Public asked for input on future of rollover

| 07/12/2011

immigraiton 33.jpg(CNS): Government officials will be seeking public opinion on Friday when they launch the public consultation period on the ‘rollover’ review in front ofthe Glass House on Elgin Avenue, in George Town. All residents are being asked to contribute their suggestions, comments and opinions to the Term Limit Review Committee’s (TLRC) official report. The opportunity for public feedback on the government’s seven year wok permit limit policy or ‘rollover; as it is commonly known will continue until the end of the year, following Friday’s launch.

The review team will be making media appearances; conducting online public surveys at immigration.gov.ky; opinion-gathering at supermarkets this Saturday; as well as making group presentations in a bid to encourage everyone to have their say on the controversial policy.

This committee was appointed by Cabinet to examine the term limit provision of the Immigration Law following the increasing unpopularity of the policy and its key employee gateway. Government recognised the need to address the problem in the face of increasing complaints from the business community and the belief that it was stifling new investment.

As a result the premier introduced a temporary reprieve for those scheduled to be rolled over in October offering employers the opportunity to apply for a term limit extension period until it decides how it will tackle the thorny problem off encouraging business and avoiding giving residency rights to all permit holders and foreign workers.

The team is now seeking public input to guide the development of recommendations that will be made to government on a replacement or adaptation of the policy. The officials on the committee are trying to find out rollover and the key employee policy effects the society and economy.

“We are making a concerted effort to ensure that all citizens and residents have the opportunity to express their views on term limits,” said TLRC Chairman Sherri Bodden-Cowan.

The controversial policy was first introduced in January 2004 after government granted some 3000 foreign nationals status to satisfy the concerns of the UK owing to the significant numbers of people who were living in Cayman without any formalized status or rights. In an effort regularize foreign workers rights the rollover policy and key employee was introduced as a phased way of leading the more valuable workers towards permanent residency and then status while ensuring others would leave before they became eligible for residency rights.

The first people were rollover in 2006 and a steady number of workers began to get rolled out as employers began to complain of the difficulties it was causing them. As the seventh anniversary of Hurricane Ivan approached the threat of some 5000 workers leaving in a 19 month period loomed and government made the decision to suspend the policy and begin the review.

Concerns or suggestions can be expressed to committee members from 11am to 2 pm on 9 December. Private individuals, companies and non-governmental organizations may also contribute written submissions by 31 December 2011 to: Cayman Term Limit Review Committee, PO Box 391 Grand Cayman KY1-1106.
To complete the survey from this Friday, or for more information on this topic, please visit www.Immigration.gov.ky

With Sherri Bodden-Cowan as Chair and Canover Watson as deputy Chair government appointed another committee to look at the problem which includes, Kenneth Hydes, Paulette Anglin-Lewis, Irma Arch, Betty Baraud,  Richard Christian, Richard Coles, Josephine Habib, Delia Hydes, Phillip Jackson, Jim O’Neill, Phillip Rankin, Danny Scott, Walling Whittaker, Linda Evans, Chief Immigration Officer (Ex-Officio), Bruce Smith, Deputy Chief Immigration Officer (Ex-Officio), Christopher Eakin, Director of Policy & Strategic Mgt, Immigration Department (Ex-Officio) and Deborah Bodden, Secretary (Ex-Officio)
 

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  1. Anonymous says:

    Why are they asking our input all they concern about is keeping the expats here on island.  There own ppl here with the same or more qualifications but they would rather bring the expat bacause obviously they from overseas so they got to know it all!!! LOL

    This Island is one the verge of some serious revolting!!!

     

  2. Anonymous says:

    I really see so much potential on this island wasted fighting about issues that should have been solved yesterday.  Get someone in power that will fix it (like it or not) and then move on with things.  

    The people of this island need to focus their attention on the real issues such as how to promote tourism both recreational and medical, educating the people of the island, and developing an infastructure with a vison of the future.  The in-fighting about who belongs and who can drive the nicest car while being on their cell phone gives this place a bad image.  The day trip tourist or even the week long visitor may not see it but that day is coming soon.  

    Here is my suggestion, fight over where the bike path is going to go.  How can we teach and train our people to support the new hospital, banking industry and revive the old spirit of welcoming that I was told existed on this island.

    Don't have to worry about me being a roll over cannidate. 

  3. Whodatis says:

    We really should stop the bickering folks, as it appears that Cayman is simply embracing its "British-ness" – if the things that many are saying on here is anything to go by.

    Confused?

    Interesting read below: (Click)

    British workers have no skills and a bad attitude.

    "Many British youngsters are too lazy, ill-educated and lacking the work ethic to compete for jobs, business leaders said last night …"

    * Standing by for the interesting ways in which this will be spun into an anti-Whodatis textual orgy.

