TCI News

TCI: Comments on Service Charge Ordinance

Published

8 years ago

December 7, 2018

#Providenciales, December 7, 2018 – Turk – Christmas is coming – Just Render to the People!

Months after the People’s Government lead by the “man for the job” passed a bill in the House of Assembly the much-touted Service Charge Bill has fallen flat on its face. Now “the man” has fled the territory but left the shadow Minister of Labour and the shadow Acting Premier to pick up the pieces and bear the brunt of the public disappointment.

So imagine on November 30^th 2018, at 11.01pm, whilst many of us were deep in slumber, and most hotel workers were tucked nicely in their beds thinking of December 1^st, 2018, not as the end of the hurricane season, or even World AIDS day, but the day that any last minute bookings at their resorts would provide them with 100% of the Service Charge charged to those guests. Oh!, the idea of a good Christmas with the possibility of some extra money for gift giving made many of them excited about a new day and a new month.

Unfortunately, the Ministry of Board Control and Employment’s release of the 11^th hour literally dashed many of those hopes and dreams of a bountiful and “bluetiful” Christmas as there would be a delay of the implementation of the Service Charge (Hotel & Restaurant) Ordinance 2018.

Over the last few days as I read release after release justifying the delay in the implementation of the collection and distribution of the 100% service charge, I gave pause to consider my own view of the Government’s actions and what my response would contain. I have considered that it would be inappropriate for me to say “I told you so” in a response to the Government’s failure to prepare themselves for the implementation of their own Ordinance and major political promise, as I said to myself that would be petty but, why can’t they just render to Caesar?

The colossal diabolical failure on the part of the Cartwright-Robinson administration represents a huge missed opportunity of the Government, to use consensus and bipartisan support to create and implement legislation that affects all of us in the Turks & Caicos Islands.

Let us closely examine the Service Charge Ordinance, during the debate and especially during the Committee Stage (the stage where clause by clause of any bill is reviewed, and discussion is had to confirm the policy position and that the actual clause would work in the practical world) this bill was put through its paces. As the member of Leeward and Long Bay and a believer in perfecting legislation that can actually work, I raised genuine practical concerns about various clauses and how they would be enforced and or interpreted.

I serve with the commitment that it is my obligation as a parliamentarian to try and perfect legislation. So with that said, I was surprised when I read the second release from the Deputy Premier citing that the Opposition made no amendments on the floor of the House, except those that the Government provided. To call his statement misleading would be an understatement.

The minutes of the House and the replay of that session will confirm that various concerns were raised and even motions were made by me as the Member for Leeward and Long Bay, Opposition Appointed Member Hon. Royal Robinson, as well as the Governor’s Appointed Member 1 Hon John Phillips.

At each stage, Hon Phillips, Hon Robinson and I challenge the practical working of this piece of legislation. We gave examples of how it would not capture an entire tourism product; how it was unreasonable in parts and at each stage we were drowned out by no’s or no responses from PDM Ministers.

It truly was like beating our heads against a brick wall for the whole session. Every concern except one (the Transitional Clause) was rejected clause by clause by the Ministers and their backbenchers. But alas, the implementation is delayed because clauses are unclear. I can understand that the Deputy Premier may not remember all that happened as while the Bill was sailing through the House, “the man” as championing it but now at the first sign of a flop she has taken off and gone to pay her service charge at hotels and restaurants in the UK.

Further, the Deputy Premier has also misled the people in his release by citing the PNP wanted to exclude expat workers from the benefit of the Ordinance. That was and is not the case. When I contributed to the debate, I made it abundantly clear that the proposition that TC Islanders benefit solely from the 100% service charge was provided to me by my constituents, and I read out their comments in the Chamber as I promised my constituents I consulted within the industry that I would, so that they knew I spoke on their behalf verbatim.

