Minister says NiCE is a failure as he rejects expansion
(CNS): Labour Minister Michael Myles told parliament yesterday that the National Community Enhancement (NiCE) programme has been a waste of 15 years and that the government could have used the time and resources to create far more meaningful initiatives to get those with genuine barriers to work into full-time jobs.
Replying to a private member’s motion on Thursday, Myles described NiCE as a failed, vote-buying social welfare programme that has merely provided some of Cayman’s most vulnerable with $10 per hour for the occasional few weeks’ work in exchange for picking up trash.
In a clear policy difference between the new NCFC government and the opposition PPM, Myles made it clear that he believes the programme is ineffectual. He said that no matter “how much we try to pretty it up”, it is not helping those who have been employed on the programme and has, in fact, been a liability, because many employers are put off by people who have worked on it.
The PMM by Deputy Opposition Leader Kenneth Bryan asked for the seasonal short-term clean-up programme for unemployed Caymanians to be expanded into a permanent source of work for those who are struggling to find jobs in the private sector.
Responding to the motion, Myles not only rejected its growth but criticised the whole programme. He held no punches as he let parliament know exactly how pointless he believed the initiative, which has run for some fifteen years, has been.
He said that expansion would be an insult to Caymanians, and he was “embarrassed” to be talking about such a suggestion. He said that it was time for the government to want more for its people, and that he wanted to address the real issues preventing unemployed people from getting into work, such as the lack of access to childcare, transportation, addiction and mental health problems.
Myles said this is where the focus should be, not the NiCE programme, which leads to “absolutely nothing”. He said the country is creating thousands of jobs, and instead of offering people unskilled work, without pensions, health insurance or any other benefits, the government needs to help the unemployed secure well-paying, meaningful work.
The money wasted on NiCE over the years could have been far better utilised training people for skilled work, Myles said. The idea of making NiCE a full-time project was a bad one, he added, and would cost at least $20 million without any real benefit to anyone.
The minister said the “programme is not a good programme” and the new government would not be supporting it. He noted that he did not know a single person who was aspiring to join it, and that people “want real, credible jobs”. He urged the opposition to start listening to the people and join forces with the coalition to develop a national workforce plan to put people into existing jobs.
The minister’s outright rejection of the motion, which was based on a commitment in the PPM Manifesto to introduce the programme year-round, was met with evident disappointment by both Opposition Leader Joey Hew and Bryan. They said they had expected the government might reject it because of the costs, but seemed surprised by Myles’ condemnation of the whole initiative and not just the idea of expansion.
Bryan sought to expose the potential divisions on this issue among the new coalition members. Minister Jay Ebanks was singled out as he had supported the programme during the previous administration. He also called out Minister Nickolas DaCosta, the MP for Cayman Brac West, as a similar programme exists permanently on the Brac.
But when Bryan called for a division on the vote, DaCosta voted against the motion in line with most of his colleagues. However, although Ebanks was present in parliament that day, he was conspicuously absent from the chamber when the vote was called.
This was made all the more obvious by the introduction under the new House rules of a division bell to call members into the chamber to vote. It allows three minutes for MPs to take their seats ahead of the division. But as the clock ticked, it became apparent that Ebanks was deliberately avoiding the vote.
See the full exchange in parliament on CIGTV’s YouTube channel and the PMM below:
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Category: Jobs, Local News, Policy, Politics
There needs to be a crackdown on T&B licenses. People not from here originally take out dozens of these in order to bring in their fellow countrymen even though there’s no work for them.
I wonder what other option will be suggested to recieve government funding in place of the NiCE program? I’ll take a wild guess and say Inspire Cayman, which is owned by no ther than….Michael Myles! Given his huge conflict, Inspire should be completely ineligible for $1 of government funding while he is an MP.
“The money wasted on NiCE over the years could have been far better utilised training people for skilled work”, says Labour Minister Myles–who also just happens to be founder of Inspire Cayman Training Ltd.(ICT), a for-profit organisation that also just happens to offer, for a tidy fee, many various forms of vocational training and trades courses.
Seems that several the Myles family are also a part of the ICT business.
Hmmmm….????…
Time for parliamentary questions (or FOI queries):
–Has ICT benefited–or will they benefit–from any form of financial support, scholarships, referrals, contracts, sponsorship, or collaboration obtained directly from Cayman Islands government entities?
–Would ICT stand to benefit if government diverts or repurposes NiCE funds and policies into vocational training?
–Would ICT stand to benefit from any currently proposed or planned changes in immigration or work permit policies??
–As Myles is Labour Minister, does his or his family’s involvement with ICT give rise to any conflicts of interest?
Ok all you people with a keen nose for news, I have given you a start: Continue sniffing!
Time for an Anti-Corruption inquiry/report!!
marl road on his tail or wa
Myles is nothing but an arrogant bully.
An arrogant bully but not a vote dogger. When you vote, vote for intelligence, not for deceivers. Hello NSide.
