TCI News
Minister Admits Service Charge Shortchanging Workers, Promises Fix in 3–6 Months
Deandrea Hamilton | Editor
Turks and Caicos, August 29, 2025 – Hospitality workers across Turks and Caicos are being shortchanged on service charges — a fact openly acknowledged by Deputy Premier and Labour Minister Jamell Robinson, who this week promised a fairer, clearer system of distribution within three to six months.
Appearing on the PNP’s weekly Facebook program This is What’s Up, Robinson conceded what many front-line staff have long suspected: the 10 percent service charge, mandated by law to be collected on every restaurant, bar, and hotel bill, has not been consistently or fairly passed on to workers.
“Based on the data we’ve collected so far, the service charge hasn’t been distributed fairly whatsoever,” Robinson said. “What we’re going to be looking at is what the formula ought to be to ensure that the lion’s share goes to front-line staff — the people actually serving the guests.”
When the law was first introduced years ago, the service charge was supposed to be equally shared among all employees. But under industry
pressure, that provision was dropped, allowing management to set their own distribution formula. On paper, gratuities already go directly to line staff, but in practice, Robinson admitted, management has absorbed a disproportionate cut of the service charge. The result has been decades of discontent, with housekeepers, bartenders, waiters, and kitchen staff watching as their legally promised share dwindled behind closed office doors.
Industry veterans recall that early proposals envisioned a “Trunk Master” — an independent figure responsible for tallying the service charge “trunk” each month and distributing payments transparently. But without a formalized, standardized system, the responsibility instead fell on individual hotel managers, leaving staff little recourse to challenge questionable payouts. In most destinations, strong unions or worker associations push back against such practices. In Turks and Caicos, however, union representation is virtually absent, leaving hospitality workers without a structured advocate.
That vacuum means oversight of service charge distribution often falls to anonymous payroll clerks or managers with conflicting interests. As one observer put it: “In the absence of unions, this crucial role falls precariously on someone nondescript — a payroll officer or HR rep — and workers are left to simply trust that the math adds up. It’s no wonder abuse has flourished.”
Robinson said the government has received survey data on the issue and intends to finalize recommendations soon. He stressed the administration’s priority is to redefine who qualifies as “front-line staff” and ensure that the group receives the bulk — if not all — of the 10 percent service charge. “This has been on the radar forever. Now we want to settle it once and for all,” Robinson said.
For the country’s more than 4,000 hospitality workers, the Deputy Premier’s words are welcome, but patience is thin. They have heard promises before. Unless the government moves quickly to legislate a formula, the service charge will remain a loophole for management rather than the safety net of fairness it was meant to be.
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TCI News
Experience Turks and Caicos and Aquila Host Product Development Workshops to Strengthen Sister Islands Tourism
PROVIDENCIALES, TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS – Experience Turks and Caicos, in collaboration with the Aquila Center for Cruise Excellence, successfully hosted a Product Development Workshop for tourism stakeholders from North Caicos, Middle Caicos, and South Caicos on Wednesday, January 14 and Thursday, January 15, 2026.
The workshop was designed to support tour operators, entrepreneurs, and tourism-related businesses as they adapt to the evolving demands of the global tourism industry. Participants engaged in hands-on exercises and structured sessions aimed at reimagining existing tourism products and developing new, innovative, and sustainable experiences that are market-ready and aligned with current visitor expectations.
Throughout the workshop, attendees were equipped with practical tools and strategies to develop high-impact tourism offerings, strengthen
product packaging and pricing, assess market readiness, and enhance value creation. Emphasis was also placed on collaboration, partnership development, and the promotion of sustainable practices to ensure that the Turks and Caicos Islands remain a fresh, competitive, and appealing destination. More than 20 participants representing tourism businesses across the islands took part in the training sessions.
“Experience Turks and Caicos has a responsibility to ensure that all communities across the Turks and Caicos Islands benefit from tourism. These workshops are designed to equip local businesses with the essential tools and knowledge needed to maximise the opportunities within the industry, and we look forward to supporting their continued growth,” said Mr. Paul Pennicook, Interim CEO Consultant.
Speaking on the importance of the initiative, Candesha Mills the Product Development Manager at Experience Turks and Caicos said: “We are actively working on destination development by supporting our stakeholders as they reimagine their products and experiences. Workshops like this are critical to helping businesses identify opportunities for collaboration, create bundled offerings, and develop cohesive tourism experiences that align with emerging trends and evolving visitor expectations.”
The workshops were facilitated by Ms. Ambra Attus, who guided participants through strategies for designing distinctive and engaging tourism experiences that resonate with today’s travellers.
She said: “Product development is where destinations truly define their identity, and these trainings are designed to help operators in North, Middle and South Caicos create experiences that are not only market-ready, but meaningful, high-quality, and rooted in what makes these islands truly special. These sessions reflect a forward-thinking commitment by Experience Turks and Caicos to invest in their people and in the long-term quality of the destination’s tourism product. Aquila is proud to be your training partner.”
The workshop also featured the Invest TCI MSME Team, who were on site with an information station available throughout both sessions. Stakeholders had the opportunity to engage directly with the team, gain insights into the MSME Programme, and learn more about the range of support services, incentives, and resources available to assist business growth and development.
Experience Turks and Caicos commended participants for their commitment to investing in their businesses and contributing to the continued enhancement of the destination’s tourism product. The organisation expressed appreciation for the active participation and innovative ideas shared during the session, which are expected to contribute meaningfully to the sustainable growth of tourism in North and Middle Caicos and South Caicos.
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Thursday, 5 February 2026: The Informal Settlements Unit (ISU), in collaboration with
partner agencies, coordinated a multi-agency enforcement exercise on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at Silverado Wells in Five Cays. The exercise was led by the Crown Land Unit, pursuant to its statutory mandate under the Crown Land Ordinance to prevent squatting and encroachment on Crown land. The ISU coordinated the operation, with support provided by Immigration and Border Services, while the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force ensured security throughout the activity.
The enforcement action followed a series of inspections conducted by the Crown Land Unit throughout Five Cays, which identified an illegal concrete structure on the subject parcel. In keeping with the provisions of the Crown Land Ordinance, a Section 22 Notice of Illegal Occupation was posted on the structure. Following the failure of the responsible party or parties to comply within the prescribed timeframe, enforcement action was authorised.
The Informal Settlements Unit reiterates that these coordinated enforcement exercises form part of the Government’s ongoing efforts to uphold the law, protect Crown land, and manage informal settlements in a structured and lawful manner. Members of the public are reminded that unauthorised occupation and development on Crown land is unlawful and subject to enforcement action.
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