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Labour Tribunal Back in Action in Turks and Caicos

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#TurksandCaicosIslands – February 18, 2020 — The Labour Tribunal was established under the Employment Ordinance Section 93 and was given jurisdiction to hear and determine any Labour disputes or complaints; and is expected to discharge its statutory functions in accordance with the Employment Ordinance.  The Labour Tribunal welcomed the new President, Mrs. M. Doreen Quelch Missick, Attorney at Law on 2nd January 2020. The Tribunal was without a legally constituted body since the law was amended in March 2018.

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The in-coming President, in an effort to get the Tribunal back on track and fully functioning, immediately put plans in action for the review of the existing backlog of cases, and undertook critical steps in assessing the backlog and put plans in place to move forward for new and pending cases at the various stages of deliberations. Introductory meetings were held and expectations outlined, an orientation meeting was later held for all newly appointed members who received their appointments in August 2019. It was an honour to have the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Anya Williams present to give brief congratulatory remarks during the orientation.

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On February 4th a full day of Training for all members were conducted with a focus on the Employment Ordinance, discussing their individual role, duties, responsibilities and expectations of Members.

The Labour Tribunal is grateful for those who continue to offer their services to the Tribunal and by extension to the Turks and Caicos Islands and welcome all members and am indeed proud of the caliber, experience and strengths all members bring.  We are happy to introduce the following Members of the Tribunal whose appointment is for a period of two (2) years: –

Mr. Vernon Alco Williams of Providenciales has served in the public and private sector as Superintendent of Police of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force.

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Mr. Edward Hall of North Caicos has served as Commissioner of Police, Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force.

Bishop Samuel Williams of Providenciales has 30 years of service in the public and private sectors in various fields, particularly in Electronics and Communications.

Mr. Michael Pereira of Providenciales, a Justice of the Peace, Notary Public and retired Clerk of Courts and Bailiff of the Supreme Court.

Dr. Beatrice Fulford of Grand Turk, an Educator has served in various positions in the public sector – Chairman of the Public Service Commission, and former Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Education.

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Mrs. Noreane Williams-McKoy, of South Caicos is an Educator and a Justice of the Peace. She is a Champion for persons with special needs and is a member of the District Board, South Caicos and the Parole Board.

Ms. Rosa Maria Clare, of South Caicos is an Educator who has served over forty years in the public service.  She presently serves on various Boards and is active in community service.

Mrs. Irene Glinton of Providenciales has experience in the private sector, serving in various Administrative roles.  She presently serves as Secretary to the Turks and Caicos Islands Electricity Board.

Mrs. Judy Missick of Providenciales has worked over 30 years in the private sector in administrative fields and Human Resource Management.  She is an ordained Minister of the Gospel and is a part of various social and community groups.

The Labour Tribunal staff members include Mrs. Winifred Stubbs, Administrative Officer, Mrs. Lucille Campbell, Labour Tribunal Secretary, Ms. Alice Williams, Tribunal Officer and Ms. Adriana Handfield, Clerical Assistant.

Recognizing that the Labour Tribunal has been without a President since August 2017, however, the staff under the leadership of the then Vice President, Mr. Vernon Alco Williams continued to perform the statutory functions of the Tribunal.  President Missick commended the former Vice President and staff for their work and reminded the team of the important role of the Labour Tribunal and its functions. The Labour Tribunal, in seeking redress for employment disputes will endeavor to dispense its rulings in a fair, just and timely manner in accordance with the law.

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The President, staff and members look forward to serving the people throughout the country and is pleased to let the public know that all inhabited islands now have member representation on the Labour Tribunal. We look forward to the return of the weekly radio program via RTC in our efforts to reach out and inform the public, employees and employers of their rights under the Employment Ordinance, their rights under other International Workers Rights Instruments to include the International Labour Organization (ILO) and other International Human Rights Conventions. We look forward to visiting North, Middle and South Caicos and to re-establish its presence in Grand Turk and for the re-opening of the Labour Tribunal Office by March 1st.

The Tribunal looks forward to working internally with the Commissioner of Labour and his staff and Labour Inspectors, Immigration and externally with the Clients and Attorneys in an effort to fulfil the statutory functions of the Labour tribunal. We express thanks to the general public for their unwavering support and to the clients for their patience and look forward to working to serve you.

