Minister ‘monitoring’ labour investigation at hotel
(CNS): Labour Minister Dwayne Seymour has confirmed that his ministry cannot discuss the specifics of an investigation regarding a local hotel by WORC and the Department of Labour and Pensions (DLP). However, he said that officials are committed to ensuring that all relevant regulations and laws are upheld and all necessary steps are taken to thoroughly examine the matters at hand.
In a brief statement following complaints and allegations about staffing issues at the Palm Heights Hotel on Seven Mile Beach, Seymour said, “As minister responsible for WORC and DLP, I am monitoring the ongoing investigations by both law enforcement agencies,” he said.
“I have confidence in their ability to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation. To maintain the integrity and independence of the judicial process, I await the outcome of these investigations before making any further comments. I ask for the public’s patience and understanding as we allow due process to take its course,” he added.
As reported on CNS last month, some employees have made accusations of poor working conditions and discrimination at the exclusive resort that is popular with celebrities. WORC also told CNS that they were investigating “possible infractions of the Immigration Transition Act” and allegations of people working outside the scope of permits.
CNS had contacted the hotel’s founder and creative director, Gabriella Khalil, about the WORC inquiry and the allegations by staff, but she has still not responded to our inquiries on the record. Instead, we received a series of letters from her lawyers based in London, who issued a blanket denial of wrongdoing and failed to address any of our questions.
- Fascinated
- Happy
- Sad
- Angry
- Bored
- Afraid
Anyone know who the Caymanian partners are in these businesses? Why are we never hearing of or from them?
Do they exist?
.Dart… he’s Caymanian.!
And besides, at this level of business, Cabinet, or a particular minister, can make anyone Caymanian overnight.
“Just tell him to deliver the papers to my office”…as one one overheard saying.
I believe the PPM are their “Caymanian Partners”. LCCL all the way! No need for any fronting on this one.
what a bang a rang. heavy fines and sentences needed.
Is it appropriate for lawyers in London to be denying wrongdoing under Cayman law, if they are not experts in Cayman law? How can they be confident of “right from wrong” in that context?
This hotel also has a history of not paying contractors. You get the same silence from their accounting team when you try to chase payment.
It’s been rampant. People are just scared they will be blacklisted if they say anything about it publicly.
Does Ms. Khalil have a “Founder and Creative Director” work permit?
One assumes with an English language test?
Whatever the case, I look forward to the London lawyers views on whether she is engaging in gainful occupation in the Islands when she is here, and even whether they consider they may be engaging in the unqualified practice of Cayman Law.
Dwayne’s on it, so relax everyone. Every little thing’s/ gonna be alright.
Add in DLP and WORC and yeah, everything will be alright. WRONG
Mr. Seymour will need to sample the 8 course tasting menu washed down with a few bottles of something bubbly before he decides what to do.
BURP!
Is he hiding in the bushes ready to jump someone cheating the labour laws?
Going there every day for lunch would be my guess.
Only if Grand Old House is closed.
That’s where our prosperous looking Ministers and senior civil servants go to be fed by those seeking favors.
7:28 – I don’t believe that gentleman is able to hide anywhere
WORC is trying hard to do their job…don’t let Donkey Kong blow it
Don’t worry yourself, he will get this all straitened out as soon as the next full moon rises!
StraiGhtened…
WORC have already failed. That ship done sail. And sink.
Add in labour board to the mix
I have not seen more than 5 comments in favour of the PACT Government in a month. I wonder if they are even paying attention! I wonder if the Premier realizes what a mess he has created ?
I seriously doubt it as what could you really expect from someone like Minister Seymour, his past track record speaks for itself.
head in the sand mentality. they don’t care as long they keep getting their big fat paycheck every month.
mla’s don’t get elected to make a difference…to locals its like winning the lottery.
In my first year of uni, I learned about this funny thing called the separation of powers
He should know the property well…
The only thing this guy monitors are the moon phases so he knows when his wife’s personal trainer is coming over and he has to spend the night at a hotel.
The moon, donkey and light pole will have to be in alignment for Duhwayne to take action.
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 This comment so made my day.
duhwayne lmao
Working outside the scope of permits is business as usual for the construction sites in Grand Cayman. No one cares as long as certain people benefit at the expense of legal businesses. Honorable Seymour, when will it all change?
Totally agree and try to compete when you are going by the law!
They do not want you to compete because the pay work permit people are cheaper to hire:
no pension to pay
no health insurance to pay
no benefits as per labor law to pay
no worker compensation or public liability insurance
It is way better for them to rake in profits for themselves and absolutely no responsibility for these people roaming around. Of course the honorable minister for labor could care less as long as his fat check keeps rolling in.
Law – what is that?
When the politicians are truly honorable, and not in the pocket of said certain people.
Seymour is stuck between Red Strip and Champagne here.
Pander to his Jamaican voters by sticking up for them, or…Piss off the Dart type people, who blow smoker up his backside and make him feel important.
The Dart type people always win when they’re dealing with people of modest intellect who need them, more than they need him.
Erm, 2:39, when you said “modest intellect”, you weren’t referring to Mr Seymour were you? He’s not that good.
Yep sorry 3.53 I should not have even mentioned “intellect”…there reallly isn’t any there, is there…?
Well have no fear now, the minister is on top of it. Sure took long enough for him to make any comment but guess he is a very busy guy. While him and the rest of the WORC department are out checking things, how about cracking down on all these people who are on the construction sites working with permits for everything under the sun just “sub contracting”. Doesn’t anyone understand how this is destroying legitimate businesses but helping out a select group of companies.
Saunders , the savior of all Jamaicans, sitting on the fence meantime waiting to see which way to jump, and when..
laughable…all complaints will come to nothing….
caymanians being asked to do actual work by expat bosses….always the same story…..zzzzzzzz
except it was not a Caymanian asked to do the work, she was Jamaican. It should be regardless of where the person is from, if the request is unreasonable for a Caymanian, it should be unreasonable for everyone…
The complaints did not come from Caymanians but from work permit holders. You’d take any opportunity to make this a Caymanian vs Expat scenario. There is also a right and wrong way to ask for things to be done, but you weren’t raised properly.
@9:59am You do realize that the majority of complaints at Palm Heights are coming from work permit holders right?
Ummm, how many Caymanians do they employ?
Your right, it is laughable that someone like you comes to our country and does nothing but demesne us. Why do you stay since we are so bad? Could it be because in your own country you had to work, pay taxes and were just a regular person but you come to Cayman, get a cushy job where you don’t really do much of anything, get your big house with the cheap imported maid and yard helpers. Then always looking for the illegal workers to do the jobs around your palace on the cheap. I say it is more disgusting that people like you are allowed here in the first place.
Don’t forget they are cheating their home country out of income tax dollars.
dont hate the player, hate the game
I see you have a reading problem