WP holders not being forced to leave

| 13/05/2020 | 110 Comments
Cayman News Service
Cayman Food Bank Operations Manager Phillip Hyre (left) and volunteer Alric Lindsay

(CNS): Work permit holders hanging on until their jobs return when lockdown lifts should not be afraid of seeking help from government if they need it because they will not be forced to leave. Government is keen for those in hospitality or whose jobs have definitely been lost to leave if flights can be arranged. But Premier Alden McLaughlin has said that foreigners are not being run away because the economy will need them here to help it recover.

Work permit holders who are not essential front-line workers, able to work from home or take care of themselves who have been unable to leave Cayman since the borders closed have been offered basic support by government if they make their case to the premier’s ministry.

Speaking at the COVID-19 briefing on Monday, McLaughlin said the government was still committed to helping people in these circumstances. And while he had no evidence, he said he was aware of anecdotal reports that some expatriate workers are afraid to ask for assistance because they think that if they do, government will insist that they leave Cayman, even if their jobs may be available once the economy re-opens.

“That is absolutely not the case,” the premier said. “If, when your company resumes business, your employer needs you and wants you back, fine. We know full well that the more people that there are here, the more demand there will be for goods and services and the better shape the local economy will be in.”

McLaughlin added, “If we completely deplete this population, it is going to be a bigger struggle for those of us that remain to carry on. So as long as you have a job that you can go back to, we want you to stay. We are not trying to run foreigners away.”

For those working in tourism and hospitality it may very well be a different matter. He said that had been a big concern because there will be little work in the sector for many months for anyone.

CNS has also received numerous messages about permit holders who expect that they will have a job when the economy re-opens but whose former employers have not been supporting them during the shutdown. As a result, there are now reports of dozens of permit holders ‘sofa-surfing’ or living in their cars, despite the curfews, who are also depending on local charities for food.

The non-profit sector is currently supporting many people, both locals who don’t qualify or who have been unable to get help from the Needs Assessment Unit as well as expats, as the economic realities of the health crisis roll on

Local restaurants and hotels are said to be making more than 500 meals a day. In addition, the new charity, Resilience Cayman, is handing out hundreds of supermarket vouchers and well established charities such as Meals on Wheels and the Cayman Food Bank are also believed to be pushed to their limits.

However, the hope is that over the next six weeks these people will be able to access their pension accounts, which will help ease the burden on both the NAU and local charities.


Share your vote!


How do you feel after reading this?
  • Fascinated
  • Happy
  • Sad
  • Angry
  • Bored
  • Afraid
Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Tags: , ,

Category: Jobs, Local News

Comments (110)

Trackback URL | Comments RSS Feed

  1. Anonymous says:

    I cannot believe the comments by some on this post. I always knew there was some pent up anger toward expats, especially from the UK and US, but I’m amazed just how harsh some of the comments are.

    4
    2
    • Anonymous says:

      You must be new. This stems from years of discrimination by both new and established expatriates towards locals/caymanians. Bit of imported color ism, a hint of pigmentocracy plus a few other issues are the main ingredients. Honestly tensions were beginning to boil over prior to this current event. Are you equally as outraged when you see wicked, slanderous comments made by presumably expatriates towards Caymanians and other groups ?

  2. Anonymous says:

    When I read the heartbreaking stories of the immigrant workers in Cayman, I am sick to my stomach to think of what has happened to Cayman. We had such simple lives, 60 years ago. Now, we have the problems of world, crammed onto a speck in the ocean, 7 miles wide and 21 miles long.

  3. Anonymous says:

    FFS its 3 islands, How hard can it be to get the non essential WP holders rounded up & repatriated ? Authorities are inadequate if they cant. Dont the Authorities have records/photos/workplaces/addresses ?

    7
    2
    • Anonymous says:

      They are not rounding up the WP holders to send them our! These idiots are bringing them back in. What a mess this going to be. Alden thinks he got a magic button. He needs to stop listening to these so called special interest people, McKeeva Bush and Andrew Holiness. Eye opener …..
      Better start listen to the international new!!!!!

