Alden: Refusing permits would be disastrous
Premier Alden McLaughlin
(CNS): Premier Alden McLaughlin has told opposition members that their idea of refusing work permits to create opportunities for Caymanians is “completely fallacious” and said it would have “disastrous consequences” for the country. As Finance Committee scrutinised the employment minister’s budget Monday, local unemployment and career development issues were hot button topics. Ezzard Miller (North Side) wanted to know how government was squaring its employment policies with the projected increase in permit numbers of some 2,000.
Both the premier and Finance Minister Marco Archer, who is chairing the committee, argued that the increase in projected earnings from permits was not a policy in itself but a consequence of government policies that were leading to economic growth.
With that economic growth comes jobs, they explained, and while that would result in more work for Caymanians, it inevitably meant that permit numbers, already around 22,000, would increase over the next eighteen months.
Growing permit numbers in the face of concerns that Caymanians, both professional and unskilled, cannot find work, despite claims by government that local unemployment is falling, is still a major problem for the Progressive administration, and opposition members grilled Employment Minister Tara Rivers and her staff on the matter, taking aim at the National Workforce Development Agency and the broader efforts by government to help locals find work.
Ministry staff revealed that the NWDA now feeds information to the work permit boards but the boards are not yet feeding information back to the NWDA or registered applicants who had applied for posts that ultimately went to work permit holders.
But with plans afoot to make the agency a full clearing house for all job vacancies in the Cayman Islands, government officials said they and immigration staff were discussing how to close the gaps so all parties involved, including job-seekers, employers, work permit boards and enforcement officers, would be able to see all parts of the puzzle.
However, employment ministry staff were quick to emphasise that, regardless of their efforts to create transparency, it was the immigration boards who made the decision to grant permits and the NWDA could not force employers to take on anyone. Arguing that the department is not a job-placement agency, they said the online portal, where jobs are advertised and details of applications tracked, had helped 239 Caymanians this year find work.
But officials stressed that the main role of the NWDA was to assist people who are looking for work but need help and training, and with many people a long way from being work-ready, the focus for the employment officers and staff was to deal with those most in need of help.
As MLAs raised concerns about constituents, they described cases where experienced and qualified people applied for as many as 50 jobs over a three-month period without getting a single response. The politicians highlighted the perception that government was not tackling the issues, such as work permit adverts being tailored to exclude locals and the excuses that employers give to decline them, and they pressed the government officials about how they were dealing with the challenges.
Dr Tasha Garcia-Ebanks, the ministry’s deputy chief officer, repeatedly told MLAs that the interface ensures that immigration is now aware of all the people who applied for any job that gets posted on the NWDA website, including details about job interviews and comments from employers and the applicants.
She said that this information should help inform their decision-making process and but she was unable to give any details of what happened after reports of discrimination because that information isn’t captured.
Winston Connolly (George Town) asked about the follow-up and tracking of complaints, especially when cases ended in work permit grants. “Constituents don’t want to know there is a dialogue; they want to know what’s happening about the infractions they report.”
Rivers explained to her former colleague, who just months ago was working in her ministry on these issues, that the creation of the NWDA as the clearing house for all vacancies in Cayman was important. She said the employment ministry needed to get the information back from the immigration boards to complete the collaboration to help locals get work and advance in their careers. However, tracking outcomes and decisions on a permit sat with immigration, she noted.
Garcia-Ebanks said the business case for turning the NWDA into a full clearing house was under review and would be with Cabinet next month. But MLAs also questioned whether the NWDA should be the main entity that coordinates the balance of local workers and permit holders.
Given the claims that NWDA staff were working with those job-seekers who had the most barriers, Arden McLean (East End) asked how many people had been assisted over those barriers. Garcia-Ebanks said it was a work in progress and some barriers went beyond the remit of the NWDA, as people were suffering from mental health problems or did not have access to resources or transport.
Since the people who found work through the portal could also have found the work by answering a job ad in the media, McLean asked what was the point of the agency if they couldn’t place people in work or help those who really needed it.
On the issue of work permits, McLean accepted that there were locals with literacy or numeracy challenges but pointed out that there were many workers on permits with the same challenges. Many jobs that did not require those skills were not going to locals, he noted, as he asked the minister to look more closely at how effective the NWDA really was.
Battling questions about efforts by her ministry to address the unemployment issue, Rivers committed to speaking with immigration to see if the communication between the NWDA and the boards was having an impact on the permits being granted.
Category: Government Finance, Jobs, Local News, Politics
In light of news hot off the online press, I wonder what British Prime Minister Nigel Farage would make of this debate this morning.
What a glorious Brexit we have upon us. The pound has sunk to a mere USD $1.35 and the EDL, BNP and BF groups are parading in the streets.
Awesome!
– Whodatis
P.S. I predicted this day was upon us years ago and have constantly brought attention to the political / societal reality lurking beneath the water’s surface in the UK.
(Btw, kindly spare us the whitewashed verdict (i.e. minus the shameful yet integral chunk) of how and why the UK arrived at its “Brexit” decision on June 23, 2016.
Britain first. Take back our country. Down with xenophobia. Yes indeedy.
And here’s Who. All alone on page 2.
Ummm…apparently not.
(Hi everyone. Couldn’t help yourselves huh?)
Anyway, don’t worry about what Whodatis is doing. Y’all have more than enough on your plates at the moment.
🙂
I think if we are going to deny permits, then we should do it in the order of importance for maximum social and financial impact.
1- Doctors and nurses
2- Police
3- Teachers
4- Lawyers and Accountants
5- Hedge Funds Managers
6- Hospitality
Make Cayman great like Jamaica and the Bahamas.
At numerous points in this thread Whodatis has been accused of, and compared to, possessing hatred equal to that of even the racist Brit that murdered MP Jo Fox.
I hereby sincerely request but one example from any contributor of this alleged hate. Feel free to scour the CNS archives in this endeavor. Considering the amount of supoort these accusations have received here on CNS it should be an easy enough job, right?
Failure to return a fitting example will be regarded as proof that the CNS masses are full of it and sadly rely on slander and hollow shaming tactics to hush those that speak the truth they hate to hear.
Again, a simple singular example will do the job. This is the task at hand – anything other than will be duly ignored.
I’ll be waiting.
Faithfully,
– Who
You’re an anonymous internet troll. No one cares.
Yes. Obviously.
I just wish people could stick to the issue(s) at hand like mature adults and carry out intelligent dialogue.
Instead, it always breaks down into name-calling and ad hominem attacks. Clearly people do care because no one pays attention or responds to someone they genuinely regard as foolish or idle.
At least I don’t. To do so would only make me as foolish and idle as them. Just sayin…
– Who
Yawn. Troll.
Look you’re either a troll or not. You throw the grenade and let it go off. And then walk away and don’t look back.
But not you. You have to endlessly return to the scene and inspect the fragments.
You can’t have it both ways. If you want to be a troll, you have to accept that you will meet other trolls.
The question is, do you want to play the game of trolls?
Ad-hominem. Pass the popcorn troll
It’s impossible to engage seriously with someone who insists on setting the parameters of any discourse and must always have the last word.
Do us all a favour and get over yourself.
Kisses!
You conveniently forget, or chose to ignore, the fact that you were the one that brought up the horrific murder of MP Cox on this thread to further one of you posts. Look no further than the mirror my friend.