The office hours remain Monday to Thursday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm and 8:00 am to 4:00 pm on Friday.  The Office in Grand Turk is located at 3 Degrees Building and in Providenciales in Butterfield Square, Downtown, Providenciales.

Magnetic Media is a Telly Award winning multi-media company specializing in creating compelling and socially uplifting TV and Radio broadcast programming as a means for advertising and public relations exposure for its clients.

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DDME and TCI Regiment Promote Disaster Resilience on Grand Turk  

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By Deandrea Hamilton | Magnetic Media

 

The Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies (DDME) and the Turks and Caicos Islands Regiment joined forces today at the Graceway Grand Turk Supermarket, hosting a public awareness event to mark the International Day of Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR).

The interactive pop-up aimed to educate residents about preparedness and resilience, aligning with this year’s global theme: “Fund Resilience, Not Disasters.”

The theme underscores a growing global message — that investing in prevention and preparedness is far more effective than paying for recovery. The DDME team and Regiment officers shared tips on community readiness, storm safety, and individual action, encouraging residents to take simple steps that can save lives and reduce damage during natural disasters.

According to the international campaign, disasters are becoming “more frequent, more costly, and more devastating,” with direct losses topping $200 billion annually. Experts warn that without urgent investment in resilience, such risks may soon become uninsurable.

The global statement also highlighted that every dollar spent on resilience saves four dollars in avoided losses, urging governments and donors to scale up disaster risk reduction (DRR) financing and integrate resilience into all aspects of climate and development planning.

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The Capital Without Adequate Borders: A Nation at Risk

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Turks and Caicos, October 14, 2025 – Imagine this: the capital of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Grand Turk, unguarded, exposed, and left to chance. At a time when our government is overwhelmed with competing priorities for the development of a fragile small island nation, one question demands our immediate attention: are we doing enough to ensure the highest level of maritime security for our Capital?

The reality is sobering. In my opinion, we are not!

In this fight against crime, are we turning over every stone and closing up every loophole?

When pressure mounts in Providenciales, criminals inevitably search for safer havens. Grand Turk and our sister island are left vulnerable. Sporadic interceptions of illegal vessels in the outer islands only highlight the cracks in our defenses.

A once vibrant, self-sustaining community, rich in culture, resources, and natural beauty, now sits in limbo, weighed down by successive governments promises that never seem to materialize.

We cannot afford to neglect the Capital while focusing only on Providenciales. A strong, permanent maritime presence in Grand Turk is no longer optional; it is essential. Without it, our porous borders remain open, our reefs and marine life unprotected, and our sovereignty dangerously compromised.

If you don’t have protected borders, you don’t have a country.

We rarely hear about interception of private yachts breaking our laws, but practically, every month private yachts slip into our harbor, often unsure where to dock, anchor, or declare their arrival. Too often they are seen coming ashore in dinghies, offloading what appears to be garbage or unknown content. It’s unchecked, unmonitored, and unquestioned. Who is watching? Who is enforcing?

Do our customs officers have the tools to respond to vessels at all hours? Are inspections being carried out? Are foreign mariners held to the same standards as locals, required to obtain licenses before fishing, whale watching or exploring our waters?

Without having the proper infrastructure in place or private marinas and oversight, they drop anchor directly on our reefs, destroying in minutes what took nature centuries to create.

And what about security? With no maritime unit based in Grand Turk or Salt Cay, the chances of intercepting illegal vessels smuggling drugs, weapons, or human cargo are slim to none. We are in effect, leaving our doors wide open.
We must ask, does every relevant department have the necessary tools to do their job? Maritime, Fisheries, DECR, Customs and the like.

We must act urgently. This is not only about enforcement; it is about survival. If we remain passive, our outer islands risk becoming playgrounds for traffickers, illegal immigrants and criminals.

So, what is the way forward?

  1.  Extend and Refurbish the Salt Cay boat Ro-Ro dock in Grand Turk to accommodate small vessels.
  2. Repair the broken ramp at Jack Shack, creating proper maritime and first responder access.
  3. Since there are no private marinas in Grand Turk, implement a fair system of mooring and anchoring fees, applied equally to local tour operators and visiting yachts, as is standard worldwide.
  4. Erect a more visible sign near the Customs office identifying their location.
  5. Provide secured docking for maritime and DECR vessels perhaps between the two existing docks, ensuring a rapid-response presence at all times.
  6. Reestablish our maritime branch in Grand Turk along with a proper seaworthy vessel.
  7. We must continue to intensify pressure on the UK and demand accountability for its actions, or lack thereof in safeguarding our external security.

