PPM motions would hike spending if adopted
(CNS): At least three of six private members’ motions filed with the parliament by the opposition ahead of the meeting next Tuesday would increase public spending significantly if the government accepted and implemented them. Despite Opposition Leader Roy McTaggart’s criticism of PACT’s management of public finances, his team is calling on the administration to spend even more.
Half of the motions that the Progressives hope will be debated by the government next week, when MPs return to the House following the summer break, will involve finding new cash in the next budget. The PMMs come following the news that public expenditure needs to be reduced as well as Premier Wayne Panton’s comments on Monday that the civil service needs to stop growing and the government must move away from “social hiring”.
However, the PPM is asking the government to find several more million to fund an all-year-round NiCE programme, a clean-up of public spaces that provides work for under- and unemployed people. They are also asking government to increase stipends or assistance for low-paid retired civil servants, veterans and people on full-time social assistance to at least $1,500 per month, and to cut all government fees for small businesses on the Sister Islands.
Although the other three motions filed by the opposition are not a direct request for spending in the first instance, they could also impact the public purse. One is calling for the return of the Government Guaranteed Home Assisten Mortgage (GGHAM), and another is asking the government to consider incentivising the private sector to build affordable homes.
The final motion is asking for the legalisation of the possession of pepper spray for personal protection against crime, which would require public funds to enforce and regulate the importation, sales and use of the weapon.
The motion calling for a full-time NiCE programme has been filed by Deputy Opposition Leader Joey Hew and is supported by former premier Sir Alden McLaughlin. Based on the 2022 Labour Fall Survey results, which found almost half of the unemployed Caymanians had not worked for over a year and that there is more than 5% under-employment among all those in jobs, Hew believes the road cleaning work could be the answer for those with low educational attainment who find it hard to access the labour market.
Speaking on Radio Cayman’s For the Record on Wednesday, Hew said that people previously employed by the project had transitioned into full-time jobs, so an all-year-round initiative could help more people to use it as a platform to get other work and help tackle a serious litter problem.
While the PPM has not put a price on this or any of the other motions, in October last year, the ESO said that 796 local people were without work and over 45% of them had been without a job for at least a year. The NiCE programme pays a minimum of CI$10 per hour, which for a 40-hour week is equal to an annual salary of more than CI$20,000, equating to a wage bill for the government of around CI$7.5 million, even before pension and health benefits.
Hew outlined all of the motions when he appeared on Radio Cayman and said it was timely for the opposition to bring these to parliament as the government is working out its spending plans for 2024/25.
However, the PACT Government is reforming financial assistance programmes with the long-term goal of ensuring that people receiving welfare support but are capable of working should do some activity in exchange for the money, which is expected to increase. Minister André Ebanks has said he wants to create a welfare-to-work regime, which might include volunteering, training or education as well as work.
See the PPM’s private members’ motions below:
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Category: Government Finance, Politics
Dear Roy: I cannot actually believe you are suggesting More spending by government to “buy” future election votes. The time is long past for the DG to evaluate what actual service the civil service does to perform for the people of Cayman. There are far to many paycheck collectors working from home. Your background in accounting has educated you to identify the bottom line in spending does not equal the non civil service perfors. How about working with Wayne in service your country.
Typical Roy, spouting stuff without knowing the full picture. Why he dont suggest where to cut spending?
Thought so…. full of hot air.
I hope you and your business is the one forced to hire the unskilled NICE Caymanians. Or better yet, do it out of your belief. If not, clam up hypocrite.
“Your Vote. Sponsored by PPM. And their buddies at PACT.”
Might as well have one T-shirt for both parties.
No need for NiCE if enforce the littering laws…
the worst part of this for me is, I don’t dislike the idea. Public works projects are a potent method for governments to tackle poverty and unemployment, particularly when its paired with training that prepares the recipient to continue onto further employment opportunity.
