Labour Force Survey reveals leap in expat workers
(CNS): “Growth cannot come at the cost of peace of mind and quality of life,” Premier Wayne Panton said Thursday as the Economics and Statistics Office released its Spring 2023 Labour Force Survey. The results show a record-breaking leap in the workforce of almost 8% since the spring of 2022, fuelled by a growth in work permit holders. The population was found to have increased to almost 84,000, with almost 15% more expatriates now living here, while the workforce had grown by more than 4,000 since the 2022 Spring LFS.
The ESO extrapolated the statistics for the population from a randomly selected sample of 1,999 households that participated in the survey. This determined that there were 1,404 people who were potentially in the labour force but unemployed and an overall unemployment rate of 2.4%, down from 3% in June 2022.
The number of unemployed Caymanians declined over the 12-month period by 26.1% to just 842 individuals, resulting in a Caymanian unemployment rate of 3.7%, compared to 5.1% for the same period in 2022. However, over 41% of those without work had been unemployed for over a year, and almost 900 Caymanians were under-employed.
The growing labour force stood at 58,669 people at the time of the survey, of which 32,137 (nearly 58%) were expatriate workers on permits, 4,076 were permanent residents and 22,457 were Caymanian. The largest group in the workforce were employed in the construction sector, accounting for almost 15% of the entire workforce.
Wages are not keeping pace with inflation, despite the growing workforce. Nearly one-third of workers, well over 18,000 people, still earned under CI$2,400 per month, according to the Spring LFS.
Following the publication of the latest report, Premier Panton, who is the minister for finance and economic development, said the figures were in line with other indicators showing an economy rebounding strongly from the suppressive effects of the pandemic, with an expanded job market, increased demand for labour, and significant recovery in the tourism and construction industries.
“While these overall economic indicators are positive, I understand the concerns of many Caymanians that the increase in population growth has negatively impacted their quality of life,” he said. “We must continually strive to balance overall economic growth with improved quality of life and increased opportunities for Caymanians.”
Panton said the “rapid rate of population growth is very concerning” as it increases the “stresses on infrastructure, public services, cost of living and the cultural balance of our society”.
He said the twice-yearly survey was a “vital tool” for the government to plan new services, expand existing ones and allocate financial and human resources properly. The surge in population means the government’s budget will need to increase to meet the infrastructure demands, such as schools and houses.
“We can all anecdotally see that there are more people living and working in Cayman than ever before, but this impartial data allows us to act accordingly to address the significant resulting challenges,” he said.
“Although the rapid population growth of the past two years is something that could not be fully planned for in advance, given that it is a rebound effect of the pandemic, we are working steadily to improve our roads and transportation network, alleviate traffic concerns, and ensure that public services such as health, education and safety are strengthened and expanded to meet increased demands,” he added.
Panton said the government had to ensure the growth and expansion was sustainable. “This is one of the key reasons why we need to be both strategic and far-sighted in our planning now and moving forward so we may ensure that all Caymanians and residents have a good quality of life within our shores,” he said.
The decline in local unemployment was overwhelmingly positive and encouraging, he said. “I am heartened by the decrease in Caymanian unemployment to the lowest rate in decades, showing that our people are benefiting from the economic growth through a return to the job market.”
Panton noted the importance of reducing Caymanian unemployment further, but he did not speak about the stagnation of salaries in the face of significant inflation. “It can be seen from the report that, as has long been the case, the highest number of unemployed Caymanians remain those without high school level education and further training,” he said.
“In the past two years, the PACT Government has put special emphasis on providing training and upskilling to unemployed Caymanians, and we have steadily increased the budget allocations for scholarships and vocational training for school leavers and other young Caymanians. It is imperative that we continue to chip away at Caymanian unemployment and ensure that our people are profiting from the growth and strength of our economy.”
According to the latest survey, people aged 15 to 24 years who were in the job market but without work made up more than one-quarter of the unemployed (26.4%). Almost half of all those out of work (47.6%) had a post-secondary school education, though only 27.3% of unemployed local people were educated byoynd high school. The majority of unemployed (58.1%) were women, a possible reflection of childcare costs.
There were 11,689 people not in the labour force, but not all of them retirees, students or those who can choose not to work. Over 900 of those individuals are potential workers who want a job but were not actively seeking work at the time of the survey for various reasons. The majority of those not working but who wanted to be part of the workforce were Caymanian (75.5%) and female (64.4%).
See the full report here.
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Category: Jobs, Local News
These schools, roads etc etc – are not needed and are not for US. We have just got to stop this madness. It’s toxic to us – it’s just horrible that we cannot even find a parking spot in town.. our way of life is trampled on each and every day. Paradise for who?????. Nice islands for who????