You should of seen him when he worked at a special needs school, he’d make children with serve cases of Autism cry and force them to clean bird shit off benches outside
Judging by the Ministry of Education and Training’s social media feeds, it seems their propaganda is currently aimed at persuading Caymanians that teaching in their wretched system is the way forward.
A sector with staff turnover like the RCIPS, and they’re promoting it like some amazing career that rewards people every day!
Maybe instead of NiCE, we have those people work in the schools, just for a laugh.
If those that are currently working in the NICE programme are “unemployable” (or apparently employable but only with the skills that NICE requires), then–rather than being prudent–the Minister’s bashing of NICE is moronic and should be embarrassing to his colleagues. I thought better of Dacosta; but then again he is young, and inexperienced, and since there is no political version of NICE, here we are.
If the people currently working under the NICE programme are not employable as the Minister implies, then his entire condemnation is not just wrong–it is supremely idiotic and most cowardly. He spewed the kind of lazy insults politicians throw around when they are too inept or too gutless to take responsibility for building anything better.
The word “unemployable” itself is a political dog whistle: vague, emotionally loaded, and deliberately undefined by those who use it. That is what makes it so useful to those who want to stigmatise the vulnerable without actually saying anything of substance. I see the word “unemployable” being often uttered, but those using the term fail to offer a concise definition. That is a clear and common hallmark of a dog whistle term.
As for the suggestion that NICE has somehow lost its way or strayed from its original mission, I accept that may partially true–but, let us seek the truth. The original goal of NICE was simple and very commendable: to give temporary income and work experience to people trying to enter or re-enter the job market and who were officially registered as such. That idea was good then, and it is still good now. So why can NICE not be brought back to its roots? Probably because Minister Myles either does not have the will, does not have the brainpower, or otherwise does not have what it takes to fix it and return NICE to its original and commendable mission. Instead of doing the work, Myles wants to burn the whole thing down: classic “throw the baby out with the bathwater” behavior from a so-called leadership position that is more interested in optics and condemning others than effecting productive outcomes.
And then there is the endless, empty noise about creating “steady employment” on Cayman Brac. The same tired, worn out mantra is continually recycled, season after season, by people who offer nothing more than hollow rhetoric. They make no fresh, innovative, and viable suggestions as to how that will be accomplished. No plans, no pilot projects, no innovations, just empty and vain noise from rubber squeaking toys with few viable ideas and even less shame.
There is nothing for anyone to do on the Brac, not even all those high paid civil servants.
Only collect JuJu free money.
Some are underpaid. Like the ones who do all the work while others reap the salaries. Eg: who REALLY does DDC work? DP at one primary school’s work?
No one said any about stopping NiCE.
This news will come as a blow to the North Side entrepreneurs who sit on business chairs all day. By the bus stop. Seemingly doing nothing.
This coming from inside Jay’s camp obviously to justify tearing down the trees and removing the bus shelter instead of focusing on the real menaces that roam the district.
Jay ran when it came time to vote. No surprise cause I’m pretty sure campaign promises were made.
12:04 like the ones at Coe Wood beach in Seymour’s new cabanas. Smoking drinking and never hitting a lick.
I’m sure they’ll convene an emergency meeting today. A 6 pack of 345 to lubricate the throats will be needed.
paying caymanians(who refuse to take real jobs) to pick up their own trash….sums up the absurdity of cayman.
Transform the NICE program into a year-round beach clean up program, it’s badly needed with all that sargassum. Wonder how many will show up on a regular basis if they actually have to do something, almost like having a job…
Myles is definitely starting to become a favorite of mine! Playtime is over. Get this Madness circus taking place in the Cayman Islands for a decade too long over and done with.
Keep up the good work Michael.
People employed during the clean up (NICE) the majority of them are loafers, lying down under trees, waiting for lunch time and disappear after.
Are they the people who are seeking full time employment.
For all the tens of millions misallocated on pre-election paving of corrupt MP district roads, the Public Works and the NRA have so far been unable to paint bike lanes to spare so many preventable road user collision deaths! Setting aside the vote-buying NICE team waste, the folks with this career responsibility can’t even see clear to get the minimum done! Disgraceful!
NRA is Jay, currently in government
How about not throwing your empty beer bottles and food containers (wrapped up in a plastic bag) out of the moving car’s window?
EXACTLY!!! Only for a certain class and group of persons that don’t want to work.
We will all see the negative effects of eliminating the NICE programme soon. Petty crimes, break-ins, and theft. Lock up your Mercedes and Range Rovers because you WILL fee the pinch when your windows are broken and things stolen.
only for around 2 weeks at Christmas. Idlers will just shoplift until then.
Where did you read “eliminating the NICE program”?
Did I miss something? I read that the Govt rejected extending the program. So I am left to presume that the year end clean-up will remain.
9:18:
The minister said the “programme is not a good programme” and the new government would not be supporting it.
(What do you presume from that statement?)
Having a Mercedes or Range Rover practically guarantees you it won’t be stolen. Thieves are much smarter than you think.
Include an note on Work Permits, stating littering and garbage disposal will result in Cancellation of permits. We are importing litterers. Check where they live and job sights where they work.
