Job hunters still struggling
(CNS): As Cayman enjoys a significant increase in visitors and greater economic growth than expected, the issue of work for local people continues to be a major headache for government. Although the premier has described the current situation with the economy as "jobless growth", work permit figures have been steadily growing throughout 2014 and at the end of June this year there were 20,256 work-permit holders in Cayman, up from around 19,500 at the start of the year. Although those figures indicate that jobs are being created, frustrations among experienced and qualified local workers is at an all-time high as they continue to battle employers who are circumventing both the labour and immigration laws to recruit who they want from overseas rather than depending on the local workforce.
Over the last few weeks CNS has continued to hear of the trials and tribulations facing local workers as they try to compete in a labour market that increasingly seems stacked against them.
Real estate offices seeking clerks who can speak Russian and Mandarin, qualified locals being rejected even before interview, excessive barriers and administrative hurdles being thrown up during the application process, positions requiring decades of experience in specific areas while offering very low wages, and advertisements running in the press for posts that are held by permit holders, clearly tailored to exclude all but the overseas post holder, are just some of the latest examples.
With the phenomena of jobless growth seemingly only impacting local workers, the National Workforce Development Agency said a great deal of work is being done across the government designed to address the concerns that have been identified by job-seekers.
“In July 2014 Cabinet approved the establishment of an Inter-Ministerial Committee on Employment (IMCE),” Dr Tasha Ebanks-Garcia, the deputy chief officer in the employment ministry, said when CNS asked how government planned to address the lack of compliance by so many employers to the local laws. She explained that work is currently underway to pull together a report that identifies the various problems people are encountering and what is fuelling unemployment.
“The broad purpose of this committee is to promote better collaboration between government agencies on matters related to the challenges of unemployment and to ensure a coordinated and holistic response to efforts at addressing the needs of the country in relation to unemployment,” she added.
The senior officer explained that the committee will produce a report that identifies how work being done by government is directly or indirectly addressing the issue and provide relevant baseline data to guide the way forward.
“This report will serve to guide the work that needs to be undertaken as we address the issue of unemployment from the perspective of a joined up government,” Dr Ebanks-Garcia told CNS.
Pointing to plans by the Home Affairs Ministry, in collaboration with other government departments, to transform the work permit system, she said the overall objective was to create a more efficient and effective system.
“This system will ensure a streamlined process for work permit applications which includes the opportunity for the Immigration Department and the NWDA to work even more closely than they are today," she said.
The goal is to try and prevent employers from evading compliance by manipulating the system. However, despite the efforts being made towards this, things are nothappening quickly enough. Anecdotal stories of locals still losing their jobs while permits are granted, even when experienced Caymanians have applied, persist as government struggles to make an impact on bosses that have become accustomed to recruiting exactly who they like, regardless of the law.
Local activist Sandra Catron, who has been outspoken about the unemployment problem among able and willing Caymanians, is continuing to help local job-seekers mount the many hurdles they encounter in the job market. She believes there is considerable evidence that employers are continuing to flout the law with impunity.
“It remains extremely challenging to find placements for unemployed persons, despite the appearance of so many job vacancies in the newspapers,” she said. “Sadly, even qualified candidates are having a difficult time in this current environment. It does not help when employers are inflating the qualifications needed for a job to automatically eliminate most job applicants from even applying. I have seen some truly absurd requirements. I hope that the issue for fair recruiting practices can be seriously addressed.”
And she is not the only one who believes employers are deliberately avoiding their obligation to recruit locals before seeking permits. Comments on CNS, discussions on social media, calls to local talk shows and other public forums in Cayman make it clear that this is not an isolated problem faced by a small number of locals who are not prepared to put in the effort. This is much broader problem, and there are some sectors of the work force that are particularly hard-hit. Complaints from younger Caymanian job–seekers who are returning home after five years or more study overseas with academic and professional qualifications are simply not able to even get a foot in the door.
Speaking in the Legislative Assembly last week, MLA Ezzard Miller said that Cayman did not have a jobless growth problem as it was not the presence or absence of jobs that was the issue but the lack of opportunity presented to locals to get those jobs.
“We have 20,000 jobs with no Caymanians in them,” he said. “What we need is to prepare Caymanians to get those 20,000 jobs and to ensure that the institutions are working and provide the opportunity that locals are clearly not getting now.”
Miller also pointed to the abnormal requests employers are getting away with when it comes to recruitment, as he said all of the institutions created by government to protect local workers were failing.
Finding work in tougher economic times for those with few skills, especially for poorly educated young men with no work experience, is always difficult, but the concern for the broader community is the mounting problems that local job-seekers with experience and qualifications face.
If the private sector continues to dodge the transition to using qualified and appropriate local workers over permit holders when government begins downsizing the civil services, the unemployment situation is going to get far worse. And as government implements systems designed to force employers to use suitable local workers, it still has to wrestle with its own dilemma of weighing work permit revenue against local unemployment.
Category: Local News
As more and more receive PR and Status, the situation is not going to improve unless work permits/renewals are not issued and those Caymanians, paper or otherwise are given a chance to fill these positions.