I most definitely did, however, how is that a form of hatred?
Someone criticised my stance on local immigration by claiming western nations have “moved on from xenophobia”.
Not only does the fact that the population of the “warm and friendly” Cayman Islands has doubled in my lifetime negate claims of xenophobia, but the absence of democratically elected far-right and racist political parties and organisations (currently on the rise in the USA, UK and EU countries) are not a feature in our society.
Nor is the reality of assassinated elected officials in the name of xenophobia, racism or what have you.
Inconvenient, tragic, unfortunate, embarrassing … all of these could describe the murder of Jo Cox in the context of this debate, however, my reference thereto can not be labelled as “hatred”.
Furthermore, we can all rest assured that had it been a local official, expatriate or otherwise, that was murdered in such a brutal way in the Cayman Islands in the name of purity or nationalism – the condemnation upon us as a collective would be damning, global and final.
Therefore, I suggest you take up your own kind advice of looking in mirrors.
When it comes to xenophobia and racism in today’s world we don’t have to look much further than the gloriously civilised western countries.
You can argue and attempt to justify the reality until the cows come home – but it is what it is my friend. Sorry.
– Whodatis
P.S. Lastly, your attempt to callously insert her killing as a means to gain (cheap and easy, considering the forum) brownie points against an anonymous CNS blogger is beyond despicable. Unfortunately, we see you are not alone in your contempt.
Clearly you can’t read or understand your own bile. Hatred is manifested in many different ways, yours is by attempting to equate a tiny speck of insignificant rock with countries who have actually contributed something to the world instead of leeching off of it. It is a hatred born of envy and a symptom of your own impotency in tackling your deep rooted and twisted view of the world.
You openly refer to historical ‘colonial’ matters, as if that has any bearing on a place that was never a subject of conquest, but an uninhabitable stop on the way to South and Central America. These islands, since the first settlers 300 years ago, have always been British, settled by British people and ultimately governed by the British Parliament. If you find that fact unpalatable then go live in a place that you find more acceptable to your sense of nationality.
Just by raising the subject of imaginary colonial masters you regress to an age that you find unacceptable and equate it with modern times. That is clearly an expression of hate, especially as it isn’t true in the first place.
You don’t need right wing political parties, they are perfectly facist without putting a label on it. The deep seated bigotry against those you cannot acknowledge as equals is breathtaking. Work permit holders, gays, foreign investors, Jamaicans and Philipinos all come in for special attention from the narrow minded and the uneducated. And you don’t think this is hatred?
You attempted to use the murder of a British MP by a deranged fool as an illustration of British values and parliamentary democracy. Only a complete idiot would do that, someone who knows nothing about the subject matter in hand yet claims to be an intelligent contributor. Well stupid, your not as smart as you think you are. By attempting to use this abhorrent murder to demonstrate a point against your fellow citizens you unmasked your deep hatred to the forum. No going back now, you can squirm as much as you like but in the end you have been exposed for the nasty, vindictive and hateful person you must be.
And by the way, you have still not told us how you intend to cope without immigration, work permits or by going independent. Stop deflecting the questions by making non sensical protestations, how are you going to do it?
Zuss kryste! LOL!!
Someone desperately needs a girlfriend.
I ain’t touching this one with even a barge pole.
– Who
🙂
You see, that’s the same as name calling. Something you pretend to bristle at when you’re on the receiving end. You do see that don’t you? It’s insulting, like name calling.
Ok Bud. Just double your dosage today, ok?
Because no one understands where you went with that random, peppered, shoot-from-the-hip-blindfolded rant of yours earlier.
Anyway, seeing that I have your attention – how do you feel about the Brexit?
I trust you will lay similar criticisms at the feet of the British people in this regard?
But no, not very likely because people like you always find a way to conveniently shift goalposts and justify the questionable decisions of your own.
Couldn’t make the stuff up.
Please tell Prime Minister Farage Whodatis says “hello”!
😀
@1:13pm; your very first sentence says it all.
Try not to be a hypocrite and also don’t take peoples’ opinions or comments out of context, it makes you look manipulative.
I can honestly say that the comments presented by “Who” have always been balanced and this is someone who is just simply trying to have a healthy debate about all the issues plaguing each and every one of us here and elsewhere.
After-all let’s not forget we all live on the same planet no matter which “corner” of the Earth we hail from. Your comment reeks of fear; fear that we might go Independent one day (whether by choice or force) and if/when that day comes you will no longer have interest in residing here, Caymanians will still be here, with nowhere to go; that is what you must remember.
Also, when you call someone “stupid” be sure you have used proper grammar and spelling when doing so or you look like a complete “tosser”. (“Your” is different to “you’re”.)
(For the record, the tone of my comment is calm and collective)
Peace
Just Who masquerading now as Peace.
Oh the anonymity!
Thank you. Not necessarily for the balanced support, but for restoring my faith in there being some life and use yet in this forum.
– Who
Oh, btw be prepared to be “troll buttoned” to death.
This is standard procedure on CNS when opposers “get in their feelings” over what a poster has expressed … and they have no comeback.
It is the immature grownup’s equivalent of throwing the toys out the sandbox.
Name calling.
Wow. Very well said. Thanks.
Who sweetie. This is Mommy. It’s your bedtime. Turn out the lights and stop playing with the computer.
Your friends will all be there to play with tomorrow.
Nitey, nite Sweetie Pie.
Now Who! Don’t make me come up there!!
Your logic resulting in the CNS masses are full of it is flawed my silver tongued friend.
And stop trying to make up rules. This is a free for all. I now command you to ignore this
All of the dead weight MLAs are now scrawling out of the woods and pretending to give a hoot about the employment concerns and plight of Caymanians – many of whom are educated, skilled, want to work, out of despair having to begged the ‘Paper Caymanians’ who run the Needs Assessment Unit for help which by the way 99% of the time they do not get, go to umpteen job interviews to be told that they are either underqualified or overqualified, send out dozens of resumes and applications to which most times they do not hear a response from a single employer etc. The Cayman Islands are certainly becoming a place where its own people are now being classed as ‘Second-Class Citizens’ and being branded by the poor attitudes and at most, perceptions that you have to be a Non-Caymanian or ‘Paper Caymanian’ otherwise employers think you are not a fit for the post they are advertising. SHAME ON YOU CAYMAN ISLANDS!!!!!!
CNS COMMENT TEMPLATE 1:
“I am a real, true born, native CAYMANIAN!…
Delete as necessary:
Expats are stealing our jobs / Paper Caymanians are stealing our jobs / Jamaicans are stealing our jobs / Gays are stealing our jobs.
Highly qualified Caymanians are all unemployed (include vague anecdote about cousin’s friend who is a qualified accountant who couldn’t get a job at burger king or something – be careful not to reference any facts or confirmed data).
Delete as necessary:
Shame on you Cayman/May god bless our beloved Cayman Islands and smite the Homos and foreigners.
Agreed with you Whodatisnt.
My son has been looking for a job for the past six months. He’s studying at UCCI computer Science, he also have a mortgage to pay and unable to find not even a part time job.