Unlocking Our Future:
A Bold Vision for Local Light Industrial Trade Manufacturing
The impressive strides in Cayman’s infrastructure are undeniable, yet true progress demands as we look deeper towards sustainable solutions for our local seniors and young talent, forthe pressing economic growing needs of our community.
It’s time for a transformative light industrial manufacturing trade vision, one that harnesses our untapped potential and distributes prosperity across all three of our islands.
I propose that the Cayman Islands Government, with a forward-thinking private sector and the enthusiastic support of its people, embark on a groundbreaking initiative:
The establishment of a Cayman Islands Government Light Industrial Manufacturing and Clothing Government Department.
This isn’t just about economic diversification; it’s about creating a robust self-reliant economy that provides stable job creation, with well-paying jobs and truly affordable living for our citizens.
The Power of Local Production:
A Stable, Well-Paying Job Creator
Imagine a dedicated government department, strategically located in the ample undeveloped and underutilized spaces of Cayman Brac, North Side, and East End.
This suggested new Government Uniforms Department would be tasked with the in-house manufacturing of uniforms, backpacts and legal note pad portfolios for a wide array of government entities and our entire student body.
This isn’t a speculative venture; it’s a guaranteed market with a consistent demand.
Consider the impact of locally producing uniforms, backpacts, legal pad note book portfolios etc….. for:
• All school children: A source of national pride and a constant, predictable demand.
• The Department of Environmental Health: Equipping our public health with home made uniforms and legal note pad portfolios.
• The Public Works Department: Outfitting the dedicated individuals who build and maintain our infrastructure with home made uniforms & legal pad note book portfolios.
• The Port Authority, Customs and Border Control, and the Fire Department: Ensuring our frontline guardians are professionally and consistently uniformed with home made uniforms, legal pad note book portfolios and backpacks.
• The Royal Cayman Islands Police Service, the Health Services Department, the Regiment, the Cadet Corps, and the Coast Guard: Providing essential attire for those who protect and serve our islands with home made uniforms & legal pad note book portfolios and backpacks.
This department would not only meet a critical need but would also become a significant local trade skilled employer.
Based on the size of our civil service (which stood at over 4,600 in Q3 2023 and has continued to grow) and the entire school-aged population.
A realistic estimate for the initial creation of stable, well-paying full-time jobs within this manufacturing department could easily be in the range of 200 to 500 positions.
These would include:
• Skilled machinists and textile workers: Operating modern sewing and fabric-cutting equipment.
• Designers and pattern makers: Developing functional and durable uniform designs.
• Quality control specialists: Ensuring the highest standards of production.
• Logistics and inventory managers: Overseeing raw material procurement and distribution of finished goods.
• Supervisory and administrative staff: Managing daily operations and personnel.
• Apprenticeship and training roles: Crucially, fostering a new generation of skilled Caymanian tradespeople.
These aren’t just numbers; these are livelihoods.
These are opportunities for our estimated 10,000 upcoming school graduates over the next 10 years to step into meaningful trade skilled careers with competitive salaries, reducing the pressure for them to seek employment abroad.
The average gross monthly salary in the Cayman Islands, even for various job categories, typically ranges from CI2,770 to CI8,978.
A government-backed manufacturing operation should aim for the higher end of the entry-level scale and provide a clear path for advancement, ensuring these jobs are truly “well-paying” relative to our cost of living and provide a dignified standard of living.
Furthermore, this initiative offers invaluable opportunities for retired seniors who still possess a wealth of experience and desire to contribute.
Their meticulousness, discipline, and work ethic would be invaluable in roles such as quality control, administrative support, training, or specialized textile tasks.
This respects their ongoing contributions to society and provides supplemental income and social engagement
All fine and good until modern reality sets in regarding where garment manufacturing has been heading for some time now.
Ai and automation are now replacing human workers in almost every part of production in modern factories. Machines can cut fabric, sew, and assemble garments with barely any human help–just a few techs to keep things running. Design work that used to need a whole team can now be done by one person using Ai tools that handle patterns, fit, and materials. Computer vision/Ai systems now catch defects faster and more accurately than humans.
Inventory, shipping, and ordering can be handled by smart software and even warehouse robots. Admin and scheduling are automated too: what used to take a whole office can now be done from one digital dashboard. Even training has gone high-tech, with VR and AI letting one person train dozens at once.
Moreover, this is not just for big companies anymore. These hi-tech tools are getting cheaper, easier to use, and can scale up or down depending on the size of the operation. Small shops catering to local demand can now automate just like the big players.
Mr. Myles you are living in lala land.
The roadside cleanup programme has been an overwhelming success on Cayman Brac. I give full credit to District Admin, the team leaders and the work crew who have done such an excellent job with maintaining our road network.
Can the cleanup programme use some constructive changes – why of course, just like the Ministry you yourself just inherited.
Rather than these folks just loitering and collecting funds from NAU/DFA (or whatever you call it nowadays) – these folks are out working in the hot sun close to roads in which people speed by like nothing is going on.
