Politics
CIG still dodging CI$2.2B CS retirees healthcare liability
(CNS): At a Public Accounts Committee meeting on Thursday, senior officials once again dodged questions on how and when the Cayman Islands Government proposes to place its liability for the future healthcare needs of retired civil servants squarely on its books. This financial liability is currently only included in supporting notes that form part of […]
Redacted report reveals little to justify subsea cable
(CNS): The Cayman Islands Government has released a heavily redacted outline business case, compiled by consultants Grant Thornton, on the government’s plans for a new telecommunications submarine cable. Key details have all been omitted, such as costs (estimated to be in the tens of millions of dollars), its length and where it will be linked […]
Cayman’s GDP grew by 3.6% in the first half of 2023
(CNS): According to the Cayman Islands Semi-Annual Economic Report 2023 by the Economics and Statistics Office, the gross domestic product grew by an estimated 3.6% in the first half of last year. However, with inflation running at around 5.3% during the same six-month period, few people benefitted from the expanding economy. The weighted average lending […]
Inflation begins to slow but averaged 3.8% in 2023
(CNS): The cost of living rose by an average of 3.8% last year compared with 2022, the Economics and Statistics Office confirmed after releasing its Consumer Price Index Report for 2023 this week. While inflation slowed last year, particularly during the last quarter, the rise in the CPI followed the 9.5% average increase during the […]
Bryan tries on deputy premier ‘hat’ for one week
(CNS): Tourism Minister Kenneth Bryan has been appointed to act as deputy premier for seven days, from Wednesday, 13 March, as part of “an effort to foster leadership development and provide valuable experience to members of the Cabinet”, Premier Juliana O’Connor-Connolly said in a government press release. This temporary appointment will give Bryan a chance […]
Civil servants to get more time with newborns
(CNS): New mothers who work for the civil service will in future enjoy an additional four weeks of maternity leave, up from 90 working days to 110, with an increase in the paid portion from 30 working days on normal pay to 60 days. New fathers will now get 20 working days of paternity leave, […]
CAL needs realistic budget to cover losses, says OAG
(CNS): Between 2018 and 2022, the Cayman Islands Government gave Cayman Airways Limited more than $152.5 million in funding, but each year the money was not enough to cover expenses. Over the same period, it received almost $24 million in supplementary appropriations after total losses of $34 million due to unrealistic budgeting. A new report […]
Members reappointed to Labour Appeals Tribunal
(CNS): Robert Jones, one of several members who have all been reappointed to the Labour Appeals Tribunal (LAT), has taken up the chairmanship after serving previously as the deputy. Trisha McElroy and Ryan Charles have been appointed as deputies, while Isidora Eden, Dorthy Davis, Garth Clarke, Betty Baraud, Richard Lewis and Janet James have all […]
Data suggests Cayman can sustain $10 minimum wage
(CNS): Pressure from the business community led the Minimum Wage Advisory Committee (MWAC) to recommend an increase to the national basic pay of just CI$2.75 per hour, rising from the current meagre CI$6 to $8.75 per hour, even though their research and data from the Economics and Statistics Office indicated that businesses could manage an […]
CIG asks public to review $8.75/hour basic pay
(CNS): The Cayman Islands Government is seeking public comment on the Minimum Wage Advisory Committee’s long-awaited report, made public this week, and the recommendation to implement a new basic national minimum wage of just CI$8.75. No one from the elected arm of government has indicated whether or not the MWAC’s recommendations will be accepted and […]