Makeeva freed the slaves years ago from you nasty empoyers that hung deportation over there heads.
Now they are citizens and you have to deal with the free slaves. If they dont want to work that is there choice.You shouldnt worry about the unemployeed they dont, and those with all of those college degrees that cant land a high paying job well if you are that smart you can go into business for yourself.
You people beg for the govt to do something yet when your leaders do something you complain.
1. What is government's definition of unemployed?
2. How is govt satisfied that all receiving assistance actually fit the criteria of "unemployed"?
3. Why is it optional for an un employed person to register with nwda?
4. How is govt satisfied that the people labelled unemployed are actively seeking employment?
5. How does govt know that there are 2000 unemployed? (Accounting seems to be an issue lately)
6. How does the govt know if an unemployed becomes employed?
These are questions I'd like to know the answer to before we look for a solution. First understand the problem and then develop solutions.
Solutions:
1. mandatory training for unemployed in tourism. Dart is going to need 600 employees in one year.
2 mandatory training for unemployed in all jobs required by health city and future developments. I understand they will need some 2000 staff from janitors to surgeons in the next few years.
Problem solved.
Now there is a novel idea in Cayman – identify the problem first, and only then come up with the solution. Take note C4C, Tara Rivers, Winston Connolly and anyone else trying to manouver cayman on a coursethat is dangerous at best.
First I have two questions, after I will offer my idea to solve the unemployment. Why were you "let go" from your first job? Do you walk into unadvertised places and fill out applications or ask to be interviewed? Now for the fun game. Put all unemployed in the center . Business owners on the outside and just randomly choose the unemployed person to be on your team. RED ROVER RED ROVER…. I understand I needed to put this in two different comments to fully understand the popularity of my thought because you agree with one portion not the other.. Do your best.
Am unemployed and hope you have a job after showing your ignorance and stupidity.
Snooze.
CNS, sorry, meant "22.12" !
Isn't unemployment defined by individuals who can and are actively seeking a job but can't get a job? If so, unemployment is relatively miniscule.
Folks- its an easy solution to this fiasco- and that is we as Caymanians need to stick TOGETHER and realise that we cannot and will not achieve anything by blogging all the time. I agree that this is an avenue to air ones frustrations but the end result will be for naught. The expat community stick together and support each other- be they Canadians, Jamaicans, English, Filipino. This is what we need to do, be PROUD of who we are and from where we cometh. Remember it was our Caymanian fore-Fathers and Mothers who built this place- because they did what I am suggesting and stuck together.
We need to get out of this crab in the bucket mentality and stop with the irrational behaviour and do whats right for us. I am not folly to believe that every expat that is here is only here to grow the country- only an idiot would believe this. But in the same token, out of the 2000 people (IF this is a correct number) that are un-employed, what percentage of that number is truly employable. One does not need a degree to get work;one only needs dedication, commitment and the desire to work.
Is the NWDA being productive- HELL NO! Is Government doing whats right to solve this problem- HELL NO! Is Immigration doing anything to stomp out this abuse by employers- HELL NO! BUT, we as a people can take the bull by the horn and ride it into the areana and boldly proclaim that we are here to fight for our brothers and sisters and we are demanding RESULTS and not just lip service.
So Caymanians- LET US STICK TOGETHER AND STOP CRYING DOWN EACH OTHER- THIS IS GETTING US NOWHERE AND IF WE CONTINUE THEN THE ONLY ONES WE ARE HURTING ARE OURSELVES, cause in the end, the expat worker can pack his 2 bags and catch a flight back to wherever they came from.
Yes, that's the answer. Are you looking through the looking glass or are you already down the rabbit hole?
Well said, bro'. I am but a paper Caymanian, but really proud of these islands that have called me one of their own.
I have a business and I can assure you there will be NO work permits. Many qualified Caymanians have asked me for work and I have had to turn them down for now, but as the business grows, I have names and numbers. Some of them, I have worked with in the past and all this bullshit about Caymanians being unreliable and unemployable is exactly that.
Caymanians are very loyal, smart and by the way, this is their country. If you don't like it, then stop complaining and head back to your own wonderful countries. Don't get me wrong, there are some fabulous countries represented in Cayman, but remember, this sleepy place survived before you came and it will survive after you have gone.
A lot of Caymanians have been paid peanuts (by rich Caymanians), have been overlooked and some of them are just plain tired of the unfair job market.
Every country has it's fair share of lazy people and Cayman is no different, but it should be the place of the government to ensure that their own folk have a fair crack of the whip.
Just as equally to blame in this situation is the inept government that the gullible Caymanians elected in the last election.
Lazy Caymanian Politicials are 99% of the problems for Cayman.
I had applied once for an executive secretary position for a very large company in cayman; I as interviewed but they did not hire me for the position but instead hired me for reception and said they would be moving me up in a few months when something opens (I have 12 years legal secretary/paralegal experience). A few days after starting the job I got a call from the immigration department asking what was the reason given for not hiring me for the exec job (they have to submit the applications for the most qualified caymanians that arrive along with the WP Apps, and I had apparently been one of them who was most suitable for the exec secretary position. Of course, excited with their promises and the fact they found something else at the company for me and having not been in the company long enough at that time to know the truth, i told immigration i understood the companies position and explained what they had done etc etc; it was very soon after that i realized how dirty, deceptive and downright illegal the policies of this company are.
