Over sixty Caymanians get work on first Dart job

| 15/09/2011

(CNS): Local construction firm Island Builders has won one of the first contracts in the projects on offer forming part of the For Cayman Alliance, a deal between government and Dart. The demolition works currently going ahead to strip the former Courtyard Marriot in preparation redevelopment of a new four/five-star hotel on the site is being down by more than sixty local workers.  Dart Enterprise Contracting Company (DECCO) hired the local firm owned by Dean and Jennifer Scott who say people have been turning up to the site on a daily basis looking for work.

“As a Caymanian and an employer, I have never seen it this bad in terms of the volume of people looking for work,” Dean Scott said. “Time is of the essence; works are needed immediately and the numerous jobs created by this ForCayman Investment Alliance project will provide overwhelming relief to many people.”

Established in 1996, Island Builders previously worked with Dart on the construction of Camana Bay’s Arts & Recreation Centre and the firm is also working on the emergency shelter in Cayman Brac, known as “Hurricane Hilton.”

The premier who has stated on several occasions that the deal will help kick start the economy and get people back to work said that the alliance would create wealth and jobs.

“At the core of the ForCayman Investment Alliance is my government’s belief that the best strategy for achieving sustainable growth in the Cayman Islands’ economy is to encourage the private sector to do what it does best, create wealth and generate jobs,” Bush said. “The work currently taking place at the former Courtyard by Marriott is an example of this strategy in action. Over 60 Caymanians have work because a local company won the contract for demolition works.

“ForCayman will generate many more projects, which in turn will generate many more jobs. This work at the hotel is just the beginning and my government will continue to push forward with its negotiations so that our whole country can benefit, in one form or another, from this visionary alliance,” he added.

Jackie Doak, Chief Operating Officer of Dart Realty said this was the first of many contracts that will be awarded to local businesses for the redevelopment of the hotel. “Once we have determined the brand affiliation, service amenities and final design attributes, we will be in a position to move forward.”

Dart also said that Island Waste Carriers have been awarded the contract to remove the waste and MEPCO for temporary site electrics.

The redevelopment of this former Courtyard Marriot is part of a deal which has raised controversy as it will include a major swap of crown land and the closing of the West Bay Road. Dart has offered the government land in the Barkers area and West Bay, to finance and construct the Esterly Tibbetts highway to Batabano in West Bay, the enhancement of the existing Seven Mile public beach and a second public beach North of the new resort development in exchange for the 2000 foot stretch of West Bay Road land which will turn the developer’s plan project into a beachfront resort.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Category: Local Business

About the Author ()

Comments (50)

Trackback URL | Comments RSS Feed

  1. Anonymous says:

    I see where Dart looking for someone with familarity with blogs and social networks.  I suppose they growing a posse of internet persons to slap down every comment from a Native Caymanian trying to defend their rights in their country.

    I agree with some posters about the 60 Caymanians wth jobs.  There are some 2000+ unemployed.  The Dart Group is so FORCAYMAN, why havent' they hired the rest of them.  Because as it stands there are a large number of work permit applications currently getting processed for that project and others.  So far from where I stand there are only a handful of Mckeeva's friends and associates that are out of work getting jobs.  

    The rest of the list of unemployed persons sits catching dust at the DER.

    Mckeeva is only interested in recruiting those that will say YES to him.   It is so blatantly clear that this is the case.  

    I know that if we are looking to encourage inward investment, we certainly going about it all wrong, because if Dart thinks that people will come to his hotel with all that controversy surrounding it, especially when we can stand in the water in front of his hotelwith protest signs and we don't need the Police to give us permission to do so. 

    We plan to be there often in the future.  

  2. common sense says:

    Once again the iggnorance of "caymanian people" rears its ugly head. EVERYONE and I mean EVERYONE in Cayman came from somewhere!!! Because I am only second generation Caymanian and my parents came here when they were young. Than my brothers and sisters where born here are we less caymanian? Of course not. Do my parents say they are american more than Caymanian because they were born there? they have lived here alsomst 55 years. My siblings and I have never lived anywhere else outside of when we went to school. Get a grip and do something good for the island instead of talking about what "paper caymanians" have taken from you.

    On another note there are not even 60 employees at the marriot. at last count there are 17 people working there on the demo and it gos down daily as the work winds down. It was a five week project for this phase. All the Caymanians to work crap is to lessen the blow on what people think of dart. 

  3. Anonymous says:

    woo hoo!!!!  Big effin woop tee doo!!!!  So far no response on hpow many work permits in there too!!!!!  Bring it on!!!!