But not, at this time government only worry about worry about w/p. And here is a good example: all the 31 lazy Gov. Employees suspended and REALLY still receiving a salary. GOVERNMENT WAKE UP ITS TIME TO CHANGE. We are calling for not more crimes, but with no jobs for local people what did you all expect!
Thanks
Why he have a mortgage if he don’t have a job?
By the way, whodataint’s entry was a joke.
We could learn alot from the Bahamas
You could lean a lot. Period
I do think you are listing badly
You are right – how to get rid of most of your industry almost overnight and also struggle to bring work in because of the closed shop. People are also wary of using the court system as there is so little local competence. Industry leaders ask me how to attract more business and what can I say? People don’t trust Bahamas after they got rid of people last time. The political regime is corrupt and local security and standard of living is so muh lower (eg needing armed guards in restaurants)
we could learn a lot from the Bananas
When Bahamians saw what was taking place in their homeland, they turned over the table and shipped them out. They didn’t give them any options. They left with or without. The flight was ready to take off.
And the Bahamas has now been a ghetto ever since.
Of course the Premier will defend this and find excuses to justify!! It’s amazing that he can keep his “hair do” so slick and coiffed with his head so firmly buried in the sand!!!!
Hey you’re right, mckeewa doesn’t do quite as good a job as our Premier at all.
Bahamas has an unemployment problem. Cayman has an unemployment annoyance compared to them. 5-6% unemployment is high by Canadian standards but for Caribbean standards its practically nothing. That being said, I respect those that want 100% employment, just don’t think it’s doable.
100% employment would be very inflationary.
There are always people who don’t want to work, it’s inevitable and I don’t think it’s a function of bad education or anything else. Not that education couldn’t be improved here but I’m trying to say even if it was there would still be those who won’t be working.
On the education question, I attended the JGHS graduation last night. How is it that some students got as many as 12,13 and 14 passes while others evidently only attained the minimum standard required in order to graduate?
All of those 116 students followed the same syllabus, at the same time, in the same classes, from the same teachers. Is it really the fault of the education syllabus and system why so many are not work ready? Or could it be due to other (social) issues completely outside the remit of education, like bad parenting or lack of focus and commitment on the part of the student?
I’m not saying education can’t be improved but is it really that bad when year after year students are proving by their academic achievements, that by focusing on their work, they have done quite fine, thank you very much!
The only way to make that 100% doable, is to make Cayman into a socialist state … and will that last in a capitalistic world??? 🙂
It has so far
Ask Venezuela how far socialism got them..
In the late 60’s upwards, who charted the way and kept the doors open? During those years, caymanians worked in every established business. Strangely, now they are not qualified even to sweep the floor. I am patiently waiting on Thee Day.
Agreed 6:56pm.
You are 100% right.
I agree, that’s all that most of them are qualified to do. And they won’t even do that!
WaYaSay.
Alden and Archer, when will you learn that the economy is about how much money is available to circulate in the private sector, NOT about how much money Government has or can collect?
Issuing 2000 more work permits will only give Government more money to waste, the salaries attached to them will reduce the amount of money circulating in the economy, especially if those workers follow the modus operandi of their fellow work permit holders and save their money to take with them when they leave or worst ship it back home on a monthly basis, to say nothing about the amount of profit sucked out of these corporations and businesses just paying Government their work permit fees.
Cayman is not a manufacturing country so there is no evidence that more workers mean a greater GDP, more often it equates to less profit for corporations as most times the extra staff are just to comply with Government red tape and regulations, not necessarily the result of additional business coming their way. Cut the red tape and cost to do business and watch the economy grow.
When some of us have suggested moratorium for certain industries for 6mths-2years because the money is not staying in Cayman so not being circulated but even the status holders think this is being unfair to their Jamaicans or other expats so they refused to support it.
When will CIG-Cabinet realise most people don’t want to live here forever, they want to work as long as they can and will continue to send money overseas. Those who do remain expect us to be their country’s official employer, especially Jamaicans, given the number of nationals here. Their only concern is competition from Filipinos and they are successfully convincing Caymanians to defend their preference.
7:57am You are so wrong. Not every expat that comes here sends money home but you had better believe that they take it with them when they are forced to leave. Duh.
While here they probably pump more money into the economy than locals do. They certainly eat out more and booze at the bars more. I think.
Anywho, not everyone is Jamaican or Filipino sending $$ home. (those are the ones I saw in the moneygram lineup)
I don’t think he has much choice. I have just resigned along with a few others.
People are rolling themselves out of here well before their time as enough is enough to be honest.
I agree, the poisonous debate around expat/WP holders is leaving many hard working and honest residents fearful of their future here on Cayman. Over the past couple of years it has been very noticeable that a hatred of foreigners has entered a legitimate and concerning debate by local people.
This hatred comes directly from the vile dialogue coming from both EE and NS where deliberate anti expat policies are muddying the waters for genuine job seekers. You see, if employers are being harangued, bullied and constantly vilified by petty minded local politicians, (people who have never held down a real job or can be trusted to run a successful business) how do you think they will react? In other words employing a Caymanian can be trouble, especially if they don’t shape up to the position or work load expected of them.
An unfortunate by-product of such hateful dialogue is the desensitisation of the uneducated and the young, both of whom are growing up on a diet of anti foreigner bile. As one of those foreigners I have witnessed, on far too many occasions, the insulting, bigoted and racist language aimed at both myself and others for daring to challenge a ‘Caymanian’ with even a minor concern. Most conversations end with the same old diatribe, ‘f###### foreigners coming here and taking everything’ or ‘they think they own the place’ and most hateful of all, ‘go back home, we don’t want you’. And that nearly always comes with the cover all caveat of, ‘I can do what I like, I’m Caymanian’.
Such hate has no place in a civilised society and MLA’s should not indulge in the direct isolation of a large part of the community, a very large group who actually enable them to claim such high salaries and double dip their tax payer funded pension scheme through their hard work and taxes.
If the grandstanding member for NS has such a problem with foreigners coming to Cayman, why does he choose them over a Caymanian partner? His hypocracy is breathtaking and his politics a deceit played on local people to garner votes, because he knows that without those votes he is just another failed businessman who will disappear into obscurity.
As for the other hateful schoolyard bully at EE, well, his rhetoric says it all and any individual with any sense at all would vote his Stone Age ass out of office at the first opportunity.
Instead of both of them making their disgusting speeches and protests under the protection of the LA, let them come outside and face those they hate so much. Come outside and face a law suit for deformation or slander you cowards, stop hiding behind house immunity.
Cayman will never truly move on unless it handles its politics of hate. A whole generation, if not two, have been brought up thinking its every one else’s fault, when it really is their own. They vote for these idiots who year, after year, after year make the same noises just to maintain their tax funded lifestyles. What changes, absolutely nothing, because as the Premier put it, ‘it is a fallacious argument’ it holds no truth and will cause Cayman terminal harm if it was allowed to progress.
People need to understand that it is the politicians and their civil servants who direct immigration and employment policy, not the man in the street. But the man in the street does have the power to seek change and rid themselves of these failing dinosaurs. They want you to remain reliant on their scaremongering politics, they want you to believe they can bring change when they know it’s not deliverable. It’s a deceit on the electorate, pure and simple.
