Local activists take on jobless challenge
Job drive by activist group, Caymanians Against Economic Injustice
(CNS): A group of local activists concerned about what they see as the increasing marginalisation of Caymanians from the job market have taken on the challenge of trying to match unemployed locals with existing vacancies. A registration drive on Thursday and Friday organised by Caymanians Against Economic Injustice (CAEI) saw almost 200 people sign up and file their details with the community volunteers, who say they plan to do what they believe the National Workforce Development Agency (NWDA) should be doing.
“We can’t promise people jobs but we are going to do our best to present employers with the details of people they could be giving work to instead of permit holders,” a spokesperson for the group said, describing the government agency as “completely useless”.
The activists also believe that government’s plans to spend $1.7 million on the latest workplace initiative is misguided and will result in the public purse footing the bill to subsidise the training of local people to fit the private sector positions available. They want to see the funds spent helping those in serious trouble in the short term and funding the NWDA to function as real job placement agency in the longer term.
With so many local people complaining that local employers are not even responding to their applications, the activists said they have plans to collate CVs and details of available local workers and physically take them to major employers and businesses that are advertising vacancies, many of which, the activists say, are filled by permit holders.
They believe that neither the NWDA nor the Work Permit and Business Staffing Plan boards are enforcing the law when it comes to permit renewals. CAEI members believe that the boards are either turning a blind eye or the so-called interface between the government labour agency and immigration is not working.
Many candidates who came to register their details complained about a number of common problems that they encounter when applying for work, and that registering with the NWDA online also remains a major issue because the site is still not functioning properly.
Those who are taking on the challenge of finding work on their own also complained that, despite their experience and qualifications, the fact that they are local appears to be a major hindrance.
One experienced carpenter and construction worker, who had his own business until the recession, told CNS that he had contacted one firm that was advertising more than nine positions, eight of which were in his area of expertise, but they refused to give even one job to him. when he followed up on the situation, he found that all nine are held by overseas workers, all of whom have had their permits renewed.
Representatives from CAEI insist that his story is common.
While they agree that there are local unemployed people who don’t have skills or experience, they are registering significant numbers of qualified unemployed workers, from white collar bank employees and those with tourism and hospital experience to skilled and semi-skilled construction workers.
“These people are more than ready, willing and able to work but cheap labour and the advantage that bosses can have over permit holders makes them still more attractive, despite the fees, pushing out Caymanians from getting even a chance,” the CAEI representative said.
Faced with what they see as government’s inability or lack of will to enforce the immigration law, CAEI say they plan to act themselves and go directly to bosses who are advertising for workers and implore them to give the work to the qualified and experienced workers that they have signed up.
Category: Jobs, Local News
How does the NWDA fit in to this new caper?
Are Ice Cube and Dre coming to Cayman? I did like them back in the day.
Joined up thinking would be good but I am guessing that is never going to happen.
No I am not ignorant or dumb to how the economy work , but government and work permits has created a very big problem on the Island, I know that every permit holder can go back to their country of origin but I see a lot of division between Caymanians and Expats , and I think that there’s going to be big problems in the future like what Ezzard Miller said sometime ago.
Your words say one thing but give the impression of the opposite being true.
Ironically if the $1.7m was not put into this pointless scheme and the cash used to reduce work permit prices the economy would grow and there would be more employment for locals . . .
Has anyone else mentioned that it is Caymanians who are not hiring Caymanians?
Define Caymanian.
Define everyday Caymankind racism.
You can look it up in your Everyday Racist Dictionary.
@ Mr / Ms nobody Anonymous 7: 13 am, yes this is a unemployment problem and how unemployment is created, when you have a job to be done on the Island and you bring in someone from a other country to do the job , then unemployment to company / people has been done. If this is done for every job on the Island there would be a 100% unemployment for Caymanians and their companies. You must be the one that have done this.
Yes, I is the one that have done this. It is all me. You has got me. Or is it you are clearly too stupid to understand that an economy is not a zero sum game and that your entire argument is based on a boorish prejudiced ignorant fallacy? Which is it?
Correct. Whether in Cayman or any country for that matter… If you’re sitting on your ass thinking you are owed a job because of your nationality, you will surely remain unemployed either because no one should ever hire your lazy entitled ass, or two, the companies will leave the country because they are forced to hire your lazy-no-work-permit-required-entitled-non-merit-oriented ass..
