News
TCIG commits over $30 million in gratuity and pensions for TCI Civil Service
#TurksandCaicos, March 21, 2022 – The Turks and Caicos Islands Government made history in the House of Assembly on Thursday, 17 March 2022, with the reinstatement of civil servant pensions and gratuity through the unanimously approved passage of the Public Sector Employee Fund Bill 2022 and Pension (Amendment) Bill 2022.
The Government has committed over $30 million in the new fiscal year commencing 1 April 2022, for the delivery of terminal benefits for current public sector employees, as part of the Public Sector Employee Pension plan. This investment will aid in the first phase of the implementation of the Plan, to provide complete funding for contributions of both employer and employees.
The Public Sector Employee Fund Bill provides for the establishment of a defined contribution Pension Plan for Public Sector Employees whereby 6% of employees’ salaries will be paid into a pension plan for their benefit upon departure from the public sector through all circumstances including resignation, dismissal, redundancy, disability and also retirement.
The Pension (Amendment) Bill reinstates the option for civil servants – employed prior to 6th April 1992 – to elect to receive gratuity payments and a reduced pension upon retirement. Amendments also secured the right to a pension for all employees who complete a minimum of 30 years of service in the public sector, eradicating the requirement to retire at the age of 60 in order to secure their pension.
Civil Service Association President, Mr Demarco Williams commenting on the passage of the Bills stated, “The Civil Service Association Executive Body, my Vice President and I are overjoyed to have played such a vital role in a historic day in this country. The re-implementation of terminal benefits has always been one of our priorities, and we are elated to see it come to fruition.
We would like to publicly thank the Deputy Governor for being relentless, year after year, to see this through and of course to the Government for sharing in our vision and funding such a noble initiative. We look forward to many more positive collaborations, all to the benefit of public servants”.
Her Excellency Anya Williams, the Deputy Governor and Head of the Civil Service, commenting on the reinstatement of civil service gratuity and pensions said, “The passage of this legislation marks the accomplishment of a major milestone for the public service of these islands.
The Public Sector plays an integral role in supporting the government of the day in carrying out its mandate in all facets of society, including education, healthcare, security and safety in these islands.
We are grateful to public sector staff across the Turks and Caicos Islands for the important roles that they play and believe that it is every public servant’s right to not only be provided with the tools that allow them to appropriately carry out the roles that are recruited to do, but that they also receive fair compensation and benefits for doing so.
We are extremely pleased, not only to be able to reinstate the ability of pre-1992 employees to elect to receive a gratuity and a reduced pension but also to implement a new pension plan for post-1992 employees.
We are grateful to the government for supporting this initiative which we hope will not only change the lives of public servants across the islands but will also help to attract more persons to employment within the public sector.
A considerable amount of work was required to bring this initiative to fruition, for which I express my thanks to the members of the Benefits Committee for their hard work, dedication and stewardship. You should all feel proud to be a part of this major accomplishment. On now to our next task in setting up the administration and to widening the programme to facilitate the participation of the wider private sector.”
The Premier Honourable Charles Washington Misick noting the important return of gratuity and terminal benefits for the public service stated, “Investment in this new pension and gratuity programme, marks the single largest investment in the public service of these islands and follows on from a $15 million investment during my last term in office as Minister of Finance, when $15 million was directly invested into public servants’ pay through the reinstatement of the 10% pay-cut in February 2013; the implementation of the Pay and Grading Review in April 2015 amounting to $9 million and a 2.5% salary increase in April 2016, providing a further $4million for public servants.
As a former police officer and civil servant, the wellbeing of the civil service will always be a priority for me and my government, demonstrating our commitment to improving the lives and livelihoods of public servants; and will continue to weigh high on our agenda.
This is a significant investment that is being made and I encourage you, civil servants – as the backbone of the government – to take pride in your work, to provide a high standard of delivery for the achievement of the objectives of the government and for the benefit of the people of these islands”.
The Bahamas, August 27, 2026 – The Royal Bahamas Police Force wishes to inform members of the public that several individuals are scheduled to appear before the Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 27th August 2026, at 12:00 noon.
The individuals and charges are as follows:
An 18-year-old female is scheduled to be arraigned on the following charges:
Three (3) counts of Murder
Three (3) counts of Attempted Murder
Three (3) counts of Possession of a Firearm with Intent to Endanger Life
Three (3) counts of Possession of an Unlicensed Firearm
Two (2) counts of Possession of Ammunition
Armed Robbery
Abetment to Armed Robbery
Stealing
Receiving
The charges stem from three separate shooting incidents and an armed robbery that occurred on Friday, 21st August 2026, and Saturday, 22nd August 2026.