Sadly, we, (my wife and I) are planning to leave Cayman for good. Over the last 30 years we have witnessed change beyond belief. Some of it for the good, but an awful lot for worse.
we can no longer subscribe to an idea that as foreigners we are to blame for this islands ills, I will not live amongst those who clearly don’t want my presence or my tax dollars and I will not standby and watch a place of such beauty, multi cultural tolerance and diverse racial mix be hijacked by petty bullies, bigots and racists for their own personal benefit.
I think the final straw, as it has been for many expats, is the pension robbery proposed by Ms Rivers. I get that most pension schemes don’t allow for a refund, but this isn’t most places. This island survives by employing expat labour on a rolling immigration policy, a disastrous policy by the way and direct threat to Cayman’s future financial security. We came here with the promise that we could take our enforced pension contributions when we leave, we are now told we can’t. So all of the financial planning that was leading up to an enforced removal is for nought. You want us to go, but you won’t give us OUR money to resettle or relocate away from Cayman. Yet another deceit played out by a dishonest establishment.
And for the record, we were long standing visitors before I came here to work and hopefully settle down for good. But the policy of indifference to PR applicants, the viciousness of anti status holder rhetoric and now the pension debacle has changed everything. Why would I want to stay in such an unwelcoming and openly hostile place.
So we shall sell our home, fire our gardeners and helpers, take all of our finances away from Cayman and await our pension with baited breath. Because we will not forget where it is and I will be back to get it, with lawyers and as a class action if necessary.
My own withdrawal will definitely lead to at least two local people being unemployed, a local landscaping contractor losing regular business and the exchequer losing two reasonable salaries, (which is spent entirely on island). If my stand is replicated over and over again, what do you think the outcome will be for service providers locally and government income?
Cayman will never have 100% employment, not unless it becomes North Korea. To believe otherwise is beyond stupid and anyone that tries to convince you otherwise is delusional or a liar.
Goodbye Cayman, sad to go, sad to leave our wonderful Caymanian and expat friends, but enough is enough.
No more hate.
Geesh.
A simply “bye” would have sufficed.
I pity you for you speak as if many of these issues are factual and or unique to the Cayman Islands.
Poor misguided soul.
May you land softly in your ultimate utopia.
😉
– Who
11:01am Are you saying that expats do not discriminate against Caymanians? You must’ve had a delirious dream. Long flight, safe travel, perfect landing.
Bated. It’s bated breath. Other than that, we’re with you. Leaving also.
Yep sorry, iPads tend to make it up as you go along.
Don’t make the door hit you on the way out!
All small minded people like you who spew hatred against our politicians who stand up for Caymanians, like the members from NS and EE, are doing us a favor by leaving.
Now you can go home and blog on CNS from your couch like all the other bitter opportunist that spew the same vile and bitter rubbish against “your wonderful Caymans” do.
Cayman will survive without you! I hope that the next person on a work permit that gets your cushy job, appreciated Cayman more than you do.
Don’t forget to come back for your pension when you hit 65.
Enough is enough.
Bye.
And that piece of uneducated ranting just confirms and illustrates my point. The vitriolic manner in which you defend the indefensible is exactly what I was trying to put over, but you appeared to have hit the nail right on the head and I’m sure more enlightened Caymanians will now understand why many are going.
Your naivety is also misjudged because my Caymanian employer will never employ a fellow Caymanian that cannot fulfil his exact requirements for the job in hand, just being Caymanian will never cut it and I have no doubt he will employ on another WP.
Your quite correct, Cayman will survive without me, but wait until the financial services go for good, the tourists go to Cuba and the next government get themselves back into a tailspin of debt.
The point is, you don’t have real politicians, you have parish counsellors that represent a few hundred people, maximum. Most are clearly uneducated and many are religious or politically motivated bigots. My friend, you are welcome to them, you obviously deserve each other.
Finally, your friend at 7:13 is equally void of any rational thought. The point of the piece was to highlight that ANY discrimination is wrong, from whatever quarter it may come. But keep ranting incoherently and defending the indefensible, Cayman is already noted around the world as a morally bankrupt place, it won’t be long before the finances follow and your hubristic bigotry will be all you have left.
I’ll close the door gently on the way out, otherwise I make wake you from your delusion.
Oh yes, I’ll be back in two years to have my pension transferred to a more productive pension fund, not one managed by incompetent wannabes who fleece their clients at every opportunity. See ya.
Driftwood?
Also nothing is stopping a Caymanian to take the initiative to start their own businesses and become entrepreneurs. You have the advantage over expats on that. Seize opportunity and make it happen, but yes it requires a lot of hard work.
4:21am. You can walk into the bank and walk out with a loan to buy an house, car or start a business, but the Caymanian has to tell from the time he/she was conceived until the present time and even then they wouldn’t be able to walk out with a loan.
So how would they be able to start a business? Too many have tried and were unsuccessful. Heard about every monkey to his limb?
I am an expat who has worked in Cayman. I can honestly say I feel for the Cayman local workers. I myself come from a country that has a corrupt Government and has discrimination in the country and work place. I could snap my fingers and get a job overseas in a day and in my home country I struggled 6 months because of enforced Government policies and even then it is a Contract. I have 16 years international experience but because I am a white female, race is discriminated on in my homeland.
So if I was taking a job from a local Caymanian I would resign in a heartbeat to give that opportunity to a local who could do the job. But I do want to say I worked from the bottom up and long, gruelling hours to get where I am. Caymanians should accept that comes with the job and hard work is respected not entitlement.
You can have all the skills, but it is your attitude which determines that you are successful in life. It is your country so take any job offered even if it is below you and work your way to the top by reputation. I know your situation is hard, but it is better to get experience than be doing nothing. In my country we don’t even get handouts from Government so in that sense you a lot better off. We would just be jobless and homeless. Count your blessings and work with what you have. A change in attitude will go a long way for young people. I saw a local literally asleep at work. That is not work, it is showing up. Show up and prove your worth and you will get where you want to be.
Well said!! You nailed it!!!!
What country are you from brother?
Immmmm, maybe try sister.
What country are you from, sister.
South Africa…
South Africa has one of the highest unemployment rates in the world. In 2016 it is at 26.4%. We have far worse problems .. Count your blessings!
You cozying up with the Red Chinese. Soon all will be working comrade 😉
TLDR? She states that she is a female
1. I never read the comments. Responder only.
2. Bro = guy = anyone mon
3. Just cuz the guy says she’s a she…. well this is the Internet. Ever been catfished?
4. See #1. I didn’t read thoroughly. My bad.
5. Sorry lady from SA
haha.. no worries. I am a lady yes, not a bro. No offence taken really! 🙂
It is a fact that Cayman needs a certain amount of expat labor on work permits and will need them for the foreseeable future.
It is a shame that more expats taking up those work permits do not have the world view like you do and the honesty to tell it like it is and appreciate what they get in return for coming here to work.
I appreciate your honesty on both fronts and pray each day that more people like you will come to our shores, to fill necessary skill gaps, instead of the kink of Cayman hating work permit holders who seem to have a penchant for blogging on CNS.
By the way, I say a work permit holder asleep on the job this morning at 5am when I arrived at work and I had to wake him up, he is a security guard at my place of business. I just mentioned this because I would not want you to paint only Caymanians with that brush.
