Review calls for 10 yr rollover
Posted on Fri, 06/15/2012 - 15:27 in Politics
CNS): A government appointed committee has recommend that the key employee provision in the immigration law be abolished and a ten year term limit introduced to address the issue of the controversial rollover policy. A report by the term limit review committee, established by government last year, was tabled in the Legislative Assembly on Friday in order to start a public consultation period on the committee’s findings and recommendations on the way forward in dealing with government's need to balance an expatriate workforce with the needs of Caymanians.
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Re: "Submitted by Anonymous
Re: "Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 06/19/2012 - 16:47.
Until Caymanians can count on an upbringing that makes them competitive in the workplace NOONE of them will replace a employable worker."
Obviously, as evidenced by the high number of comments and thumb ratings, this particular thread / news item is very popular at the moment.
As a Caymanian, I am clearly in the above poster's crosshairs however, I will refrain from directly addressing his / her comments.
However, I am curious to know why not a single peer of the individual has bothered to address or counter such inflammatory, ignorant and prejudicial views?
Such a mindset harkens back to the era of slavery, Jim Crow, apartheid and such.
By default, this individual is representing the expatriate community and for the rest of his group to simply ignore, or at times encourage (thumbs ups), such comments does not help the situation at all.
Attitudes like the poster's is a major contributing factor to the friction that exists in the Cayman Islands today. Furthermore, we can be assured that there is a percentage of influential individuals within the workforce that think in the same way as this racist dinosaur.
Cayman has always extended open arms to "foreigners". I should know as I am a product of this reality. However, amongst the good folks that have been included, we find the odd asshole - and they must be checked and corrected otherwise we run the risk of the ruination of this otherwise wonderful community.
* Lastly, I would like to acknowldge and thank 2 long-term expatriate posters (see thread of comments) in particular who took the time to attest to the warm and inviting nature of my Caymanian people.
Such individuals are who our newly arrived expats should be looking to for examples of how to conduct oneself in a newly adopted community ... my expatriate parent would be an ideal candidate as well.
As someone who is fast
As someone who is fast approaching their roll-over date, I think that this change in policy is well over due. It never made sense to me to kick people off the island before giving them a chance to apply for PR. NO ONE SAID THAT THE GOV'T HAS TO GIVE IT TO THEM, but you want some people to stay on this island who have tried hard to invest and become part of the community. Let them stay long enough to be able to apply for permanent residency but make the criteria appropriate and transparent. The island needs to grow and the smart way to do so would be to grant PR to those that deserve it and prove that they want it. I came here with no money, worked hard and was able to buy property, and invest in a local business, yet I don't even get the chance to plead my case or prove my worth to the PR board. So what happens now? Sell everything, get rolled over, come back (maybe) and start all over again?
If the CIG does change the policy, you will see some changes almost immediately. The real estate market with start improving over night as people who are getting ready to leave, start buying property to add to their PR score. People will change their view of the island from a place when they can work, save money and leave with it to an island where they can grow, invest and build a future.
Obviously this won't be the final solution to the immigration problem, but in my mind it is definitely a step in the right direction.
I did invest in Cayman a
I did invest in Cayman a while back and now my ten year plan will see me still not being able to sell my home in a country that has sunk down to third world level very quickly. Caymans glory days have passed. The time for fixing before it is too late is passing by. Very soon it will be overrun with unemployable and uneducated Caymanians who will continue to blame everyone but themselves for their misfurtune. At least the beaches will not be overcrowded.
I wouldn't invest in Cayman
I wouldn't invest in Cayman and take the chance that I "might" get PR.
What if you just told
What if you just told everyone that applying for a residency is not about the time you have spent here but more of a proven record of being a self sustaining and responsible individual and citizen before ever being considered for it. THEN make the law or laws to make that happen. And nothing else. Would that solve the problem?
I know it won't please the many on both sides that wouldn't make the cut either way but... Just a thought and hope it helps.
We left before being rolled
We left before being rolled out and have no regrets whatsoever. We still own a home in Cayman and look forward to vacations. Cayman is not the best, most desired place in the world to live.
Maybe some of you are not
Maybe some of you are not aware but the financial industry has improved greatly . The law firms are doing wonderful and so are insurance companies offshore like captives. So why do we want to change anything? It seems the tourism industry is the only industry that is not doing well and its where we have the most amount of work permits after domestics. Tell the truth caymanians need jobs and until we get jobs that pay decent salaries noone should get permanment residency.
We have to secure our people first before we make anymore mistakes
So why don't you apply for a
So why don't you apply for a job as a domestic then? Huh?
