The Bahamas, December 9, 2024 – In June of 2022, Prime Minister Philip Davis attended the Summit of the Americas, where regional migration was one of the items on the agenda.

During the Summit, countries were asked to sign a declaration on migration, which included language suggesting that countries support and host undocumented migrants.

The Bahamas did not sign this declaration, although 20 countries in the region did.

The Prime Minister made it clear to President Jo Biden that our country will not bear this burden.  We need to devote Bahamian resources to solving Bahamian problems.

Earlier this week, NBC News and other media reported that the Trump transition team is proposing a list of countries to which it may deport migrants, and that The Bahamas, along with other nations in the region, was included on the list.

Our office released a statement in response to the list and proposal as reported by the media, and restated our country’s position, which is that we are unwilling and unable to accept migrants.

To be clear, our office responded to the proposal as characterized by the press, rather than any formal proposal made to us by President-elect Trump’s transition team, with whom we have not discussed the matter.

Our countries have long enjoyed a strong, productive relationship based on mutual interests.

We look forward to engaging constructively across a range of important issues with the incoming Trump Administration.

Deandrea Hamilton 

Editor

Turks and Caicos, December 2, 2024 – The Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands, as the country’s Minister of Finance tabled a Bill, which he said is designed to press the “reset button” for those falling behind on their National Insurance Board payments.  In a House of Assembly meeting on November 14, Hon Washington Misick announced a plan to give contributors six months to catch up on arrears.

Eight days later, on November 22, 2024 the NATIONAL INSURANCE (ADDITIONAL CHARGES) (AMNESTY) ORDINANCE 2024 Bill came into force, after having been placed in the Gazette.

“The bill Mr. Speaker, is really geared toward assisting businesses, but especially MSME entities whether they be corporate or sole traders (particularly MSME’s) . It seeks to provide for the waiver for additional charge of late payment of National Insurance contributions by employees or self employed persons, additional charge is what we refer to as penalties and then of course the interest as well.”

The premier says Employers and the Self-Employed now have until May 31, 2025 to settle their balances in order to be compliant with the requirements of the National Insurance Ordinance.

By way of explanation, Premier Misick added, “The contribution is what is owed or what would be payable on every payroll, every person who is earning a salary or a wage.  That is the contribution. The additional charges are penalties which arise as a result of not making those payments on time.  And then of course there is the interest aspect and then there is a penalty which is compounded as time goes forward.”

The amnesty will run six months; it begins on December 1, 2024.

“What we are advising you to do is to pay the contribution portions of those outstanding bills and then you have until the end of May to pay the penalties, meaning the additional charge; the interest and penalties.”

In her contribution on the Bill, Akierra Missick, the Member for Leeward and Long Bay electoral district offered the PNP Administration’s motive for the amnesty.

“Mr. Speaker it’s just another notch on the path in finding measures to mitigate the cost of living in these islands.  National Insurance is very important, and we might not see its importance today because the idea of the national insurance program is that it provides a social security safety net for the people who work and live in these islands,” said Hon Missick.

“There have been times where persons who are employing themselves, self employed persons may not have had the revenue that they should have had and/or decided that they would pay a Fortis bill instead of national insurance, and as a result when missed payments are made…”

The Member shared that this has led to civil claims in the Magistrate’s Court against those in default in order to force those payments.

“National Insurance is the most important institution we have in the islands, because National Insurance provides us an opportunity to make decisions today for our future selves.  That is our pension, our retirement, our NIB cheque when they reach the age 60 or 65.”

The member explained that workers who are injured can claim disability, all women contributors and fathers can access maternity leave benefits and in recent years, an unemployment benefit was added to the list of advantages.

“This Bill gives an opportunity to give persons time to catch up on the arrears, the penalties that they owe the national insurance, it also provides them an opportunity to come forward.

As a practicing attorney, Akierra Missick cautioned those who are meant to benefit from the amnesty not to take the offer for granted or underestimate the need to maintain payments into the plan.

“These are measures we are seeking to put in place to assist persons who are finding the burden of their debt, their penalties – those concerns – on top of their normal day to day operations and/or bills,” said Missick who added, “This administration has continuously, continuously over the last three and a half, almost four years done right by the people.

Grand Turk got the COVID $10,000 fund, that was a million dollars Cruise Grant.  It’s not about money,I know a lot of people are saying that you think you can buy us off.  It’s not about that in any way, shape or form – you’re a taxpayer, so your government is giving you back some of your tax money. That is literally what it is.”

The member for Leeward and Long Bay swatted away charges by the Opposition PDM that her party was manipulating the public purse.  She described the National Insurance Additional Charges Amnesty Bill as “good,” and in keeping with the PNP Administration’s regular consideration of the impact of inflation on the local population; “it is not a political ploy.”

The outstanding contributions can be paid to the NIB in full or installments during the amnesty period.  No civil litigation will take place against a contributor who owes the NIB during this time, explained the Premier.

Turks and Caicos

Governor, Her Excellency, Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam, chaired the 32nd meeting of Cabinet held on Wednesday, 9th October 2024 at the Office of the Premier and Public Policy, Leeward Highway, Providenciales.

 All members of Cabinet were present with the exception of H.E. Deputy Governor, Anya Williams, Hon. Josephine Connolly, Minister for Tourism, and Hon. Arlington Musgrove, Minister for Immigration. 

At this meeting of Cabinet:

1. Received an update from the Statistics Authority on the progress of the current state of the Turks and Caicos Islands census.
2. Approved the Supplementary Appropriation (2024/2025) Bill 2024 for onward submission to the House of Assembly.
3. Approved, on an exceptional basis, the reinstatement of a Concession Order for Grace Bay Resorts.
4. Approved the appointment of Ms. Latisha Williams -Bruce as Chairman of the National Insurance Appeal Tribunal for a period of two years.
5. Approved the Turks and Caicos National Wealth Fund (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2024 for onward submission to the House of Assembly.
6. Approved the introduction of the National Quality Policy 2024.
7. Approved the renewal of the lease agreement for the Public Works Department in Grand Turk for a five-year term.
8. Approved the appointment of the following medical professionals to the Medicine, Dentistry, and Veterinary Professions Council for a two-year term: Dr. Alexis Missick, Medical Practitioner; Dr. Janice Baron, Chief Dental Officer; and Dr. Reginald Thomas.
9. Approved the reappointment of the following individuals as members of the Ports Authority Board for a three-year term: Mr. Tueton Williams (Chair), Crosly Bain (Member), Tracey Parker Gray (Permanent Secretary, Finance or Nominee), Permanent Secretary, Ports, Director of Ports, Chief Engineer, and Collector of Customs. Also approved the extension of Mr. Dennis Swann (Deputy Chair) and Showonda Gardiner for a term of two and a half years.
10. Received an update on development for the island of South Caicos.
11. Confirmed the transfer of funds from various Ministries to the Ministry of Education for additional scholarship funding.

 Further information on these matters will be presented by Ministers in due course.