South Africa. The rest of the world loves us to work for them and snaps us up fast because South Africans have the reputation of been very hard workers. We were raised that way. Work hard, play hard. Keep your mouth shut and do the work. We just get on with it. We very educated and we have no issue with working/studying hard to get ahead since we know it is required. We know we need to earn those stripes. Nothing was ever put on a platter for us. And we appreciate just having a job, the simple fact of doing a good days work is enough satisfaction and most want to just get out of SA. But those that stay or work abroad we all hard workers.
I am driftwood on a work permit, I know two other pieces of driftwood who have been granted a work permit as waitresses in a high end restaurant. Why was this granted ! Because the owner advertised for a number of months but no Caymanian wanted the job. Why!
Sorry you can’t all be lawyers people need to know there limits.
Plus, who really want to be a lawyer? Really
I don’t think you are using the term “driftwood” correctly. As far as I am aware “f*ck1ng driftwood” is a term which specifically refers to those who are Caymanian but who either began life as another nationality, or in some cases are the Caymanian children of people who were born overseas also known as “Paper Caymanians” or “Status Holders”. Work permit residents are just ex-pats.
Actually “clarification” you got it wrong. “Driftwood” is an old Caymanian term and is applied to people who come here, stay for awhile and then drift away back home again. It has no bearing on ones immigration status.
Some driftwood come here and stay for 30 years, then drift away and that’s OK if that is what they want to do.
? Educated ex pat. You are one of those condescending assholes who needs to take a leap. Fair winds to bad rubbish.j
If you are on a work permit you are not qualified to call yourself driftwood. You have to be granted status without having a love or affinity for the Cayman Islands and the Caymanian people or any intention to in fact remain for life.
As to why no Caymanians wanted the job, I do not know. Maybe there are none available? Maybe Caymanians do not feel welcome in your workplace? Maybe their income would be too little to support their mortgage obligations (taking into account that some banks do not take tips into account)?
P.S. maybe they spelled the word “their” incorrectly in their application and were deemed unsuitable.
A person will work if he has dreams, if he wants to better himself and provide for his family and build a life. If he has no desires, he won’t work, won’t get out of bed and catch a ride or bus to work. There are the ones that earn 2 weeks pay then disappear util the money is gone, usually 2 weeks or so, then they show up for work like nothing happened. If you hire an expat, your generally safe from this, there here to work and send money back or looking for a better life, sunshine (if from uk) and that laid back lifestyle. If a job exists it’s because someone wants to employ a person to do the job and make them money. not sit on there arse complaining all day long. Yes there are good local people who work and are smart. I would love to get these, if you do, then you must make sure you keep them. Make it hard for them to leave, give them a bonus and treat them with respect. These are the caymanians who have got their life together and will raise good children. Every society has those lazy bone idle, it’s not my fault I ain’t got a job people. Get over it Ezzard, some people don’t want to work, they expect paying for nothing…..I won’t do it and neither will any business man in cayman who is worth his salt!
Alden. Failing to refuse work permits where there are qualified Caymanian applicants and the employer is lying to the authorities is what is truly disasterous but then again you are responsible and it keeps happening so must be OK with it.
Qualified does not mean you have experience, show up on time, treat your co workers with respect and show some degree of aptitude for the job your doing. Get over it, you just can’t get a job based on paper…..when your employing someone with 10 yrs plus experience, your basically saying im employing you because you have messed up on someone else’s time and I hope you have learnt from that so won’t mess up on my time. Experience is key and unfortunately a lot of caymanians need to start at the bottom of the ladder to get that experience! But the mentallity of Ezzard and crew is blinding and brainwashing these qualified caymanians into thinking they can claim the top ladder spot with a big salary.
Isn’t it amazing when the qualified expat is hired, the person in the job is expected to train that person. After training, the expat is promoted and the trainer is shown the door. That’s how it works for the locals. Big hearted Eddie.
Umm, in my universe qualified includes turning up on time, treating co-workers with respect, and not lying to regulators. I said nothing about a “piece of paper.”
The fact that Alden is the LEAST criticised Cayman politician on THIS forum says it all.
It also helps every self-respecting Caymanian understand that he may not be the best representative for the people of the country.
– Who
You are right but the truth is that compared to William McKeeva Bush et al.the electorate is and has been forced to choose between the lesser of two evils and methinks that this reality continues into all facets of life as a Caymanian. A viable alternative would be advantageous to us all but not only is the deck stacked against this possibility but also the private sector prostitution and manipulation of the democratic process has left the electorate with precious little alternative thus far.
Will I get my driveway paved or a new dishwasha this time?
That’s the point, you don’t respect yourself, your fellow Caymanians or anyone else who lives a peaceful and productive life on these islands.
If you did you wouldn’t indulge in such hateful diatribes and diminish a legitimate debate.
Wow…you people are on a roll this week.
Dude, please back up your rhetoric with examples…facts, screenshots…anything.
“Hateful diatribes”? Where? When?
No bro – better if you say you don’t like what I say but have no meaningful counter argument. Therefore the easy way out is to label Whodatis as “hateful”.
We have already determined that CNS is now Cayman’s version of “New Nation” so you are in good company.
Lol, ah boy. You guys are awesome!
– Who
Bigger buddy boy. Think bigger. Cmon, you can do it. Just let your ego off for a day.
Hopefully he does stop talking or get someone to write his material…first the unscripted interview for Britains Trillion Pound Paradise where he didn’t seem know the legitimate function of our financial industry and now this… If you thought looking for work was discouraging and depressing before every employer knew his policy…well save yourself the humiliation of even trying now…well done Alden!
To 5:15 pm, you are being naive if you don’t think Alden’s script is deliberate. All the expats who have gotten Cayman Status during his tenure who need these permits to bring in friends & family make up one of the largest voting blocks in Cayman now. Who do you think Alden cares about? Only those who will vote for him.
Curious. How many people have gotten status under him. I don’t know if you remember but back when I got rolled over he was known as the anti expat bossman while that lovable scoundrel macb. was the expat’s friend.
You’ve lost your Eden. Time to adjust.
P.S.
(The forbidden fruit was other people’s money)
On a side note, Michael Ryan has been known to write some pretty good copy for one of Cayman’s most beloved elected officials.
@5:15, Speaking of material writing, you might want to use the same person you recommend Aldin use to write your own material, dumb ass! I know you won’t pick up your error so I recommend you read your “whatever that is” a few hundred times or have a child point it out to you.
There must be a nicer way to say that.
It is crucial that we distinguish between work permits and permanent residency.
There is not a country in the western hemisphere today that compares to our levels of immigration or that could criticise us for wanting to safeguard the future and welfare of our local people.
Just like everywhere else, it all comes down to a matter of national security.
– Whodatis
*I welcome all feedback, positive or otherwise.
However, kindly include country of origin and respective population percentage growth by way of immigration in the last 20 years.
Lastly, feel free to list names of fastest growing political parties / organisations in said countries.
(The ad hominem attacks are sure to be stellar on this one …)
Popcorn ready.
Wha dad mean?
I believe you have stated on this site that one or more of your parents came here on work permits.
Think about how you came to be Caymanian. Why shouldn’t others get the same opportunity?
Most people would be happy with a defined procedure fairly applied. The PPM is storing up a disaster for everyone by not having the courage to deal with the current situation.
So, are you really going to try to circumvent the crux of my argument which is the incomparable rate of immigration into the Cayman Islands?