I am not Caymanian, I am not unemployed, but the hypocritical BS put on this blog by a few is unbelievable. First of all, we all should be able to agree that the Cayman Islands is not the only country who has a percentage of its citizens who are not employable for various reason, however, reading some of the comments made by others, one should assume such issue only exists in Cayman.
Secondly, we all know that a big issue is the indentured slavery which continues on and the complete lack of efforts by Government to get this under control. There is no way that a “local” can survive on some of the pay that is offered AND raise a family on Island while in addition being also screwed out of pension and healthcare benefits. We know why certain groups of expat workers manage to survive such conditions on Island (ie they do not have to support a family on Island with the associated cost of living).
Thirdly, for many years it has been said that “locals” do not have the proper qualification and experience. In the last 10 years, more people have left the Island to get a university education, master degrees and work experience, still, this is now not sufficient and more excuses are coming down the pipeline. Too many people have their children return home from university who are simply not able to find jobs which are even close to their qualifications. Again, save the hypocritical BS as you know just as well that if you just spent $ 100,000 on your child’s education, you also wouldn’t rush them to flip burgers at Wendy’s when immigration is handing out work permit after work permit for entry level positions.
Finally, why are Temp Agencies getting their “temp” permits rubber stamped and why are companies allowed to have any number of Temps they feel like having? Why is there not some sort of measure in place, like if you have 10 employees, you are allowed 1 Temp, 11-20 employees, 2 Temps etc? A company will always go for the Temp option where they can as it is a lot cheaper for them in the long run. Temp Agencies make a killing of this loop hole, ripping people off with crappy vacation benefits and a health insurance coverage that gives you the benefit of $ 100/year.
Nice to hear from you, Uncle Tom.
This is just a re-hash of the usual crap spouted on this topic and has nothing to do with the very few local unemployed who are employable, if there are any.
Your first point says nothing, what problems there are elsewhere are irrelevant.
Your second point indicates that the local unemployed are unwilling to work for the market rates. If you want local price inflation go ahead, but the people running this drive are the same punters that moan about the cost of living. In theory the new minimum wage addresses this issue anyway.
The third point if often said and never proved. It is a myth. There are people who think a degree from the Swamp University of North by North West Florida is a passport to millions but they are as deluded as their degree is valueless. See the post below about the non-existent students who cannot find articles. I would always employ a grad who had the humility and self-respect to spend a few months flipping burgers than sitting on their ass moaning about jobs to which they claim entitlement without experience.
Lastly temps are needed to run any business and prevent losses accruing during the long recruitment period that is required for many positions. If temporary recruitment is being abused address that, but that is not what this group or this campaign is addressing.
So you would rather your child sat around the house doing jack than “demean” themselves by flipping burgers, notwithstanding that a future employer may view a period flipping burgers way more favourably than doing nothing? Proverbs 16:18.
Exactly. As an employer I would view the burger flipper as a very positive person and the person that did not take interim work would have a huge red flag on their resumé. And red flags usually mean a rejection letter.
There is no unemployment problem. There are people with problems who are unemployable and people who do not want the many jobs that are available which is their problem.
I think that Caymanians has so many odds stacked against them , don’t care how much education and experience, or personality, or qualified they are for the job .
I think that CAEI can find the right people and be able to guarantee them to the employer with the understanding that CAEI would be able to get updates on employer and employee progress and relationships face to face. Because I think that what CAEI is doing is a benefit and important to the people and the Islands in the future.
There must have been a lot of rum in the CAEI Kool-aid for you to believe that crap.
Do they actually have jobs for people? Otherwise this is a fruitless exercise and accomplishes nothing but another list of desperate individuals!
I understand from an agency all you need is a fluffed up resume and you are good to go for top job.
The ability to say no to crack is a big help too any resumé.
An being able TO spell with 100 percent accuracy. Just saying..
-Caymanian
Oh my, where to start?
– Employed Caymanian
There was not a spelling error in that post. There was a typographical error, presumably missing out the word “on” between “too” and “any resumé” and that would have been obvious from the context of the two prior posts since the second post followed on from the first and was referring to an additional quality that would be helpful. Since you made an typing error in the first word of your own post, I suggest you come down from your high horse because you could get hurt. Leave the spelling Nazi jibes to those who can type a nine word sentence properly.