What large company? You have a few grammatical errors in your post. I only point this out so that when you want make a statement, be sure to proofread your work. Unfortunately, if you have not worked off Island, it may be harder for you to realize that when people come here from large onshore corporations, they have worked hard with very long hours in order to get ahead. As well, the work produced has to be of a very high standard. If they did indeed offer to promote you after a given time, make sure you have that in writing. I don't think it can be stressed enough that proper and correct work (and work ethic) will eventually get a person ahead – it takes time sometimes and doesn't happen overnight. With over 24 years experience, I can say that the first 12 to 14 were learning years, as in coping with working in a high pressure environment and producing a ton of work in a short amount of time. Good luck to you.
I don't feel it necessary to proofread or commit myself to ensuring that mycomments on a news website are error-free or grammatically correct, I am not posting to impress anyone and certainly not thinking that posting on here will create opportunities for me. Rest assured my command of the english language, both written and verbal, is very well advanced. But, as many persons choose to use text abbreviations and smiley faces, I choose to just type and not give a crap when posting on such websites, why bother?
It then goes to show that you have a natural inclination towards carelessness laziness and a lack of self pride. Whether you are identified or not you should care what you produce. If it is the case that you have difficulty producing large volumes of work without error then you will always have a problem. However from your response it appears that the problems are that you have are personal to your self esteem and character. Eg a problem with being corrected enough though it is constructive and an attitude problem one exhibiting nonchalance "why bother".
Why do companies prefer expats? It's simple, they are great slaves that you pay high wages and they'll work they're asses off for your company, hide your dirt, lies and corruption and ignore red flags if the boss says so. Why do they? It's simple, there is no way in hell I'd sell my belongings in my own country, uproot my children and move thousands of miles away for a job that I am not going to do every damn thing I can to hold on to, would you??? So, work permit holders and their slave-status is very appealing despite the fact they are more expensive, they will not risk being fired or take the chances that Caymanians will because we are in our home-country and know that we'll survive here whether things are tough or not. When an expat becomes unemployed and loses income they would have to return to their home country where they probably left nothing behind or incrued immense taxes while away. When you think about it, it is a great business move to hire an expat, and business people know it; is it right? Nope, but as the Bush Trial showed us, ethical and legal are two different things!
So you are seriously suggesting that the reason companies like expats is because they are liars and corrupt. Talk about grasping at straws.
That has to be one of the most prejudicial and inflammatory comments I have seen in a long time. Not to mention flat out wrong.
Nope, didn't say they are liars and corrupt (but both the caymanian and expat groups have their fair share of both) – what I did say was they will watch lies and corruption without flagging it because of not risking the loss of the golden work permit. I do not blame people for seeking a better existence, and if you can get it in another country, then, why not? But, it is true that most expats are super dedicated not just because they are "hard workers" but because they made extreme sacrifices and gave up roots in order to accept an offer many miles from home, you do not take chances after doing something like that. And as for prejudicial, it is far less prejudicial than many comments posted on OUR news website about OUR people, while living in OUR country, soaking up OUR beaches and making OUR money – because I have read some VERY VERY flat-out racist and prejudicial comments coming from our friendly work permit holders.
Not wrong. The overt breaches by expatriates of certain laws designed to protect Caymanians, are widespread. Ever seen an expat complain that a Caymanian's application for a position was not disclosed to immigration?
ever seen a caymanian complain when an expat is mistreated?
Expats are slaves? If you thing getting paid for a job you can leave at any time is slavery read some history books or even look into real life modern slavery. Expats work hard as that is what we are taught to do and know for a business to make a profit you have to be productive, they don't pay you for just showing up. You work longer hours then your contract so you are considered for promotion. How can you expect to get promoted if you show up late leave early and sit on the internet all day? that might work in government but not the private sector. The fact you thing hard work is slavery really just shines a light on poor work ethics.
i really like what our fellow Caymanian Bo Miller proposed the other day- we caymanians must begin to develop our own investment portfolios and companies instead of depending on foreigners coming in to rescue us. For a start- i'm looking for 50 young educated fellow Caymanians who we can start a venture capital firm based right here in Cayman employing 10-20 brilliant educated young Caymaniansto run the portfolios. Wecan pool our resources together say $50,000 each from100 Caymanians, get government to chip something in for a 20% stake in our company, locally register it and start trading in about a months time. we'll seek to invest in successful business vetntures across the US, Caribbean and worldwide. We'll make returns and create employment right here in Cayman- any volunteers ?? please contact me directly.
Brilliant! So brilliant you left no email address. Sounds like you got a winner, but no business skill
Where's your contact details? I'm in!
Will definitely invest with somebody called 'anonymous' on a news website….
Will take, say $20,000 each from 500 Caymanians..any offers…?