Your reply basically suggests that EVERYONE in the world deserves an “opportunity” to become a Caymanian!
I think not.
Try that argument with the typical American, Australian or Brit today (nations that consist of 10’s and 100’s of millions of people) and let me know who it ends for you. Furthermore, those countries are currently fighting to keep desperate and life-risking refugee men, women and children out of their borders – so please, miss me with the hypocrisy and double-standards. Thank you.
– Whodatis
*Btw, you neglected to add the requested information as outlined in my original post. However, it goes without saying why this was the case.
The one constant in migration is that the most recent arrivals are always the first to demand that the drawbridge be pulled up.
Bite me please. USA. Google it
Someone clearly failed their Reading Comprehension classes in primary school.
– Whodatis
Oh sorrow. Did I neglect to include a response to one of your demands?
PS. Always nice to see your nasty side. Keep up the good work. Somewhere in hell there is a nun with a broken heart over her star reading comprehension student of 1965.
Umm..actually, I was referring to the following;
“There is not a country in the western hemisphere today that compares to our levels of immigration or that could criticise us for wanting to safeguard the future and welfare of our local people.”
You offered up the USA.
Therefore, one can safely conclude that you failed to understand what is being discussed.
E.g. I am an 80’s baby and I have witnessed the population of the Cayman Islands double in my lifetime. There is not an American, Brit, French, German etc that can say the same.
Nevertheless the far-right is alive and kicking stronger than ever in all of the aforementioned countries.
– Whodatis
Your point being…. the usual? You may be bad but you’re not the worst so absolution for you. Way to go way to go
A classic case of ‘tragedy of the commons’
USA. Google it.
Every country in the Western Hemisphere has been populated by inward immigration. They got over their xenophobic fears a long time ago and moved forward.
Get a clue Who.
Are you including the country that just had one of its female elected members of Parliament brutally shot and hacked to death on the street in the glorious name of xenophobia?
I do believe the assassin screamed “Britain First” as he executed his target. I am not sure though – but do enlighten the rest of us.
Further to your claims, the meteoric rise of the EDL, BNP, UKIP, BF etc are all clear evidence thereof.
gtfoh
– Whodatis
Your words and intellect are your prison. THINK BIGGER.
Whilst the murderer of Jo Cox MP was clearly influenced by racist dialogue, literature and propaganda, he was also treated for severe mental illness. He is no more representative of British politics or her people than an IS inspired jihadist, both have hate in common. Do you see how this is going?
But don’t let the facts get in the way of further xenophobic hate, because the road that you and your schoolyard politicians are on amounts to the same hatred that led to this poor women’s death.
There is no excuse for hate, not from you or any of your nationalistic, facist, deadhead followers.
And for your myopic views on policy parties in UK politics, these right wing groups, (with the exception of UKIP) are openly neo-nazi in their ‘world vision’. They are not representative of anymore than a few thousand morons who think they are the master race. UKIP is a mainstream political party with several million voters and whilst they may not be to everyone’s taste, they do hold legitimate concerns in regard to the EU and the open doors policy of the Schengen Agreement. But then again so does every country in the EU, with immigration becoming a hot topic of debate amongst those who feel that the migration of millions of predominantly young men into Europe will lead to the destabilising of existing societies, religions and cultures. This is legitimate concern, not bigotry or racism, do not confuse the two.
Germany has taken in over one million refugees and Sweden has got so many single male immigrants it is causing serious criminal imbalance against its female citizens. The U.K. is running the highest immigration net migration figures in history and Greece and Italy are literally struggling to maintain border and internal security.
So stop whining about a compatible few who are already employed but want to change, or are just plain unemployable for varying different reasons, including being bone idle.
Your entire economical model is built on immigration, you cannot function without it, but you are welcome to try. Go on, press for independence, stop WP applications, go for the big one!
You won’t and you know you can’t, but if you have a sensible and cohesive plan for Cayman without expats and from under the Union Flag, please don’t be shy, share it now, come on know all, let’s see what you have.
Don’t challenge others if you don’t have an alternative plan, it just makes you look impotent and stupid.
Very well said, and thank you!
Please stop. Who’s employer has enough productivity issues to deal with without you keeping him occupied all day.
11:44 – RIGHT ON! Who needs to be put in his place after a comment like that. Shameful
Oh dear.
I really have worked you up huh?
It is what it is buddy.
However, interesting how almost every time a White person commits an act of terror it is rarely categorised as such AND the perp is swiftly dismissed as mentally unstable.
I guess Brown Muslims, British or otherwise, that commit similar acts cannot be mentally unstable eh?
Ah boy.
Anyway, I was expecting this (well-supported) dramatic shifting of goalposts as it is standard procedure when dealing with certain groups of people.
Fact remains, there are hardly any regions currently as officially / democratically xenophobic as Britain and the European Union right now.
I’m done. As you all were. Continue to spew your baseless bile of deflection and denial.
– Whodatis
Try South Africa, Zimbabwe, and the USA under your boy Trump.
BTW re;
“those who feel that the migration of millions of predominantly young men into Europe will lead to the destabilising of existing societies, religions and cultures. This is legitimate concern, not bigotry or racism, do not confuse the two.”
Have you been watching the ongoing Euro 2016 Football Championship? Have you taken note of the surnames, skin colors and backgrounds of the MAJORITY of the athletes??
Zuss kryste..the political reality in that region shouts volumes.
You just can’t take it when an outsider is able to frame accordingly.
-Who
But Cayman is not a real country. So you are making a false comparison. And in answer to your question, British Antarctic Territory, 100% and it is bloody cold.
UK net immigration was 300,000 last year. You cannot compare Cayman to a country with 65,000,000 people, as much as you would like to. First UK has a greater population of talent to employ from and second it still lets in 300,000 people in to work. Cayman does not have those choices and schooling to prepare Caymanians for the jobs that are here is totally inadequate.
Interesting.
However, when it comes to “crime rates”, prisoner per capita, and any other negative statistic Cayman is clearly eligible for comparison to other countries as far as the CNS regulars are concerned.
gtfoh.
You people are sick and twisted. Self-serving to the very end.
– Whodatis
Bigger Einstein, bigger.
Ah, the hater still hates. And you try to use the murderer of an MP as an example for your twisted hatred of the U.K.
You are no different, the hatred you spew is no different to the hatred that encouraged a mentally unstable idiot to kill in the name of anti immigration and anti foreigner ideology.
I would bet good money that like the moron who gunned down 49 innocent clubbers in Orlando, that you suppress your real pathological hatred of the U.K. because you are confused and alone in your angry world of envy.
He was a hateful man who openly denounced gays, yet frequented their clubs and even had apparent gay relationships. You are no different, you just assassinate those you want to be like in vile rhetoric instead of bullets.
Hate is hate my man, no matter where or how it manifests itself.
1.) I hate no one or any group of people.
2.) My criticisms of “the UK” has always been limited to its government and the power structure that exists as it concerns the Cayman Islands.
(Some countries even hold referenda as as aspect of internal criticism …imagine that!) 😉
3.) Interesting how you and your friends can find “hate” in the words of Whodatis yet fail to find the same in the daily uttering by you and your friends on this very forum.
4. Miss me with the bullshit. Please. Thank you.
– Who
Re: “Hate is hate my man, no matter where or how it manifests itself.”
