TCI News
TCI Gov’t launches round two of employee cash grant
CASH GRANTS PAYABLE TO ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEES WITH TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDER STATUS – DATABASE FOR SUBMISSIONS OPENS TODAY
#TurksandCaicos, November 23, 2020 — The Turks and Caicos Islands Government has today, Saturday, 21st November, 2020, opened the database to accept online submissions from employees within various economic sectors in the Turks and Caicos Islands who were impacted by the economic downturn, a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Coronavirus Employee Stimulus Cash Grant #2 is another offering within a suite of grants that the Turks and Caicos Islands Government has been providing to assist residents and businesses that have been impacted financially due to reduced economic activity during the worldwide pandemic.
The Coronavirus Employee Stimulus Cash Grant #2 is opened only to employees with Turks and Caicos Islander Status. It will provide cash grants of $600.00 to eligible employees who can provide evidence that they were employed at least one month prior to the lockdown that occurred on March 26, 2020.
In this database, the applicant will see two options and will be asked if he/she is applying for the first time. The first-time grant is offered to employees operating in sectors other than the Hospitality and Tourism Sector. Meanwhile persons working within the Hospitality and Tourism Sector will receive a second grant if they hold Turks and Caicos Islander Status.
Applications will be received online by the Ministry of Finance as of today, 21st November, 2020 until 5th December, 2020; unless otherwise directed by the Permanent Secretary of Finance.
Applicants are advised that incomplete applications will not be processed. Therefore, it is important that you ensure that you read the instructions on how to fill the application to understand clearly what is needed, inclusive of the evidence to be provided.
Please note that the following sectors are excluded from benefitting from this cash grant:
– TCI Public Service
– TCI Statutory Bodies
– TCI Bodies of Good Governance
– TCI Constitutional Bodies
– Hospital, health care or medical facilities
– any water, electricity, telecommunications (including internet services) or other sector encompassing the provision of electronic communications including print and electronic media
– Waste disposal and sanitation companies and
– Self-employed persons
It is important to reiterate that an applicant must be able to provide proof of Turks and Caicos Islander Status. The TCI Status Card Number is the preferred means, but there are other forms of verification and validation.
Rashaed Esson
Staff Writer
#USA, June 5, 2023 – Kamala Harris, United States Vice President will journey to Nassau Bahamas in June for a
top level meeting with Caribbean leaders, marking the first time she will visit the region since occupying office in 2021.
According to the White House in a statement, the meeting will bring attention to a range of regional issues. Harris and the Caribbean leaders will continue talks on the shared efforts to address the climate crisis, such as promoting climate resilience and adaptation in the region and increasing energy security through clean energy.
Additionally, the statement informed that Harris’ trip “delivers on the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to advance cooperation with the Caribbean in pursuit of shared prosperity and security, and in recognition of the common bonds and interests between our nations.”
The June 8th meeting builds on and strengthens the U.S.-Caribbean Partnership to Address the Climate Crisis 2030, which was launched by the Vice President and Caribbean leaders in Los Angeles at the Summit of the Americas as further mentioned by White House Statement.
By Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
#TurksandCaicos, June 5, 2023 – A champion swimmer, marathon runner, Ivy League graduate and world traveler with a huge smile– that is Alexandra Truwit; at only 22 years old, she has a whole life ahead of her, one that may have now been made exponentially harder by the loss of her foot in an incident which continues to be unconfirmed, but reported as a shark attack off the coast of Providenciales.
Magnetic Media learned Truwit, who is a very experienced swimmer, was on a private charter captained by an
employee of Big Blue Collective (not a Big Blue Charter). She was bitten by what eyewitnesses think could have been a Caribbean Reef Shark and her foot below the ankle was completely severed.
It’s a heartbreaking incident exacerbated by the young woman’s obvious love for- and proficiency in- the water.
The Yale website describes Truwit as a Two-time USA Swimming Academic All-American. Featured as a ‘Teen Titan’ in her high school, she was one of ten young people chosen for the school’s magazine.
Truwit, who has a twin brother, cites nail art and baking as her life joys. Already having survived ‘mono’ as a teen, she volunteers as a Special Olympics “hugger” and started a Special Olympics club at her high school.
She was airlifted from the Turks and Caicos on the day of her accident and there have been no updates on her condition so far. Residents in the TCI and the US have expressed via social media their best wishes for the young achiever and must now wait, hoping for the best possible outcome.
One resident said, “So sorry Alexandra you had to encounter such a traumatic experience while on vacation on our beautiful Island. I am praying for a successful surgery and speedy recovery for you, hopefully, the surgeon can work their magic for you.”
By Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
#TurksandCaicos, June 5, 2023 – There are sweeping changes coming to the civil service this year after years of complaints about delays and understaffing.
“For the year 2023/24, the office of the Deputy Governor has a very ambitious public sector transformation centered around improving service delivery and the customer experience.” 
This came from Governors Appointed Member Willin Belliard, as he rose in the budget debates on Thursday May 18 to detail the revamp.
Phase one of E-procurement which will allow for the virtual submission of tenders is to be implemented. Along with that will come E-Jobs, a similar system touted to make job applications virtual, swift and easy.
Implementation of the Human Capital Procurement Program is also on the list of deliverables. Human capital is sorely lacking in the Turks and Caicos across the public and private sectors with hundreds of vacancies sitting open and resignations continuing to pile up.
Public servants will also find it easier to enroll into the all new Public Sector Pension Plan with the advent of a portal to remove the need for paper based applications.
The previously announced pay grading exercise is on the table to be completed and a Contract management unit has now been created to manage the delivery of projects that taxpayers are funding.
Residents of the Turks and Caicos have complained bitterly about the state of the civil service in the country for years. From police records to the treasury, the service is characterized by low staffing, frustrating wait time and long lines.
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