      5
      5
    • Anonymous says:

      But then business won’t have any workers…

      2
      3
    • Anonymous says:

      Maybe study some economics. If you rid this island of all non essential work permit holders, when most things reopen you will have half of the customers you had in February/March. And you will also have half the necessary workforce. Caymanians spend so much time hating on expats that they fail to realize expats are half of this economy. Please realize expats are not just minimum wage workers, there are MANY higher earning expats that contribute a lot more to the island’s economy than most Caymanians. Expats will not be the downfall of this economy, the hateful Caymanian people will be.

      4
      5
  4. Anonymous says:

    People, do you know, at least I believe everyone knows by now, that eating hot food drinks and soups served in styrofoam containers is extremely dangerous. It should never be microwaved either.
    I salute businesses that feed hungry and hope that they too know packing HOT food in styrofoam or polystyrene containers is a BIG NO!

    6
    2
  5. Stop the foolish stuff says:

    On another note. What is also NOT being said is the fact that the Jamaican Govt is requiring that those returning remain in quarantine for 14 days in a facility.

    That’s all well and good, but those persons are also being told that they have to pay $20.00 US per day for food, unless family members can bring food for them. Their are even rumours of up too $100.00 US in some places by persons in charge of some of the facilities.

    Most of these person have lost their jobs from the start of this pandemic. They do not hardly have anything left now.

    If their family lives too far away, and they dont have the money, what are they supposed to do. Starve for 14 days?

    Be realistic GOVT…… Stop the lying to people and bullshitting……..If you dont know, then admit you have know idea what’s going on…….

    3
    12
    • Anonymous says:

      How is this Cayman and Cayman govts problem?

      27
      5
    • Anonymous says:

      Completely irrelevant. Just keep the focus on Cayman and what’s happening in Cayman please.

      19
      1
    • Anonymous says:

      The Jamacians are right next door – there is no excuse why they are not leaving. Don’t know why/what this Government is trying to prove. They are making a horrible mistake by putting Cayman in limbo. Sorry to say but, this is onetime they are going to regret this mistake. Mr Premier you must take the bull by the horn, before it’s too late! Time is running out.

      14
      3
      • Anonymous says:

        You’re making it seem like there are 30,000 unemployed Jamaicans here. All the Jamaicans who foresaw a decline in their ability to maintain themselves here left the week the cayman airport closure was announced. I really wish some numbers on the flights out to Jamaica, for that week, could be published for you ppl to stop with the crap. Until they are showing up at your door begging for food to eat and a bed to sleep in, it’s none of your business who remains and what they do with their money.

        6
        13
        • Anonymous says:

          I don’t care how many have left !!!!!! There are still too many here…. and …. it’s our business! Cayman is for Caymanians NOT Jamaicans!!!!!!! Understand!

          12
          7
          • Anonymous says:

            Aren’t caymanians just Jamaicans from the 60s? Good job on the caymankind. I don’t expect you’ll be sweeping any floors so what’s the problem?

            6
            7
            • Anonymous says:

              The Cayman Islands are not just another “Jamaica”. What is amazing is that the historical records that invalidates that argument originates in the Jamaican Archives and Records themselves. Jamaica was a prize possession of the British colonial empire. After the British fought and defeated the Spanish who claimed the island first, and through the success of slavery and the sugar plantations excellent records of island activity were kept by the plantations owners and absentee planters. And also in London where the sugar triangle trade on the backs of said slaves thrust-ed the city into a massive merchant wealth hub. These records among others show the Cayman Islands began to be settled an eclectic mix of deserters, buccaneers, planters, mariners, adventurers, slaves, etc etc, etc. Who themselves were early entrants into historical Jamaica, having arrived from somewhere else. Many “First” Caymanian families had progenitors who were shipwrecked off the Cuban coast and ended up in Grand Cayman. Nathaniel Glover was an American who settled in Cayman in 1831 (Later marrying into a prominent bodden family). Yes, Some Caymanian families do have direct Jamaican ties, but no where near the extent that the entire Cayman Islands population is descended from that country. This is more true of present day migration patterns into the Cayman Islands than historical ones. Jamaica as a county itself was just beginning to form its own identity in the 18th century and would only accomplish this in totality with the 1962 Independence proclamation. The Cayman Islands and Turks and Caicos were dependencies of a dependency. Administered by the colonial British powers by means of convenience, with London being to far. Most Caymanians are very well versed in their history than you would think, so if the purpose of such statements are to evoke hatred and conflict between Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, then its a failed attempt.