Shark Tank
Your initial portfolio will be around $5 million. Even if you employ only 10 of your 10-20 brilliant Caymanians, that means an average of £500,000 managed per employee. You will need to generate returns of over 10% p.a. just to pay expenses, like their wages, let alone find the high returns your angel capital investors will expect. Your investments in businesses will need to generate imediate cash flow, which is probably unlikely. I could go on, but basically the plan falls apart on the slightest examination.
Make a nice scam tho – then the business model works.
Please go on but think about first before putting down your comment(s)…. Now to reply, our government will chip in an additional 20% of revenues tot this project. To begin with we can buy out the CI government portfolios soon to be privatised such as waste management project ,the upcoming cruise ship dock facility, port authority, water authority as CAYMANIANS and turn these into profit making ventures or even better we now have other opportunities to trade in profit making stocks/ pension funds ,buy real estate portfolio across the US, Canada , CI, and the Caribbean etc….. All my plan needs is 10 brilliant young Caymanians.We can also invest in oil trades around the world.
Here we go again
1. Create a social security number for each person on Island
2. Track the application submission for any posted job with an employment number
3. Match the number agains the un-employed list
4. Use the same list to train the people who are trainable
5. Use the same list and create a trade school for those who are not able to be trained for office work. This will at the very least give them an opertunity to work for themselves.
6. After training has been provided use the same list to bar them from receiving social aid.
All we need is a little leadership.
This can be broken down into an easy formula _
Work available
Area of expertise
Necessary expertise
Knowledge of the position or role.
Once this has taken place and satisfied, everything should flow smoothly.
The solution for this problem is to put Mr.McKeeva Bush back to power he is the best leader this country has had throughout history
Bro are you off your meds?
YUP! EXACTLY!
Funny how all the idiots come out on a full moon
Same Bush that lead us into bankruptcy. God help us all. I assume that you guys must be related.
Look at the CML website and FB and you'll see them discussing how the job market is booming…….but a further read clearly tells you that the message is aimed at overseas job seekers. Everytime I seek the assitance of CML or other recruiters, I'm told that there is nothing and that the market is dead.
The bars are looking for people. So why not dust yourself off, and go from bar to bar with a good attitude and be actually willing to work. Some bar staff are americans, canadians and english so though the basic wage may not be much, this is more than made up for in tips. I have heard of some bar tenders netting $50000 to $70000 per year. Or register with the many independent employment agencies. Even if you could net 30000 per year that is a good wage for an unskilled job.
I know of a siutation here a WP holder is going on maternity leave for a few months. Whatdoes the employer do? Go to CML to obtain a temp contract for another WP holder to fill in for her.
What about ALL the Caymanians that could use this $$ during the holidays feed their famiies?
What is it about Caymanians that make them think they are intitled to work for a man that does not want them? If you are serious about getting and keeping a job first ask yourselves what is about expats that make employers want them? How about all the many thousands of employed Caymanians that seemed to find jobs on their own and are valued by their employers? Did you stop to think that all of them could use this $$ during the holidays. I know that the employers of workers in Grand Cayman could use the help they get from their employees all the time.
Possibly involves the ability to actually do some work? Just a thought, a tad radical, but hey ho, thats me.
Both "Temporary Permits" and "The Business Staffing Board" are backdoor ways that any firm with 15 employees or more can use a work-around around Immigration approivals.
This is pure cronyism and nothing more. It is the BS board (aptly named) and Temp permits that are killing locals that are qualified.
I think even expats will agree that we all want Caymanians (that are hard working and perfectly qualified) to find meaningful work and this process should be fair. It currently is far from fair or far from fixed.
So no more lip service, WHERE should we email our resumes to? One address would eliminate all this blah-blah rhetoric and we just need fairness and enforcement. (Alden, you would get MORE revenue to enforce the $20,000 fine than a $2000 permit?)
Because if the employer hires a Caymanian, they will not be able to makeit temporary. The Caymanian is clearly capable of doing the job and can insist that they get the post when the pregnant expats permit is renewed. The employer then has to fire the expat for taking maternity leave which is a violation of their employment rights as well as being morally outrageous. Whereas under the regulations theemployer can terminate the temp expat no problem at all. The regulations make it a positive disincentive to hire Caymanian for temp jobs. Yet another unintended result of protectionist legislation poorly thought out and drafted.
Appears you do not know what you are talking about. If a company hires a Caymanian through an agency on a temporary basis then that contract is just that…temporary for a fixed amount of time…Caymanian or not Caymanian.
No you can "fire" the returning expat because they won't have a work permit and all employment contracts are conditional on the employee being permitted to work.
Are ALL the Caymanians signed up with the agencies? As a Caymanian I am signed up with all the agencies, including CML, and not getting any temporary work. CML….you never contacted me regarding this temp position, why not?
I have personally supplied resumes of people who are looking and amply able to fill this position and they were never even considered.
Some tips for the unemployed:
You are wrong unfortunately. That is, despite the rhetoric, exactly the case.
It is if that is your only skill. Even if it is only better than nothing.
Totally wrong! Being Caymanian is indeed a qualification – but it’s only one of many possibly qualifications.