PACT really needs to stop wasting time and resources. We know OUR quality of life is in jeopardy!!!! Because you and governments have allowed it to happen. We don’t need you to be repeating it over and over!
We are over runner – that’s the problem. Solution 1. put the roll over back in place 3. Start sending some (a lot) of these people home. 2. Stop statuses and work permits and PR. For Gods sake do the right thing.
We cannot, Cannot continue trying to be a saviour to the whole poverty stricken, criminal world.
We just cannot keep accommodating all of these people. They have their own countries they need to stay/go back there!!!!!
Ask any American or Canadian living here in Cayman what their first job was, and most will tell you that they worked in retail, fast food, supermarkets, etc. Why then are we importing labor for these jobs here in Cayman? In the US and Canada, entry level jobs are held mostly by younger people as either their first job or as a part time job while they complete studies, or even as a second job. It should be exactly the same here in Cayman. Young people still living at home with parents should be occupying these jobs, as the income earned at these jobs might not be sufficient to support them living on their own. Its almost impossible for young Caymanians to get that first entry-level job that doesn’t require a degree, because those jobs here are all occupied by expats on work permits. Its at those jobs that young people elsewhere in the world get their introduction to working for a living, and develop a work ethic, and learn how to work well with others, and gain confidence in their abilities, etc. We are doing our young people (and our country) a disservice by reserving those entry level positions exclusively for expats. And I know some business owners will read that and say “well with work permit holders, I’m sure they’re going to show up for work”. That might be true, and might be good for you and your business, but think about what it is doing for Cayman society as a whole, long term.
At the age of 18, I washed dishes in a restaurant 6pm to 1.30am because I couldn’t afford to live off my day job in an office.
I didn’t know or mind that I was poor , but I did know , and mind , that I was hungry.
There is NO REASON why any Caymanian is unemployed , other than genuine infirmity.
Get a job, any job , you’ll gain experience and self respect.
There are plenty of reasons – including free access to unlimited experienced foreign labour at derisory rates. Thanks Alden.
Your post seems to indicate that Americans or Canadians occupying these entry level posts was okay, but not for other expat nationalities. Is that what you meant to imply, or can you clarify please?
These numbers come from construction projects. If you think caymanians are interested in working in that environment your obviously not In construction
Hello Grand Csyman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman wa happen tonina all caymanians ya sll gone deaf blind and dumb or wa. Get up offa ina backsides and protest and stop this crazy government and the money hungry who are overdeveloping , destroying our natural habitats and our peace of mind now that we are over run.
Get ona tools together y’all know which ones and let’s stop this madness NOW before it gets worse. STOP talking bout it and do something bout it.
Yeah I have written the I have because I wanted to don’t be fooled yall . It is time to stand up and be counted.
Gibberish.
Sun too hot man. No way I’m going to wuk in construction.
That’s the spirit!
I’ve heard horror stories of friends trying to hire young caymanians. We need better education so that our young people have the skills for higher paying professional jobs.
I have to agree the only work experience training we get is when we get to the job. It would be helpful if we had been taught office etiquette.
ESO – 32,137 on work permits.
WORC – 36,501 on work permits.
Since WORC issues the work permits, can we not trust their numbers?
Not everyone who has a work permit is on island…it does take time for a person to come to the island once a permit is approved. Also, are the reporting periods the same?
30 days. That’s all the law gives you from grant to being here and working. And adopting your argument, what of the thousands of persons here “between permits” – their old permit having expired and them still awaiting a new one?
He wants growth but he and the other pigs at the trough are just too selfish and irresponsible to spend our taxes on proper infrastructure that serves the people well. Before growth and the budget starts ballooning, like they are, infrastructure has to be able to handle that growth.
You can’t have one without the other and excuses about having to endure hardships such as traffic, poor education, proper waste management and myriad of other critical quality of life items are simply a cop out.
The more you talk Mr. Premier the more you demonstrate your total failure to fulfil your campaign pledges of implementing sustainable development and transparency in government. Trust in government seems to be at an all time low have you ever pondered the reasons why?
How can you continue to spout this rhetoric and make excuses for your failings? Would you have us be fools to believe that we have to put up with hardships of inadequate infrastructure due to growth and prosperity? And where does population growth reach a tipping point where the land and the people can no longer cope with it?
Jamaicans building everything. Careful wa u buy folks
careful on the roads too cause they drive like idiots.
The ESO numbers are probably very low given the large number of criminals who are arriving in canoes with the drugs and guns and the number who arrived with a permit for a non-existent job and then disappear into the criminal underworld.