              • Anonymous says:

                The conflict is already there. I dont think the poster above was going so far back in history…hence he/she mentioned the year as a reference. I really appreciate the history tho and if you have time please respond with the history behind the played out conflict between the Jamaicans and the Caymanians. As it stands now I dont think the Jamaicans have a problem with us but there’s something there and I want to understand it. I think I have a good handle on the hate from the Jamaicans turn Caymanian towards newcomer Jamaicans. Thanks.

                1
                1
          • Anonymous says:

            Can see you grew up on your mama’s lap listening to all the hate. Glad I was raised different.

            2
            2
          • Anonymous says:

            11.47am Troll.Troll.

          • Anonymous says:

            The many that you see here are largely those who left and settled in Cayman in 19 century. Should they be stripped of their status and sent home? Sounds like you’d also like for their properties, and their bank balances transferred to a true caymanian.

            1
            3
        • Anonymous says:

          Its still plenty of them here and believe you me they are begging for money, food, gas for their vehicles.No repatriation flights have been to Jamaica during this PLANDEMIC and Mr. Holness as he is called has the country open till May 31.

      • Anonymous says:

        Mass status grant ASAP

        3
        4
      • Anonymous says:

        They aren’t leaving because there are NO FLIGHTS to Jamaica. Have you read the news???

    • Anonymous says:

      Don’t worry cayman Gov taking Care of them for free

      6
      1
  6. Anonymous says:

    People don’t always force the workers to pay for their permits. I know plenty people that want to come here so they have their friends come to you and ask you to take out a permit for them and they will pay for it. It’s just so they can get a foothold here and then find a job. Most of the time, they just go around doing odd jobs. This is mostly in the Janitorial and construction business. I used to pick up a lady may times that would tell me that she doesn’t have work. Another lady even asked me to put my name down as a job on her Janitorial paper so she could prove that she had enough work. I told her no because I already have a helper. I’m not getting in trouble with immigration for her.

    25
    • Anonymous says:

      The people who take out these permits should be arrested. They are the problem.

      21
      • Anonymous says:

        Ah, but if the police simply refuse to arrest these and many other criminals operating in plain sight, what then?

        • Anonymous says:

          1:27pm… corruption… God gave us a window! I really hope Government understands that and make the right move going forward!

    • Anonymous says:

      Plenty of those are here that don’t have work and kicking from pillar to post and they are running Caymanians down when we don’t cater to them. I had the unfortunate experience of this happening to me.

  7. Anonymous says:

    So what about tenants that are not paying and they have jobs in the financial services industry. What happens then? Aside from normal recourse of eviction, I think these things should be noted on work permits as it means individuals choose to ignore their obligations and responsibilities. These individuals can go home. I know there is something on the work permit about being bankrupt. Paraphrasing here “A work permit holder cannot maintain a work permit if bankrupt”

    The WP holders that have temporarily lost their job. Stay and ride out the storm if you can. The ones with no future opportunity because your employer has closed permanently you should go home. The ones that have a WP on paper and never had any actual work should also go home. WP holders taking advantage of the situation with employment should have their permits revoked and go home – you’re not contributing to the economy what is the point of you being here?

    40
    16
    • Anonymous says:

      “So what about tenants that are not paying and they have jobs in the financial services industry” Just what are you trying to explain here?