(Education, nationality, age, health, criminal history etc)
But then again, you must know this, for surely that issue is why you left your own country… Cheap imported labor – or some other reason.
What people don't recognise is the fact that 20,000 work permits and 2,000 unemployed are good numbers, but they do not represent the full story.
How many of the 2,000 are ex-cons, people who have been constantly sacked for poor performance (Or other reasons), or underqualified? You can't find employers who will hire people in those categories, at least not employers who expect to stay in business.
And how many more people don't claim to be unemployed because they don't look to the Government for support, but are actually job seekers?
That makes it +1..:)
And how many are registered but only so they can continue to sit at home and collect their support cheques.
we caymanians have to unite and take out all the foreigners from our land and reclaim our country
Thanks for the comment Ezzard.
You are an idiot. Ezzard would sign his name.
And the text would be riddled with basic errrors.
Right then! Enough chatter…
You – back to West Bay.
You – back to Brixton.
And regard the sentiments as too middle of the road.
…and likely spell it incorrectly.
I think you and the other three who want to do this should think a littel more carefully and perhaps phone a friend (preferably one with a brain who gets the whole picture). Please tell us exactly what jobs will be left when we all leave?
09:54, you are a complete idiot. Take the foreigners / epxats out and Cayman crumbles. If you hadn't noticed we need expats for this country to function, there are not enough Caymanians to support the tourism and finanicial industry, which by the way are the key pillars of our economy.
And its not the foreigners selling out or making ludicrous decisions, its Caymanians and the idiots that we vote for every 4yrs!!!! It's also racist assholes like you destroying this place along with all the criminals.
Wake the F up.
We should send people like you away and give those who contirbte to these Islands the right to be Caymanian if they choose too.
An embarassed and ashamed Caymanian.
Best you be embarassed and ashamed you idiot.
You are one small mind and dark minded individual.
Its ignorance like this that has me praying to the good God above, that the British will take over this little Island soon, and very soon, so as not to have to live in fear of idiots like you ever having anything close to running this Cayman Islands.
13:03, I am not ignorant, I stated what is fact. I don't even think moronic describes your reply, that would be too polite.
Your statetment illustrates your complete ignorance and lack of understanding on the matter.
You have clearly smoked too much of the sand that your tiny brain has been buried in.
You mean like….take us out for dinner? That would be great!
You are out for lunch if you think that!
Well that means removing approximately 40,000 people and of the ones left i am sure we could find not enough "caymanian" in there genes to quality for kicking them out too.
Siblings, we are united in our struggle.
Romane runt found brother ( or sister)!
Don't you mean "Romanes eunt domus?"
Yes, I agree. We need " room to live" or lebensraum as it also known. I was only speaking about this to the boys in the bier keller last week. All 3000 of them.
Lets be intelligent here peple. I dont think Ezzard is saying replace all 20,000 permit holders with caymanian when only 2000 is unemployed.
He is more thinking of a long term plan that has Cayman ove forward put strategies in place that will see Caymanians over a period of time dominating the marketing.
Perhaps one strategy could be make it mandatory or all school leavers to attend college or echnil training schools.
So Govt in the long run might want to crate student loan scheme to stuents.
Developed vocational schools for those who cannot master university level study
So eventually Caymanians will take over.
On th flipside of the coin cayman will have to find a means of income to replace permit fees lost.
It is called Tax.
the mythology of caymanian unemployment continues……..
He who feels it knows it.
He who smelt it dealt it.
Whoever said the rhyme did the crime.
Wow. Every time an article about the sad state of the NWDA or poorly performing Immigration Boards comes up, there are 100 posts overnight!! Wowza. Seems to me our politicians should be bringing in their voting constituents resumes to the Immigration permit hearings as the people have spoken and what we are saying loud and clear is that good locals are unemployed and another 6 months has gone by and another 752 permits approved?!?
Politicians and Chief Officers had better start getting our good workers back to work or there will be an uprising.
This situation is the worse it has been in decades! We have a good overseas educated college grad workforce that is suffering. These kids in their 20's DO have good work experience and good references, but can't even get an interview let alone be hired for succession planning ? I know 3 really great hard working locals unemployed (professionals) in their 30s and 40s with families and good work ethics who should have a chance but our Govt is doing nothing!?!
1.) Staffing Board ignoring local apocants that are clearly qualified with good references
2.) CEC filling ALL jobs with overseas talent -and their CEO is Head of Permit Board?
3.) NWDA as messed up as ever and spinning its wheels as Dr T does not have a clue
4.) No Immigration Law Enforcement and no fines at all- Big business ignores all local applications without fear of reprisal
5.) Worse of all – We have over 10% foreign workforce in Govt and when qualified locals apply- the expat contract is renewed without question and the panel interviews are just for show because all govt management is afraid to hire local talent (job security) so Civil Service has NO reviews of expats contracts or succession planning?
hell in a hand basket comes to mind and our Politicians and Chief Officers fiddle while Rome burns?
My large firm here recently had a middle management IT position renewal. It was advertised in the newspaper and I sit next to the HR Department and know of this crazy and corrupt game first hand.
