TCI contractors to get stronger legal protection 

Rashaed Esson

Staff Writer

#TurksandCaicos, October 18, 2023 – Turks and Caicos contractors will soon have stronger legal protection under the Ministry of Physical Planning and Infrastructure with the establishment of a Construction Contractors’ Bill.

The Honourable Jamell Robinson, Minister of Physical Planning and Infrastructure Development made the revelation as he gave insight into how far the Ministry is with reaching the required mark for the establishment of the bill.

He said “the ministry is making significant progress in drafting an eventual approval on the establishment of ” the bill.

The minister continued to explain that the bill will “provide the legal framework that promotes fairness, transparency and accountability” in the work of contractors, as well as  “ultimately improve professional standard offering greater protection in contractual relationships.”

Introducing this ongoing development, the minister pointed out that it comes from the Ministry’s understanding of the need for legislative support, to facilitate the enhancement and provision of “additional protection for local contractors in various aspects of work.”

He further made mention of the required treatment necessary from contractors, for the legislative development to be a success.

He maintains that they have to put in work despite the fact they have a partner in the Government. This, he says, is “because legislation is only as good as how it is enforced, how it is carried out and you have a significant role, to ensure that whatever you put in place isn’t just something that we can check a box and say that okay well, we’ve passed this, we have protections in place for contractors or those in the construction industry.”

Robinson was speaking at the 2nd Annual Contractors Symposium on Tuesday October 2023.