      15
      4
      • Anonymous says:

        Entitlement is what is being said. I’m white and I come from a so called developed country. I’m cheap and the country I come from says they can’t evict people. I work in financial services and now I can work remotely and still get paid tax free.

        Where am I from?

        5
        8
    • Anonymous says:

      If you know your tenants have jobs and they haven’t paid why not evict them under the terms of the lease?

      17
      • Anonymous says:

        Once the deposits are used up, they will be evicted! Named and shamed too. There appears to be a pattern with these particular tenants. They did similar to the last landlord. Just found out about it.

        Financial service jobs. All from the same country.

        7
        1
        • Anonymous says:

          Call their employer (after they are evicted). If it’s a reputable firm and you have evidence of a pattern they might intervene. Might not help but doesn’t hurt.

          • Anonymous says:

            A Tennant not paying rent should be evicted, end of story But calling workplaces? That’s another reminder of the small community cayman is.

  8. Anonymous says:

    So we allow a work permit holder to remain, who has no job. They in turn seek assistance from the NAU. THEN, they turn around and send it off by money transfer. Oh ok, this is a great plan!!!!

    Yesterday a lady attempted to send $3,000 off to Jamaica. My employee (still working) told me he knows her (was next in line to send money) and that she was cussing about NAU giving her “chicken scratch”.

    No wonder the Jamaican Government don’t want them to return from Cayman!! Money still a flow!!

    65
    5
    • Anonymous says:

      She could have been a Caymanian … just so you know … aka Driftwood as you all term “paper Caymanians”

      5
      17
    • Anonymous says:

      No funds shold not be given directly to anyone by NAU. It should only be food vouchers, rent/bill payments direct to the entity owed. Any cash given directly to an applicant is subject to misuse/fraud.

      15
      1
    • Anonymous says:

      4:39am… that’s why we need to get a handle on this madness… as soon as the borders open the triangle will begin in full force again: status holders will be: Cayman, England, Jamaica and on and on they will go using Cayman and England to their benefit. Jamacia is not going to help them – they will use the stop there for their alibi. How much more can Cayman handle.

  9. Anonymous says:

    I can see what the commenter is saying. Anyone here on a WP who has lost their job no longer has a WP. Without a valid WP they are no longer here legally and are overstaying. You get 2 weeks to leave the island once your WP expires.
    As one of the people who disagree (and calls him an idiot) says above “An overstayer is someone who no longer has a permit to legally work on the island”.
    Yeah, exactly. So all the WP holders who lost their jobs no longer has a permit to work on the island and is therefore an overstayer. I don’t think the original comment is idiotic, it seems right to me.
    Here’s the original article he must have read – https://www.caymancompass.com/2020/05/04/138-overstayers-leave-cayman-using-amnesty-protection/
    It actually says “he warned that if overstayers fail to make a bona fide effort to leave the jurisdiction during this opportunity, “they can expect to be arrested and brought to justice at the first available opportunity once the amnesty is discontinued”.
    So I would think that any WP holder who lost their job and permit would rightly be concerned they were now overstaying, as mentioned in this article from CNS which says a lot of them are living in fear of being forcibly deported.

    16
    5
    • Anonymous says:

      How? The borders are closed. And CIG has not been able to reach agreement with Nicaragua or Jamaica for repatriation flights.

      12
      3
  10. Anonymous says:

    First crack will be Caymanian… Hahaha…watxh next permit fees waived.

    Socialism for the business class and capitalism for all else.

    So Caymanian and PR holders be prepared to watch the Government spend the surplus on a stimulus to keep expat Labour very low so you won’t get a raise.

    They are already handing out free food and now healthcare. They call it charity I call. It subsidise labour cost and keeping the business in black.

    But there recklessness doesn’t stop there.. Oh no, as we head into hurricane season!

    And makes you wonder, how hard are they really trying to get people home. Since the plan is really CIG want them to stay…

    But again, I put this plan at about a 65% percent success rate because simple economics. And, the charity of the Caymanians not going to last forever esp when Govt has choosen to use it surplus not like the US and UK and now even Jamaica to make direct payments to legal citizens…. No no no, that wouldn’t work!