The problem is that the idea coming from PPM after they just reamed the government for overspending puts the entire plan in a disingenuous light, they are turning into the American GOP in that the are operating on a modus that Government doesn’t work and they will make sure of it.
This isn’t what the Opposition is supposed to be for. PPM have destroyed the role of the “loyal opposition” and turned into an obstructionist fiefdom bent on retaking control at all costs. Roy seems bent on burning down the nation so he can be king of the ashes.
PissPoorMentality (PPM) nothing more needs to be said!!
We already have a govt department called Public Works. And a National Roads Authority. And a separate beach cleaning unit.
If these departments can’t perform their core functions why do we have them?
The NICE program is about welfare for unemployables who CIG doesn’t want as full time employees.
I fully accept that a civilised society must look after people who need help and I support that. But let’s call it what it is.
However, we should be concerned that the administrative government with well over 5000 employees needs to rely on volunteers and part time workers in order to function.
We have people here on work permit opening doors and directly customers where signs are present. And other low skilled, low wage jobs that any local could be doing.
Cut the “unemployable” off of NAU and see how quick many of them will suddenly become
“employable” as a matter of survival and conformity. You know like the rest of us…
Great except for the foolish American GOP comparison.
Premier is calling for less spending and PPM calling for more spending..
Can’t have it both ways PPM..
i dont give a RAT’S ASS! They all actors…ZZZZZ
PACT is good for making promises and doing not a Fudge. Wayne is just lost and has lost control. What a fraud of a government he put together. God help us.
Andre Ebanks seems the only one who actually listens to people, makes changes and gets things done e.g littering signs, speed cameras, getting cayman off the grey list etc
More needs to be done but it’s a start. Trouble is, he is limited by his ineffectual half assed colleagues in cabinet who can only be bothered to meet 3 times in 9 months. Oh and best of luck getting an email reply from anyone else in cabinet….
the NICE program does not need to be a permanent drain on the public purse, once a year is more than enough.
Their wages should also be (and should always have been) set to the existing legal minimum wage.
These people, in the word of Minister Hew, represent
“those with low educational attainment who find it hard to access the labour market”
So why are we paying them double the legally protected hourly rate of the hardworking and gainfully employed gardeners, domestic helpers, and MANY, MANY others in Cayman who aren’t lining up for a free handout?
Is this not group the type of people the minimum wage was designed to assist ?
Is it because the minimum wage is absurdly low?
Or is it because the minimum wage being decided is for foreigners only?
Honest questions, anyone have any answers ?
Honest answer – those clowns never have one. Just throw around the stupid taxpayers money. The whole elected government do not have a clue nor could they care less.
Because they can vote and they will vote for whoever pays them. Can Cayman afford this? Think! If they could not vote or did not vote Their problems would be their own and not yours.
Stop going deeper in debt. Stop new spending. Stop new hiring for Civil Service. Ignore PPM’s stunts!
If these are the best solutions ppm can come up with, then this is a good reminder as to why they were voted out, and a reminder why they shouldnt be voted back in. PPM gave concessions to the rich developers on West Bay road while Caymanians struggling to build a small home have to pay full duty on all building materials. This is just another example of upsidedown PPM economics. HINT there is no need to give concessions if construction and real estate are booming. If you are going to offer any concessions it shouldnt be for high demand areas like seven mile beach and downtown. Consessions should only be used to stimulate development in areas where it is absolutely necessary.
Agreed 7:32 am now let’s just add that PACT continued lock-step with most of PPM’s idiotic policies, including concessions for rich developers who can afford to pay! What have this gang done that is different? Same old, same old.
to 7.32am Some people just dont get the idea behind concessions to developers. These are intended to provide employment etc for the people based on the trickle down theory.You say that concessions should not be offered for development on Seven Mile Beach or Downtown.I disagree. Concessions should be granted where ever it is most beneficial to Caymanians. Is it more beneficial to assist the developer or resident by concessions. Let’s use Camana Bay as an example..is it more beneficial to give concessions to say 200 residents to build homes or to give Dart concesson that provide employment for 200 residents. I would say give it to the developer if it provides the jobs, otherwise if the jobs are not created then these people may be unemployed and unable to take advantage of individual concessions.