Again, full credit to all involved with this programme on Cayman Brac. Give a person a chance to earn money -rather all this fluff about doing this or doing that.
Mr. Myles, you good sir, do not have a heart for those less fortunate than you. I truly wish one of the road crew could take your place and you serve on the road crew. With the shoe on the other foot, per se, you may see this issue a little different.
Sometimes it is not just about the diverting $$$ from a well intended programme to some pet project that you want to steer the money to.
May you sleep well good sir – knowing that you actions adversely affect many of the native Caymanians (whom you are implying that you want to help).
Signed,
Former Homeless Caymanian, Road Crew worker on Brac
Not just Myles, Brac representative Nick Dacosta is right there with him.
It is great to hear from you. I hope the others on road crew appreciate the opportunity and the excellent work of our leader, Mr. Justin.
Maybe the time has come to decide what to do with the unemployable. All Caymanians get a bad rep thanks to his % of people. If they choose not to be productive members of society they need to be placed wherever they need to be (Poinciana, Caribbean Haven, Northward, Fairbanks, Sunrise, etc.) The productive community cannot continue to maintain them. Sorry if it sounds rash, but we are building a country here.
Yup, make people work for their handouts if they are physically able to do so. No work, no free money.
Oh hold on, isnt that called having a bloody job!
For those who may not know, NiCE was introduced to provide interim income for people who were unemployed but willing to work; who had submitted applications to places and were awaiting a response; people who had not worked before and did not have any experience to show on their CV. Participants who completed the assignment demonstrating solid work ethics got a reference letter, which also came in handy when applying for full time work. Yes, a few were unemployable, but they were the minority and they obviously did not get a reference letter at the end. Most of the people who signed up initially, went on to get and retain steady jobs in all available industries. In contrast, the NiCE we see today seems to be made up mostly of the unemployable. I understand that in Cayman Brac East the Minister has made no serious effort to increase steady employment, but keeps funneling people into the NiCE and housing repair programs, instead. I thank all the civil servants who provided the clear and relevant information Minister Myles relied on to reach his (correct) decision.
7:00pm:
Talk is cheap. What serious effort to increase steady employment on Cayman Brac would you propose?
To 8:48am: For starters, the CBE Minister could lobby the Chamber of Commerce and the myriad professional associations to consider opening satellite offices in the Brac. Waste of a seat in Parliament.
9:25>>
The idea of establishing satellite or “back office” operations on Cayman Brac has been discussed for decades in countless public meetings, campaign rallies, and the press; but very few firms have followed through–and even government has never fully committed to it.
Being in the business of professional services I recognize the challenges posed to setup and run a “back office”. The core problem lies in the economic and operational inefficiencies of running a satellite office, particularly for professional services firms that depend heavily on scale, centralized systems, and specialized talent even at the clerical level.
One of the biggest challenges lays in economies of scale. In Grand Cayman, firms benefit from having all departments—legal, compliance, finance, HR, IT, working under one roof. When you try to split those functions across locations, you end up duplicating infrastructure, workflows, and sometimes even personnel. For small satellite offices, the cost per employee skyrockets because one must maintain a full operational setup for just a handful of staff.
Staffing is another major issue. The Brac simply does have a large pool of professionals or even clerical-level personnel who are adequately trained in law, finance, compliance, or IT. That means firms either have to pay to relocate staff from Grand Cayman, while covering housing, travel, and other allowances—or invest heavily in recruiting and training locals, which takes time and resources. And then there is the very real possibility that, once trained and experienced, they will leave for a more lucrative offer in Grand Cayman. The staffing options are far from ideal, especially when firms are under pressure to keep costs down.
Infrastructure also plays a role. While internet and telecoms on Cayman Brac have improved, bandwidth and reliability, generally still do not consistently match what is found in Grand Cayman. For firms that rely on secure, high-speed data transmission, especially in areas like financial services, this becomes a liability. Backup systems like generators, redundant internet lines, and enterprise-grade IT support also tend to be weaker or more costly to set up on the Brac.
Supervision is another sticking point. Remote offices require oversight, either through regular visits from managers or by hiring someone senior to be based on-island. Both options create additional and inefficient overheads and make it harder to maintain consistency in operations, company culture, and compliance standards. Communication lags and coordination issues are common, especially when staff are split between locations.
A couple of the real estate companies were among the early adopters that tried satellite offices on Cayman Brac. However, they eventually ended up closing their one-person offices in favour of contract employees working as a second job out of their home office or the office of their already-established business.
There is also the issue of regulatory and security risks. Many firms in Grand Cayman handle sensitive client data and are subject to strict local and international compliance requirements. Decentralizing operations across multiple islands increases the complexity of internal controls, IT security, and audit compliance. For most firms, the added risk and cost simply is not worth it.
All of these factors–cost duplication, staffing shortages, infrastructure gaps, oversight challenges, and regulatory risks–make satellite offices on Cayman Brac a very tough sell. Unless the government steps in with meaningful investment, heavy subsidies, and a comprehensive support package to offset these barriers, most firms will wisely continue to keep their operations centralized in Grand Cayman.