Or be in the Lodge. Then the ideal pitch is utter mediocrity.
yawn…the great caymanian oppression conspiracy continues…….zzzz
go to any of the major emlpoyers on island and ask them of their experience in hiring locals….you afraid the truth might hurt???
Ask the locals about the various frauds committed by some major employers if you really want to play fair, but wait, there is no mechanism for locals to safely speak up and no enforcement of laws anyway, so never mind.
Tell us but those various “frauds”. We are all ears. This is so exciting. Unless you are full of BS.
Provide a safe mechanism to report without the person reporting losing their career, and provide a mechanism for effective enforcement and you will have lots for your ears.
Go on, ANONYMOUS….
So the answer is “no”, you don’t have anything specific and it was the typical generic BS.
Evaluate these people’s skills first. Then find them a job that is suitable for their level of skills. Train those who are lacking the skills.
A circus. Create new jobs and train these people new skills to fit in. Nothing can be accomplished by a force.
Will this group assist applications for which the candidate says they are qualified or for job for which the candidate is qualified? Assisting the unemployed to see the difference between the two might be of real help to the unemployed and employers.
Thanks for the advanced warning.
Thank you for the evidence that proves this is indeed happening and that this the mindset for some employers. When did you say you will be leaving my shores?
Yawn. Perhaps we will leave when the melodrama runs out. So it will be quite some time if you are around.
You won’t leave until your country can offer you opportunities and a salary like mine does.
You are right, there are people willing to accept increased pay to have to spend time stuck in an isolated cultural wasteland.
I don’t even bother with this argument anymore. The issue at hand is perfectly illustrated by this recurring argument…this idea that we expats have ‘fled our shores’ for the opportunity and bounty that is Cayman. Some people can’t understand that this is merely a stepping stone, a sacrifice one must make, to a better life/job/position. If you understood sacrifice better you might not have to have laws to force people to hire you. If you understood that sometimes you have to answer phones, or live in a culturally bereft, overdeveloped, mosquito-infested tourist trap before you can be the CEO, your opportunities would be much improved.
Sorry to burst your bubble. I’m am a long term resident who has shunned PR and taken a job in another jurasdiction, not my own.
This is for at least 25% less in salary and at least 25% worse weather.
To stay just for the money was never on the cards, despite buying property and integrating into the community I realized that this will never be allowed to be called my home.
To retire here I would need to win a state lottery and to stay would just frustrate my interests, travel and professional development.
Rest assured, there are other places to go.
There is always somewhere else to go. The problem will remain for the locals. Other countries have protectionism where they will make it extremely difficult to hire expats except in unusual circumstances. However it appears the Cayman Islands facilitate and encourage hiring expats.
Perfect examples are websites that advertise jobs which then lead you to an online application. A question that is always there is “are you currently legally allowed to work in the country you are applying” or I’ve seen it written as ” are you a Canadian/American/UK citizen/legal resident” with the options yes and no. I am aware from hiring managers that once the individual chooses no the application is immediately discarded. However, on this little rock it appears the opposite happens.
Now I do understand there are wider problems here. They are just not limited to the Cayman Islands. Globally expats are hired for the menial positions. I think the problems arise when it’s the white collar entry level jobs are blocked by expats and the glass ceiling is lowered to mid level manager. If even mid level manager is a possibility.
Right Now!! Could have trained two natives to be well paid and not work to hard in my business with my local partner. But your non-moving, business oppressive government has driven me away. Caymankind.
Local bosses don’t want locals that just cause problems on the job this is the same problem Mc keeva faced when it was viewed that he gave jobs to friends. He knew each contractor personally and what they would do and wouldn’t do People did not like this and viewed it as corruption And that for 75% of the time was not the case He just knew who was worthless and who could get the job done
Are you saying that in the other 25% it was corruption – outrageous.
PS is the full stop key on your key board broken, or is it some post modernist expression of freedom in your prose style?
In relation to the carpenters story, if true, and if his applications were not brought to immigration’s attention by the business concerned, it should be prosecuted, and if appropriate, shut down. There is too much of this crap going on in Cayman. It will destroy us.