Until Caymanians can count on
Until Caymanians can count on an upbringing that makes them competitive in the workplace NOONE of them will replace a employable worker.
Funny, the Rollover is the
Funny, the Rollover is the one subject both UDP and PPM unite on. What does that tell you?
A fool by any other name!
A fool by any other name!
If there are 3,000 +
If there are 3,000 + Caymanians unemployed where are we going to accommodate 100,000 people? XXXX Boy are we screwed from every which way.
SO MUCH CONFLICT OF INTEREST.
We better stop this and now. Caymanians will lose their identity, foreigners will control the Legislative assembly, or their children who are just like them, and Caymanians will live like dogs.
The one man one vote will encourage foreigners to buy large parcels of land, develop them and have their own foreign born cayman status holders Politicians emerge from within!
All that glitters is not gold.
We better stop Sherry and Mac in their tracks XXXX. Cayman can not take 100,000 people. Caymanians are the only ones suffering with a population of 50,00 as it is. Is this a scheme to have us killed off with the 100,00 population? Fancy getting a foreigner to testify that they saw a crime being committed against a caymanian when they are the majority and we are only Indians on a reservation!
THIS GOVERNMENT IS SENDING US ALL TO HELL IN A HANDBASKET. STOP THEM.
The Comissioner of Police and his staff can't solve the crimes we now have can we agree to have crime double or triple or quadruple on us?
WE BETTER CLEAN THAT HOUSE IN MAY 2013.
Paranoid much? You better
Paranoid much? You better tell Caymanians to stop marrying foreigners.
Clearly the intellectually
Clearly the intellectually dishonest posse is out in full effect today.
E.g.
Re: "Caymanians & the xenophobic government by & large really wont have to worry about rolling over foreign workers. Once the workers have been here a few years & experience first hand the troubles of the little society that exist, they will just figure out that their homeland is the better long term choice...tax included.Having been in Cayman 28 years & becoming naturalized, Cayman passport & status doesnt neccessarily allow you to be accepted, you are always branded as a'Paper Caymanian' which is an insult and just proves how small minded the society is that labels you as such. Cayman offers no incentive now for long term residency. Look at the crime, fear of walking down 7 mile beach at night or along West Bay road for being held up by gun or knifepoint. If you are a young woman,dont think about going to these areas alone late in the evening. House burglaries and car break in's for random theft, with no possible hope of action by the RCIPS. All the money put into the health insurance 'Racket' schemes will result in no insurance for you at all, once you surpass retirement years....just when you need health care. Outrageous school costs for children of foreign families to the point they have to send the kids abroad.The youth is coming out of school with no trade skills, qualifications for better teritary education & left with unemployment & an avenue of crime & gang culture to pursue. It will be interesting to see how this one facet alone affects Caymans future youth in 10 years time and what measures are in place here to approach it. The government better start to look at this one area now."
You have basically described a situation common to every major city / country in the western world today, save for the few obvious exclusions (of the points raised).
Basically Cayman is currently the focal point of many "1st world" individuals that for the first time in life are having to deal with what hundreds of millions of people are dealing with in their own home countries. Many of these very expats are simply unaware of what immigrant workers have to endure back home.
Interestingly, it also tends to be those very individuals that are the most outspoken about our immigration policies. Unfortunately, many of our expats fail to realiye how good they have it in Cayman. Many hold well paying jobs and now enjoy financial freedoms unimaginable in their own countries.
E.g. For goodness sake, in most European countries many work permit holders are unable to even acquire a simple mobile phone contract due to the limitations of their annually reviewed / renewed documentation.
Regardless, personally I am more primarily concerned with the welfare of my fellow Caymanians. What cannot be denied is that our collective welfare has decreased as our expatriate numbers have increased - and that is in respect to crime, employment opportunities, family structure, education, etc.
If the hosts within a community are disproportionally disenfranchised and neglected there will be hell to pay for all members - end of.
I will agree with the sentiments of the quoted poster to the effect of CIG's need to focus on the youth and general welfare of the community - however, I fail to see how guaranteeing the permanent residency of an even higher percentage of expatriates serves to satisfy those requirements.
*Lastly, I take great offence to being labeled by the poster or anyone else for that matter as "xenophobic".
A visit to my Grandma's house on any given Boxing Day will support my opposition and stance in this regard. My extended family resembles the United Nations and even I myself am the product of a Caymanian + Expat union.
Interesingly, the (formerly) expatriate parent of mine made it their duty to fully integrate in the community and amongst the people that they decided to make their new home. They were not dedicated to sub-communities, cliques and such.