    They couldn’t afford that but have decided instead to give free health care.

    Insane!!!!! This government is insane!!!

    20
    2
    • Anon says:

      Agree. There is not too much evidence of a workable plan, is there. I am beginning to think that to a non western european, western civilization is akin to magic. Cause and effect doesn’t enter into the picture. Thinking through doesn’t occur. So, one buys thousands of tests without the facilities to process them before they expire and then basically holds them up as the magic JuJu “Science” amulet that will somehow shield the population from disease. Meanwhile, the tests show that the virus is working its way thru the population in places where people come together, like supermarkets, mostly without symptoms of any kind. Meanwhile the MLAs et al dance around shaking their magic bones. Pathetic.

  11. Liars one and all. says:

    Hello.
    I have seen the form that was issued for persons seeking help because they have been furloughed by their employer.

    The form clearly states that “in accepting this assistance, from the CI Government, the person shall ensure that they take advantage of the next available flight back to the country of citizenship”

    Publish the form used if you doubt me.

    There are a large number of expats here that are struggling. The landlords are consistently changing locks, turning off water and electricity and generally kicking these good tenants out into the streets.

    These person (expats) will not accept the help because if they do then they are being told to go home.

    All facts……..

    Fix the bullshit……..Stop lying to people…….

    19
    7
    • Anonymous says:

      Don’t blame the landlords. They need to live too. Landlords are not just struggling because of loans but some landlords rely on this money because it is their only source of income. Of course they should change locks on tenants not paying. That is the agreement of being allowed to stay in the home they are renting. I don’t understand why people think landlords are evil people that are money hungry.

      Rent offsets the cost of wear and tear and damage a tenant may cause.

      12
      1
      • Really Bullshit says:

        Okay. Since you obviously are a landlord. Answer me this then: your tenant has been a good tenant. No problems. Then COVID19 comes along your good tenant no longer has a job. They hanging on hoping to get back their job and pay arrears.

        You decide that you not waiting, you need the money NOW. So you kick them out.

        Great now you can rent it again to someone who can pay.

        That’s the problem though. Short sightedness on your dumb ass part. WHO. Who are you going to rent it too. WHO has the money mow to pay a deposit AND rent……

        The majority of the people who WERE renting now don’t have a job. So where they gonna get MONEY to pay YOU.

        At least with the previous tenants you knew they would respect the place and NOT mash it up. What you got from the news prospective tenants?

        And this GAMBLE GAME these landlords play ONLY works if the rental unit is setup line the RITZ HOTEL.

        Otherwise the land lords just pushing personal agendas that are unlawful…….

        8
        2
      • Anonymous says:

        Didn’t you get a 3 month mortgage holiday? Should be extended to renters if so…. just push their lease 3 months longer!

        2
        1
    • Anonymous says:

      10:39pm – that’s is exactly what Government should do – For God sake where/ how are going to take care of all these people. Government needs to push relentlessly to have these people repatriated – starting with the neighbors.

      Also what is wrong with Government putting the clause in place to protect themselves, so you all don’t drain Cayman dry!

      Also….. what is the bill shit that we need to fix??? Your Government – Andrew Holiness – et al….who need to fix the bull shit!

      6
      3
      • Anonymous says:

        You’re obviously bitter about something. The poster said ntn about their nationality yet you assign them to be Jamaican, evident in how you tell them that Andrew Holiness is their government. Sickening

        3
        3
  12. Anonymous says:

    My take on this is, the sacrifice of the lockdown is not borne by everyone. The Lockdown is the right approach but everyone should have been tested already and thus opening up the economy. This is not the case, so the government should offer assistance to those affected and they should not be going to the NAU, there needs to be a separate outlet for this. The various nonprofits are helping with food, but they are needing assistance with housing and utilities since they cannot return to their country due to closure of their airports and they are not getting an income from employment. Also there is no way a small business can continue paying health insurance for these workers if no income is coming in. Assisting is the right thing to do from the Government and those calling for them to be removed should note, ugly is not a good look and Cayman is a God fearing country so better is expected.