  4. Anonymous says:

    I have to differ on the subject of Caymanian.  There is a BIG difference between most generational Caymanians, born here or not, and many paper Caymanians as should be expected.   One big difference being Caymanians are not "cliquish" like many residents here .  Another being that Caymanians have always been loving, caring, sharing people who have given opportunities to many only to be kicked in the ass as is prevalent today and you wonder why there is dischord????  You cannot possibly consider to be true Caymanian someone who has been given status who never even landed in Cayman!!!!  Accept it or not there is a difference just like if i moved to the Germany right now and got status I am NOT GERMAN.

    • Anonymous says:

      Actually that’s why it’s called status, stupid. While I agree that most Caymanians are warm and genuine persons, many have an underlying despise for expatriates. This is why many young Caymanians have the attitude that they are better than others and have a mentality of entitlement. Cut the crap. A “paper” Caymanian should be regarded in the same light as one who earns citizenship to the USA. they pass the required guidelines set out by the government and as such… TAKE WHAT YOU GET! or change the laws.

    • Anonymous says:

      Caymanians are not different from people of any other nationality — they are a predictably mixed bag.   Many Caymanians are loving, caring, sharing people; some are not.  Some Caymanians are not "cliquish", but others are.  And the truth is that by and large, Caymanians have not "given" anyone opportunities; rather, the international businesses who have set up shop here as a result of an encouraging regulatory environment have given us all, Caymanians and expats alike, our opportunities.  It is a symbiotic relationship and one we all benefit from — or at least one we *could* all benefit from if we valued it properly and nurtured it well.

       

      You might be right about Germany, I don't know, but many countries do accept new immigrants as citizens, and bar the odd racist here and there, are happy to have them as countrymen.  Amongst my parents' close group of friends, for example, are families originating from Ireland, England, Scotland, Germany, Trinidad, Norway and Italy.  They all think of themselves as Canadians now, and so do we, without question. Their heritage is something we celebrate and admire, but they are Canadian because they have chosen to be.  (They don't all like poutine, hockey and snow, but we don't think any less of them for that…)  Are there closed-minded Canadians who still complain about "boat people?"  Of course there are some…but the rest of us refuse to feed the trolls.

      The world is a mosaic now.  Cayman will not prosper in a modern economy if a majority of Caymanians insist on such a narrow definition of citizenship.  However you feel about it, though,choosing to value the immigrants you already have certainly couldn't hurt.

    • Anonymous says:

      My mother is German – I have never lived in Germany – if I move there what would I be – German? or am I still a Caymanian.

  5. Anonymous says:

    Over sixty Caymanians …. – I thought the retirement age was 60 – good going Dart, I'm all for senior citizens gettin employment !

    hahahahhaha

    • Anonymous says:

      The Premier needs to amend the law to have the retirement age changed to 65. Too many willing, healthy and able Caymanians are being pushed out of their jobs at 60 and being replaced with permit holders. The next person I vote for must have the political will to deal with this pressing issue,

  6. Anonymous says:

    Anyone know a Caymanian-owned company that actually employs more than a few token Caymanians?

    Most seem to prefer Hondurans, Filipinos, Jamaicans, Brits, Americans, Australians, South Africans or pretty much anyone who is on a work permit. I'm not knocking that because it makes commercial sense but it also makes nonsense of any claim that DART is creating local employment.

     

    • Anonymous says:

      It’s not Dart’s fault that they don’t want to work. A business can only create jobs. People need to (a) learn skills to do the jobs, (b) show up to ask for the job, (c) keep showing up consistently and on time, and (d) actually do the work required, as opposed to gabbing on the cell phone and texting your pals and generally goofing off during work hours. Watch those “few token Caymanians” who are showing good work ethics, see how actual work is done, and you might learn a useful tool.

      Does that help you understand what’s going on here?

  7. Anonymous says:

    Once Dart hires the  Caymanian contractors, it looks like it's up to the Caymanians to hire Caymanians. Of course you have to go apply and then you have to show up too.

  8. Anonymous says:

    And how many workpermits ?

    • Anonymous says:

      To the posters of like minded thinking:

      So what if its 200 or 300?  WHO CARES!!!!!!

      That's only more inward income into this economy!!!!  Dart employeeys are going to be local "spenders and consumers".  Look at who Dart hires.

      What's the logic here!?  Don't hire the 60 Caymanians so long as the foreigner don't get any work permit?

      What if say you could have 100% Caymanian middle to high income employment if the cost is 10,000 work permits.  What's the answer supposed to be NO!?  because that's too many work permits??  That's just sheer unadulterated stupidity, beyond comprehension.  that can only be driven by pure illogical emotions.

      This is the same kind of ugly emotional reasoning that want to tax the "rich", take from those who have earned, take from the foreigner, take from the guy that has a bigger house than me or better job than me.   This type of thinking is not limited to nationality.  Its always about As long as THEY aren't getting it, because I feel I'm not gonna get it.

