guns and ammunition, including a man, who was this week sentenced to 8 months in prison, have resulted in a sensible notice.
“To avoid U.S. citizens facing arrest in the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) for bringing firearms, ammunition, or other weapons into the country, U.S. Embassy Nassau updated the TCI Travel.State.Gov page to reflect the criminal penalties attached to traveling unlawfully with such weapons,” said a media release issued on Friday September 22.
The advice is clearly warning US citizens not to take their guns and ammo into the TCI, where unless you are licensed by local law enforcement, it is illegal with a mandatory jail term of 12 years.
In late March, David O’Connor was found with 44 rounds of ammunition while exiting the Turks and Caicos Islands. In May, O’Connor was sentenced and fined between five to six thousands
Alec Nash, who was arrested over a firearm in his luggage in July was ordered to pay a $5,000 fine after pleading guilty to having an illegal firearm.
Most recently, the defendant was not so fortunate and in this case was sentenced to time in Grand Turk Prison. Michael Grim was arrested in early August, caught at the airport exiting with 20 rounds of ammunition. He was on Monday September 19, sentenced to eight months in prison with his parents looking on in the courtroom.
It is expected further action would come in defence of Grim; possibly an appeal.
Now, the United States, which is partnered with the Caribbean islands in efforts to curb firearms movement into the countries has outlined, what travellers to the TCI need to keep in mind, even if they are legal gun owners in the United States.
“… that declaring a weapon in your luggage with an airline carrier does not grant permission to bring the weapon into TCI and will result in arrest.”
A tab on the Travel.Gov.State website is also newly created to support giving accurate information to travellers to the TCI.
Interestingly, the U.S. Embassy also warns that if travellers disregard the advice and are arrested in the Turks and Caicos on firearms offences, they will not be able to get them out of trouble.
“If a U.S. citizen illegally brings a firearm or ammunition into TCI, U.S. Embassy Nassau will not be able to secure their release from custody. The website reminds U.S. citizens that all foreign nationals are subject to TCI laws and must follow local law enforcement procedures.
However, if you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy immediately.”
News
Ministry of Immigration and Border Services and the Labour Tribunal visited Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland
#TurksandCaicos, September 24, 2023 – The Ministry of Immigration and Border Services and the Labour
Tribunal visited Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland between the 4th to 8th September 2023. The Ministry was represented by Deputy Permanent Secretary Mr. Pascal Bacchus and Madam President, Mrs. M. Doreen Quelch Missick represented the Labour Tribunal.
This initiative was geared towards exposing the TCI to the workings of the Labour Tribunal in different jurisdictions, primarily, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. For FY 23-34, training of staff was identified as one of the Key Program Strategies of the Ministry and as such, this exposure provided the opportunity for participants to observe best practices, standards and policies in employment dispute resolution.
A number of key similarities and differences were observed in both jurisdictions. Moreover, a number of nuances were observed which can enhance the TCI commitment to resolving disputes equitably. All jurisdictions have provisions to resolve disputes through conciliation before reaching the Labour Tribunal stage. However, Northern
Ireland has an additional layer in their dispute resolution mechanism and that is Judicial Mediation. It is envisaged that these observed best practices will be adopted and implemented to form part of the decent work agenda ensuring social justice for all. Participants were also given the opportunity to observe live Labour Tribunal Matters being adjudicated upon.
The agencies visited were;
- Labour Relations Agency – Northern Ireland
- Office of the Industrial Tribunals and Fair Employment Tribunal – Northern Ireland
- Equality Commission – Northern Ireland
- Workplace Relations Commission – Republic of Ireland
- Law Centre – Northern Ireland
Commenting on this visit and collaboration, Minister for Immigration and Border Services with responsibilities for
the Labour Tribunal Hon. Arlington Chuck Musgrove opined, “My Ministry and Government continues to upskill staff to ensure better service delivery to our citizens and those who work and reside among us. As our country continues to grow and develop, there will always be disputes between employers and employees. Hence, both the collaboration and training are timely, to ensure that disputes are resolved to the highest standards and to ensure equity for all involved.”
PROVIDENCIALES, Turks & Caicos Islands: More than 95% of the participants who started the Beaches Turks and Caicos (BTC) Summer Internship Programme received their certification for participation in the recently concluded event at the conference room at the resort.
Youth Ambassador and Internship Coordinator for the Department of Education, in the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) Arielle Neely, was the guest speaker at the event. She encouraged participants to maintain their network and apply what they have learnt. She also urged them to continue communicating with the organisation in order to benefit from work experience opportunities during the holiday periods.
Neely’s advice to the youth was not limited to internship or work. She also took the time to affirm them by offering wise words of counsel to build their self – esteem. Her passion for young people was evident as she implored them not to put limits on themselves. She shared, “ensure that you do the right thing during your growing process.”
Having been a beneficiary of BTC Internship Programmes herself, Neely, now has a platform to use the conglomeration of skills and training that she received to help positively impact young people.
Some of the participants testified of the benefits they have had. Donique Matthews, a second-year medical student of the University of Havana, Cuba, worked in the human resource department. Though not in her area of specialization, she acknowledged that she learnt the importance of building human relations and maintaining quality customer care.
Valedictorian of the cohort, Grevoney Dean, was based in the animations department. He expressed his appreciation for learning in that area “I have found my passion,” Dean stated. He views animation as an integral component in helping to ensure that the Beaches brand provides family entertainment. “This is my second year in the internship programme and I intend to maintain my ties with the organisation and hope this will result in full time employment.
Aspiring real estate entrepreneur, Dassy Lacoste, who graduated as salutatorian and a student of the Turks and Caicos Institute of Professional Studies (TCIPS), worked in the food and beverage department. She boasted about the wonderful opportunity to meet new people and develop her problem solving and communication skills.
James McAnally, general manager, noted that Beaches is always willing to develop the human capital of the nation. “Though the interns may not have been assigned to organisations or departments that are directly related to their interests or studies, the benefit of work experience in any field is undeniable. I commend the young people who completed the programme and salute the hard working staff of Beaches Turks and Caicos that made it all happen,” McAnally stated.
Human Resource Manager, Owenta Coleby, praised the efforts of her team in ensuring yet another successful internship programme. She highlighted that participants should not view this simply as an opportunity for earning money but that they should build on every skill set and seek to learn from the team members responsible for training. “The training that is provided at Beaches Turks and Caicos is world-class which they receive at no cost to them. In fact, we pay them for being willing to show up for training because we know that an investment in our young people today, is an investment in the Turks and Caicos Islands for tomorrow.”
Photo Captions:
Header: Coordinator of Internship within the Ministry of Education in the Turks and Caicos Islands, and former summer intern with Beaches Turks and Caicos, Arielle Neely shares with the audience techniques on how to gain from the experiences gained during the internship programmes
1st insert: Donique Matthews (right) successful intern with the Beaches Turks and Caicos resort accepts her certificate from Amin McCartney, Deputy Permanent Secretary within the Ministry of Education during the graduation exercise at the conference room at the resort.
2nd insert: Section of the audience where graduates were in rapt attention to the presentation
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