    (This article is specially dedicated to "Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 12/09/2011 – 15:07.")

    • Anonymous says:

      Not anti-Whodatis, just anti lazy, ill-educated and lacking work ethic regardless of nationality. Stop your bitching, get off your ass and MAKE A DIFFERENCE WHILE YOU STILL CAN! Life is short and the world owes you NOTHING!

      • Whodatis says:

        Oh dear me … looks like someone is a tad bit upset.

        :o)

        By the way, I admire your attempt to suddenly steer the discussion towards "… anti lazy, ill-educated and lacking work ethic regardless of nationality".

        That was the simple  objective of my post – to bring some much needed perspective to the discussion.

  4. Anonymous says:

    For gods sakes, just roll me over and stop all the yammering about it!

  5. Anonymous says:

    the Caymanian compass editorial is quite amusing.  anyone who recalls the initial process back in 2003 will recall that this entire policy was completely misrepresented to the public. And there was a lot of time and energy spent then to educate the public and gain input. The white collar expat was told one thing (dont worry this wouldnt apply to you,  its the Jamaicans we're after)  and the local Caymanians were told another (dont worry we will get rid of them and you can have their jobs).  In the end it was shoved down our throats.  is it really any wonder we are where we are now, with the same architect who devised it in the first place, trying to fix the unfixable. After all if its not the law but how it was 'applied', surly its a matter of now drafting it as it should have been applied in the first place. regardless of whether you believe in the concept or not, you cant trade on a lie and hope that it will work out for the best.  we can prepare to further our path of demise just as we did back in 2003, after all your immigration experts are back at it again.

  6. Que says:

    Part of the problem is who is”Caymanian”? Someone who earned his PR and status by doing all the requisite things is not seen as being Caymanian. You could be living here 15 years and not be recognized as Caymanian by other “real” Caymanians. If people accepted these paper Caymanians as real there would be less fear and division.

    • Anonymous says:

      Generally people who have status do not regard themselves as Caymanian. They will typically identify with their actual nationality be it Jamaican, English or Australian. They are generally also hostile to the interests of native Caymanians. Because they have reached a certain critical mass they tend to have their own cliques and communities and pubs. I recall back in the 1990s being invited to a certain well known establishment on the waterfront for birthday drinks and not being served while other (white) patrons who came subsequently were. 

      This is a two-way street; please stop trying to make it out to be merely about xenophobia. 

      • Right ya so says:

        This is in response to Anonymous on Friday 12/09/2011 – 12:23 – 

        Generally – glad you used that word because it's not always so – been here for over 40 years (since I was a newborn) and consider myself Caymanian to the bone but tread cautiously around calling myself "Caymanian" as I'm not a "true born" and I know the depth of feeling from true borns about this issue – as far as I'm concerned I'm Caymanian and nothing else but don't want to offend or be presumptious ..

        As to not being served in the waterfront establishment – believe me that wasn't about being black or white or anything other than the fact that you weren't one of "them"/part of that clique – I get it too when I go to a bar that at I don't normally go to – you're always the last to be served & when you get served it's in a very offhand manner.

        And, yes it is a two way street. And yes, it's in every country in the world that has foreigners/expats – whether they are black/brown/arab/asian/white.

    • Anonymous says:

      OK.. but it's a 2-way street!

      As a local, it doesn't really matter to me if a person holds a piece of paper or not. If they interact and contribute positively, even after being here a week or two, they have the Caymanian spirit!

      And so many people have done just this and integrated well over the years and decades!

      The funny thing is, that spirit is sometimes sucked out of some newcomers by others who draw others into their cliques.

      And for those with Caymanian status – Bravo!, for with that you are the only recognsied Caymanians!  As far as I know, we locals are still "only" OT citizens, and our constitution doesn't define 'Caymanian' anyways.

  7. Anonymous says:

    This has to be the only place in theworld where the locals are treated with so much disrespect. Regardless of how or where one is trained one does not qualify for the jobs in this island. This is why there are so many work permit holders. When Caymanians travel to other countries they follow immigration policies, but everyone arriving on this little island thinks they deserve to remain here. Rollover! Yes. Follow the work permit agreement and there should not be a problem with jobs or rollover.

    • Whodatis says:

      Well said.

      Re: "Follow the work permit agreement and there should not be a problem with jobs or rollover."

      I agree. However, it seems as if many of our "key employee" and "indispensable" expats are lacking the most basic of reading skills.

    • so anonymous says:

      There is a reason you think this is the only place where locals are treated with so much disrespect.  First you've never been anywhere else.  Second you ONLY get respect when you can give it hence the reason locals are treated with SO MUCH disrespect.

