News

Turks and Caicos Government appoints new Labour Commissioner

Published

9 years ago

November 15, 2017

#TurksandCaicos, November 15, 2017 – Providenciales – The Turks and Caicos Government is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Edwin Taylor as the new Labour Commissioner within the Ministry of Border Control and Employment Services.

Mr. Taylor who officially took up employment on Monday November 6th, 2017, holds a Bachelor of Science and Arts Degree in Management with a concentration in Human Resource Management from the University of Central Florida, in Orlando, Florida and a number of professional certifications from the London School of Government, Florida International University and RIPA International in Human Resource, Leadership and Project Management.

Having previously served as a Human Resource Officer with the Turks and Caicos Government from 2006 to 2010, as a Senior Human Resource Officer with Fortis TCI from 2010 to 2012 and as a Human Resource Manager with interHealth Canad TCI from 2012 to 2017, Mr. Taylor has an extensive background in Human Resource Management and employment matters.

Commenting on the appointment, Her Excellency, Deputy Governor, Anya Williams said; “I am pleased to welcome Mr. Edwin Taylor back to the Turks and Caicos Islands Civil Service and to congratulate him on his new appointment.

“As a part of our efforts to continue to improve service delivery across government, key focus was placed on the restructuring of the Ministry of Border Control, in particular the Employment Services and Immigration Departments which le to both Director positions being restructured and re-advertised to fall in line with the new propose mandate of the department.

“As this role is vital to the proper functioning of the labour market and wider economy, we are confident that Mr. Taylor’s professional background and experience will be an asset and will help to continue on with the improvements that we have already seen in the department through the stewardship of Deputy Commissioner – Mr. Alpheus Smith, Customer Service Manager – Mr. Emilio Seymour, Assistant Manager – Chrishanda Hall and other staff.”

Also commenting on the appointment, Deputy Premier and Minister responsible for Border Control and Employment Services, Hon. Sean R. Astwood said; “I welcome the appointment of Mr. Taylor as the Commissioner of Labour within my ministry. His role is a very critical one that will steer the department towards the full realization of the vision of the Government, that is, an efficient mechanism of regulation and support for a migrant labour force while maximizing and promoting the employability of Turks and Caicos Islanders.

“This is a very demanding position, but with Mr. Taylor’s enthusiasm and wealth of experience, I am certain that he will be successful. I would like to commend the work of the Deputy Commissioner – Mr. Alpheus Smith, who has done a tremendous job of bringing about the improvement already visible within the department. I believe that together, Mr. Taylor and Mr. Smith will be a formidable force and I am looking forward to great accomplishments from this team.”

Mr. Edwin Taylor commenting on the appointment and his expectation for the role added; “It is with great pride and humility that I have accepted the position of commissioner of labour. I thank God for the opportunity to serve my country in this capacity, and look forward to working with everyone in the Ministry of Border Control and Labour, as well as the employment services team in carrying out our mandate.

“I am excited about the proposed changes the Permanent Secretary has brought to my attention in regards to the future plans for the department, and I am honored to be given the chance to contribute and play a major role in bringing about these changes.

“Initially, I plan to focus on ensuring that timelines for the processes are being met and that communication lines are always open to provide clients with updates tot he service they are accessing through the Employment Services Department. We also plan to focus on ensuring that companies are following the proper procedures and protocols with regards to employee relations. I would endeavor to educate everyone living and residing in the TCI on their rights and understand the role we play to ensure that those rights are not being violated.”

Press Release: TCIG

News

ELECTRICITY BILL SHOCKER: PELICAN ENERGY WARNED GOV’T

Published

2 days ago

August 10, 2026

Deandrea Hamilton

TCIG knew from April that fuel factor could surge almost 80%; Minister says $500 cost-of-living payment was part of Government’s response

PROVIDENCIALES — The Turks and Caicos Government knew months before July’s shocking electricity bills that consumers faced a potentially massive increase in the fuel factor.

Minister of Information Technology and Energy E. Jay Saunders revealed Friday that Pelican Energy warned his Ministry in April that generation fuel costs were projected to rise from $3.09 per gallon in May to $4.79 in June and July.

That translated into a projected fuel factor jump from about 17.5 cents to 31 cents per kilowatt-hour — an increase of almost 80%.

Saunders said he personally advised Cabinet of the projected increase and presented options for cushioning the impact.

He characterised Government’s $500 cost-of-living payment as its “initial response” to rising fuel costs, before a separate fuel-factor subsidy was approved.

Cabinet records show Government agreed on June 24 to provide funding to mitigate the fuel-factor impact, with the relief programme approved July 8.

Eligible residential customers — those averaging less than $1,500 monthly over the previous three bills — are capped at 22 cents per kWh from July through October.

Pelican confirmed Friday that Government’s contribution was already applied to July bills, meaning the bills now triggering widespread public outrage would have been even higher without the subsidy.

Saunders did not disclose the programme’s total cost.

His admission that Government knew since April, however, raises another question amid the backlash: why were consumers not directly warned by Government about the scale of the approaching increase?

Bahamas News

More Bahamians Accessing HIV, STI Care Through NHI

Published

2 days ago

August 10, 2026

Deandrea Hamilton

NASSAU, Bahamas — More Bahamians are accessing HIV and sexually transmitted infection-related healthcare through National Health Insurance, a trend the NHI Authority says should be viewed positively.

NHIA stressed in an August 6 statement that its 2025 figures measure healthcare utilisation, not newly diagnosed infections. They include beneficiaries screened, treated, monitored or receiving follow-up care, including people diagnosed previously.

“Increased utilisation of these services should be viewed as a positive development,” NHIA said.

The Authority pointed to “greater enrolment and use of NHI, improved access to screening and testing, continued treatment and monitoring of existing conditions, and increased willingness to seek medical care.”

The development comes amid a mixed three-year HIV picture. New diagnoses rose from 130 in 2023 to 156 in 2024, before declining to 142 in 2025.

NHIA said increased utilisation demonstrates that more beneficiaries are accessing needed healthcare and actively managing their health, reinforcing the importance of screening, early diagnosis and continued treatment.

Health

47,459 MEASLES CASES, 44 DEATHS ACROSS AMERICAS

Published

2 days ago

August 10, 2026

Deandrea Hamilton

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Americas has recorded 47,459 confirmed measles cases and 44 deaths in 2026, the region’s highest case count in 22 years, prompting the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) to urge stronger vaccination, surveillance and rapid outbreak response.

As of July 18, cases were already more than triple the 15,011 recorded during all of 2025. Guatemala, Mexico, the United States and Peru account for 95% of confirmed cases. Guatemala leads with 30,371 cases and 26 deaths, followed by Mexico with 12,255 cases and 17 deaths.

PAHO classifies the regional public health risk as very high, citing active outbreaks, immunity gaps, international travel and populations with inadequate vaccination coverage.

The organization says prevention starts with vaccination. Countries are being urged to achieve and maintain at least 95% coverage with two doses of measles-containing vaccine, particularly protecting children and under-vaccinated communities.

Measles spreads through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes. Symptoms can include fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes and a rash.

PAHO is urging health authorities to detect suspected cases early and respond rapidly to stop transmission. Unvaccinated and under-vaccinated people, young children and communities with limited healthcare access face increased risk of severe illness and death.