Firms must pay workers more as economy improves
The head of the UK's main business lobby group has said too many people are "stuck" in minimum wage jobs, despite an upturn in the UK economy.
John Cridland, director general of the CBI, said businesses should deliver "better pay and more opportunities" for their employees.
He told the BBC: "If we get productivity going, we are creating more wealth, and we can share it."
Recovery should be sustainable before wages increased, he said.
Mr Cridland said: "It's nice for once to have a somewhat more upbeat message. The message is, if the economy is growing, we can have everybody swim upwards."
But he said lacking productivity was a "bit of a worry" in the UK economy and that it was important that skill shortages did not undermine recovery.
In his annual new year's message, Mr Cridland said despite economic growth, there were "still far too many people stuck in minimum wage jobs without routes to progression, and that's a serious challenge that businesses and the government must address."
Mr Cridland said businesses must support employees in "every part of the country" to progress in their careers and help young people get their first jobs.
He called for a vocational system, similar to Ucas, to help raise awareness about other routes to higher skills.
Mr Cridland said: "If 2013 was the year that business trust took a hammering on a range of issues from corporate taxation to energy prices, then 2014 must be the year that business leaders take action to rebuild that trust."
His comments came as the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) warned 2014 had to be a "year of productivity" if earnings were to rise sustainably.
Mark Beatson, chief economist at the CIPD, said: "Employment growth looks set to continue at an impressive rate over the year to come. However, the downside is that UK productivity has yet to improve and remains below its pre-recession level."
He said the low productivity was behind falling real wages and the high cost of living in the UK.
Mr Beatson said: "Central to this [lacking productivity] is business and government acting together to improve the way people are managed, with more emphasis on working smarter and creating value. "
He said the "crisis of trust" in many organisations had to be tackled to boost productivity, alongside making more use of the "skills and talents of our workforce".
Source-BBC
Hewlett-Packard and Revlon job cuts announced
Computer maker Hewlett-Packard and cosmetic firm Revlon have both announced end of year job cuts of thousands of workers.
In a filing with US regulators, HP said it would cut 5,000 more jobs than planned.
The firm now says it will eliminate 34,000 positions, or 11% of its workforce, by the end of 2014.
Separately, Revlon announced plans to leave China and said it would cut 1,100 jobs.
Revlon, which manufactures cosmetics and hair dye under its name as well as the Almay and SinfulColors brands, said the cuts would save the firm around $11m (£6.6m) a year amid declining global sales.
The firm recently announced changes in its leadership, including naming a new boss, Lorenzo Delpani, in the autumn.
Latvia split over eurozone entry
On 1 January Latvia will become the 18th country to adopt the euro - a move welcomed by most of the business community.
The owner of Valmiermuiza brewery, Aigars Rungis, says the euro will give his business an extra boost: "It will give us more stability and as a result more investors will be ready to invest."
However, many members of the public are concerned it will mean higher prices as Damien McGuiness reports.
Hewlett-Packard and Revlon job cuts announced
Computer maker Hewlett-Packard and cosmetic firm Revlon have both announced end of year job cuts of thousands of workers.
In a filing with US regulators, HP said it would cut 5,000 more jobs than planned.
The firm now says it will eliminate 34,000 positions, or 11% of its workforce, by the end of 2014.
Separately, Revlon announced plans to leave China and said it would cut 1,100 jobs.
Revlon, which manufactures cosmetics and hair dye under its name as well as the Almay and SinfulColors brands, said the cuts would save the firm around $11m (£6.6m) a year amid declining global sales.
The firm recently announced changes in its leadership, including naming a new boss, Lorenzo Delpani, in the autumn.
Expired Firearms Licence Issued to Owners
The Royal Turks & Caicos Islands Police is urging all persons with firearms licences to visit the Firearms Unit to renew their firearms licence on Thursday Janaury 02nd, 2014. All firearms licence in the Turks & Caicos will expire as of December 31st, 2013. All firearms licence holders who fail to renew their firearms licence risk having their firearms licence suspended indefinitely.
Firearms licences are generally valid for one year, and it is the licence holder’s responsibility to renew their licence in a timely manner. Renewing on time will help to avoid possible complications and consequences, including being charged with unauthorized possession of a firearm.
All persons renewing their firearms for 2014, must visit the Firearms Unit with your firearm, all ammunition and a valid photo ID.
All firearms must be cleared and made safe before attending the Firearms Unit.
Individuals who possess firearms or handle them in the course of their work are required, under the Firearms Act, to have a valid firearms licence. A valid firearms licence is also necessary to acquire firearms or ammunition.
If anyone has any doubts, concerns or questions relating to firearms, please contact Sgt. Thomas of the Firearms Unit at 2316262.
