TCI News
TCI Article: Service Charge Cop Out
#Providenciales, December 6, 2018 – Turks and Caicos – Early Saturday morning, December 1st 2018, many awoke to the news that the Service Charge Bill which was set to come into force that morning had been delayed with what could only be called a very flimsy explanation, barely a solid paragraph to boot. While I was shocked at the blunder, I was not at all surprised. Can we really point to one specific item that this administration 
has developed on its own for the people of the TCI wholeheartedly and succinctly on its own in nearly two years of Governance? I’ll wait…
In the meantime, I will provide some background information to show just why this is a cop out by this administration as something bigger might be at play behind the scenes. In the spring of 2015, then Leader of the Opposition, Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson brought a motion to the HOA requesting that the Government consider giving working in the Hospitality industry 100% Gratuity. Though missing the mark, and really meaning Service Charge, the debate about 100% Service Charge was thrust back into the public domain and would become an issue that the 2016 election might have been swung on. The Ewing Administration set up a committee to review the issue and get feedback from industry folks and workers. The committee worked at its leisure but things heated up again when in the fall of 2016, PDM Appointed member Hon. Clarence Selver who was an independent candidate at the time brought a Service Charge Amendment Bill to give TCI Workers 100% Service Charge and legalizing receiving tips.
With elections looming and the committee’s work incomplete this Bill would not see the light of day as on the day it was finally scheduled for a first reading elections were called. Fast forward to Spring 2017, when PNP Appointed Member Hon. Royal Robinson brought a similar 100% Service Charge amendment Bill, as the government hadn’t to that point even whispered the words 100% Service Charge to the public. After taking licks in public for several month after not debating the Bill at several sittings of the HOA, the Sharlene Cartwright Robinson Led Administration Killed the Bill that would have given 100% Service Charge to the people. This less than a year of supporting a similar Bill brought by Hon. Selver as mentioned above when they were in Opposition.
This year the PDM Service Charge Bill was finally drafted and released for feedback. There were several meetings with industry folks, surveys to be filled out etc to get recommendations on possible amendments to the draft Bill. One such amendment made was to allow the newly proposed Facility Fee to be charged at a rate of up to 5% instead of the initially proposed 3% in the original draft. Clearly somebody was listening to somebody at that point. The bill was brought to the HOA, debated, sent to the committee of the whole where several amendments was proposed by the PNP members but voted down by the PDM Majority. The Bill passed with bipartisan support and an implementation date of Dec 1st 2018 was set for the bill.
Why did I go through such detail?? To make the point that for 3 years now, this issue has been in the forefront of the people’s minds in the TCI, but yet at literally the 11th hour, there needs to be more public education, 
clarification, and amendments?? What the hell had these people been doing for the last 3 years? If after 3 years of debating, discussing, and campaigning of an issue, if I can’t bring forth a bill that could at the very least be a good first crack at it out the gate, I would pack up shop!! And the biggest joke is they had to know this was coming long time and could have forewarned the people about the issues as many splurged a little more for the Black Friday Sales in anticipation of the extra funds for Christmas. But nooooo, both the Premier and Deputy Premier dropped this bomb on the country and slithered out of the country the next morning to the UK for the JMC meeting, leaving poor Delroy to hold the bag! How cowardly, ducking the media and the people after chilling the night before at the TCI Culinary Ambassadors’ Chop Off… Shame on you… It would have been better to implement the law on schedule and review it in 6 months than to Grinch-like steal the people’s Christmas.
Stay Blessed TCI, it ain long now.
Jamell Robinson
Turks and Caicos, October 28, 2025 – We are closely monitoring the impact of Hurricane Melissa on Jamaica, and our thoughts and prayers are with our regional neighbours for their safety and well-being
We are now entering a critical period as Hurricane Melissa advances towards the Turks and Caicos Islands. Current projections indicate that Hurricane Melissa will begin to impact the Turks and Caicos Islands around midday tomorrow, Wednesday, 29th October.
This morning, Her Excellency the Governor and the Hon. Premier chaired a State of Preparedness Meeting. All Government agencies and critical services are mobilised. The safety and protection of every person across our Islands remains our highest priority. Our emergency response teams are prepared and the TCI Regiment is deployed across each of our Islands to support community readiness and immediate response. The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force are on active duty, with additional officers in North Caicos, Salt Cay, South Caicos and Grand Turk.