    8
    7
  13. Anonymous says:

    This conversation is getting very boring …. should I stay or should I go !!
    With an estimated 30,000 work permit holders and employers paying a substantial fee to government each year for the permit of course he is now changing his tune.
    That’s a lot of money for the government to have to find from somewhere else right now.

    24
    4
  14. Anonymous says:

    I’m pretty sure the country was founded on ex-pats.

    41
    40
  15. Anonymous says:

    If Government isn’t going to tell them to leave then I will. I’ve got a loud speaker on my car and a hyphenated last name so I can drive as I please!

    24
    49
    • Anonymous says:

      I would love to see a figure of how many essential service staff that are keeping this county running right now are expats on permits, especially health care workers. That may change your tiny mind

      56
      10
  16. Observer says:

    They are out of their minds. The devil makes work for idle hands, or so the saying goes. This is the opportunity to clean house, clear out the dross and assess who, and what, the country really needs.
    I would’ve said I can’t believe they could be so reckless as to offer up a blank cheque, but unfortunately I can.

    23
    23
  17. Anonymous says:

    A work permit holder with no work is no longer a work permit holder. A lack of paid employment voids the permit. Just sayin.

    45
    9
    • Anonymous says:

      So sure, throw them out like yesterdays trash. Please try to have some empathy for the people who have done allot to contribute to the economic success of this country. Please understand that many expats have up-routed their lives in their country and have established a life here. To ‘void’ that is just headless.

      15
      17
      • Anonymous says:

        It is neither headless nor heartless. It is however the law.

        23
        6
      • Anonymous says:

        Expats are here for economic reasons. Do not lie and say that it is for charity altruistic reasons that you moved to the Cayman Islands.

        You and many others moved to the Cayman Islands for the money. You are staying for the money and you do not want to leave because of the money. Just tell it like it is.

        11
        3
        • Anonymous says:

          Stop that, some of us came here to be with family. Many of us never had money problems in our homelands. I dont want to discriminate but I have to do so the make a point. There are many expats here who never experienced poverty in their life, some were born into upper middle class families or higher. Your generalization of all expats coming here for money is just not true and is unfair to those who really came here to have new experiences or, to be with family.

          2
          5
          • Anonymous says:

            What ever the reason…… it is better here! Or you would not be here!

            4
            1
            • Anonymous says:

              You’re so blinded with hate. It’s not better here. The family is here and it’s hard to be working in Russia, Germany, Dubai by yourself without the fam around. You’ve probably never experienced the overwhelming feeling of wanting to be where your family is so you’re probably not a family oriented person. Or maybe you’ve just never gone anywhere for years leaving your family behind so you just cannot understand. After a while skype and phone calls only leave you with a huge empty space.

              4
              2
    • Anonymous says:

      That’s like saying a Caymanian who takes no responsibility for himself/herself and lives off of government handouts is more of a pet than a human being. Just sayin.

      12
  18. Anonymous says:

    The Premier says Work Permits are needed to rebuild the economy, BUT why is the Governors office saying Work Permits holders can NOT return to Cayman on emergency flights? Even when we own our home and have our jobs!
    We are residence and have made the Islands our home. This needs to be answered!

    35
    19
    • Anonymous says:

      This is no different than other countries. Don’t make cayman appear like the exception.

      23
      5
      • Anonymous says:

        Wrong there are islands near us that allow all back as well as anyone who owns a home there.
        Also in the law a resident is a person that Normally and usually live here.
        I doubt there is any legal way to say permit holder has less right than PR.

        13
        9
        • Anonymous says:

          A work permit holder is temporary, has an expiry date and can be cancelled at anytime. A work permit holder is not a permanent resident.