      Denying work permits or taking something from the other guy won't get these people 1 BIT OF SUCESS, MONEY OR OTHERWISE BUT… As long as "they ain't getting nuttin.  I'm Happy"  As long as they getting taxed…. I'm happy."

       

       

      • Anonymous says:

        The point is that the expats in this kind of work do NOT spend there earnings here, it goes overseas.

        Therefor the economy is being drained from capital.

        Middle and high income expats are here to enjoy themselves and DO contribute to the local economy.

         

  9. Anonymous says:

    The question is, are they born caymanians or status holders?

    • Natalia says:

      Does it realy matter? Can't you put your biggotory behind you for one minute? 

    • Anonymous says:

      The rest of us can't ell the difference. Maybe you should make the paper ones wear yellow stars so we'll know who they are.

      • Anonymous says:

        or maybe you could put a mark on their forehead… a number perhaps.

      • Anonymous says:

        Want to know who they are, listen to them speak about Caymanians when they think no one is listening or watch how they treat Caymanians on the job compared to thier own real nationality.

        The bias is there whether we as born Caymanians want to acknowledge it or not! A paper caymanian will never truly be the same no matter how hard he tries to convince us.

        He is only a Paper Convenient Caymanian (PCC), that's all and only has the status so he can go on working and treating real Caymanians like slaves. 

        Dont know why immigration don't discern the two by calling one a PCC and that would eliminate all the fuss of knowing who is who.

    • Anonymous says:

      Seriously?!?! Who gives a sh*t?

      Whether one is born here or earned the right to be Caymanian, he is still CAYMANIAN.

      Moron!

      • Anonymous says:

        You would be right if many of the status recipients had earned it. Regrettably many did not. A broken and corrupt system gave it to so many that it has undermined the credibility of many who did earn it.

      • Anonymous says:

        Like I said, it is easy to speak words that evoke emotions; but only done so to give the impression of "we care for one another and why can't we all get along". When in truth they are just spoken for the sake of being said. Your comment is proof of that!!!

        Thats the way it is everyywhere in the world!!!! It just sucks being on the side of the population that is the "new commer" and not having the ability to speak as someone from the soil of this country!!

        So naturally, I expect that position to be taken by you.

        I wonder if Cayman was just another poor island and not a place to make money, would there be such a fight by some to stay? Well, it won't be long until this place finds its self in such a position. Then we will see how many want "to be Caymanian" and want to stay.

        • Anon says:

          You make a lot of assumptions, my dear. You assume that I am on the side of the "new comer" and that I am not "from the soil'. That is one heck of an assumption. Perhaps I am a Caymanian who does not share the same biggoted views the masses share.

      • Anonymous says:

        The paper makes him Caymanian, but he still  doesn't have any more loyalty to Cayman and its people. He will still bring his friends in from Canada, England and the US and get permits for them and lie and tell immigration that no Caymanians applied.

        There will always be US and THEM because the majority of THEM are coniving and deceitful when it comes to keeping Caymanians down in their organizations.

    • Anonymous says:

      Idiot.  The key word is Caymanian. There is ZERO difference between a 'born' Caymanian and a status holder.  When the Govt. talks about Caymanians out of work, that is what they are talking about, Caymanians –  ALL of them! Remember everyone here came from somewhere else originally and we have no place here for bigotry or racism.  If you don’t like it, get off my Island.

      • Anonymous says:

        There is a difference between Born and Paper Caymanians!!!!

        Just because someone gets a piece of paper saying they have the right to work and live in a country, free of immigration restriction, does not change the way they view themselves and their relationship with that country. They still love their home country and they don't change that for anyone or anything!!!!. So lets not fool ourselves with this crap of believing that once someone gets Cayman Status they become Caymanians at heart and they live and breath for the Cayman Islands.

        Opportunity is what brought them here, like every where else, not the love for the people.

        Why is it the people who come here get so offended by this? its the truth. Of course only a few will admit that. Instead of hiding behind deceit and pretending that they love Cayman and all that is Cayman.

        All of my Jamaican friends who have status have no problem stating this fact, they are and always will be Jamaican. But, they know that there is an appropriate time to sing "I'm a Caymanian" as well. It's just the nature of man to be that way.

         

        • Anonymous says:

          The only reason there is a difference between a born caymanian and a paper caymanian is because of bigots like YOU.

          You have hit the nail on the head – Jamaicans are proud to be Jamaicans and love their home country no matter where in the world we go and this I am sure can be said for all other nationalities. This is because no matter how long you have been in the place you are always reminded that you are not caymanian and are a second class citizen because you have status. It does not matter how long you have been here in my case 40 years, how much good you have done, you are still reminded on a daily basis by idot caymanians like you that we are not really caymanian.  I say that just to make the point of why foreigners in this country still cling to their homeland because they have really not been given anything here to cling to so patriotically.

