Government to Review Employment Laws

The Deputy Premier and Minister of Immigration and Border Services, Hon. Jamell Robinson, has moved a motion in Parliament seeking the appointment of a Select Committee to undertake a comprehensive review of the Turks and Caicos Islands Employment Act.

Hon. Jamell Robinson

The motion was presented during the sitting of the House of Parliament on Friday, February 20.

According to the document tabled in Parliament, the existing Employment Act, which came into force on November 26, 2004, requires a thorough review and updating to reflect modern workplace realities. The motion highlights the need to ensure the continued protection of workers’ rights, promote fair employment practices, and adapt the legislation to recent economic, social and technological changes.

The proposed review will examine emerging issues such as remote work, artificial intelligence, and gig economy platforms, as well as new occupational hazards and flexible work arrangements. It also underscores the importance of aligning local labour laws with evolving international human rights conventions and addressing challenges linked to demographic shifts, climate impact and automation.

If approved, the Select Committee will be tasked with examining the current provisions of the Employment Act to identify gaps, ambiguities and areas requiring modernization. The committee will also consult a wide cross-section of stakeholders, including employers, employees, labour organizations, legal experts and other interested parties.

Among its responsibilities will be to recommend amendments or new provisions aimed at making the Act more relevant, equitable and effective, and to report its findings and proposed legislative updates to Parliament.

The motion further outlines the proposed composition of the Select Committee. It will include a Chairman, two other Members of Parliament, a representative of the Turks and Caicos Islands Civil Service Association, a representative of the Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association, a representative of employees, and an expert in employment and labour affairs.

The purpose of the committee, as stated in the motion, is to ensure that the employment laws of the Turks and Caicos Islands reflect contemporary needs and promote fair, balanced and effective labour relations.

The motion was seconded by Deputy Speaker Hon. Jameka Williams.