I should have asked: What fresh ideas relating to a serious effort to increase steady employment on Cayman Brac would you propose? “Satellite offices” is far from being a fresh and viable idea.
Majority of this increased wage will be sent to the Philippines and Jamaica. At the expense of Caymanians!
Exactly. It drives up prices for the rest of us.
It’s a great talking point though.
This is 100 percent true and the downvoters either have no clue about the minimum wage expat vs Caymanian percentages or are blind due to there ongoing romance with the new government.
Don’t forget the Indians who are currently flooding in. Why are we allowing more invaders.
So for one of his first Parliament votes, Nickolas DaCosta voted against a program on Cayman Brac – that allows people to clean up the streets, do an honest days worth of work.
Their option now. Go to NAU/DFA and do nothing for government support.
Talk about job creation – LOL
Majority of Roadside crew has always been getting assistance from NAU/DFA. Only a few actually do the work honestly and with pride.
Housing, electricity, food allowance with phone, internet added in recent years.
But still they drive around in nice cars, get their hair, nails done weekly, go to the barber etc and still have time to be at the bank every pay day Friday to either collect their ‘colleagues’ money for the drugs they sold them or give the drug lords/peddlers their money for fear of getting killed ‘mysteriously’.
Lawd, more than half the time they’re either sitting, sleeping, smoking or selling drugs when they are supposed to be working.
#makeitmakesense Every Bracka knows this!
To be fair, Dacosta voted against expansion of the programme to year-round in Grand Cayman.
And that’s where you are wrong you buffoon!
The PMM brought by Kenneth was for Grand Cayman only. Educate yourself
He is not going to last in government and is going to leave a trail of devastation behind when he is gone. His arrogance will cost Cayman dearly.
I mean you could say the same thing about the whole civil service to be fair. 😂
To 1:56pm: Since you think being a civil servant is easy, you come do it! Having to remain polite while serving ingrate people with stinking attitudes is bad enough; others don’t want to leave, but won’t assimilate either. It takes patience and tolerance.
A Bold Vision for Affordable Housing and Our Future Workforce – With Accessible Financing
To the Cayman Islands Government, the Cayman Islands Ministry of Housing and the People of the Cayman Islands,
While our islands continue to flourish, we face an escalating challenge that directly impacts our future: affordable housing. This crisis disproportionately affects our low-income earners, especially those on the minimum wage of CI$6.00 an hour, making the dream of a secure home unattainable.
This issue is set to become even more acute as we anticipate approximately 10,000 high school graduates entering our workforce over the next decade. Without accessible housing, we risk hindering their ability to contribute fully to our economy and society.
I propose a bold, yet practical, solution: a government-led initiative to construct 3,000 modern, energy-efficient, multi-family apartment units (one, two, and three bedrooms) and commit to reselling them at cost every four years to eligible low-income Caymanians.
This plan isn’t just about providing homes; it’s about securing our economic future and supporting our youth.
Funding and Construction
The Cayman Islands Treasury Department can issue and float 10, 20, 30 & 40 year bonds specifically to finance the construction of these apartments.
This smart financial strategy allows us to leverage our nation’s strong economic standing to address this critical social need without immediately burdening government budgets.
Our very own Cayman Islands Public Works Department (PWD) is ideally positioned to lead the construction. By utilizing the PWD, we can ensure efficient project management, maintain high construction standards, and keep costs transparent and controlled for the benefit of our citizens.
Truly Affordable Pricing & Accessible Financing
The core aim of this initiative is to directly ease the cost of living and housing crisis. We can price these homes to be genuinely affordable for low-income earners and our emerging workforce, with target resale costs of:
• CI$70,000 for a one-bedroom apartment
• CI$90,000 for a two-bedroom apartment
• CI$125,000 for a three-bedroom apartment
Crucially, to make these homes truly attainable, the Cayman Islands National Development Housing Trust could offer a fixed interest rate of 8% for mortgages on these apartments.
This would result in significantly lower, potentially half, of the monthly payment costs compared to what is currently offered by retail and commercial banks, thereby removing a major barrier to homeownership for deserving Caymanians.
The Profound Impact on Our Community
Imagine the far-reaching benefits of this initiative:
• A Clear Path to Homeownership:
This program would directly empower thousands of families, including our young graduates, to transition from a cycle of renting to building equity. This fosters greater financial stability and long-term security, allowing them to truly establish roots here at home.
• Alleviating the Housing Crisis:
By introducing 3,000 affordable units into the market, we can significantly reduce pressure on rental prices and provide much-needed relief to a strained housing sector.
• Supporting Our Future Workforce:
Providing genuinely affordable housing with accessible financing is crucial for retaining our talented high school graduates. It ensures they can afford to live and work in the Cayman Islands, contributing their skills and energy to our local economy for years to come.
• Economic Stimulus:
A project of this scale would create significant, sustained employment opportunities in construction and related industries, providing a powerful boost to our local economy.