Over 6 very qualified Caymanians applied with advanced degrees and advanced certifications and very good work references.
The current UK chap is a nice guy, but had nowhere near these IT skills, yet I saw HR reject all locals and the current work permit holder is still here. He is single and living it up in Cayman and I feel sorry for these locals as I know 2 of them are unemployed with families and should be in this job.
It is a sad day when law firms ignore the law?
Probably all true, to a point. My question is, when do you get YOUR work done? You seem to spend a lot of time with your nose in HR business
I saw that too and was shocked that:
"The candidate must be working towards a PMP" and the Chamber just helped a dozen locals get their PMP certifications.
"The candidate must be workng towards an ITIL certification" when we have certified ITIL Caymanians looking for work?
I can see keeping the expat in his job for succession planning, but to just ignore the qualified IT locals? This is one area where we have great local talent and all the jobs go to expats.
Where is the enforcement?
I am not sure how factually correct this story is.
Well, if you are not sure how factually correct the story is….go find out!
How do you say that in Russian?
There is little chance you will be called for an interview and if you are called, you are only wasting your time as the work permit is probably being processes while you are being interviewed. Companies know they can abuse the system with no consequences so they are having a field day. The government only pays lip service to the unemployment problem so nothing will be done.
Companies also know that that their business depends on a good skillfull and hardworking, dependable work force. Most people know that they must bring some or all of that to the employers to even be given a chance. That is the way to get and keep a job in the modern world. Getting your representative to give you a job in return for voting him or her in was working great in the past as the ex-premeir showed everyone but those days are numbered and comeing to an end. Now take a number, take you turn and show what you got and live with what you have or don't have. Just like everyone else. HInt: all your whining just shows you don't have anything else to give to an employer. Better to remeain silent.
You need to leave with that attitude. As many are saying there a lots of qualified Caymanians but not giving a chance in their own home. How would you like it if the tables turned on you.
skillfull
ex-premeir
comeing
take you turn
remeain
LOL
Quote:Real estate offices seeking clerks who can speak Russian and Mandarin, qualified locals being rejected even before interview!
Let me add the following: Could it be that one of the largest real-estate offices on the Island has been bought out and is now using their employees to open other realty offices under different names for the sole purpose of controlling the market, and eventually causing those smaller offices to fold due to their inability to compete! Is this possible?
Before I go any further let me give you the word FILIBUSTERING! Meaning: A n action such as a prolonged speech that obstructs progress while not technically contravening the required procedures :
Again I Quote: With the phenomena of jobless growth seemingly only impacting local workers, the National Workforce Development Agency said a great deal of work is being done across the government designed to "address the concerns" [lack of compliance] that have been identified by job-seekers. This, Is Filibustering!
Again I Quote: “In July 2014 Cabinet approved the establishment of an Inter-Ministerial Committee on Employment (IMCE),” Dr Tasha Ebanks-Garcia, the deputy chief officer in the employment ministry, said when CNS asked how government planned to [address the concerns] "address the lack of compliance" by so many employers to the local laws. She explained that work is currently underway to "pull together a report" [to identify what is fuelling unemployment] Need I say more? Filibustering! This is done when one does not have an answer. And believe me they are all getting very good at it!
Again I Quote:“The broad purpose of this committee is to promote "better collaboration" between government agencies on matters related to the challenges of unemployment and to "ensure a coordinated and holistic response to efforts at addressing the needs of the country in relation to unemployment,” she added.
And again the same old regurgitated bull. The senior officer explained that the committee will produce a report that identifies how work being done by government is directly or indirectly addressing the issue and provide relevant baseline data to guide The Way Forward. I'm so tired of hearing this ridiculous phrase. In many cases the way forward seems to suggest "as in this case" walking in the dark hoping that there's not a precipitous drop up ahead. Get a light so you can see where you"re going.
I can only imagine how discouraged poor unemployed persons will feel having read this.It is obvious that there is someone more powerful than the Cayman Islands Government that are pulling the strings.
What needs to be done is very practical.
1. Do a survey of some of the poorest families on the islands and establish what is the monthly cost of a family of four [parents two juveniles] using worst case scenarios and from those figures extrapolate the hourly rate of one working parent and use that as the minimum. Thus establishing a starting point after proper consultation.
2. Once established the law shall have a clause which states that the minimum wage shall be adjusted as needed based on the rise or fall of inflation.
3. No changes can be made to the law other than by a vote of the full house.
4. Any employer caught in violation of these laws of employment will be sanctioned and/or put on probation.
5. Keep Immigration out of the picture! They have plenty to do in border control.
6. And last but not least! No work permits shall be approved that is greater than the number of unemployed Caymanian workers!
Hate to say but we have let BIG MONEY get too much control of our economy. When this happens, watch for the demise of a peaceful society!
Well said poster 22:12 you've hit the ball right out of the park, you should be in government, or on the immigration board, most practial suggestions ever made.
The most sensible viewpoint I have read in a looonnng time! I should imagine the haters are all happily employed.
To which real estate firm are you referring?