          To take a line from the Caymaians back in the 70"s – we are paper Caymanians and we are here to stay.

           

    • Yuri Trash says:

      Status holders tick the token quota box with less risks.

  10. Cow Foot with Rice and peas says:

    Where my job is?

    I applied for a job and I didnt hear no call back. Pshhh. Foolishness.

    Jobs for who? Not for me bobo!

    I go apply at Burger King I guess.

     

    • Anonymous says:

      Good! There is no shame in working at BK. It is honest work.

    • Anonymous says:

      If you're out of work, then why haven't you applied to BK already?

      It seems you're waiting for someone to offer you a job, you haven't even been bothered to apply to?

      Feeling entitled?

      • Cow Foot with rice and peas says:

        Nobody say I was out of work. Be gone with your foolishness. I have a job, part time mind you, but I get the rent pay. I just want to work in my field, and not doing deliveries like I do  now.

        I try to apply in my field which is construction. I'm an electrician too. I have been trying my twig and berries off to get a job in my field. I no feel entitled, but I DO feel neglected.

        Maybe now I do go work at Burger King. Just be sure to avoid my line when you come in bobo, or you be getting something extra in your whopper. And it naw gon' taste good!

         

         

         

        • Anonymous says:

          Just be sure to avoid my line when you come in bobo, or you be getting something extra in your whopper. And it naw gon' taste good!

           

          Caymanian hospitality at its best! Lets have more of this attitude dealing with tourists.

          PS if you are the Caymanian who did my electrics then you already screwed me over, what a shoddy job! Luckily the Filipino that came round to fix it did an awesome job, so he got a great tip to send home to help his wife and kids eat and put a roof over their heads.

          • Cow Foot with rice and peas says:

            It's always the small dog that has the most yappy mouth.

            Trust me, I do some of the best electric work on the island. If I do work, it stays done.

            I'm all for Filipino, Canadian, Jamaican, Cuban or whoever doing work, as long as I get my share too.

            Now come get your whopper while it still hot!

             

             

            • Anonymous says:

              You are why normal Caymanians have a harder time getting work. Everyone is afraid they might be hiring you.

              • Cow Foot with rice and peas says:

                Hiring me would be the best decision they ever make. I'm a great worker. Very skilled.

                Don't judge a book by it's cover bobo. You look the fool.

  11. Anonymous says:

    Please can you state how many work permits holders also and at what ration of positions from Caymanians to foreigners? or will this just be a smokescreen to start.

    • Anonymous says:

      No lack of gratitude here, chump. Go say thank you instead of complaining.

    • Anonymous says:

      Wonder how many permit holders the Caymanian electrical company has that works with Dart? That would be interesting to know. Isn/t the owner the same person who is doing all the negoiations now with Dart?

  12. Anonymous says:

    So there you have it, three Caymanian owned compaines employing Caymanians, which the naysayers would it seems prefer not allow to be gainfully employed. Without projects like these how are there going to be jobs?

    Here is an idea, all those that are against these projects have a whip round and donate so the Caymanians out of work can put food on thier tables, some of the loudest opponents are it seems quite well off, so they can surely afford some charity to their fellow natives right?

    • Anonymous says:

      Am not against the entire Dart projct, just the closing of that portion of the West Bay. Wish we could get that off the table but then, that's what makes this deal so attractive to Dart.

      The Premier andthe UDP will go down in history for clsoing the West Bay road. Wonder how many West Bayers voting UDP this time around. May be he will give way West Bay next.

  13. Anonymous says:

    Its good that they are employing Caymanians but why is it that when you go to any of the numerous private homes being built on the Island you can hardly find a Caymanian. How an this be allowed.  

    • Anonymous says:

      just like everything we have to hold each other accountable. It is too easy to point at the expat but what we should be doing is pulling each other up, this crosses everything from work, to crime to fair wages. If we have a friend who owns a company with no Caymanians, ask why. If we know someone involved in a crime but are scared to talk, find someone we can talk to. If we have a domestic or a gardner we need to be sure we pay them fairly … it all starts at home "BoBo" and we should set the example. Born or Paper alike … our love of country can be seen in our actions and heard in our words.

      • Anonymous says:

        I don't like this term "expat", I think we should switch it to "Alien", legal or not.

        Expat sounds too harsh, hey after all I don't hear any "Aliens" in America complaining about this term being used. Oh wait a minute, AMERICA DOESN'T CARE ABOUT SOME GRIPE OF AN ALIEN. BECAUSE THEIR OPINION IS, IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT THEN GO THE HELL HOME!!!!!!

         

    • Anonymous says:

      What are you talking about?

      My neighborhood is half-Caymanian and the houses are all $1 million +.  Same with the neighborhoods on either side of us.