• Enhanced Social Equity:
This is a fundamental step towards ensuring that the benefits of our nation’s economic success are shared more equitably among all Caymanians, improving overall quality of life and community well-being.
Implementing such a plan requires careful planning, transparent allocation, and robust management, but the benefits for our current residents and future generations are immeasurable.
Let’s embrace a visionary approach to housing that truly serves the needs of all our people. By providing genuinely affordable homes with government-supported financing, we invest not just in buildings, but in the prosperity and well-being of every Caymanian family and the vibrant future of our islands.
The fact is, that if we are going to put in place a manditory Minimum Wage, we also need to put in place a manditory Housing Accomidation Process to build and sell realistic affordable housing units to cater to the approximatly 10,000 Minimum Wage School Graduates over the next 10 years
Either we will have to develop new businesses in Cqyman Brac, North Side & East End to create New Jobs to accomidate our school leavers, or we will have to phase out and replace 10,000 existing Work Permit Holders with Caymanians over the nezt 10 years.
That means that we have to provide our Low and Middle Income earners with the basic affordable necessities like housing accomodations, transpertation, food and utilities
A Concerned Caymanian Citizen
What you propose has already proven to be an unworkable option. Case in point: The Cayman Brac government-funded worker housing block. Due to the inherent inefficiencies built into government projects, epic design over-specification, and tailoring the tendering process to accommodate Grand Cayman contractors to the exclusion of local companies, the cost per square foot vastly exceeds (by multiples) what the private sector on the island is providing developers of multi-family projects.
Where have you been? The idea that our government can provide efficient project management, maintain high construction standards, and keep costs transparent and controlled, is a joke.
I couldn’t be prouder of my fellow class of 90 CIHS classmate and football teammate Minister Myles. Thank God for your honesty, leadership, and willingness to do the right thing for Caymanians.
90 percent of the people on minimum wage are work permit holders, not Caymanians.
90 percent of the government workforce which were exempt from rollover are positions that Caymanians can’t fill.
The crap he is proposing is not going to help Caymanians, quite the opposite because all of the places that actually hire minimum wage workers such as grocery stores, restaurants etc are now about to hike their prices to counter the wage increase. So your friend Michael is about to make it even less affordable for Caymanians to live. Congratulations. He couldn’t even answer when questioned about the ripple effect of increased minimum wage because he hasn’t thought that far ahead.
@4:38pm: is that you, Alden?! What the heck did you do since this talk of increasing the minimum wage started with Tara Rivers back round 2014 or so? You were in parliament for a good ten years after that and did nothing. Please take your seat and let us move on. KMT
I see several Filipinos in several stores in Cayman Brac doing nothing. Because the stores can afford it, they hire more than they need.
note who was not in the chamber when the vote was taken.
the give away mentality has broke the government.
hopefully the private sector step up and employ more Caymanians.
I honestly believe he has Caymanians at heart. However he’s more focused on the younger generation which is not a problem. So what about us Seniors, Pensioners, Veterans, Seamen who all has made a major contribution to the Cayman Islands. Majority of us barely surviving off a Widow’s Mite Pension, uncovered Cinico Health Insurance, have to be paying for Health Insurance from our Pensions/Stipends.
We are crying out for more help which is falling on Deaf Ears. You guys when campaigning clearly stated you were all about well-being of Caymanians , which is like music to the ears. So old and young Caymanians should be all inclusive.
I listened with intent days of Parliament Proceedings not one mention of us Seniors. At least in the UK it may not be World Class but All Seniors , Pensioners, children get free healthcare.
Are we Seniors now being sidelined? Is this the Cayman Islands Jewel of the Caribbean? Not much of us Seniors are around, have a heart and Compassion for us. Kenneth Bryan this is what you should be advocating for , not yearly NICE programs. I understand that a lot of homes in yours and Joey Hew’s constituencies urgently need home repairs, which majority of them owned by indigenous Caymanians and Seniors. Michael Myles you need to give us Seniors credence and not fully focus only on the younger ones.
It is sooo unbalanced and discouraging so far. We Seniors NEED help!
The main problem is when Govt tries to assist Caymanians all the resources go to Jaymanians. Stop giving them Status and also allowing them to pass it on to their basketload of kids/grandkids/adopted family members.
He needs to be sand papered. He came across as condescending and dissing poor people. Of course he was responding to a fool who sd crime went down when people were on the program. So is de tiefing Caymanians who work with NiCE? lol. You cannot make this ish up.
He need to pull his head out of the sand more like. Grocery store prices about to get hiked in order to increase a minimum wage that benefits almost exclusively expat workers. Idiotic.
No matter how much the NICE employees could benefit from training for new jobs, there still is a need to keep some of the sites they worked on free from bush and to help with other beautification projects. Really who needs training for clean up jobs and putting down paint? And can a 55 year old alocoholic benefit from any training but Alcoholic Anonymous? Michael Myles seem to give the same answer to every question.I believe he could benefit from more training.
but is this not the same reason, we educated Caymanians can’t rise up and earn that high-paying job because we are not qualified?