Have you considered that the realtors may be trying to sell properties to wealthy Chinese and Russian investors? Seems a little more likely than having expat employees who just happen to be Chinese or Russian and them wanting to use the language as an excuse not to employ a Caymanian. As for your point 6,what are you saying? That if there are 2000 unemployed Caymanians, there should be no more than 2000 work permits? If there are 20000 work permits where are the other 18000 empoloyees going to come from?
Excuse me, but you do realize that Russian and Chinese investment is sharply rising in Latin America, Central America and, most significantly, the Caribbean region? Thus, their request for a real estate agent that speaks Russian and Mandarin.
It never fails with you folks…conspiracy theorists of the world unite! Sheesh. Use your brain and do some research before you speak.
Government is only concern with the amount of revenue they can collect from issuing work permits. They passed a motion to use the fees from work permits to train Caymanians. They need to build up thus fund so helping Caymanians get back to work is of little importance to government. I believe we need to change the members on the work permit board. I do not see what purpose they are serving. Companies are using every trick in the book to keep from hiring Caymanians. Government thinks this is all funny.
Maybe Govt should think abut ALL the revenue inside these 20,000 permits if the $20,000 fine was applied?
Lets do the math: If ONLY 1% of these work permits= (200) of the 20,000 work permits were obtained "through deception" and the $20,000 fine applies, the CI Government would MAKE $4 MILLION dollars……wow, THAT is a lot of permit fees eh Alden?
So if only 200 of these 20,000 work permits are found to be granted under false applications, the CI Goverment could fine $4million dollars in fees.
Enforcement, you have a NEW revenue stream!!
Do the right thing, send the message that corruption is dead and make a cool $4 million bucks- are my elected officials listening? Alden? Tara? Winsotn? Alva?
Well…if Caymanians were serious about being good employees businesses would not need to hire expats. Today, with four cruise ships in port I had as many Caymanians call in unable to work at our store. The excuses are an indicator of the lack of work ethic, and entitlement culture that both plagues this Island and strangles small businesses. They were ‘sick’ Yeah right, what a joke! They were without child care, which just shows a lack of planning. (I am a single parent and I have made it to work, without fail, every single day for the past 15 years.) They were without transportation ( did they not know they didn’t own a car when they went to bed last night?) And my favourite, they were ‘kicked out of their house’. I do not give a crap about your personal problems. If you want a job, you need to show up for said job, on time, and ready to work. If not, then stop complaining, and go fishinin to support yourself. Last time i checked I am not a charity.
We need more of this, people telling it like it is and laying it back squarely on the root of the problem.
Even in the LA, it was quoted and recorded in Hansard of three Cayman job seekers who's progress was being followed. It reads similar to the above, the interviews couldn't be attended due to sickness, baby mama, etc.
What is not needed is a spoon Fed, cotton wool wrapped, welfare dependant population who run and cry to the Labour board, Mla, pastors and talkshite radio because the compliance officer's position was given to someone with actual experience. Not to someone who worked in a gas station in 2005 and fishes for a living.
Well…if Caymanians were serious …
Well… if its so difficult to run a busniess with Caymanians here then go back to where you came fom, start a business there & hire your own people or expats. I am confident that above mentioned issues with Caymanians are a rarity elsewhere in the world so it should be a lot more productive for you to run a succesful busniess outside of Cayman
Good luck to you where ever you decide to go to.
So majority of businesses move out and you are left with……?
working for government, except without workpermit fees and company fees, govrnment income will drop to about 25%, so then civil servants lose their jobs, and no money for any benefits for the 30,000 unemployed caymanians. So they will have to work abroad and send money home so their families can eat. But we hate the expats for doing that here!
10:37, I think the answer is Mac gambling with what's left?
Typical comment coming from someone without a solution to the problem.
Number the jobs as well as the applicants! ALL APPLICANTS
Hire the qualified locals if the fit is right, but their CVs go into the file as well. If they do not work out then a letter is placed on THEIR file. Let's be fair and keep track of our own dead wood that is giving good Caymanians a bad name.
All you need is a record of a local bad apples and there is your motivation to groom good Caymanians to show up to work and go toe to toe with Joe expat.
I say fair is fair, but DO give the locals first shot.
Does that stop the "Bad Apples" from complaining to their friends in immigration that their highschool diploma wasn't enough to get them the CEO position with Dart?
Agree with you. Most of those arriving are prepared to take the very food from your mouth and have the audcacity to comparing things from whence they came from. If things were so good why aren't they there.
Rest assured, this is already happening. There have already been expat partners selling their shares or closing shop to go to other countries because of the difficulities of running a business on island. Mainly finding and maintaining reliable staff, and dealing with the ever increasing government regulations forcing employees on companies.
Now I am sure that big companies are systematically taking advantage of loopholes in the immigration and labour laws. But there are plenty of small businesses that are struggling to find good staff locally, and even from abroad, while trying to comply with the complex and ever-changing laws.
It is easy to feel the non-expat vibe on island these days. If it stays like this it will not be too long before you will have your wish of all Caymanian employment.