Mr. Deputy Premier, whilst your second release not only conflicts with your first release which said the following “to enable further public education and readiness for the new regime as well as to make any required legislative clarifications by way of amendments to avoid ambiguity and ensure proper understanding of and compliance with the Ordinance”. Your second release is filled with unwarranted and unsubstantiated claims of PNP operatives delaying the implementation of your Government’s policy and legislation. Mr. Deputy Premier, how is that possible? Are you really saying that the “Our People” in your release are the technical persons in the Ministry of Border Control and Employment are encouraging companies not to register? Further, are you also saying that members of the Opposition can influence the Business Community to not follow the laws of the Country?

Mr. Deputy Premier, may I remind you that your Ministry has some of the longest serving and highly decorated senior civil servants in executive management; persons whose character have never been questioned by successive governments as being nothing more than politically neutral at all times. May I remind you that your Labour Commissioner who is tasked with the oversight of this Ordinance, by virtue of his parental lineage could never be considered a PNP operative.

Way to go Mr. Deputy Premier, throwing your staff under the proverbial bus, because you were too busy celebrating a political promise, but failed to see that it would be implemented in the 3 months since its creation. It is sad, however, that you and your Government led by “the man” are unable to allow the experts in the Civil Service to shine for fear of victimization and retribution. In one breath you seek to legislate better treatment of hotel workers but government workers have not heard a single word from you or “the man” about better pay or better working conditions. Is she still telling you all when to turn your cell phones off and on?

Not only was your second release pure political spin, but you also had it distributed by the TCIG Press Office which is the official press for the Turks & Caicos Islands Government including civil servants and not just Ministers. So you have now placed civil servants in a political discourse that you had no right to do. This release clearly is politically motivated and the TCIG Press Office should not be used as some pawn to release political diatribe as the second release purports to do. Save that for your Party’s spin machine and noisemakers.

Whilst, I read the release from the Acting Premier on Monday, I’ve decided not to touch that with a 10-foot pole, save to advise the Acting Premier and Shadow Minister of Home Affairs, Communication, and Transportation to be cautious about what you put your name to. I am sure that the same way “the man” sent that email to you she could have sent it out under her own name.

The vitriol that was expressed in that release and the public shaming of a Member of the House was petty on every single level and left no doubt as to who was the writer. The enervated attempt to come off as a caring Government was completely a lost cause, because if this Government was a caring government, the last 90 days leading to December 1^st, 2018, you would have moved every mountain, clear every ambiguity, and educate us all on the Service Charge (Hotel & Restaurant) Ordinance 2018. Instead the Government waited until 59 mins before the Ordinance would come into effect to realize they were not in a position to implement their own Ordinance and Policy.

It wasn’t as if this Government didn’t already know their Ordinance was unworkable, they were told that several times before the Bill was sent to the HOA, during its review in the HOA, and once again after the Ordinance passed that it just could not work in its current form. There are many Government specialists in the Civil Service that can help but “the man” oh “the man” does not seem to be the type that takes advice, especially from well-educated women.

Well, I must now await with bated breath the proposed amendments to the Ordinance in the next few sessions of the HOA, so I can review them against the suggestions and concerns raised during the original debate and the committee stage of the bill, as I have a gut feeling they’ll mirror the concerns raised in September 2018. Why can’t we just render to the People the things that are the People’s?

I end as I started, Christmas is coming and I take this opportunity to wish all those in the Turks and Caicos Islands a Happy Christmas and I want to encourage us all to celebrate the reason for the season of Love, Joy, and Peace. May God continue to bless and keep us in these Islands.

Yours in the Turks & Caicos Islands,

Akierra M D Missick

MP Leeward and Long Bay

Turks and Caicos –

News

BermudAir Launches Service to the Turks and Caicos Islands on October 26th, Expanding Air Connectivity Ahead of Winter Season

Published

2 days ago

October 22, 2026

Deandrea Hamilton

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands (October 22nd, 2026) – The Turks and Caicos Islands welcomes BermudAir as the airline begins its service to the destination on Monday, October 26th, marking the start of a wider expansion that will connect us with additional cities across the United States, Canada and the Caribbean.