  8. Dred says:

    I do not believe Roll over is really the problem. I believe it's execution and enforcement is. The question really is are we capable of doing roll over properly. History would say the answer is no.

    I know a lot of people do not like this said but I am of the belief that if there is a job available and two people of equal qualifications and experience have presented themselves. The one that is Caymanian should get the job everytime.

    You may call it entitlement but I call it LOGIC and SENSIBLE. Caymanians who have done the work should get the opportunities available to them that they are qualified for, period.

    • Anonymous says:

      I must say I agree with you that if two people with the same experience apply for the same job that logic would dictate that the Caymanian be the one to get the Job. BUT, if the difference is that one of the people has a sour attitude, poor work ethics, a since of entitlement, will not be willing to work hard and appreciate the Job he shouldn’t get the opportunity solely because of his nationality or because there wouldn’t be a work permit fee to hire him or her.

       

      If local companies could find comparable employees locally that had the same experience and worked hard with a positive attitude I’m sure they would pick the Caymanian over a permit fee on any day. There are plenty of companies in Cayman where I see Caymanians that are great employees and very professional. But I also see a lot of places where the employees have serious attitude issues towards customers and these are mostly Caymanians that I’ve seen.

       

      When government forces people to hire a certain demographic or Race of people, it is usually detrimental to the Company because people get an attitude about work that they deserve the job and don’t feel the need to put in their dues. It someone takes the time and effort to start a business, they should be allowed to hired who’s the best fit for the job no matter where they come from or what nationality they are. If Caymanians put a larger focus on making sure their people or the best fit for these jobs there wouldn’t be an issue here.

       

      Put a strong focus on Education and teach the children coming up now that hard work pays off and the next generation will be the best fit for these jobs. Then you will see how a hard working educated Caymanian with a professional attitude would be a commodity.

  9. The Prophet says:

    I agree with the rollover policy, because "Some must die that some may live"  which means that if some persons do not go home when their time is up then others will not get achance.

    Persons who do not want to be rolled over I see as being greedy……………..they just want it all, time money and space and wants no one to have  an opportunity.  Persons who do not want to leave the country when the time comes is more than selfish.  Besides those employers who have people on work permit, rents out their employeers, allowing them to work and pay fromm 100 to 200 dollars  a week to employers for holding their work permit. Roll them over.

    • Anonymous says:

      Prophet. Watch The Boy in the Striped Pajamas and see if you find any similarities of thought, any similar quotes.

    • Up your Elevator says:

      Non-Prophet:

      “Some must die” might make sense if the “livers” were well-trained Caymanians and the “diers” were expats who’ve had their time in the sun. Where the diers are the people who make the economic engine of the firm go, and the “livers” are not able to do the job to the same standards (due to the lack of connections or whatever), the business then fails and EVERYBODY (i.e. locals) who relied on that business for their income gets to be out of work. The other option is to replace the diers with fresh expats, and that doesn’t help the Caymanians one bit. In fact, it hurts them because the fresh expat will not be as good as the dier, so business will suffer and there will be less work for the other Caymanians at that firm, and there will then be less money rolling in from outside Cayman to float the economy generally (never forget that Cayman lives and dies on the in-flow of foreign capital).

      Your logic (actually the lack thereof) is why the rollover is killing Cayman as a viable economic entity. That’s why I renamed you “Non-prophet” (i.e. nonprofit).

  10. Anonymous says:

    Could we tie this in with the Premier's Awards and get medals for anyone being rolled over?

  11. I Care says:

    I Agree, Get Rid of It, This system has not work and will not work it is only dividing people and causing hate through out the Island. Immigration can deal with getting rid of people in more ways than one , they just need to do their DAMM JOB

  12. Anonymous says:

    I don't know why instead of extending the seven years to nine years, the government just didn't change the amount of time a person has to leave.  Instead of one year, make it three months or even six months.  That would have made more sense, for after the nine years one is in the same position they were in after the seven…but again look who is running our country????

    • Anonymous says:

      I agree that whether it is 7 yrs or 9 yrs, it doesn't do anything except put off the inevitable. Also, I would not want to have to leave for 3, 6 or 9 months. We plan to leave prior to the 7 yr limit as we knew we could only stay for 7 yrs.  It isn't worth missing good opportunities elsewhere waiting to see if the law changes, waiting to get key employee status etc. Not every single expat wants to stay here forever anyway.

  13. Anonymous says:

    It is now painfully clear that Government must separate immigration from its detailed management of the labor force.

    It's constant interference in employer-employee relationships is costing the economy $millions every year, while its private companies try to remain viable while paying the cost.

    Immigration should control immigration by setting up a meaningful and objective points system, in which every applicant who has enough points is automatically accepted and with no possibility of government intervention.