Although not entry level minimum wage, access to qualifying Finance experience in Cayman is very limited, almost by private appintment only. With the industry’s boutique offices the “larger” firms don’t hire more than a few summer interns for a bunch of slow weeks a year, usually some college kid with a relationship to the firm, or a senior partner. Many don’t even bother to respond to eager applicants to inform them of this, and/or thank them for applying! Many don’t even bother interviewing the universe of applying candidates. Cayman’s not a merit-based training ground the way some folks might wish it to be.
Our public works department and prisoners could and should be keeping areas free from bush, and clean. If our cops and legal system actually functioned as intended, there would hardly be any rubbish to clean up.
Minister Myles is absolutely spot on! It’s refreshing to hear such a clear and honest assessment of the NICE programme.
How much longer are we going to continue with these “band-aid” approaches instead of tackling the root causes of unemployment?
The NiCE programme, as described, is not the answer, and it’s time we move towards genuinely putting Caymanians into long-term, meaningful employment. Ministers like Kenneth Bryan, in advocating for its expansion, may see it as an easy win to appease members in his constituency.
In reality, such programs only perpetuate a system that breeds more long term issues rather than solving them and it’s far from sustainable.
Minister Myles, please don’t be swayed by those who can’t see the forest for the trees. Continue to advocate for true, impactful change that addresses the real barriers to employment.
Keep pushing for a national workforce plan that leads to credible, sustainable careers for all Caymanians.
Like all societies, there are those here who are simply unemployable.
The best that some can do is working for programs like NICE.
NICE was indeed a vote buying handout. Funnel every penny into vocational schools.
How many local master electricians? A/C systems? IT experts, waitressing, bartenders, hairdressing, truck driving, appliance repair carpentry?
Last time I had to use a handyman/painter is was $25 per hour or more (yup got 3 quotes) so the answer is to train our people into the $18-$20 per hour jobs and lean on the employers to stop hiring imported slave wages.
NAU will be busy!
Not if its starts restricting payments to Caymanians only!
It is restricted to Caymanians only.
1.58pm If it’s Native Caymaians only. Do you realise how many Jaymanians outnumber us and benefit from NAU?
1.58pm Generational Caymanians only.
Mr Myles does not seem to realise that every society has its share of unemployables or those who simply don’t have the discipline to sustain themselves in meaningful employment for longer than a day or two at a time. All his grand words and claims about what he is going to do to rectify this situation will end, inevitably, in tears.
MP KB…how many,,,
This man was fired from government, ran away from Cayman to the US, has an expat wife and is talking about immigration reform? How the hell did he get this position?
Ha ha, is this the latest Entitled Caymanian™®© whinge: Caymanian men eschewing their own women!? Life is SO UNFAIR! 😂
Single-member constituencies without a two-party system. Small numbers of votes to get. Groupthink. Short memories. Even worse alternatives. Lack of knowledge. Treating and worse. Politics and strange bedfellows. Premier can appoint 7 ministers (300k annual comp each) and only needs 9 colleagues to form a government (the other 2 can be made Councillors and given an extra 2k per month at premier’s instruction). Take your pick or add your own factors, blend until liquefied.
Year round island beautification programs are needed and this would enable Caymanians to work year-round.
But, nah. Let’s raise the minimum wage to $8.75 in 2026.
Brilliance.
So you are suggesting we should make road sweeping a ‘protected job’ that only Caymanians should be allowed to do?
Because otherwise you know what will happen….people will be employed on work permits to fill those jobs because there won’t be enough Caymanians who want to do it full time.
NICE program= where 8 persons stood around falling asleep on shovel handles, while 4 others painted the same 4’ of sidewalk, over and over.
NiCE served its purpose. We have a number of low-risk citizens in our prisons that could benefit from NiCe; it should not be used as a crutch. The idea is to get as many Caymanians as possible into steady jobs that match their aptitude and skill set. WORC offers training, but many people do not take the opportunity because they are in dire financial straits. It’s a chicken or the egg type of situation.
Michael currently in Parliament and is giving the exact same answer to every question. #clueless
If you are able to clean up the road at Christmas, why are you not able to work year round?
Because if the job was permanent they’d have to show up to work regularly and actually work. They don’t want to do it.
Because no one else pays $10 an hour for unskilled labour, let alone make work. And minimum wage is less than you get on NAU.
New government kicking cruise tourism workers to the curb and also now taking away the NiCE program. Great start.
Kenneth Bryan kicked the cruise tourism businesses to the curb.
Why didn’t he stay is dumb _ss home and work on cruise tourim if he cared about them so much?
He was too busy flying around the Caribbean embarrasing Cayman with his XXXX CTO Chairman role.
New govt? It was a referendum of the people.
The referendum, I agree with and also voted No. I mean they have no solution for the Caymanian losing their livelihood due to lack of Cruise Tourism. They are focusing on the wrong thing. Minimum wage bracket is made up of 23% Caymanians and 77% work permit holders. This wage increase is just going to screw the majority of Caymanians as prices are about to increase on goods.