BermudAir’s service will begin with a new nonstop service between Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Providenciales. The flight will depart from the Howard Hamilton International Airport at 8 am on Monday morning and arrives at 7.40 pm. Aboard the inaugural flight will be a delegation from the Turks and Caicos Islands led by Experience Turks and Caicos and the Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority (TCIAA), and will include Deputy Governor, Her Excellency Anya Williams, Minister of Tourism, Hon. Zhavargo Jolly, as well s representatives of the Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association (TCHTA), the board of the Turks and Caicos Islands Tourism Authority, Invest TC and local media.

BermudAir will operate the Fort Lauderdale–Providenciales route three times weekly, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, through May 3rd, 2027. making it easier for business travellers with the schedule offering the potential for same-day return trips. The airline is also launching nonstop service between Fort Lauderdale and Belize City, Belize, on the same schedule, offering travellers in South Florida direct access to both destinations.

The new service introduces BermudAir’s premium leisure inflight experience to the Turks and Caicos Islands. Flights will operate on Embraer E190 aircraft configured without middle seats, giving every passenger a window or aisle seat, alongside complimentary snacks and beverages.

Minister of Tourism, the Honourable Zhavargo Jolly, welcomed the airline’s arrival, noting the importance of expanding airlift to support the continued development of the destination’s tourism industry.

“Air connectivity remains one of the most important factors in the continued development of our tourism industry. BermudAir’s expansion represents an opportunity to strengthen our connections with key international markets while opening new doors for our sister islands. I am particularly encouraged by the planned direct service between Newark and South Caicos, which speaks directly to our vision of expanding tourism opportunities across the Turks and Caicos Islands. Our objective is to ensure that improved connectivity translates into greater economic activity, stronger local businesses and more opportunities for Turks and Caicos Islanders to participate in and benefit from tourism.” said Minister Jolly.

Commenting on the significance of the new route for the country’s development, the Honourable Arlington Musgrove, Minister of Physical Planning and Infrastructure Development (PPID), stated: “The introduction of BermudAir’s new service is a testament to the continued growth and development of our aviation sector. The Ministry of Physical Planning and Infrastructure Development, alongside the Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority, remains dedicated to enhancing our airport infrastructure to accommodate increased airlift. We are committed to working to ensure that our facilities provide a seamless, world-class experience for all incoming passengers and we warmly welcome BermudAir to our shores.”

The Fort Lauderdale launch is the first of several new services BermudAir plans to introduce to the Turks and Caicos Islands for the 2026–2027 winter season. Additional connections to Providenciales are scheduled from:

Bermuda to TCI and Grand Cayman: Beginning December 18th, 2026
Anguilla: Beginning December 19th, 2026
Boston, Massachusetts: Beginning December 19th, 2026
Toronto, Canada: Beginning December 19th, 2026
Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina: Beginning December 20th, 2026
Newark, New Jersey to South Caicos: Beginning December 20th, 2026
St. Petersburg/Tampa, Florida: Beginning December 21st, 2026
Baltimore-Washington: Beginning December 24th, 2026

The expansion will give travellers more options for reaching the destination during the winter travel season, while broadening access from established and developing source markets. The additional routes also create opportunities for tourism stakeholders to reach new audiences and encourage visitors to explore more of the islands.

For flight schedules and bookings, visit www.flybermudair.com.

News

DDME Celebrates International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction

Published

3 days ago

October 22, 2026

Deandrea Hamilton

Emcee and members of the panel (L-R): Ms. Arnisiqua Selver, Mistress of Ceremony; Mr. Andrew Gardiner, TCI Red Cross; Mr. Garry McLean, Department of Planning and Ms. Kevaun Lucas, Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies.

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Thursday, 22 October 2026: The Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies (DDME) joined the global observance of International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR) on October 13th. Various initiatives were held throughout the islands to bring awareness to the public, including panel discussions, community engagement activities, school visits, essay writing and an original video submission from the Eliza Simons School in Grand Turk.

