News
Governor and Minister attends Labour Tribunal Annual Training Seminar
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Thursday, 20 June 2024: Under the auspices of the President, Labour Tribunal Mrs. Mary D. Quelch Missick Attorney at Law, the staff of the Labour Tribunal, Labour Commissioner Mr. Alpheus Smith, Deputy Labour Commissioner Mr. Kenrick Gardiner and Labour Inspectors attended the yearly training seminar held at the
Labour Tribunal Court Room on Friday, 7th June 2024.
The objective of the training was to provide for greater synergy between departments, review aspects of the Employment Ordinance, bring clarity to legal interpretations, expectation and performance and for the adherence to policies and procedures for the smooth transition of cases.
Her Excellency the Governor Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam and Honourable Arlington Musgrove, Minister of Immigration and Border Services, were in attendance and brought remarks to the attendees. Her Excellency, in her remarks, pledged her continued support and stated that she values the work carried out by the Labour Tribunal and the Labour Inspectors. She spoke of the important roles of both departments in bringing about relief and a remedy for those persons seeking a right of redress for their employment complaints.
The Honourable Minister, in his remarks, expressed his appreciation for the exercise and spoke of the importance of the work being carried out, ensuring that the employee’s and employers’ rights were being upheld. He encouraged the attendees to continue in their diligence in carrying out their duties to the public and pledged his continued support and for the provision of the resources needed for the invaluable work. He recognised that the employment market has changed dramatically and as the country continue to develop he
anticipate there will be a higher number of complaints from the employees with undoubtedly would have an effect on both departments in carrying out their responsibilities in their quest for fairness and justice.
Deputy Permanent Secretary, Mr. Pascal Bacchus was also in attendance and extended greetings to the staff, Members and Labour Inspectors. He spoke about the importance of Conciliation, an exercise that must be facilitated by both parties with a view of settling the case before it reaches the Labour Tribunal for adjudication.
The Labour Commissioner, Mr. Alpheus Smith made presentation on the importance of synergy between the departments as the Employment Ordinance acts as the guide for both departments. In his presentation, he reminded the participants of the importance of working together and pondered on a quotation “can two walk together except they agree?”, he spoke on the importance of open communication and mutual respect in carrying out the mandate of both departments.
Inspectors Dexter Moore and Pernell Dean made a very informative power point presentation on the Role of the Inspectors and expanded on the duties and responsibilities of the Labour Inspectors. Senior Member of the Labour Tribunal Mrs. Arnelle Taylor-Hall, Attorney at Law spoke on the legal aspects and pointed out the importance of following the established guidelines in completing the
applicable forms required for a referral to the Labour Tribunal and the importance of adhering to the Six (6) months’ time frame. The role of the Members was explained by Mr. Edward Hall, Senior Member, he encouraged new members in accepting their appointment of membership to be committed to the task ahead.
President of the Tribunal, Mrs. Doreen Missick gave a very informative presentation on all aspects of the Employment Ordinance 2002 (2018) to include Rules and Procedures as it relates to the Labour Tribunal carrying out its responsibilities pursuant to Section 93. The establishment and the powers given by the Ordinance to include that Orders, decisions and awards of the Labour Tribunal shall be enforceable in the Supreme Court as though they were orders or judgements of that court.
TCIG knew from April that fuel factor could surge almost 80%; Minister says $500 cost-of-living payment was part of Government’s response
PROVIDENCIALES — The Turks and Caicos Government knew months before July’s shocking electricity bills that consumers faced a potentially massive increase in the fuel factor.
Minister of Information Technology and Energy E. Jay Saunders revealed Friday that Pelican Energy warned his Ministry in April that generation fuel costs were projected to rise from $3.09 per gallon in May to $4.79 in June and July.
That translated into a projected fuel factor jump from about 17.5 cents to 31 cents per kilowatt-hour — an increase of almost 80%.
Saunders said he personally advised Cabinet of the projected increase and presented options for cushioning the impact.
He characterised Government’s $500 cost-of-living payment as its “initial response” to rising fuel costs, before a separate fuel-factor subsidy was approved.
Cabinet records show Government agreed on June 24 to provide funding to mitigate the fuel-factor impact, with the relief programme approved July 8.
Eligible residential customers — those averaging less than $1,500 monthly over the previous three bills — are capped at 22 cents per kWh from July through October.
Pelican confirmed Friday that Government’s contribution was already applied to July bills, meaning the bills now triggering widespread public outrage would have been even higher without the subsidy.
Saunders did not disclose the programme’s total cost.
His admission that Government knew since April, however, raises another question amid the backlash: why were consumers not directly warned by Government about the scale of the approaching increase?
NASSAU, Bahamas — More Bahamians are accessing HIV and sexually transmitted infection-related healthcare through National Health Insurance, a trend the NHI Authority says should be viewed positively.
NHIA stressed in an August 6 statement that its 2025 figures measure healthcare utilisation, not newly diagnosed infections. They include beneficiaries screened, treated, monitored or receiving follow-up care, including people diagnosed previously.
“Increased utilisation of these services should be viewed as a positive development,” NHIA said.
The Authority pointed to “greater enrolment and use of NHI, improved access to screening and testing, continued treatment and monitoring of existing conditions, and increased willingness to seek medical care.”
The development comes amid a mixed three-year HIV picture. New diagnoses rose from 130 in 2023 to 156 in 2024, before declining to 142 in 2025.
NHIA said increased utilisation demonstrates that more beneficiaries are accessing needed healthcare and actively managing their health, reinforcing the importance of screening, early diagnosis and continued treatment.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Americas has recorded 47,459 confirmed measles cases and 44 deaths in 2026, the region’s highest case count in 22 years, prompting the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) to urge stronger vaccination, surveillance and rapid outbreak response.
As of July 18, cases were already more than triple the 15,011 recorded during all of 2025. Guatemala, Mexico, the United States and Peru
account for 95% of confirmed cases. Guatemala leads with 30,371 cases and 26 deaths, followed by Mexico with 12,255 cases and 17 deaths.
PAHO classifies the regional public health risk as very high, citing active outbreaks, immunity gaps, international travel and populations with inadequate vaccination coverage.
The organization says prevention starts with vaccination. Countries are being urged to achieve and maintain at least 95% coverage with two doses of measles-containing vaccine, particularly protecting children and under-vaccinated communities.
Measles spreads through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes. Symptoms can include fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes and a rash.
PAHO is urging health authorities to detect suspected cases early and respond rapidly to stop transmission. Unvaccinated and under-vaccinated people, young children and communities with limited healthcare access face increased risk of severe illness and death.
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