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Opposition on reworked Tourist Board salaries 

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By Dana Malcolm 

Staff Writer 

 

 

#TurksandCaicos, June 29, 2023 – ‘You’ve been lied to’ was the heading on the latest PDM Party release as Edwin Astwood, Opposition Leader, slams the Government for closing down the Tourist Board, describing them as money grubbing.

The latest letter was prompted by the report of reworked severance packages for the employees

“If you hire someone over 20 years, more or less, use them, benefit from them, and then change your mind about continuing to employ them because you think foreign workers who are less qualified than your people are better than your own TCI people, THEN THE LEAST YOU CAN DO IS PAY THEM THEIR BENEFITS.”

The Opposition leader continued, lashing both Washington Misick, TCI Premier and Josephine Connolly, Minister of Tourism.

“You, as an elected government, should not be listening to any foreign legal opinion or any Director’s opinion to decide that you, the PNP Government, no longer want to pay the Tourist Board Staff what they are owed, and what they have earned through their years of employment. Common sense and decency, or the minimum concern for your people would lead you as Premier and Minister of Tourism to insist that your people be paid what they are owed,” he maintained.

Astwood said there were “many falsehoods and untruths being released by the PNP Government” and maintained the board should never have been shut down.

“I continue to believe that all that was stated that the DMO would deliver, could have been delivered by enhancing the staff complement and expanding the functioning and offerings of the existing Tourist Board.”

Describing the touted tourism benefits as dubious Astwood listed facts that he said the public would do will to remember, including:

  1. After promising staff that they would be getting redundancy and severance benefits they are now seeking to renege on those promises.
  2. It is normal that severance and redundancy benefits are issues settled by law under the Employment Ordinance and I will add at my insistence, Common Decency.
  3. No new redeployments in government or the DMO have been confirmed.

He said the issue was not a matter of law but of caring for residents expressing disdain at the reworked packages.

“Is this the kind of precedent this PNP Government wants to set in the TCI? That after the people deserving of this money, you promise them the pay, you then GO BEHIND their backs, you listen to a legal opinion, you listen to Directors, and then say the staff cannot be paid?”

The government has not said the staff will not be paid but indicated that some of the packages had ‘inaccuracies’ and staff would be getting less than what was initially quoted.

Magnetic media was told by staff that the issue stemmed from the minimum amount of years an individual should have worked to qualify for certain gratuities with a massive 8 year gap between the government’s claim of a ten year minimum and the employees initial quotes which were calculated using a two year minimum.

ASTWOOD described it as ‘more than a stab in the back’ and called for deserving payment for the workers and first right of refusal for available jobs in the PNP’s DMO,

Caribbean News

Cabinet Approves Unemployment Insurance Benefit for NIS Contributors

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Kingston, Jamaica, May 17, 2025 – Cabinet has approved the introduction of the unemployment insurance benefit, which will be added to the suite of provisions under the National Insurance Scheme (NIS).

The new benefit will serve as a guaranteed safety net for all employees who contribute to the NIS, except for self-employed persons.

Additionally, work is under way to establish the requisite legal and institutional frameworks to implement this important national support system.

“One of the key lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic is the urgent need for a system that supports workers who lose their jobs, helping them to remain financially stable while seeking re-employment,” Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., said during his 2025/26 Sectoral Debate presentation in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (May 13).

Meanwhile, the Government has taken a decisive step to strengthen the nation’s social security framework by implementing the Social Protection for Increased Resilience and Opportunity (SPIRO), a US$20-million initiative supported by the World Bank.

Mr. Charles Jr. noted that SPIRO, which was launched last year, represents a transformative shift in social governance, with three strategic pillars – the creation of a unified Social Protection Information System (SPIS), supporting the introduction of unemployment insurance, and modernising of the Labour Market Information System (LMIS).

“The project is already generating impact through comprehensive assessments led by expert consultants, aimed at overhauling labour market services,” he stated.

The Minister further indicated that there will be upgrades to the Electronic Labour Exchange (ELE) and LMIS, which will enhance the digital infrastructure for employment services.

 

CONTACT: LATONYA LINTON

Release: JIS

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Government

Governor Calls for Bold, Community-Led Policing in Crime Fight

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Providenciales, TCI Governor Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam has issued a strong call for data-driven, intelligence-led and community-based policing to combat rising crime in the Turks and Caicos Islands. In remarks delivered at the recent swearing-in of Commissioner Fitz Bailey, the Governor underscored the urgent need for reform, accountability and strategic collaboration across agencies and borders.

“Our response to crime must be strategic, data-driven, intelligence-led and collaborative—across agencies, across borders and above all, with the communities we serve,” the Governor said, addressing law enforcement officers and regional dignitaries.

She warned that criminal networks are becoming more sophisticated, and that the TCI is at the “sharp end” of regional security threats. Against that backdrop, she outlined a vision for the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force as an institution rooted in fairness, strengthened by public trust, and driven by results.

“We must be unforgiving in our zero-tolerance approach to misconduct,” she added. “Wearing the badge must continue to be a source of pride, not of power or privilege.”

Governor Selvaratnam praised Commissioner Bailey for his record of modern, community-focused leadership and said his appointment marked a critical moment for the country’s law enforcement strategy. While the ceremony took place two weeks ago, her words continue to resonate amid ongoing public concern about violent crime and border security.

Quoting from the Bible and invoking the moral arc of justice, the Governor emphasized that effective policing must be grounded in integrity, humility and service.

With regional police leaders from Jamaica and The Bahamas in attendance, the event signaled a united front against shared threats—and a new chapter in the push for a safer, more resilient Turks and Caicos Islands.

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Bahamas News

Heads of Agreement signing ceremony in Freeport, Grand Bahama, but why were they unable to tear the building down with the backhoe?? 

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Freeport, Grand Bahama, May 15, 2025

 

Exciting announcements:

$827 million investment
1750 permanent jobs
1300 construction jobs

Seven-pronged vision includes cruise friendly hotel; redesigned Greg Norman signature golf course; marina; convention space; new pool casino; and refurbished Port Lucaya marina which is being acquired in the deal.

ZNS reported that “money is in the bank” according to Chester Cooper, the investment and tourism minister.

Packed room to hear the announcement of the new Lucayan Hotel which will shutter in order to accommodate the redevelopment.

Staff to be supported during this time.

There is skepticism but also optimism as this deal feels more real than previous two and is touted as a solid fit.

Curt Hollingsworth, Bahamas Consul General based in Florida gets an admirable, honourable mention as being the one to introduce Steve Sirang to the Prime Minister.

Grand Bahama Minister Ginger Moxey described the momentous occasion this way, “I proudly witnessed the signing of the Heads of Agreement
for the sale and redevelopment of the Grand Lucayan Resort to Ancient Waters Bahamas
Limited, wholly owned by Concord Wilshire Capital, LLC. Concord Wilshire is widely
known for stellar and award-winning developments.”

A third event is slated for Port Lucaya Marketplace; it follows the signing and a reception on the Great Lawn of the resort and mock demolition of the luxury lanai suites.

▪️A Magnetic Media report▪️

Photo is a screenshot of ZNS Live coverage

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