The first shooting occurred in the area of Soldier Road and Baillou Hill Road, resulting in the death of a 51-year-old male.
The second shooting occurred in the area of Joe Farrington Road, resulting in the death of a 52-year-old male.
The third shooting occurred in the area of Gladstone Road, resulting in the death of a 36-year-old male.
The armed robbery occurred at a business establishment in the area of Carmichael Road and Baillou Hill Road.
A 21-year-old male is scheduled to be arraigned on one charge of:
- Murder
The charge stems from a shooting incident that occurred on Tuesday, 21st July 2026, in the area of Samson Street, Nassau Village, which resulted in the death of a 28-year-old male.
A 32-year-old male is scheduled to be arraigned on the following charges:
- Murder
- Attempted Murder
These charges stem from a shooting incident that occurred on Wednesday, 24th December 2025, in the area of Graham Drive, Yellow Elder, which resulted in the death of a 25-year-old male.
RBPF, PACD
by Deandrea Hamilton | Editor
PROVIDENCIALES, TCI — In a country where government press conferences are virtually non-existent, ministers are often difficult for
journalists to access and regular broadcast television news has disappeared, TCI Innovation, Technology and Energy Minister E. Jay Saunders has challenged Caribbean media to become “impossible to ignore.”
Speaking at the Caribbean Broadcasting Union gathering, Saunders argued that the Caribbean does not have a relevance problem but a “discoverability and positioning problem.”
Discoverability is precisely the issue in Saunders’ home country. Even Government’s own attempts at video news broadcasting have struggled against the realities of consistently producing a daily, weekly or even monthly newscast.
The difficulties confronting TCI media extend well beyond algorithms: limited advertising revenue, underfunding, shortages of trained professionals and insufficient human capacity leave newsrooms struggling for both staff and stamina.
Then there is the reality of operating in one of the region’s smallest societies. Politicians, journalists, advertisers, businesses and the subjects of stories often exist within the same tight economic and social circles. A controversial report that might create a ripple elsewhere can produce a tsunami in TCI, intensifying concerns among journalists about commercial and professional victimisation.
Saunders believes AI can help.
He urged Caribbean media to use the technology to transform one original story into television, radio, web, podcast, social and translated content without multiplying newsroom workload.
He also wants regional journalism structured so AI systems can find, understand and trust Caribbean sources, moving media beyond traditional SEO into Answer Engine Optimisation.
His ultimate message was emphatic: “Use AI not to make Caribbean media more artificial — but to make Caribbean voices more visible.”
For Turks and Caicos media, however, becoming visible may require more than technology. It requires an environment in which journalism can survive.
That last sentence is where I think we land the plane. It acknowledges that EJ actually has some us
Bahamas News
Bahama Brass Band Invitation Sparks Heritage Debate Ahead of TCI Constitutional Holiday
Turks and Caicos, August 20, 2026 – The planned participation of the Bahama Brass Band in the Turks and Caicos Islands’ inaugural Constitutional Holiday celebrations on August 30 has sparked public debate over culture, heritage and the historical contributions of Turks and Caicos Islanders abroad.
Organizers defended the invitation, saying the band’s inclusion is intended to highlight the deep historical ties between the two countries
and honor Turks and Caicos men who helped establish and develop the institution in Grand Bahama.
According to the organizers, the Bahama Brass Band began in 1955 in Pine Ridge, Freeport, with Turks and Caicos Islanders, including the late Deacon Reuben Hall Sr. of Middle Caicos and Jenkins Williams and Mervin Hendfield of North Caicos, among those who helped build its foundation. The band eventually grew to more than 50 men.
The organizers also pointed to the participation of Turks and Caicos men in The Bahamas’ Independence celebrations on July 10, 1973, arguing that their contributions became part of Bahamian history while maintaining strong connections to their homeland.
Supporters say bringing the band home represents an opportunity to honor those pioneers, showcase their regional influence and expose younger generations to an important part of Turks and Caicos history.
However, concerns raised publicly described the invitation as potentially disrespectful to local culture and heritage. Organizers acknowledged those concerns, apologizing to anyone who felt overlooked or offended, while maintaining that no disrespect was intended.
The committee said the event should ultimately unite rather than divide, presenting the band’s history as evidence of the reach and resilience of Turks and Caicos heritage.
PHOTO CREDIT: Bahamas Brass Band