But do we really think it is true or the whole story? No we don’t. It has all the hallmarks of one of those stories your mother’s cousin’s neighbor heard about in Fosters. The mythical carpenter roams the streets hunting in a pack with the mysterious invisible law students who cannot get articles. No one has ever seen them or photographed them, but their tales passed on from one activist to another as part of the oral history of the place.
Unfortunately you are mistaken.
Has he fallen out with the invisible law students?
I hope that these “Activists” are driving home the message that social media can cause negative impacts on employment opportunities. People need to understand that HR will go straight to Face Book, Instagram etc before looking at a persons CV as these platforms provide a telling picture of the person in question that a CV does not. Social Media is a nail in the coffin for many job applicants.
While you are absolutely right, I wonder if employers are doing this when they hire someone from abroad! The experience I have had in my working life in the Financial Industry is that many who have obtained a permit with a incredibly fluffed up resume and often, a less than admirable character to go with it.
Who cares about their character if they can do the job and make money?
But obviously given the cumulative market experience still a better risk than going local.
They hire thieves, murderers and every kind of criminal from overseas on work permits, and only when they are caught here you here that they committed crimes elsewhere.
The work permit board must be targeted, they are this country’s problem. If they were thoroughly investigating applications, we wouldn’t have the problem of local unemployment. Too many turning a blind eye when it is convenient. Reduce government revenue, reject renewals and increase local employment.
If it wasn’t for evil business owners hiring all those pesky foreigner murderers. That is the root cause of the unemployment problem. I know what you mean, you ask them in interview “Have you ever murdered anyone?” and they say “No”. And then few months into the job they admit they told a little white lie and had in fact committed several murders in the past. Now suddenly that 20 year gap in their resumé makes sense. They were not living in a Buddhist monastery in Nepal after all. What is an employer to do then?
Compounded by those who produce, as required by law, criminal record clearance certificates from their domestic jurisdictions. Outrageous deception, not just of the employer but the foreign authorities. Far better to take a punt on a local who is not required to produce any evidence that they are clean.
“a local who is not required to produce any evidence that they are clean”
Where did you get that from and what Company in Cayman does that, the ones who don’t pay pension or health insurance?
Why do Temp Agencies still get “temporary permits” rubber stamped for folks they bring in from elsewhere?
Because the workers are temporary. The clue is in the name.
At least until they become “full time” the “temporary” feature allows many a foot in the door that many locals don’t get!
Aw diddums. If the local market cannot supply productive profitable workers the wider market will provide some. The added costs of foreign labour shows just how wide that productivity gap really is.
That’s a good point. The system designed to discriminate in favour of Caymanians in fact counts against them, by giving an employer a risk free way of trying our new labour knowing that if it doesn’t work out they will be gone gone without any arguments with the labour board or local dispute – revoke the permit and they are gone, not just from the work place but the islands. Conversely, hire a local, even on a probationary basis, and see what a mess you have to deal with if you decide it was bad hire.
Activists should ensure that businesses who continuously circumvent and/or ignore the already antiquated and outdated labor laws are shut down.
1:21, You suggest closing down companies who can provide employment opportunities?
Now there is some logic.
They should be heftily fined. Much more than what the Work Permit(s) they were seaking cost. Revenue for the CIG. Caymanians employeed!
Yes who you are on Facebook is screened with applications in this new tech age.
11:03 If the people who are looking for jobs can’t get them, then do what they do in other parts of the world. Nobody will have a job. Caymanians need to be proactive and not reactive. Teach every one of them a lesson.
To hell with what they read on Facebook/ social media, one day the world will read the right message.
4:55, Apologies for the assumption, but judging from the tone of your post you must be one of those people that needs to clean up their act and find employment? If I were you, I would start by changing your attitude.
Amen to that. I can’t eat, neither will you.
we are not that kind of people, but it’s coming to that. My people want to work, families are suffering and no one is listening.
No one will listen as long as you continue to refuse to take jobs that are available. Tell me you have been refused a job where no qualifications are required, and I will sympathise. Because whilst accepting a job below what you feel you are qualified for may be demeaning, in my book its beats the hell out of suiting back and not working at all and asking for sympathy or a free ride.
Not all social media. I like when they are on Grndr.
I only hire them if they have an active Grindr acct.
Is that you CaymanBear?