Ain’t that the truth.
Get the unemployed Caymanians work in the hospitality industry and reduce the number of permits there. Oh no the job is not good enough for them! There are enough jobs for all people on this island – some people just don’t want to work. I may have a good job now but I had to do my share of jobs from packing shelves in a grocery store to serving drinks in a bar to working in entry level jobs! Stop this ridiculous entitlement culture and expectation.
Nail on head. You can’t give some one what they don’t want. If they want it, they will go after it.
You do realize that it was not that long ago that Caymanians filled all of the service jobs in the hospitality industry don’t you? Perhaps you are a recent arrival.
I started as a front desk clerk and worked my way up through every department in a hotel until I became a General Manager.
Today when there is an ad for a General Manager in the papers I send in a resume, in the 40% of instances I do not get short listed, and in the other 58% of the cases a work permit renewal is issues during the interview process as the advert is only placed at the last minute to allow the 2 weeks that is required by law and the interview and selection process takes several months. In 2% of the cases I was offered the job and I work as a General Manager in Tourism now, however, I understand the frustration of others who find the same barriers.
Life is not always easy in the real world.
You weren’t qualified enough or else you would have gotten the job…. by law. Maybe find out when a vacancy is going to happen so you can position yourself to be the first in line for it. Be proactive and things will come your way.
Oh, and you know how well they enforce the law here. Keep plugging away. Life is good
Really, I must have missed that in the last 30 years. Then please explain the massive rise in population since the 1960’s/70’s alongside the growth in tourism and the service sector.
If your assertion holds any truth at all, (and I doubt from a long experience that it does) then when did these Caymanians decide that they would abrogate their service sector workload and experience onto work permit holders.
Was it because they decided that Jamaicans or Hondurans, perhaps Philipinos and Indians were better suited to menial labour and that Caymanians were far to superior to work in the service industry?
If you had been here for 30 years you would know the answer to your question.
When hotels like the Royal Palms, the West Indian Club, the Coral Caymanian and the Holiday Inn, all of which were staffed predominantly by Caymanians in the service side, were closed down and all the Caymanians laid off with a promise to rehire them.
The replacements, like the Ritz Carlton, brought in their cooperate management structure and drawing form their overseas experience, applied for work permits for their colleagues from abroad.
Hundreds of qualified and trained Caymanians in the service industry had to retool and reskill themselves for other non-service jobs in order to survive. Because of this management culture, these jobs are now filled with work permit holders as a first choice and young Caymanians who want to break in to the Hotel industry, at the bottom, and work their way up like I did, are passed over for more experienced and higher qualified expat applicants, not because the entry level job demands these this higher qualifications, but because management has a preference for non Caymanian workers, based on the falsehood that all Caymanians are lazy and not hard working.
There will always be a more qualified person in the world workforce than a Caymanian, no matter what the job description is. This is precisely why there needs to be some affirmative action for those young hard working Caymanians who are trying to break into the work force and sadly, our immigration and elected leadership is failing in that regard.
I have a hard time believing that hard working Caymanians are overlooked for jobs. In my experience it’s always the ones that aren’t as hard working as they think they are making these statements.
Why create more rules and guidelines? Get back to basics and follow the laws set forth originally. If there is a Caymanian applicant, they should be hired over the permit holder. You cant tell me a foreign worker can flip burgers or fill a drink cup any better than a local candidate.(How many locals do you see in service positions? Thats another story for another day) Government should lead by example. How can they hire a person who has had their rights to work REVOKED by the Immigration board? How many “marriages of convenience or government contract spouse workers are out there working that don’t belong there? How can you expect any of the Labor programs to work if the LEADERS? at the top continue to employ the same people whose rights to work were revoked? The Beauty of the Cayman Islands, its all who you know.
That is the reason why foreign nationals do these jobs….the Caymanians don’t want them. Get with the program!
Or the employer doesn’t want to deal with the inconvenience of an employee who may not show up one day, or could leave for a “better” job in 3 months after they are trained up…
Your idea would drive employers mad.
I don’t think the Premier needs to say anything further. We now have it from the horses mouth, and that is that the Premier and his government does not care about Caymanians. I know that we will still need foreign labour but surely they could hold back on issuing some permits each year so that some ready to work Caymanians could gain employment. He should have a plan in place to fill some of these posts with qualified Caymanians. This, is disgraceful and shameful and I can see no just reason to re- elect them next year. He didn’t even say that he “understands the situation and will try to do something about it” If they cannot open up the program to allowed those who are qualified and able to work to get an opportunity then as Arden always say ” they are not fit for purpose” I have never heard any leader of a country in the free world spout such rubbish, this is mind- boggling. I know some of our people will not work, but what about those of us who have associates, bachelor and masters degrees out their -( numbers were listed out yesterday in the L.A) Why not try to get them hired.? I believe that this government is systematically doing all they can to prevent the hiring of our people, first by screwing up the public education system by withholding the funds needed to fund the schools thereby enabling the pass- over of some our pupils for worthwhile jobs. They might as well disband the NWDA because they cannot even capture the relevant information to identify the disconnect between them and immigration. It is worse than I thought and beyond comprehension.
oh dear-Caynomics-he did not say he did not care about Caymanians, but he does get that the stronger the economic activity and the more expats there are, then more employment chances for Caymanians. What I don’t like is that we really need to know who is on the unemployment list and why, and those that need training to be employed should be trained, and those that don’t want it just need to be recognized as that. Those that just believe they are entitled to a job need special training, because they will not fit in anywhere, in either a foreign or local business.In addition, schools must teach the skills needed in finance and tourism, as well as the trades so that future kids have a chance with relevant diplomas be it in accounting, finance, audit, plumbing, brick laying and also taught that being Caymanian is not a qualification (as is the same for English, US Irish whatever) but getting the job done properly, on time and in budget is.
govts. Motive?
I don’t have an issue with work permits given but only if the proper processes are being followed, which includes an honest reflection of the position, benefits and desired qualifications in the published ad, and not some tailor suited ad to an already identified person with a completely unrealistic low-balled salary/wage.
Also, work permits should not be given out like hot cakes on a “temporary” basis being renewed on a “temporary” basis every 6months which is clearly done to circumvent the law. Check the Temp Agency’s and see how many “temporary” permits they hold and how often they have been renewed….
Of course they hold “temporary” work permits (all work permits are, by their nature, “temporary”, but that’s another issue) – the jobs are temporary. An agency isn’t going to pay for a one year WP to cover an 8-week assignment.
The WP is allocated to the agency, not the end client, so one 3-month permit could (and often does) cover more than one temp assignment for different clients (and it could be renewed repeatedly, if the temp is lucky enough to pick up lots of different assignments). It’s not “clearly done to circumvent the law” – it’s actually just the nature of temping
The nature of “temping” is flawed. There are no controls in place and this must stop! People are being brought to the Island through those Temp Agencies without them actually having a job for them. Temp Agencies should bare the full risk if they chose to bring them in fullstop! Either they are employable and there is a demand for them or not. As I said, it would be interesting to see some stats as to how many “temporary” work permits (which are granted without going through the full review process) are held by these Temp Agencies.