This is the general idea behind developer concessions but that doesnt always mean that trickle down takes place as planned and many of the jobs are often filled by overseas workers and not as many
Caymanians are helped as planned.
You really believe any of that bullshit you just typed out?
“Dart concesson that provide employment for 200 residents” – residents who are not Caymanian…
You are missing the point – STOP the stupid spending on things like a 100 million dollar private airport that helps only ultra rich people, stop paving every last back alley in East end, stop Ministers who are planning million dollars parks in their constituency all to buy votes. Spend the money to help people in this country who need help!
@6:59 – You are correct. That is exactly the point.
Spend on what helps people during these very hard times to survive. Stop spending on pet projects and helping Kenny fly around the world while Caymanians suffer. Stop paving and more roads in East End.
The nice programme provides employment and keeps people off NAU. It helps some older Caymanians get work – even if it is short-term. It is a welfare-to-work programme. The new minimum wage will likely rise to $10 per hour, so yes, that is what should be paid.
Older people with a little pension cannot survive on $950 or $1,250 per month in today’s Cayman – they need help.
People who live in ivory towers rarely see what is happening on the ground. Thank God the PPM politicians understand what is important.
Don’t know what planet you’re from but believe me I’ve been around them for a long time, they only care about themselves and the power they want to wield. This is just another ploy to make their supporters think that they have their best interest at heart. They are like blood suckers on the poor giving handouts from their big time supporters during the election, and being NICE to poor people when elected, but making sure their big LG time supporters are well fed during their term. Now they have no other leverage but motions which contradict their overspending criticism of the government. How duplicitous can you get .?
Leader and Deputy of the Hipposition ona go sit down please, you are embarrassing ya people. Yuuuuk.
The order of business:
1. What’s in it for me ?
2. What’s in it for family and friends ?
3. If others benefit and I don’t, them I’m against it.
So true. Backwards Caymanian politicians who only profit off the back of immigrants.
So true. Backwards immigrants who only profit off the land of Cayman, where they were forced to move to since they couldn’t be successful back home.
If it reduces the number of armed robberies and hungry babies I say do it. The Government is there for the people and so far PACT has done f%#* all!!
Clearly since only fureners commit crimes and this would be for sons of the soil, it will have no impact on crime.
The thieves are allergic to honest work because it causes them to think, labor and be responsible.
They consider heisting to be their job. Doing drugs and alcohol while surveiling homes and businesses is what they do.
do-nothing-ppm or no-plan-pact?????….neither thanks.
direct rule for 2 years while a new raft of political candidates are selected/vetted based on qualifications, experience and integrity. then we have new elections.
time for class action lawsuit against the incompetence of the civil service and cig.
They will continue to sell us out to dart and wealthy developers building the country for their rich friends, more foreigners and increasing the divide between the have and the have nots. Look at their track record over the years. That is how the progressives govern the country and will do so again if we are crazy enough to vote them back as the government
You do realize that it was Caymanians that sold their land and businesses to Dart.
And expatriates in leadership positions in the civil service that turned a blind eye and allowed monopolies to develop and power to vest in places it should not be.
Such a disappointment. PPM are the masters of buying votes with other people’s money.
PPM really cannot get back into power after the latest brilliant ideas from Roy McTaggart and Joey Hew. These guys really are clueless and talk out of their a$$es as if grows money tress. When you consider all the concessions this lot will give away if they get the government it is inevitable that a form of direct taxation and possible bankruptcy are in Cayman’s future due to fiscal mismanagement.
There are over 25k work permits in Cayman. WORC should send the unskilled NICE Caymanians to work in jobs they are suitable for and stop buying votes with the NICE program to the tune of $7.5m per annum. This is unsustainable and reckless by the PPM.
Elections typically go back and forth each election so we shall see