#TurksandCaicos, November 21, 2017 – Providenciales – Our service men and women (Police, Firemen, Customs and Immigration) in uniform sacrifice their lives to keep us safe. Immigration Officers are known all over the world as a country’s gate keeper and should be compensated commensurate with the task of enforcing Border Control. In TCI, the Officers particularly those stationed at the Airport are made to suffer unbearable working conditions and risk being victimized for speaking up for themselves.
The bravery shown by the Immigration Officers sick-out for better working conditions and pay must be commended, as their actions are demonstrative of the fact that they too have reached the end of their rope with the myriad of issues that are in need of fixing, which still have not been addressed after months of the officers following the protocols to air their grievances.
The immigration officers (I.O.) struggle is real and it begs the following questions:
- How can these I.O. live on a meager 1800 – 2200 per month in the island of Provo where the cost of living outstrips their salary by 45%?
- How can these I.O. continue to be welcoming at our Borders when the issue of Outstanding overtime pay weighs heavy on their minds?
- How can these I.O. come to work on holidays when they know they are entitled to double-time for holidays worked and spent away from their loved ones, when they are not being remunerated accordingly for their time and sacrifice;
- Why are these I.O. not allowed a staff bathroom at the airport instead they are required to share bathroom facilities with landed passengers, which potentially means waiting in line. What are they to do in the case of an emergency?
- Why should the I.O. have to pay to park their cars, or risk having them towed away for want of designated parking facilities;
- How can the I.O. Supervisor work in the poor sanitary conditions present at the I.O. Office, where the Septic Tank requires sealing; and where the TCIAA and TCIG continue to be at a standoff as to whose responsibility it is to keep clean the immigration areas;
- How can the I.O. sit comfortably in chairs that are in dire need of professional cleaning and re-upholstery;
- How can the I.O. take vacation when their vacation requests go unanswered by the authorities;
- How can the officers appear well presented when only two uniform are given annually to the officer to wear six days a week?.
Was this the private sector, the Government would have had the Labour Department shut down such a company responsible for such degrading and demoralizing treatment of its employees. Well, it is time for the “Change” Minister of Immigration, to change these 9 flawed working conditions for the staff in his Ministry. The people elected you because they wanted to see change, so be the change you promised these Officers you would be.
The immigration Officers jobs are already stressful by the very nature of their work and they often face the most criticism in this country being unfairly characterized as corrupt or “on the take”, well now it is time to show the Officers who have served this country loyally that they are appreciated. Do the right thing and: Pay the Outstanding overtime pay; Pay double-time for holidays worked by the IO;
Assign dedicated Bathroom facilities for the I.O.; assign designated parking facilities for the I.O;
Ensure proper sanitary conditions for the I.O. Office; Replace the I O Chairs;
Ensure that the Septic Tank in the I.O Office is sealed; Approve the vacation requests;
Issue 6 uniforms per officer for their six days of work;
We await the wave of “Change
Photo credit: F Chambers
