TCI News
Labour Tribunal Back in Action in Turks and Caicos
#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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
News
The Turks and Caicos Islands Set Positive Start to 2026 with Increase in January Stayover Arrivals
PROVIDENCIALES, TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS – (February 25th, 2026) – The Turks and Caicos Islands began 2026 on a positive note, with stayover arrivals in January surpassing the same period in 2025.
Preliminary figures indicate that 56,830 stayover visitors arrived in January 2026, representing a two percent increase year-on-year. The steady growth continues the positive momentum experienced at the close of 2025.
Mr. Paul Pennicook, Interim CEO Consultant, attributed the encouraging performance to new collaboration with tour operator partners as well as increased airlift from key source markets.
“We anticipated a strong January performance following the growth recorded in November and December. The winter season has traditionally been a robust period for the Turks and Caicos Islands, and this year that strength has been further supported by enhanced collaboration with partners and expanded airlift from Canada and the United States We are cautiously optimistic about maintaining this upward trajectory in the weeks and months ahead.
Cruise Sector
In cruise, preliminary figures show 122,935 cruise passenger arrivals in January, reflecting a 15 percent decrease compared to January 2025.
The decline is attributed to a reduction in cruise calls during the month. A total of 33 vessels called on Grand Turk in January, seven fewer than during the corresponding period last year.
Marketing Shows
As part of its ongoing efforts to position the Turks and Caicos Islands as a premier luxury destination, Experience Turks and Caicos has been actively participating in the Travel & Adventure Shows across several major cities in the United States.
The destination has already been showcased in Washington, D.C., New York, and Chicago, with Fort Lauderdale and Denver scheduled in the coming weeks.
Public Relations Manager Laura Dowrich represented the Turks and Caicos Islands alongside the destination’s U.S. marketing agency, ABA Global.
Beaches Turks & Caicos – Stone Creek Travels
“One of the most encouraging takeaways from these shows is that the Turks and Caicos Islands is indeed on travellers’ radar. We met many visitors who shared fond memories of their time here, others who already have trips booked and were seeking recommendations on activities and dining, and many more who aspire to visit. It was a pleasure highlighting our multi-island destination and sharing the many experiences that make the Turks and Caicos Islands truly special,” said Ms. Dowrich.
Awards & Recognition
Building on a stellar year of accolades in 2025, the Turks and Caicos Islands has begun 2026 with additional international recognition.
The destination earned a Gold Badge in the U.S. News & World Report rankings, placing #5 in Best Family Vacations in the Caribbean and #5 in Best Beaches in the World. In the USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, Grand Turk was ranked #10 among the Best Caribbean Islands to Visit.
About Experience Turks and Caicos
Middle Caicos Dragon Cay Resort
Experience Turks and Caicos is the official destination marketing and management organisation (DMMO) for the Turks and Caicos Islands. The organisation is committed to positioning the destination as a premier, sustainable luxury tourism hub. By leveraging smart tools, data-driven strategies, and stakeholder collaboration, Experience Turks and Caicos focuses on enhancing the visitor experience and fostering long-term industry success.
About the Turks and Caicos Islands
The Turks and Caicos Islands consist of two island groups in the Lucayan Archipelago—the larger Caicos Islands and the smaller Turks Islands. Home to some of the world’s most pristine beaches, including the award-winning Grace Bay Beach, the destination is renowned for its crystal-clear turquoise waters, luxury accommodations, and rich cultural heritage. Each island and cay offer a unique experience:
- Providenciales boasts world-class resorts, fine dining, and high-end tourism offerings.
- Grand Turk serves as the vibrant hub for cruise tourism and historical exploration.
- The sister islands provide a gateway to nature, adventure, and authentic local culture.
Recognised as the world’s best-kept secret, the Turks and Caicos Islands offer effortless luxury, with seamless connectivity via direct flights from major cities in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
Photo Captions:
Grand Turk – slow travel with us
North Caicos – Correy Forbes
South Caicos Sail Rock
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Wednesday, 25 February 2026: Staff of the Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies (DDME) participated in a one‑day Professional Staff Development Workshop on Thursday, 19th February 2026. The session was facilitated by former DDME Director (2011–2021) and current Permanent Secretary of the Governor’s Office, Dr. Virginia Clerveaux.
The in-house workshop was organised by the DDME Training Unit, to focus on the National Disaster Management Framework, strengthening staff understanding of their roles and responsibilities within disaster management. The session also aimed to enhance the effectiveness of the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) and reinforce inter‑agency coordination.
Drawing on her extensive experience in disaster management in the Turks and Caicos Islands, as well as several deployments to CDEMA member states including Haiti, The Bahamas, and Jamaica, Dr. Clerveaux provided practical insights that reinforced key concepts and clarified operational expectations. Staff members actively participated in discussions and shared recommendations to improve sub‑committee performance and overall departmental efficiency.
To support learning retention, the workshop incorporated pre‑ and post‑assessments, enabling participants to evaluate their understanding and track improvements.
Acting Director of DDME, Mr. Kevaun Lucas stated: “Investing in the continued development of our team is essential to strengthening national resilience. This and future planned workshops will help to reinforce our commitment to building a highly skilled, well‑coordinated workforce capable of leading and supporting disaster management efforts across the Turks and Caicos Islands. I am proud of the team’s engagement and encouraged by the meaningful contributions they made throughout the session.”
This Professional Staff Development Workshop forms part of DDME’s ongoing commitment to enhancing internal capacity, strengthening operational coordination and improving overall departmental synergy as the agency continues to advance national preparedness and response capabilities.
Photo Captions:
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 20 February 2026 — The Informal Settlements Unit (ISU), in collaboration with key
government agencies, coordinated a multi-agency enforcement exercise on Thursday, February 5, 2026, at Block and Parcel 60609/33 in the Five Cays area.
The exercise was led by the Crown Land Unit, pursuant to its statutory mandate under the Crown Land Ordinance to prevent squatting and encroachment on Crown land. The ISU coordinated the operation, with support provided by the Planning Department and the Turks and Caicos Islands Border Force, while the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force ensured security throughout the activity.
The enforcement action followed a series of inspections conducted by the Crown Land Unit throughout Five Cays, which identified several illegally constructed buildings made of concrete and timber on sections of the subject parcel. In keeping with the provisions of the Crown Land Ordinance, occupied structures were served Letters of Illegal Occupation, delivered by hand to occupants and
posted on structures where individuals were absent. Incomplete and unoccupied structures were served Notices of Unauthorized Occupation pursuant to section 22 of the Ordinance. A total of ten (10) Letters of Illegal Occupation and three (3) Notices of Unauthorized Occupation were issued during the exercise.
The Informal Settlements Unit reiterates that these coordinated enforcement exercises form part of the Government’s ongoing efforts to uphold the law, protect Crown land, and manage informal settlements in a structured and lawful manner. Members of the public are reminded that unauthorised occupation and development on Crown land is unlawful and subject to enforcement action.
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