Police investigates more Crime as we close 2013
The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force are investigating a number of incidents reported between Wednesday December 25, 2013 and Monday December 30, 2013 within the districts of Providenciales, including:
• (4) Burglary: Preliminary investigations revealed that during the commission of these Burglaries, a 60 inch sharp flat screen television, a grey safe containing some personal documents and some valuable watches, a black hand bag containing make up kits, Perfumes and other items, a Blackberry cell phone, a Television were stolen and possibly other items depending on findings on an inventory that will be conducted soon.
• (5) Theft: Initial investigations revealed that during the commission of these Thefts, a quantity of water, a black purse containing a sum of cash and various ID cards, black Pioneer radio, a car battery, a white Samsung Galaxy mega cell phone and a number of items yet to be confirmed pending an inventory were stolen from a storage unit.
• (1) Attempted Burglary: Preliminary investigations revealed that nothing was stolen during the commission of this crime.
• (1) Malicious Damage to Property: Early investigations revealed that during the commission of this crime a vehicle was damaged and broken into. The right rear passenger window was shattered and the vehicle was ransacked. Nothing was reported stolen but the complainant is making further checks to be sure.
The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force are also investigating a number of incidents reported between Wednesday December 25, 2013 and Monday December 30, 2013 within the districts of Grand Turk, including:
• (1) Taking Conveyance without Authority: Preliminary investigations revealed that during the commission of this crime, a golf cart was stolen.
• (1) Burglary: Initial investigations revealed that during the commission of this crime, a sum of cash was stolen.
If you have any information about any criminal activity, please call 911 or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 1-800-8477. Tips can also be submitted anonymously in English, French or Spanish on either www.crimestoppers.tc or on Facebook as a fan of Crime Stoppers Turks & Caicos. Crime Stoppers tips are received in the USA.
NIB CHAIRPERSON LILLIAN MISICK SAYS PENSION FUNDS ARE SAFE
Chairperson of the National Insurance Board Mrs. Lillian Misick says recent reports in the TCI News Now that the funds destined for national insurance benefits will be directed to the national health insurance program are "absolutely false" .
Mrs. Misick indicated in a recent interview that the Government has empowered a single entity to collect the payroll taxes, but the monies collected will be sent separately to the two institutions and used for their individual programs.
"I want to make it absolutely clear that the monies for the National Insurance Fund will NOT be used to fund health care or vice versa", said Mrs. Misick. "The programs of the NIB and NHIB will NOT be merged and the monies in the National Insurance Fund will be kept absolutely separate.The Government is looking at more efficient and effective ways to collect the monies from our common clients and these improvements will allow us to cut administrative costs while improving service to our clients."
TCI News Now, whose main local contributor is American retiree David Tapfer and which is run by Barry Randall, who was once convicted and jailed in the Cayman Islands for a multi-million-dollar fraud, is a news blog which has become renowned for publishing opinionated articles that are riddled with factual errors. Its article on the NIB is the latest of several of such misleading articles which often contain libelous and defamatory statements. TCI News Now does not carry bylines or corrections to its misleading and untruthful articles.
Its latest article on NIB caused Mrs. Misick to explain that a common collection system is in place in several Caribbean countries, along with developed countries such as Canada and many European nations, and that "this approach just builds upon common best practice".
Mrs. Misick added that Trevor Cooke was named as a Board member of the NIB and has not assumed his old position as the Director/CEO of the organization.
"Mr. Cooke has had many years experience with the organization and this corporate memory will be helpful in moving the NIB forward," said Mrs. Misick.
NIB's Chair also wanted to dispel the incorrect statements of the TCI News Now with respect to the current funding of NIB benefits.
"The NIB earns about $35 million/year at the current time in contribution and investment income and spends about $12 million/year in benefits, with the remaining funds being invested to grow the National Insurance Fund.In total, we have about $175 million invested on behalf of the people in various funds, including equities, bonds, alternative funds and domestic investments and the NIB has enough money to pay all benefits until at least 2025.
The NIB's CEO, Mr Colin Heartwell, said: "The NIF portfolio is broadly diversified to reduce risk, while being designed to earn returns above a global benchmark.NIB's local investments include a significant involvement in local financial intermediaries, Headley Durham Building in Grand Turk and the Hilly Ewing building in Provo."
Mr. Heartwell added: "We are moving to a single investment consultant backed by an oversight watchdog to manage the fund, which has reduced costs substantially while improving performance."
The National Insurance Fund is the people's money and will be protected, noted Mrs. Misick.