Disaster Risk Reduction is a people-centred endeavour; it emphasises that policies, systems and investments must be designed around the needs and capabilities of individuals and communities, according to the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030. Each year, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), as the implementing agency for the Sendai Framework, issues a call to action encouraging individuals, communities, and countries to become resilient.

The 2026 IDDRR theme, ‘Resilience Starts at Home’ seeks to bring global and national awareness of the core role of households in disaster risk reduction, advocating for stronger governance and investment in resilient housing, reducing housing-related risk and empowering households to take risk-informed actions to protect themselves and strengthen community resilience.

The Turks and Caicos Islands, in an effort to reduce disaster risk, seeks to observe the concepts and core principles of the Sendai Framework 2015-2030. Throughout the years, many initiatives have been taken through the various stages of the disaster cycle from preparedness to recovery in an effort to strengthen the resilience of the Turks and Caicos Islands. Initiatives such as the creation and consistent updating of building codes, the Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Housing Project following major hurricanes such as Ike in 2008, the creation of an early recovery framework, as well as strengthening CCRIFF insurance were all implemented to ensure that the Turks and Caicos Islands were on the path to build back stronger and better.

This year’s theme underscores the roles governments, the private sector, and individuals play in ensuring communities and homes are safe and more resilient. The Turks and Caicos Islands Government has made significant strides in ensuring that homes are constructed through the use of risk-informed planning, land use planning and construction practices. The Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Housing Project, which facilitated the construction of twenty-four (24) completely rebuilt homes and repaired thirty-four (34) homes, provided a baseline for future housing initiatives such as Programme 3. This programme includes community renewal and infilling under the National Housing Policy and seeks to repair property that has sustained physical damage for vulnerable people.

Residents of the Turks and Caicos Islands are reminded of the individual role that they can play in ensuring that their homes are resilient.

Ensure that you obtain the proper approvals from the Planning Department before building.
Ensure that you utilise the standards and building codes of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Include proper drainage systems and other methods to reduce flooding and water pooling near your home.
Update your family emergency plans and ensure that everyone in your household is aware of its contents.

Let us all do our part in ensuring that all homes across the Turks and Caicos Islands are resilient.

Highlights from IDDRR can be seen on the Official DDME Social media accounts: Facebook @ddme.tci_official and Instagram @ddm.tci

News

Imagine Turks & Caicos Represented in UK Parliament; New Report Favours It

Published

3 days ago

October 22, 2026

Deandrea Hamilton

LONDON, ENGLAND — October 22, 2026 — The last time the Turks and Caicos Islands went on the record about having a representative in the UK Parliament, then-Premier Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson said there was no local appetite for it.

She made the statement on December 5, 2018, while giving evidence before the UK House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee during its inquiry into the future of the British Overseas Territories.

“There is no appetite in Turks and Caicos for it,” she told the committee.

Magnetic Media research reveals that Caribbean British Overseas Territories have never demonstrated unanimous support for direct representation at Westminster. However, in a press release received on Thursday, October 22, 2026, a group called Conservative Friends of the Overseas Territories (CFOT) revealed proposals for all 14 British Overseas Territories to receive dedicated representation in the House of Lords.

The proposal revisits a longstanding constitutional question on which Caribbean territorial leaders have expressed differing views. Some have favoured direct parliamentary representation, while others have preferred existing arrangements for engaging with British parliamentarians.

The latest proposal differs from earlier discussions about elected representatives in the House of Commons. CFOT is advocating dedicated representation in the House of Lords, intended to strengthen the territories’ influence without replacing their elected governments.

The proposal forms part of a wider strategy that CFOT hopes will influence the policies of a future Conservative government.

The Conservative Party, led by Kemi Badenoch since November 2024, is currently the second most popular political party in Britain, according to the latest YouGov opinion poll. It remains in opposition but has shown signs of recovery in public support. The October 18–19 survey placed the Conservatives at 23 per cent, ahead of Reform UK at 22 per cent, while the governing Labour Party led with 27 per cent. Conservative support has risen from 20 per cent earlier this month, although the party’s position varies across different polls. The improvement comes as Badenoch’s party seeks to rebuild its political standing following its defeat in the 2024 general election.