          10
  19. Praveen Kumar Semalty says:

    Dear sir my self Praveen Kumar Semalty from india i arrived here on 4 march 2020 for job just i was called here in island through a agent and she took lots of money from me to called me here approximate 5000 CI .and just i paid to my friend who call me here he is from Nepal and working here in island now a days.i came here for job but there is no job for me in island and i gone two months sitting in my room and there is no money in my hand to survive here for food and room rent and my permit has finished on 12 may and i have also ticket to go back to india from Cayman but i is also finish on 8 may for the reason of border close so just i want help because i am without job and i came here for mechanical job and just i can do any type of job so plzzz help me for job nither i want to go back to india i have no other option to stay here because i have already invest here 7000 CI to come here and i have taken lots of loans from Indian banks so i have to pay there instalment but how will i pay that instalments without job and just i want to case file against that agent who took lots of money from me to called me here she has done frod with me so i want to make a action against him.now a days i am living in XXXXX George Town and my phone no is XXXX. So i beg your pardon to help me.i will be great full Cayman government.

    46
    4
    • Anonymous says:

      Human trafficking alive and well in Cayman Alden. Congratulations. This is a result of your failed immigration policies.

      48
      2
    • Anonymous says:

      I really hope one of our many attorneys will step up and help you here. For free. Nobody should be taking your money like that and if true, we do have processes in place to prosecute them.

      47
    • Anonymous says:

      Hi Praveen. This is terrible so sorry to hear of your ordeal. Was this agent based here in Cayman or in India? Sounds like here but just wanted to be sure. You should be able to get help from the Needs Assessment Unit.
      http://www.gov.ky/portal/page/portal/nauhome/announcements/NAU%20Responds%20to%20Demand

      23
      1
    • anonymous says:

      Find out who he gave $5000 to so he could come to Cayman. Some people here are making a fortune on people desperate to come to Cayman to work. I know personally there is a Filipino man that has been here for years charging every Filipino that wants to come here $6000!! He gets someone to take out a work permit for these people and when they get here they have NO JOB and need to work illegally till they can find a job. He puts them up in his house and charges rent. There are 22 people living in this house. He’s made a fortune on his own people and it’s sad! Takes some of them 6 months + just to pay off the loan they got to give this greedy man his money. Government has been made aware of this with the man’s full name and address and nothing was done about it. Its unfortunate what people can get away with here.

      36
      • Anonymous says:

        I know Caymanian business owners that have hired some of the same Filipino brought in by this same man.
        This has been going on for years and NOTHING DONE ABOUT IT

        27
        • Anonymous says:

          then you are part of the problem and are complicit. You should call it in and free your guilt for knowing about it and not doing anything.

          3
          1
    • Anonymous says:

      @4.54PM Been happening a long time with some agencies here, bringing people here secretaries and others etc as temps and some never have a day work and sit here for three, six months, waste their money and life to leave again!

      15
      2
      • Anonymous says:

        Our real recruitment agencies do not charge candidates and follow the law implicitly. Stop pointing fingers when you have no clue what you are talking about.

        3
        3
    • Anonymous says:

      Name and shame the employer and the agent, this is illegal.

      11
  20. Anonymous says:

    I have no problem with my government helping someone who is legally here and in need of assistance. I am still paying my helper who is unable to come to my house to work because of the curfew, and I sympathise with anyone whose circumstances do not allow them to do the same. However, should anyone holding a permit for a worker try to take some of what government gives them, then there is penalty too harsh for that person. We all know that there are still people in Cayman who make their employees pay for the permits and/or make them work for free one day a week in return for taking out the permit, but such an act would be the lowest of the low.

    51
    1
    • Anonymous says:

      Thank you for recognizing the hardships some of our our foreign workers go though for a chance to give their families a better life back home. Some fail to realize the sacrifices that many of our ‘dreamers’ go though to work here.

      30
      3
    • Anonymous says:

      ‘We all know that there are still people in Cayman who make their employees pay for the permits and/or make them work for free one day a week in return for taking out the permit,’

      Ever thought about reporting these ‘people’ to the appropriate authorities then?