These are costly but not luxuries. They are necessities. The cost of inaction will be far greater in the long run than the investment required today.

On a more positive note, we must also look for opportunities to celebrate even small wins like the recent headway being made on crime control across these islands. Nevertheless, we must not become complacent and find ways to channel our complaints and dismay into action.

It has been nearly a decade now since I relocated back to the Grand Turk community, cherishing the warmth, resilience, and hope that defines this beautiful island. But some truths can no longer be ignored. Our voices cannot remain silent.

We cannot wait for the government alone to tell us what we need. We must demand it. We must lead it. The time for complacency is over. The time for action is now.

Ed Forbes

Concerned Citizen

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Overcrowding at Grand Turk Prison Now 30% Above Capacity, NSC Warns

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Turks and Caicos, October 14, 2025 – Overcrowding at Her Majesty’s Prison (HMP) Grand Turk has reached crisis levels, taking center stage at the most recent meeting of the National Security Council (NSC).

The session, co-chaired by Governor Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam and Premier Charles Washington Misick, heard a sobering report from the Ministry of Public Safety and Utilities on the worsening conditions at the country’s only correctional facility.

Officials revealed that HMP Grand Turk currently houses around 131 inmates in a facility built to accommodate just 104, representing an estimated 30 percent overcapacity. Structural damage from previous hurricanes and years of wear have further reduced usable space, compounding safety and management challenges.

The Chief Magistrate’s Court and the Director of Public Prosecutions’ Office have repeatedly warned that the prison’s overcrowding could undermine rehabilitation and security efforts — and now, the NSC has declared modernization of correctional infrastructure a national priority.

The Council approved immediate-term relief measures and agreed to a comprehensive review of the prison estate, aimed at identifying targeted infrastructure investments to meet the demands of a growing inmate population.

The NSC meeting, held on September 25, 2025, brought together the highest-level officials in the Turks and Caicos Islands’ security apparatus, including the Deputy PremierAttorney GeneralCommissioner of PoliceNational Security AdvisorCommanding Officer of the RegimentDirector General of Border Force, and NSS Threat Lead.                                                                                                                          Also in attendance were the Hon. Minister and Permanent Secretary of Public Safety and Utilities, alongside the Superintendent of the Department of Correctional Services, who presented the update on the prison’s capacity challenges and operational concerns.

Multi-Agency Coordination and Maritime Security

Beyond the correctional system, members were also briefed by the Unified Command on ongoing multi-agency security operations, including efforts to strengthen cooperation among law enforcement and border protection entities.

Discussions also turned to the legal framework underpinning joint operations, with members emphasizing the need for coherent inter-agency coordination in tackling transnational threats, particularly those related to illicit migration and maritime crime.

The Commanding Officer of the Turks and Caicos Regiment presented plans for a new maritime operational base and docking facility, envisioned as a command-and-control center that would bolster the country’s ability to respond to maritime incidents, search-and-rescue operations, and natural disasters.

Liquor Licensing Reforms and Regional Summit

The Permanent Secretary for National Security briefed the Council on the review of the current liquor licensing regime, with recommendations for a full restructuring and digital redesign of the licensing process to enhance oversight and efficiency. The Council supported continued reform work on the system.

In a forward-looking development, the NSC also endorsed plans for the Northern Caribbean Security Summit, to be hosted in Turks and Caicos under the theme “Dismantling Illicit Maritime Activities Through Enhanced Cooperation.” The summit aims to convene regional and international partners to deepen collaboration in addressing shared maritime security challenges, from smuggling to illegal migration and environmental crimes.

Security at a Crossroads

Governor Daniel-Selvaratnam and Premier Misick jointly reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the country’s national security infrastructure and coordination mechanisms, describing the discussions as “critical to maintaining the safety, stability, and sovereignty of the Turks and Caicos Islands.”

With the prison operating well beyond its intended capacity, and a surge in complex maritime and border challenges, the NSC’s focus on modernization and reform signals an urgent recalibration of priorities.

As the Turks and Caicos Islands position themselves as a leader in regional cooperation on security, one message from the Council was clear: the nation must invest now — in its institutions, its infrastructure, and its resilience — to sustain safety and justice in the years ahead.

Angle by Deandrea Hamilton. Built with ChatGPT (AI). Magnetic Media — CAPTURING LIFE.

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