Boss and workers fined after WORC raids
(CNS): Following several raids and inquiries throughout May and June by the Compliance and Enforcement Unit at Workforce Opportunities and Residency Cayman, along with other enforcement agencies, more than ten people have been arrested and several more employers and employees are facing fines or are now under investigation for various breaches of the immigration law.
WORC Director Jeremy Scott said these necessary operations are continuing, as he thanked all those involved, including the other agencies who supported the raids and made sure the “arrests were made without incident”. This included the Department of Labour, the RCIPS and Customs and Border Control.
The first arrests in May, which followed a tip-off that an air-conditioning company was employing people illegally, resulted in a fine levied against two separate employers and two workers.
In mid-June, on-site inspections were conducted at beauty salons and a grocery store. One person was arrested during those raids and the case remains under investigation. Five audit letters that identified various breaches under the Labour Act and the Pensions Act were issued that require employers to provide specific information under labour and pension legislation. If that information isn’t submitted, the employer will be considered non-compliant with the law.
At the end of June, the authorities received another tip-off about people working illegally, this time relating to a business in the Eastern Districts. The police helicopter was deployed along with CBC officers due to a report that one of the workers had entered Cayman illegally. That operation resulted in five people being arrested for breaches of the immigration act, and both the employer and employees remain under investigation.
Concerns remain across the community about the suspected increase in the number of illegal workers currently being employed. The problem is commonly raised on social media forums and local phone-in shows, but WORC is urging people to contact them with their concerns about infractions of immigration and labour laws.
People can submit information to WORC by emailing
worccomplaints@gov.ky or by visiting www.WORC.ky
or by calling 1(800) 534-9672.
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Category: Crime, Immigration
WORC is just a political stunt. They are arresting people in positions that most Caymanians don’t want. The problem is young Caymanians expect to leave high school and get their own office, be called manager and get paid $50k a year instead of working hard for it. (I am Caymanian before the expat card gets thrown around). I also own a business and have seen the entitlement first hand many times. People will complain until there is a lack of people in the construction industry and build quality goes down the tube. If you want proof of inefficiency, look in 90 percent of government departments and you will see why the construction industry is full of expats.
1.53am Build quality went down ever since skilled Caymanians were repkced by cheap Jamaican labour which happened at keadt 20 years ago.
Wow! That IS amazing! They found some illegal workers! Has anything like that ever came up before? NAHhhh……. Not more than a thousand times, I would say.
I remember the owner of the ac company saying he will never hire Caymanians he rather import foreigners, pay them little to nothing make subtract their immigration fee from their salary.
Want to hear the worst part he is a Caymanian business owner!
Name and shame
Worst part? Only the tip of the iceberg!
I think its time immigration issue permits based on the person occupation. Reason been is that construction jobs for example may halt due to material shortage etc and workers should be able to work with another company providing they advise Worc. Permit is a lengthy process so granting permission to work in a particular category would be simplier. This can be the same as PR you can only work in the occupation you have submitted.
Not an option given requirements of employers to provide training and mentorship to Caymanians as conditions on grants of permit, amongst other technical issues.
This is such common practice among ALL industries here. many even have legal work permits but there are “arrangements” where they can work outside of their job description as well as pay for their own permits. Caymanians more than willing to do it to because it’s free money for them because immigration lacks enforcement.
Hundreds out there building sub standard homes
Where, Where??????
Take a look at the attrocious build quality of the Arvia complex in Grand Harbour, at the entrance to Bimini Drive.
its about time someone has the brass to enforce our immigration laws. there is far too much of this going on! Great Job Jeremy keep it up, lets return this island to law an order on all fronts.
Are you joking? I laugh.
Ditto!
Wishful thinking, brother!
They should look into all these rogue rental car companies without trade and business licenses!
This has been happening since the 1980’s. It is harder to catch now, since the population has skyrocketed, but even immigration officers were getting illegals back in the 80’s. Sorry to say, but we are turning into another sorrowful, crime ridden islands. I feel sorry for the future generations!! Pray hard Cayman, for only prayers can save us now!!
I think you are mistaken. Prayers don’t seem to help in the Caymans. Does anyone know why???
Because “the Caymans” don’t exist?
Nope. Lawbreakers without work permits are driving cars with no insurance as well.
I say, deport them and disallow from returning to Cayman.
Also, name the Caymanian business owner and the company.
No 6:38, we never name the Caymanian business owners no matter what laws they break.
Just look at the Wendy’s situation.
We do not have a transparent legal system here.
In the US courts records are available for everyone to see and it’s free.
To be fair, if the case is against a company, it would make sense for the company to be named vs an individual, right?
If you want to track down names, the DCI posts a monthly list of T&B holders and you can start there.
The owners name is rarely there just abstract companies TA another abstract company. I live in Cayman Brac and see some listed in Cayman Brac. I have no idea who own those businesses.
Because they are connected persons and they will never be named. Why re the large construction sites not checked? All these low cost “sub-contractors”. Major developer and large contractors?
yawn…way more bigger issues to address.
Way more bigger issues that people breaking the law? Sure.
This is one of if not the biggest issue in Cayman.
Imported poverty keeps driving the lower classes down while upper class Caymanian families sell out to upper-upper class foreigners who continue to gentrify here with the PR point system making it attractive to buy and hoard land/real estate/business.
As a result, unless your kid was born to a trust fund silver spoon here, good luck to them with competing with the market when they leave high school. This is why I humble myself and refuse to have any kids, so fk unna birth rate. Caymanians sold out Cayman and continue to do so.
Source? Read the article above over again.
I fear they will come a day when many Caymanians have to make a tough decision.
Do I stay in my home country and struggle for life or do I leave the country for a legitimate opportunity to prosper?
The time is already here that Caymanians will AGAIN leave for countries offereing opportunities to prosper. Land is 150K Homes 450K cost of living high.Rent $1500. Who can afford this? 10 years from now what will be the cost?
Colonized once again
Cayman was never colonized. We were settled. Big difference.
It would be better than what we have now !!!!!
If you’re entering the job market right after high school lower your expectations. Much of the economy here is based on jobs that require more than a high school diploma. it’s not like how it was in the 60s
Yes, and some of them might be in some very high places!!!!