      21
      • Anonymous says:

        The “labour agencies” (human traffickers) that do this – and there are LOADS of them – are well known to the CIG, and yes, many have been reported, several by myself, and the situation continues, CIG gets the WP fees, traffickers get theirs, and those that are trafficked continue to get f***ed.

  21. Anonymous says:

    Territory- wise moods will change soon and Caymanians would be begging expats to return offering them more than they used to pay them. Mark my words.

    Those who didn’t leave, don’t sell yourself short, you’ll be in high demand. Use it to your advantage.

    Many Florida restaurants, for example, are closing because staff isn’t coming back.

    23
    19
  22. Anonymous says:

    Offensive language. Uncultured persons should seek assistance when found unable to express themselves intelligently. Give it some thought.

    8
    30
    • Anonymous says:

      What are you talking about?

      29
    • Anonymous says:

      I suggest that you practice what you preach! You did not do a very good job of it.

      10
    • Anonymous says:

      Is government stupid??????

      If there is no work they should have to leave period.

      So what they can raise the duty again over night and not tell anyone!!!!!!!

      So my health insurance should go up!!!!

      I hope this article is joking.

      12
      11
  23. Anonymous says:

    I know we don’t have a bottomless pit of cash. Soooon finish. Then what????? So they with no job or illegals, etc.,, best go.

    32
    35
    • JG says:

      Please be quiet. Our Government is very able to do this if they have offered help. Either way money or not, the good Caymanian people are always willing to help those in need.

      14
      11
      • anon says:

        5.59pm You forget the bad Caymanian people.

        9
        7
      • Anonymous says:

        Right now we are in no position to help any one. We have our own to help – so no questions needed – if you have to go then you have to go. No questions needed.

        • Anonymous says:

          See, when the US acts on illegal immigrants (AKA President Trump enforcing the law) liberal news outlets will take it to their stage in order to create the illusion that the US president and his immoral followers are racist egotistical jerks. Here in Cayman it’s called “we need to take care of ourselves first”

  24. Anonymous says:

    I’m pretty darned sure I read only about a week ago that the Premier stated that any work permit holders who had lost their jobs had no leave to remain on the island, were now regarded as ‘overstayers’ and should leave immediately during the amnesty.
    After the amnesty they would be arrested and prosecuted for still being here without a job.
    Now he wants them to stay? Jesus, these people are treated so damned badly, its any wonder they even want to stay. Threatened with prosecution one week, told they aren’t wanted, and then this week we don’t want you to leave because we need you to pay for Cayman’s recovery.

    53
    41
    • Anonymous says:

      Stop misquoting. If anyone was an overstayer PRIOR to lockdown and Covid airport closures, they will be prosecuted if they did not take advantage of amnesty. Those who lost their jobs since these changes are those who the premier is saying have nothing to fear. Speak truth!

      30
      1
    • Anonymous says:

      I stead of calling you an idiot. I will try to be patient and explain the difference between “overstayers” and those with a work permit who have lost their job. An overstayer is someone who no longer has a permit to legally work on the island or even be on island and is basically a squatter on the island. I think the WP without a job makes sense and if that doesn’t then you are an idiot.

      14
      5
      • Anonymous says:

        Just in case no one’s aware. There are people have have been on island illegally for years. That’s who the amnesty is for.

    • Anonymous says:

      He did not say that! Idiot, prove me wrong.

      6
      3
    • Anonymous says:

      The message has always been: if you’re a WP holder in the tourism industry, for a business that has shuttered indefinitely, or closed down/out of business, then yeah, think seriously about getting home because those career opportunities are not coming back in 2020. Or if you have resources to stay until we cross this valley, you can gamble on a permit switch to something hiring, but it will be first crack to Caymanians. There was an amendment to specifically address leave of prosecution for over-staying. Pretty realistic and abnormally accommodating, I think.

      22
      1

Leave a Reply to Observer Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.