This presumably is mainly driven by construction workers from Jamaica and other places.
True, but that only looks at the end result of the problem. The meat of the problem is that already wealthy Caymanians and other Investors are demanding more work permits, and our wealthy decision makers (including the political class) are allowing it. Nothing gets approved without their nod!
7.55pm It’s actually Jamaicans taking out Trade & Business licenses as I understand for every one they’re allowed 12 permits. Cost needs to increase and amount one person can have curtailed.
There is inadequate vetting of applicants and their skills and capabilities. The law needs to be changed to at the very least require the board to be satisfied as to the ability of the applicant and their fitness to perform the trade or business
But are all of these buy a work permit actually working for the employer who applies for the work permit or are they just roaming around seeking work wherever they can find it? This is now a very prevalent situation as if any inspectors were to visit any of the larger job site they would undoubtedly find all kinds of men & women working but they have work permits granted for other employers and under every category imaginable. Never mind if any labor laws are being followed but where does this leave contractors who follow the laws? Does this type of labor practice force more and more into this illegal way of operating in order to win contracts? The PPM administration and our previous two labor ministers of the PACT never cared to investigate and it seems like it will never change as the developer lobby is way to strong.
It helps with the sale of Honda fits and sound systems strong enough to start an earthquake.
Love the buy a work permit people who only have health insurance to get the permit then never pay again. Forget paying pension, worker compensation insurance or any of the other labor laws of overtime, holiday, etc. But when your former labor minister is leading by example, what do you expect. Where is enforcement?
When will Labour Dept ever prosecute an employer for not having workers compensation insurance? One can assume 90% of employers have not heard that this is mandatory. DCI too does not request proof of workers compensation insurance…so one wonders if DCI staff even knows that workerS compensation is mandatory.
You rich contractors always picking on us small poor man trying to make some roast money. You is all bigots as we small man do all your hard work.
The restaurant on Eastern Avenue still not paid pensions despite several court orders. Related to senior Jamaican politician is all you need to ignore the law…and occupy well paid board position.
The increase is one thing. The background and skillset of the people coming in are more important. I simply cannot understand how cashiers and taxi drivers are on work permits.
Because 4:28 are own Caymanians won’t do these jobs ….along with countless others they consider beneath them. So we shouldn’t complain.
A very worn out argument. Many expats are willing to work for minimum wage and live four to a room because
A) it is better then they can do in their home country and
B) they are not out to make Cayman their home, it is temporary.
We all know Cayman is an expensive place to live and therefore Caymanians need a commensurate salary and there is nothing wrong with Caymanians striving to live a decent life in their own country. But yeah continue to say it is ‘beneath them’ to perpetuate the division.
Bullshit. That is NOT what is happening.
Not necessarily accurate. Listen:
Expats can live, or choose to live without their families and sacrifice and work here so that they can send money home and after four years return home and build a life. The exchange rate between our money and theirs makes the sacrifice worth it.
Caymanians have no such exchange rate, and they cannot raise themselves, let alone a family on $6.00/hour. It is why there are few Caymanians in construction, hospitality, dive industry, clerks, etc. etc.
You might say, “but wait! you don’t have to carry health insurance on Caymanians!” That used to be true. Now, everyone, Caymanian or not, their employer has to pay into their pension and health care. Not only that, I’m certain that expats are far more ‘controllable’ than Caymanians. Repatriation fees are nothing and have little consideration.
If we want to do the best for Caymanians first, we have to 1) provide training programs/trade school 2) raise the minimum wage to a living wage and 3) create transition programs and legislation to gradually ease Caymanians into positions formerly held by expats. For example, CIG could fund a side-by-side program where Caymanians had on-the-job training alongside the expat who was soon scheduled to leave.
It has become FAR too easy to just acquire an expat, and far too acceptable to marginalise our people as ‘wutless and lazy’. Give people hope and incentive, and watch how we grow. We need expats. Never any doubt about it. They aren’t the enemy. We may need insightful legislation to force businesses to make allowances for Caymanians during this transition.
Skills – what is that? If these construction “tradesmen” were so skilled why do we have so much shoddy construction work going on?
Interesting, (6:10am) perhaps you are getting what you pay for🤔
population figure is not the worry…..the real issue is lack of infrastructure and general development planning for the island…
great news..more expats the better!….especially as their is no local unemployment.
depending upon where they are from tbh
As THERE is…
how do they know the population figure without a census?
remember the nonsense they spouted during covid saying they needed a census to see if we met our vax targets……zzzzzzzzzz
CNS: There’s a detailed explanation of methodology in the report.