More WORC legislation coming in next LA meeting
(CNS): The interim director of the newly emerging labour unit, Workforce Opportunities and Residency Cayman, has said she expects that the legislative amendments reforming the work permit and labour management process will be debated at the next meeting of the Legislative Assembly. Sharon Roulstone said WORC is anticipating a second cycle of changes later this year, following a number of amendments made in the last session in June. “These changes will be more substantive, providing the governance framework for WORC necessary to commence the transition from the old systems to the new,” she said.
Amendments made in June gave Roulstone, as head of WORC, the same powers as the chief immigration officer on immigration decisions related to work and residency, and indicate that the transformations about to happen are necessary to move WORC forward.
“It’s important to remember that the current employment and residency systems are going through a complete redesign,” Roulstone said. “The first set of changes in the legislation are necessary to enhance and streamline the current immigration processes.”
The new immigration bill also removed the limitations on certain individuals whose immigration status in the Cayman Islands has been uncertain for a number of years.
“There is a generation of people who are under the impression they are Caymanian,” Roulstone said. “Unfortunately, the law does not recognise them as such. The amended legislation, however, allows these individuals to be regularised as Caymanians and it is our hope they will take advantage of the new provision to be recognised formally once and for all.”
Spouses of Caymanians will also benefit from the changes, with simpler processes ready to be set in motion for those applying for British Overseas Territories Citizenship. The latest amendment bill also provides for the establishment of a new body responsible for asylum appeals.
Meanwhile, the Advance Passenger Information Bill passed in the Legislative Assembly. This new law enables the capturing of biographic data from passengers and forwarding it to border security officials prior to travelling, improving border security.
Category: Jobs, Local News
“Amendments made in June gave Roulstone, as head of WORC, the same powers as the chief immigration officer on immigration decisions related to work and residency, and indicate that the transformations about to happen are necessary to move WORC forward.” Really now? So who exactly will be making these very important decisions, Roulstone? If yes then that’s scary. Does this mean there will be no more boards to act as a watch dog? What will happen to the Chief Immigration Officer position? We need answers!
maybe the issues with enforcement come from the sheer numbers/volume of work that the current DOI is handling now? cayman is no longer a sleepy little village with the DOI processing a few dozen work permits every year. gone are the days when it was a lot easier for people to know when a job was available – because everyone really did know everyone and what was happening around us. I think that this is a transformation pain as Cayman grows. I don’t know if another country has experienced the same amount of growth in as short a time frame as Cayman has? Whether you like it or not is irrelevant here – the fact is that there is a lot more to manage and if WORC does not create ways to streamline and simplify, things are not going to get better for Caymanians or the businesses that need additional labour to remain in business. it looks to me like the department is in good hands with Ms. Roulstone and that we should give her a little latitude to show her best work.
I think false advertise. lie to immigration and pay a fee are simple enough for business. Sound like your gonna make it easier…nice!
This story giving off more Z’s than Cavaricci.
So the priority is streamlining the process to make it more efficient for businesses. Better put on lots of lipstick un and underemployed Caymanians as Aldart is about to screw you again.
this article does not say that – it says that processes are streamlined. Previous articles on this have also stated that one of these processes will be for Caymanians who feel that they have been unfairly passed up for promotions/jobs. it is a mess at the moment for everyone – un/under-employed caymanians are not properly acknowledged (they are NOT all unemployable!) but there currently is no way to manage this so that the law can be adequately enforced.
it also says that the issue of ghost caymanians is going to be addressed.
All of these things are improvements to the way things are done (or not!) right now
Maybe you’re right but you know enforcement used to occur without Caymanians having to initiate…..the advertisements were reviewed for obscure/unnecessary requirements, increasing experience requirements for renewals which were consistent with permit holder time, large salary disparities with low end to discourage local applicants, advertisements in low circulation papers..what happened to change that? Aldart that’s what happened…. ‘I like giving management permits as it creates lower level jobs for Caymanians’. Thanks for temporary ditch digging jobs and low glass ceilings bud.
Ever since he got into power employers have been abusing the system with impunity even when immigration has been notified of common previously not allowed abuses.
Now there is no enforcement even when Caymanians initiate. Thanks Alden! You have screwed a whole generation of your people.