Source-TCI SUN
AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL ALL-STAR BIANCA GOLDEN TO HOST TCI FASHION WEEK 2014
A major platform for artistic and cultural expression, Turks and Caicos Islands Fashion Week (TCIFW) celebrates the work of fashion artists, craftspeople and other creators with an effervescence all of its own. Adding to the anticipation, the Producers are excited to announce that America's Next Top Model Cycle 9 and Cycle 17 All-Star Bianca Golden of the Turks and Caicos Islands/New York will host with 2014 Grand Designers’ Runway Fashion Show.
Bianca Golden has been signed by both Major Models and Ford Models, done correspondent work for E! Channel and The Tyra Show and appeared in major television commercials for Macy's, Apple, Sears and others. She has graced the pages of Essence, Cosmopolitan, Vibe, Source and Style Bermuda Magazines and appeared on the runways of five consecutive seasons of New York Fashion Week.
Besides modeling, Bianca encourages youth to follow their dreams and contributes to community service projects as well as speaking engagements at schools across the USA. Being charitable and giving back is one of Bianca's greatest passions and she hopes to launch her own foundation, Be Golden.
Turks and Caicos Islands Fashion Week 2014 will take place March 26th – 29th with the Grand Designers’ Runway Fashion Show “the grand finale” on March 29th at Brayton Hall, Providenciales. Other TCIFW 2014 events leading up to the grand finale will soon be announced.
“I am counting down the days until the hottest date on my calendar: Turks and Caicos Islands Fashion Week at which time I will visit my beautiful island home. What an honor it will be hosting the first presentation of TCIFW Designers’ Grand Runway Fashion Show. Not only will it be an extraordinary show unveiling a myriad of great talent, more significantly, the Turks and Caicos Islands will join the list of countries hosting its own fashion week” says Top Model Bianca Golden.
TCIFW will enhance all aspects of fashion events in the Turks and Caicos Islands by featuring fine local, regional and international designers and boutiques presenting exquisite garments and accessories, supporting local schools alternative career programs, highlighting local culture, history and entertainment, promoting business generation, facilitating workshops, hosting exhibitions of art and luxury products and services, exciting the interest of regional and international media and support marketing the Turks and Caicos Islands to the world.
To date, TCIFW 2014 proud partners are the Turks and Caicos Tourist Board, Saint George Fashion House, Miss Turks and Caicos Universe Beauty Org., Digicel TCI, Beaches Turks and Caicos Resort Villages and Spa, Power 92.5 FM, 102.5 Kiss FM and Everything TCI.
Acting Attorney General speaks on Michael Misick extradition
In response to queries regarding the extradition of former Premier Michael Misick, Acting Attorney General Rhondalee Brathwaite Knowles, issued a statement to the media on December 23.
Mrs. Knowles said in her statement: "The SIPT wished to ensure that Mr. Misick would be back in the Turks and Caicos Islands in time to participate, if he wished, in the Plea and Directions hearing involving his co accused that is to start on 6th January 2014.
"It was not until 18th December that confirmation was received from the Brazilian authorities to the British Embassy that the necessary formalities have been completed, the TCI authorities now have to make the necessary arrangements to bring Mr. Misick to the TCI. This is being done as soon as possible but is unlikely to now be done before the Plea and Direction Hearing.
"The arrangements for Mr. Misick’s return will be made in accordance with normal policing practice. Those arrangements will be in complete compliance with his human and legal rights.”
Colin Farquhar, Commissioner, Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) said:
The search for additional casualties following this morning’s incident has concluded for today due to worsening light conditions and sea state. A scaled down search will begin again tomorrow, but no further casualties are anticipated.
“I can confirm that 33 people were detained as suspected illegal Haitian immigrants. This group consisted of 21 males, including one child, and 12 females. These people will be repatriated to Haiti at the earliest opportunity.
“There is actually one fewer casualty then was reported earlier with 17 confirmed fatalities. This group consists of 12 male and five female adults. The remains will also be repatriated following post mortems (autopsies) to establish the cause of death.
“I speak on behalf of all of the Turks and Caicos Islands authorities, as well as the RTCIPF, when I say thank you to our partners, including the US Coast Guard who provided aerial support in the form of a helicopter and a C-130 maritime patrol aircraft today. Their assistance is greatly appreciated.
“The stricken vessel has now been removed from the water and will be central to our ongoing investigations into this matter.
“Our patrols of the waters surrounding our islands have recommenced, and as ever, we appreciate the support of the general public, especially other water users, in helping us identify and track suspicious vessels n our waters and around out coastline. We must all remain vigilant to combat illegal migration.
“Finally, I would like to thank my own officers, as well as the members of the other emergency services, who acted professionally in particularly challenging circumstances today.”