And…….those Temp Agencies are robbing the employee and employer blind, offering the worst benefits ever. Shitty health care coverage and bare minimum vacation leave. Most of the time they don’t even bother to send resumes across which are applicable to a certain position and instead just randomly send across anything and everything they have on file. Why on earth they are allowed to make a killing by taking advantage of (or abusing) the system is beyond me….
I guess you understand why firms use them. They must prefer to deal with those racketeers and pay eye watering fees than deal with immigration.
well said alden….
work permits are given because there is no local to do the job……
what the hell has this got to do with caymanian unemployment???
How did you get that out of the article? Bet you’re one of those “you are lucky to have me here” permit holders.
Build a vocational and technical school and so much of the Caymanian unemployment will be sucked up and not so many work permits will have to be given out.
Alden I can’t wait until you get rolled over!
Who ya gonna elect. Status grant mcBushface?
Premier Alden McLaughlin has told opposition members that their idea of refusing work permits to create opportunities for Caymanians is “completely fallacious” and said it would have “disastrous consequences” for the country. Of course it would, it will put too many Caymanians back to work. We are now a minority in our own country!! This was one of the plans set in place by our elected members long ago. We have to depend on hand outs from government, so that they can say “look what we have done for you over the years”, when election time comes around. It is a guaranteed way to get reelected, that is what politicians are all about!!
Now to get even more serious, the revenue that is collected from the work permits cannot, let me emphasize again, cannot be stopped. This is the second biggest revenue earner for the government!! They make approximately 90+ million dollars a year from work permits, now which government would be so stupid to stop this? The amount of money that is sent off Islands, by way of money transfer companies are staggering!! The last time I read it was approximately 140 million dollars per year!! These permit holders are not interested in spending too much money locally, they are sending it back home to construct or development their homeland!!
Please my people, let us stand up and fight for what little we have left!! There is still a lot of decent Caymanians out there, let us not lower ourselves to politicians handouts for votes!! Let us all see the games they are playing and be a lot smarter than them. Let us get employment, let us be entrepreneurs, let us work hard to accomplish what everyone else is coming here to get. Most importantly, let us take back what we have worked so hard to accomplish: to be honest, hardworking, trusting citizens of these Islands!! That is what we were known for and by God’s help, we will again see the promised land!!!
So you begrudge expats sending money home
1) you don’t want them here, so why would they want to invest here,
2) many do not earn enough to bring their family here. So they send money to enable their children to eat, and you appear to hate that. Very unchristian.
And why does no one ever talk about the 90% of Caymanians in jobs.
May be instead of complaining about every one else you should look in a mirror and say why won’t companies employ me, when 90% of my fellow Caymanians have jobs. Ever thought the problem is you.
Try some self reflection
Ok, I will try some self reflection anonymous 2:10 pm.
I was born on Grand Cayman, to two lovely parents. When I was growing up I was thought respect, honesty, to be helpful and caring for others. I went to a private school in Grand Cayman, got an excellent education. I then went to college where I got a degree in accounting. I did all of this without having a wealthy family, they were hard working parents!! I then got employed in the hospitality industry, where i got promoted quite rapidly, due to the fact that I was honest, hard working and was fair to everyone. I worked for a number of years, then started my own business, which is very successful today.
I do not need to look at myself and wonder why no one wants to hire me, I DO NOT NEED HIRING!! I just look at the other younger people who have had injustice done to them because of leaders like our Premier, who would rather have foreigners employed over our unemployed younger generation!! And before you say they are unemployable, please stop using that as an excuse, we have a lot of employable young people, but due to the revenue collected from work permits, foreigners are given priority over them!!! I have no problem with foreigners being employed here, but we have to be fair and give our people a level playing field also!!! I have no problem with people sending money home for their kids to eat, but you stop being unfair, the money is sent for a lot more than food!! If that money was earned by Caymanians, it would stay on Island and we would have a more stable economy. How can 140 million dollars a year sent off Island, be beneficial to Cayman? If they would invest here, that would be fine, the problem is they are not investing here!! They only come to work here and send everything home to invest there. Maybe I hit a nerve and it is hurting now, but the truth is the truth. However, I do thank you for your response as this is an open comment line, and thanking you to respond.
Your points are valid but you must accept peoples’ priorities are likely to be to their family and to secure their future first.
Everyone currently on a work permit has the uncertainty of the PR system to navigate, many will be aware that is unattainable regardless.
I don’t understand why people in those circumstances, possibly with young families back home, should be criticized for preferring to send money home rather than invest in Cayman.
Sunrise you should be premier. It’s simple economics. However, the issue lays that government would miss out on the $90 million in revenue if caymanians are employed. What a sad state of affairs this country has come to, robbing Peter to pay Paul. In other countries like cayman Paul is well considered over Peter and Paul would damn well make certain that would be the case. But we too passive and for this our government pull the wool over our eyes and many more caymanians will be placed on social services based on government’s fallacious comments.
There are not enough Caymanians to be employed here currently!
@Sunrise.How many Caymanians do you employ? How many work permit holders do you employ?
Sorry, I am just getting back to you Big Brown, I was busy working!! I currently have approximately 10 employees, all Caymanians. I have never had a work permit for my business, I do apologize to you for that, but never found the need to. There are a lot of hard working Caymanians out there, we should try hiring some instead of just criticising them.
anonymous 2:10pm’s comment wasn’t directed at you Sunrise – it was directed at the unemployed members of the Caymanian population. It was just a reminder that people should be looking at themselves and asking the question of what can I change to make myself more attractive to employers.
While government does, obviously, gain quite a bit of revenue from work permit fees, individual companies are effectively paying more for expat workers than they would for Caymanian. So from most business owner’s perspective, it would be a bad business decision to hire an expat who will end up costing the business more than a Caymanian if there is a Caymanian who is actually qualified to perform the duties of the post.
And remember that the first step is the employer conducting a hiring process and requesting a work permit. The government doesn’t go to employers and say – “you need to hire some expats so we can increase government revenues”. The employer goes to the government and says – “I wasn’t able to find a suitably qualified Caymanian, so I need a work permit for an expat”.
If the government put a moratorium on work permits, and if businesses cannot find qualified local Caymanians (as evidence seems to show they cannot given the number of work permit requests) then the business will suffer and possibly fail – reducing the overall economy and number of jobs.
This is a complicated issue with a lot of aspects to it and, as with many things, the “emotionally satisfying” solution or route is often the wrong one to take in the long run.
Given these facts about the process, I am not sure what the “injustice” you mentioned might be, unless it is not being stricter on ensuring successful education levels in schools for young Caymanians. Persons with literacy and numeracy issues need training, not an automatic job.
are u single ? I need a good strong working wife like you
Is it any wonder that nobody wants to invest or keep their money here when you have politicians saying that there should be no path to status any more? You can’t have it both ways bobo.
True dat!
Really just get the lazy asses out of bed and to work!
So effectively with the exception of the fee payment requirement, Premier-do-little has, in his incredible wisdom, decided to do away with the immigration laws and regulations that were developed over years by much smarter people. Is that even legal? So why continue to make employers go through the process of advertising? You’ve sacrificed the unemployed….hope your in that position next term.
The knuckle draggers are stuck in a zero-sum world. Well done in putting them in their place.
The pie is constant. The pie does not grow. There is only one pie size. Ezzy knows about pies.
I like pie