The newly released report, A New Era of Partnership: Sovereignty, Security and Sustainability – Redefining the UK Relationship with the Overseas Territories, was launched earlier this month at the Conservative Party Conference in Birmingham, attended by Shadow Overseas Territories Minister Wendy Morton MP, Conservative parliamentarians and Peers.

A VOICE AT WESTMINSTER

Under the proposal, every British Overseas Territory would have dedicated representation in the House of Lords, providing a consistent parliamentary voice on constitutional rights, security, international relations and economic development.

The report stresses that such representation should strengthen, rather than replace, the democratic authority of territorial governments and their elected legislatures.

It also recommends parliamentary safeguards requiring approval before fundamental changes to a territory’s sovereignty, constitutional status or territorial integrity could take effect.

Another major proposal would establish a Cabinet Committee on the Overseas Territories, chaired by the British Prime Minister.

This would place territorial affairs under direct oversight at the highest level of UK government, with participation from Overseas Territory governments and regular reporting to Parliament.

A NEW RELATIONSHIP WITH BRITAIN

CFOT is also advocating a long-term UK–Overseas Territories strategy, jointly developed with territorial governments, within the first year of a future Conservative administration.

The strategy would be supported by individual agreements setting out priorities, responsibilities and measurable outcomes.

A proposed “no surprises” commitment would ensure territorial governments are consulted early and kept informed about British legislation, international negotiations and decisions that could materially affect their interests.

The report also proposes a permanent UK–Overseas Territories Security and Resilience Partnership, with stronger intelligence-sharing, maritime surveillance and cooperation against organised crime and illegal fishing.

Other priorities include protecting critical infrastructure, improving disaster preparedness and strengthening food, water and energy security.

Economic recommendations include improved access to banking services, greater participation in international markets and support for financial and professional services, artificial intelligence, digital assets, emerging technologies and sustainable tourism.

The report also proposes multi-year environmental conservation funding and reforms to the Darwin Plus programme, giving territorial administrations a more direct role in managing conservation projects.

Greater participation in international diplomacy, improved access to UK education and public-service training, and annual parliamentary reporting are among the additional recommendations.

CFOT: TERRITORIES DESERVE STRONGER PARTNERSHIP

Giles Roca, Chief Executive of CFOT, said the existing relationship between Britain and its Overseas Territories was fragmented and relied on a strategy that had not been updated in 15 years.

“The Overseas Territories deserve a relationship with the United Kingdom that reflects their strategic importance, respects their democratic self-government and gives them a meaningful voice in decisions that affect their future,” Roca stated.

He identified dedicated House of Lords representation and prime ministerial oversight as central elements of the proposed reforms.

CFOT was established in September 2024 as a Conservative-affiliated special interest group. It says its membership includes more than 50 Conservative MPs and Peers.

The organisation argues that the territories should be treated as partners with their own democratic institutions, economic circumstances and constitutional arrangements, rather than having their interests managed through disconnected British government departments.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

The proposals arrive ahead of the next UK–Overseas Territories Joint Ministerial Council meeting in November, when territorial leaders are expected to continue discussions about their relationship with Britain.

Caribbean Overseas Territory leaders have already called for a new UK White Paper to replace the 2012 framework, seeking clearer commitments on consultation, constitutional development and the future of the relationship.

The CFOT recommendations, however, are not UK Government policy and have not been formally adopted by the Conservative Party or Overseas Territory governments.

The report is intended to influence future British policy discussions, including the development of a more structured relationship with the territories.

For the Turks and Caicos Islands, the proposal raises a practical question: whether having a dedicated representative inside the British Parliament would provide greater influence over decisions affecting the territory.

It remains to be established which Overseas Territory governments were consulted in developing the CFOT proposals and whether they would welcome the particular model of House of Lords representation now being recommended.

Find the full report here: https://www.cfot.co.uk/