    Work permits should be issued to the worker and not the company he happens to work for, and the right to work should be granted automatically to those who can pass theimmigration points system. Workers should be free to work for any company and in any trade, during his residency permit issued by Immigration. Workers should not  be slavelike  chattels of any slave master, as they are now.

    With all these reforms in place, Cayman would blossom like never before.
     

    • Truth says:

       

      Not gonna happen in this generation bo bo.  You can't squeeze intelligence out of ignorance.

  14. ALL SEEING says:

    Just turn it over to Dart. If he approves of you then a work permit will be handed out. That's it.

  15. Anonymous says:

    If the public knew what was right they would be in Government and not be the public surely ?

    Why bother asking – all that does is send out the message that th LA doesn't a have clue ?

  16. Anonymous says:

    Do anyone think written or verbal communications

    from none UDP supporters will be seriously considred?

    This whole thing is a political stratigy to winning the next election for them and the $$ will come so their lobbyiest can continue to reap the rewards ten fold whileCaymanian's are marginilised. Oh well what's new, people wake up and put Cayman Islands (1st.) first, yes first (1st.)     Is'nt that good for the majority !, ? 

  17. Anonymous says:

    just get rid of it! ….. why do you keep talking about it?????

    in the middle of a double dip recession why on earth would you want to get rid of educated, law abiding, harworking members of the community who want to stay here??????

     

    • Whodatis says:

      Thank you for caring so deeply about our island-nation.

      Your words are much appreciated and mirror the sentiments of all other nations today.

      After all, all progressive countires have completely done away with immigration controls. So long as one gets his or her newly-arrived foot in those doors, they are guaranteed an opportunity to stay forever.

      Surely the USA and UK would have no objections of swelling their populations to 660,000,000 and 120,000,000 respectively while having their current citizens make up only half of the numbers.

      In no way is the issue of immigration a major point of concern in any of the larger jurisdictions. Recent elections were not solely based on the issue of race, culture, immigration and "integration". Neither did Far-Right political parties make "surprising" gains in recent democratic elections.

      Furthermore, we all know that the "educated, law abiding, harworking members of the community" are the last of such individuals in the world today – no more exist, we simply must hang on to these ones.

      • Anonymous says:

        well go back to turtling and rope making then….enjoy!

        • Whodatis says:

          Such a weak comeback and oh so typical.

          By the way, if you were paying attention you would have realized that I am not anti-expat … I am simply pro-Rollover.

          Can you spot the difference?

          In any event, where do you hail from? The "1st World"?

          If so, then pray tell – what are you "going back" to – in that make-believe, Monopoly money, no job-having economy of yours?

          Gimme a break buddy.

          • Anonymous says:

            keep sticking your head in the sand……

          • Anonymous says:

            If you had any sense at all you would realise that rollover hurts everyone, Caymanian and expat alike. Has rollover improved your situation at all? If so, please elaborate.

      • Anonymous says:

        We can always count on Whodatis to post something completely asinine.

        • Whodatis says:

          And Whodatis can always count on replies of no substance other than personal attacks and deflections.

          • Anonymous says:

            When you antagonize and instigate, what do you expect? Do you really believe the nonsense you post or do you just want attention?

    • Anonymous says:

      It’s the Caymanian way.

    • Anonymous says:

      Because those people magnify my insecurities and with FOI its very difficult for me to communicate with my friends on boards to get rid of them, the way I used to. 

       

       

    • so anonymous says:

      Because they take jobs from the uneducated,ethically challenged, and non performeing members of the bushits tribe.  Thats the only reason they (Bush and his tribe) needs.

    • Anonymous says:

      The policy was not designed to remove those types of individuals, it was meant more for the unskilled and less educated individuals.

      • Anonymous says:

        True, but it was APPLIED to ALL. 

         

      • anon says:

        Well if thats the case the proof of the pudding is in the eating…

        The current legislation is eating into our economy, causing hatred and divide; sending home skilled workers where there genuinely is a shortage, and keeping those unskilled workers who will eventually become a burden to society (helpers being a prime example). 

        It makes no sense at all to operate this way its killing Cayman's prospects, not improving them.

        • Anonymous says:

          Please tell me where I can find a Caymanian helper!!!!!???

          I've had 2 of the best  workers, EVER, rolled over since Ivan! Dependable, on time, thorough, pleasant, funny, friendly, caring, consciencious, honest, I could go on.

          Miss you much Miss Sharon!!!!

          • Anonymous says:

            I'm sure many employers feel the same way about their staff being rolled over.and replaced.

      • Anonymous says:

        I am not sure what policy you are talking about. The Law which introduced rollover made no such distinction.

      • Anonymous says:

        The policy was designed by a bunch a politicos who wanted votes. It has hurt the entire economy. Just plain stupid. Especially in a recession…which is not ending soon.