Maybe, just maybe if more of our current expatriates would follow the examples of the thousands of their peers in the decades before them they may find that Cayman is not the horrible place as so many of them tend to believe today.
- Whodatis
More third world countries
More third world countries will put more $ burden on the C, we will soon be going to there country instead! Sound like a good am Keke.
Caymanians & the xenophobic
Caymanians & the xenophobic government by & large really wont have to worry about rolling over foreign workers. Once the workers have been here a few years & experience first hand the troubles of the little society that exist, they will just figure out that their homeland is the better long term choice...tax included.Having been in Cayman 28 years & becoming naturalized, Cayman passport & status doesnt neccessarily allow you to be accepted, you are always branded as a'Paper Caymanian' which is an insult and just proves how small minded the society is that labels you as such. Cayman offers no incentive now for long term residency. Look at the crime, fear of walking down 7 mile beach at night or along West Bay road for being held up by gun or knifepoint. If you are a young woman,dont think about going to these areas alone late in the evening. House burglaries and car break in's for random theft, with no possible hope of action by the RCIPS. All the money put into the health insurance 'Racket' schemes will result in no insurance for you at all, once you surpass retirement years....just when you need health care. Outrageous school costs for children of foreign families to the point they have to send the kids abroad.The youth is coming out of school with no trade skills, qualifications for better teritary education & left with unemployment & an avenue of crime & gang culture to pursue. It will be interesting to see how this one facet alone affects Caymans future youth in 10 years time and what measures are in place here to approach it. The government better start to look at this one area now.
Actually, in all fairness, it
Actually, in all fairness, it has to be said that many expats can live here for 28 years, be naturalised, obtain Caymanian status and never truly integrate into this community. So far as as possible they segregate themselves from Caymanians, look down in contempt on Caymanians and certainly do not wish to be called Caymanians. Those that behave differently generally find that they are warmly received.
As one of those who behaves
As one of those who behaves differently, I can fully support the final sentence of your post. Its very true and I have been, and continue to be very warmly received.
As an expat, I can attest
As an expat, I can attest that this is true. I have only been here for 15 years, and have had the good fortune to be in a job that affords close contact with Caymanian families. I have experienced a very warm welcome from almost all.
Why should I want to
Why should I want to assimilate? I am happy as I am. I generally mix with nationals from my homeland and only view PR and status as handy stamps to make life easier and more profitable. I came here for the money, stay here for the money and the money I make off the money and always plan to go back home with the money I made.
Please don't feed this troll.
Please don't feed this troll.
Obviously you fall in the
Obviously you fall in the first category. Thanks for confirming my point. But don't go blaming Caymanians for not accepting you as a fellow Caymanian.
Our government rush off just
Our government rush off just the other day with a high level delegation to fix our black listing problem, I only wish they would have the same enthusiasm to fix our 10% unemployment situation. I won't hold my breath on that one. A government, for protection of business only, is but a carcass and soon falls by its own corruption and decay. Pay attention Cayman more to come?
An easy way to limit the
An easy way to limit the number of people making it to or past the 7 year is to impact the costs and therefore the bottom line of businesses using people on work permits. The annual fee for work permits could progressively and substantially increase the longer someone is on a work permit. This would incentivize businesses to replace staff earlier enforcing a "roll-over" themselves in the interest of their bottom line.
The only thing this will do
The only thing this will do is in ego use the company to move those jobs to another country where they don't pay work permit fees. My company has done this with 60 jobs in the last three years. Means fewer jobs here for Caymanians and ex-pats alike.
I love the way people spend
I love the way people spend their time trying to come up with new and creative ways to run off the people who make the economy go. Once those pesky lawyers and accountants and hedge fund people gain serious experience so as to REALLY bring in the business from New York and London, they ought to get the hell off the island and make room for a new lawyer, accountant or hedge fund person who doesn't have the international connections to bring in that business, so as to drive down the quality of Cayman's actual salable product. Damn straight. That'll bring Caymanian's jobs for sure.
Hang on a minute... We were
Hang on a minute... We were told that the rollover was put in place to limit the number of people making it to the 10 year mark which would allow them to claim human rights reasons for applying for residency/citizenship. Now this committee, in all their wisdom, is saying make the rollover start at the 10 year mark. How does this make any sense at all?
Goodbye young Caymanian
Goodbye young Caymanian dreams.
Work hard in & stay in
Work hard in & stay in school.Respect your elders. Wait until you graduate and know what you want to do with your life before starting a family. Be punctual for school and work . Your dreams will come true.