Cruise tourists are locusts, and are a net negative to Cayman. The sooner the cruise ships totally cease, the better.
See:
https://caymannewsservice.com/2025/03/regional-economist-to-challenge-cruise-wisdom-at-rally/
https://caymannewsservice.com/2024/03/bryan-challenges-report-on-low-value-of-cayman-tourism/
https://marladukharan.com/special-reports/unleashing-caymans-potential-a-journey-towards-prosperity-and-unity/
I thought that most people understood that NiCE was a slush fund to take care of friends and family and to secure reelection.
Still waiting on my over 65s Cinico Coverage
It’s unaffordable. Cayman is balance sheet insolvent. People need to live or die within their means.
Capitalist brainworms. We live in a society.
Thanks, Michael Myles, for pointing out what even a collection of very blind people can see.
NiCE is/was a way to distribute funds under the pretence of helping the unemployed. A stupid idea that seemed to attract the perennial idlers. Painting roadsides with skinny jeans on, picking up litter that gets re-deposited within days.
How does Kenny say the things he does without cracking into laughter?
Kenny and Joey and Roy M
They all voted YES to spend $20M on this waste.
Bravo Mr.Myles. Tell it how it is.
Better watch out because Kenny & Joey will use this against you for the votes of the poor people. PPM is a grass roots group and know how to save the poor. PPM = JLP, lets ring that bell!
Kennynomics. After pushing the country into a deficit position by reckless spending, let’s now propose we expand the NiCe program from 2 weeks to 52 weeks, increasing expenditure by 25 times. Not so Nice Mr Bryan. So thankful you are not in any true leadership position right now. we need to keep this kind of thinking far away from our treasury.
He’s not wrong.
Well done Minister! Finally, some leadership!
Employed participants leave their $6.00/hour jobs to take part in this handout program – and many of the participants are not even from here.
People deserve a hand up. The days of blind handouts need to end! The program works for some in our community – but it has become a free-for all.
And he is correct, if KB does not allready know all this program does for the majority of those involved is to give them the funds to buy drugs and alcohol. These are facts not fiction.
Clearly this Minister is out of touch and has no real understanding of what the NiCE program is and how it benefits the persons who sign up and the country.
Shows you who he’s really looking out for…
Clearly you are not clear,clear off back to druggie land so we can clear up!
Jay you are a coward to back out of this vote!!
Jay is a minister and bound by collective responsibility. He stayed away on purpose so he can tell his sheep in North Side he didn’t vote on it.
Stay tuned more to come from this clown as the word loyalty, integrity and accountability is not in his vocabulary.
The new Premier will have his hands full.
Jay will also be the bolt that causes the wheel to stop spinning I.e. break the Government up. He is the less educated and most ignorant of that entire lot, so in his mind, him missing the vote was the best thing to do in order that he can claim, “it wasn’t me” who stopped ya Xmas rum money.
Agreed! 2 teats on a boar hog is better.
Mr Myles arrogance will be his downfall. He could have said that the new government plans to review the program and create something new. He does not have to tear down the work of previous government projects to try to make himself look like the new savior.
Arrogant SOB
Communities across the world employ workers to keep them clean and tidy year round. They provide gainful employment that is beneficial to both workers and the communities.
These jobs aren’t welfare.
Great news! This was one of many vote buying programs using government revenue.
Caveat: I strongly support creating sustainable and permanent employment for all those Caymanians who want to work
Extremely glad the public finally got to hear this man for what he is. He is trying to funnel more people into his own personal company program which is why he wanted this ministry from the start! Many people depend on the NiCE program, especially around Christmas time. Scrapping this is a dreadful idea and the only reason he is doing this is to throw his weight around. From the start people were warned about Michael Myles and his true colours have come out early.
Such a shame that you’re not open to the concept of what this man is saying.
You’re so eager to tear him down that you’re not even expressing pros and cons of any side.
Minimum wage increases benefits approx 2,400 Caymanians while benefitting roughly 8,000 work permit holders.
Caymanian business owners now have to spend more to operate.
Caymanians will now have to spend more on goods as prices will be increased to offset the increase in minimum wage.
If you are making more than $8.75ph then this minimum wage increase has just INCREASED your cost of living and is benefitting work permit holders 4/1 over Caymanians.
This is why I am not “open to the concept of what this man is saying”. He has not thought of the repercussions of this increase at all, and this was shown in Parliament when Kenneth grilled him about it and he stood there, clueless face, holding a report repeating the ridiculous answer to every question.
Should have raised the minimum wages one dollar per year, it would have been 100 % better for all. Prices will go up and some business will lay off SOME employees like in USA. Check Walmart. it’s hard to find an employee to help you, for lots of them been layed off due to high wages.
@1:18pm: When it was first introduced the program made sense because unemployment and under employment had become the norm. Nowadays, people should aim to get a steady job all year round, which comes with labor law benefits. Everyone is good at doing something; each NiCe participant must find what they are good at.