At this time, the hurricane is moving north-northeast. The country is expected to experience tropical storm conditions, heavy rainfall and
significant storm surge. The storm surge poses a serious concern for low-lying coastal areas especially along our western and southern coastlines, which may result in coastal flooding. Based on the most current weather projections and anticipated impacts for the Turks and Caicos Islands, the National Executive have agreed the following actions:
1. Evacuation Advisories
Residents in specific low-lying and flood-prone coastal areas are likely to experience significant storm surge of 2-4 feet with accompanying rainfall. Strong advice is now place for residents in these areas to relocate to designated shelters which will be open from 4pm this afternoon. These areas include:
Middle Caicos
- Conch Bar Nearest Shelter: The Community Centre
North Caicos
- Sandy Point Nearest Shelter : Sandy Point Community Centre
- Whitby Nearest Shelter: Adelaide Oemler Primary School
- Bottle Creek Nearest Shelter: Adelaide Oemler Primary School
Providenciales
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- Chalk Sound Nearest Shelter Enid Capron Primary School
- Five Cays Nearest Shelter: Enid Capron Primary School
- Discovery Bay Nearest Shelter: All Saints Church, Leeward Highway
- Juba Sound Nearest Shelter: A. Louise Garland High School
- Long Bay Nearest Shelter: A. Louise Garland High School
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South Caicos
- Cockburn Harbour Nearest Shelter: Community Centre
- Old Airport Road Nearest Shelter: Community Centre
Should an evacuation order become necessary, it will be issued following the 6:00 PM Advisory this evening from the TCI National Weather Service.
2. Activation of Emergency Operations Centre
The National Emergency Operations Centre in Providenciales and all Islands Emergency Operations Centres will be activated at 4:00 PM today.
3. Shelters Access
Shelters across all Islands will open today at 4:00 PM to receive members of the public.
4. Shelter-in-Place
A Strong Shelter-in-Place Advisory is in place for all islands, commencing at 10:00 PM tonight. This will be in place until the all clear has been issued.
This means that from 10:00 PM tonight, all residents should be off the road, in a safe location, either at home or a designated shelter.
Please note that this position may be revised following the 6:00 PM Advisory from the TCI National Weather Service, depending on updated storm projections.
The Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority (TCIAA) has confirmed that all airports remain fully operational for today. They will advise the public about ongoing operations dependent on the weather impacts.
In times such as this, the role of commercial entities extends beyond business – it becomes a vital part of the community’s resilience. All retailers and service providers are urged to uphold their humanitarian responsibilities by maintaining fair pricing and ensuring essential goods and services remain accessible to all.
Residents and visitors are reminded to adhere strictly to all official advisories and evacuation orders as they are issued. Avoid unnecessary movement, secure your property, and ensure that you and your family are prepared with essential supplies. Stay prepared and stay safe.
Turks and Caicos, October 24, 2025 – Commissioner of Police Fitz Bailey delivered an impassioned address to male students at Clement Howell High School, calling on them to recognize their power, seize their potential, and “awaken the sleeping giants” within.
In a message that blended humility, faith, and personal experience, the Commissioner reminded the boys that the decisions they make today will shape their future.“The choices you make today determine who you become tomorrow,” he said.
Bailey, who revealed he was the first in his family to attend high school, urged the students to embrace education and discipline as tools of
transformation.“Knowledge is power. If you want to be a real man, you need to read,” he told them. “Remember your potential — if others can do it, so can you. Some of you are sleeping giants waiting to be awakened.”
He emphasized that circumstances of birth do not dictate destiny, challenging the young men to carry self-respect, faith, and moral conviction wherever they go. “Self-respect is key; respect yourself, respect others, and respect God,” he said. “The circumstances you were born into do not define who you are.”
The Commissioner also spoke about resilience, advising that true strength often lies in restraint.
“There will be challenges, and people may try to impede your development — but rise above negativity. Sometimes, strength means walking away,” he said. “Some of you are sleeping lions; it’s time to awaken that instinct and rediscover your true potential.”
In closing, Commissioner Bailey delivered a stirring challenge:
“Each morning, look in the mirror and remind yourself that you were created by God and are capable of great exploits. You are a possibility with potential. Step forward with confidence — this is your country, your islands. Be the best version of yourself.”
Following his speech, the Commissioner engaged the students in open dialogue, answering questions and listening to their perspectives on issues affecting young men in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Developed by Deandrea Hamilton • with ChatGPT (AI) • edited by Magnetic Media.