You forgot to add, lose your
You forgot to add, lose your accent, attend the rugby club, ...
YOu forgot to add lose the
YOu forgot to add lose the huge chip on your shoulder.
Right O. Some of you will go
Right O. Some of you will go that way.
I would now be rofl if there
I would now be rofl if there was not such a ring of truth to your post!
:-)
On a personal note, nothing gets under my skin more than the category of Caymanian that you are describing.
"Look at me you guys ... I'm here, I'm dancing my jig ... please say I'm now "acceptable" in your eyes!!??"
Or more accurately, master
Or more accurately, master the grammatical structures of standard English (and feel free to use your dialect outside of work, as we all do in our global economy) and network (as we all have to do to stay connected). Doesn't have to be at the rugby club, although that's as good a place as any. I'm not sure why you think these are unusual requirements.
Those are mastered with a
Those are mastered with a proper education which many of us have. That's not really the issue.
Pass the self-pity pot so I
Pass the self-pity pot so I can be sick.
Cayman feeds the world while
Cayman feeds the world while its own people starve to death! Absolutely spot on anon 16:07
Actually, its the world that
Actually, its the world that feeds Cayman. Learn your history.
Mac and Sherry's plan of 100k
Mac and Sherry's plan of 100k by 2020 will be a reality, why bother to extend the rollover to 10 year when these employee will have to right to apply for permanent residence, this has stink written all over it just like it's crafters.
I have said this before no
I have said this before no citizenship like our sister island Bermuda. If you want permanment residency you need 150,000 US dollars without working , a place of residence worth 400,000 US dollars, you can own a business but cannot work there. A work permit can be issued indefinitely no right to vote or citizenship.
Where do you get 100,000
Where do you get 100,000 from? I hear, from a good source, its 250,000.
For a country that is
For a country that is constantly referred to as backward, corrupt and inept on this forum - there always seems to be much celebration and optimism at times like these.
I wonder why?
maybe because it is a small
maybe because it is a small step in the right direction?
Your ignorance makes you
Your ignorance makes you believe that immigration is a new concept.
We have always welcomed and integrated "expats" - however, in the past few years it has suddenly become a "major problem".
I, as is the case for approximately 70% of my first cousins, am the product of a Caymanian + Expat union. This is nothing new for this community.
However, that "expatriate" parent of mine is most likely someone you regard today as "just another local Caymanian".
Honestly, a mindset like yours does not belong in a community such as ours.
Keep it moving ...
I do sometimes find that your
I do sometimes find that your posts get my back up, Whodatis, and I'm not sure why. I agree wholeheartedly with this one, especially your penultimate point. Caymanians, especially young Caymanians, should note the pride in community shown here. I am an expat, but that pride and sense of integrity amongst the Caymanians I have known is what has kept me here. Love it...more of it, please. (Less condemnation of other places, while we're at it..."be the change you want to see in the world" and all that.)
There are two countries
There are two countries within one. The great source of weath is from external business - not local. The high standards are dictated by external sources, not local. We celebrate at times like these because we don't want the local government to screw up a good thing. A good thing in which everyone benefits. I'm quite certain Caymans standard of living is higher subsequent to the introduction of the financial industry. In the 50's how many Caymanians had rolexes and benzes? How many Caymanians now make thach rope and have to men sail around the world just to make a living?
(Edit.) I have retracted my
(Edit.)
I have retracted my reply.
Stooping to the bitter levels of others is never a wise move to make.
Everyone who's left is insane
Everyone who's left is insane or drunk. Welcome to happy hour.
Have you forgotten that the
Have you forgotten that the author of the rollover policy is the same person now appointed to try and fix the problem. How crazy is that! What happened to all the many reasons the public and the business community were told by the chairman of this committee why they needed to have the rollover for the 7 years in the first place. Crazy! It's been an unmitigated disaster but why not have the same person give us some more!!
Cayman will always be
Cayman will always be Caymankind. Kicking the hard working professional people off island for a whole year just to satisfy an archaic law having to do with human rights in Grand cayman which has a terrible human rights reputation. A great deal of the professionals there just want to work a job there and have no intention of getting Caymanian status. EVER! But kicking them off island every 5,7,10 years is just a way for Caymanians to show them who's boss. Face it! That is whats more important than common sense. Caymankind to the bone. And yes having the problem fix the problem is a Caymanian thing and always will be which explains to the rest of us "others" why problems are always addressed but never fixed here in the land of "my island". The good side of it is Cayman will never be over run with educated professional people. Just undereducated and unemployables being payed by the Government to pretend to work. Like now.
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