Cayman's hospitality and openess to the world is what drew quality expats and foreign investment to the island. This openess has quickly started to close and many current, and future, employees and investors are thinking twice about living here. But not too worry, there are other countries that are open to foreign investment and employment… the way that Cayman used to be. We will consider your sentiment when choosing
Expats leaving? Well for every one that goes, four must come because the numbers are climbing steadily according to the ESO's statistics.
but they're not buying property and y'all keep building it
Well then they must be buying it because "pre-construction sales" and the real estate market are booming according to remax
True, work permit levels have not declined. But what we are talking about is the foreign investment in small and medium sized companies that usually come with an expat as partner and/or manager of those companies.
The current trend is not very attractive for those high quality work permit holders and the investment they make into the country. Previously Cayman was a very attractive place for these types of people, but now they are lumped together with all other expats. Regardless of the investment of time and money they have made.
These people will eventually leave, or not come in the first place. And they are actively being courted by other countries that have more business friendly policies, like the Cayman of the near past.
So what we are seeing now is less expat worker that are investing in the country and more that are getting permits and sending most of their money home. These are not the people that are buying new homes and investing in your country
Is that what you want? For businesses to leave? So what you are saying is that Caymanian workers should be allowed to not show up to work whenever they like and if expat businesses don't like it they should just leave? You didn't think that through did you?
Do you understand the concept of exponential effect? Trickle down? Ripple effect? Anything along those lines?
One small business leaves and it's an exponential effect on the overall economy but I guess that's over your head and you would prefer to expouse your us vs them mentality without such complex issues getting in the way.
Simply put: you are an idiot.
I STAND AND APPLAUD YOUR COMMENT. I COULD NOT HAVE SAID IT ANY BETTER. CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP.
Now only we could snd itt te houe of pariliemnt for debate.
I cant even begin to write my experience. Andteh worst is when ou hae a big event plant 4 weeks ago then they all either sick or some lame execuse and this is bd for my business
I finally got a job offer, but I have to decline because my health insurrance was going to be 1200 a month, so I would be left with 400 a month to live from.
Thank you politcians . . . . .
Last time I checked $400 is infinite times more money than $0
But surely it is better to take the job to join the workforce and have some income rather than being bone idle. As someone who has conducted many interviews, I never make an offer to someone who is not in an existing job other than mothers returning the employment market.
Is health insurance cheaper when you DON"T have a job?
So in the event you get sick and need health services you go to the hospital and cannot pay. Then the tax payers have to clean up for your lack of employment as you furthur indebt the country because of your utter laziness.
It was one of the most disasterous and costly political decision, to not institute single-payer universal healthcare, like in every other sane developed country (except one of course).
Ezzard you fool…he says ' we have 20000 jobs with no Caymanians in them, we need to find Caymanians to fill those jobs'
so where the hell are you gonna get 20000 working age Caymanians from within the next 100 years …… ? You need expats you idiot as you have a massive differential between the available jobs and the population the fill them. You cant grow that many people in a week ….
Give them all ten jobs each. They will be appeased, the politicians will be happy and the output of those employed will remain the same.
How is it that jobs are being taken away from Caymanians? Without foreign influence many employment opportunities wouldnt exist. In order for something to be taken away, it must first be present and or owned by the victim. To say jobs are being taken away is a sense of entitlement.If it was the case that Cayman owed businesses were hiring foreigners, well then yes it would be accurate.
There are easy solutions to this issue. Either foreign businesses stop opertions here or Caymanians improve their qualifications and work ethics.
By businesses leaving, would cause even more unemployment (even though Caymanians say they cant find work with these companies), so the other option is best.
Where will business go? Bermuda – worse there. Bahamas? – same
come ON big business just hire the locals like Dubai- cost of doing business and you WILL get a few good apples.
these games have to stop because now there really ARE good qualified Caymanians seeking work, but the games and corruption (including the NWDA which has its own cronyism issues!) has to stop.
the immigration boards need to start enforcing the denial of work permits when a qualified (really qualified and good references for good work) local applies!!
Charlie Kirkconnell you should hang your head in shame.
Hey Chamber, why don't YOU ask for qualified locals to send their CVs to you?
Where will business go? Why don’t you ask those firms that have already onshore? Or the ones that are left but have switched functions and jobs elsewhere leaving a reduced commitment here. The Fund’s pushing work to Dublin. The back offices being worked out of Canada or India. They can keep the tax free status for revenue by having a notional base here. When the Financial services industry faces individual WP of up to $30K a pop for senior talent and over and even a basic accountant costs over $10k it’s not long before onshore wages become competitive. Compare that with BVI where we never have any difficulty in obtaining WPS and an accountant in only $2K.
Tara was registered in GT, she lives in a condo on SMB so she literally couldn't even vote for herself, lucky her or she might be out of a job too but that'll soon come.
West Bayers please remember once she got in, she brought the other two C4C members and sealed their control over the PPM and our government so nothing for the locals and please respect Yohann for talking BUT remember that was Tara's strong point, reading speeches.
Say no to all parties and C4C, worst one yet!
17.48, go on, I must be missing it, relevance of your ignorant diatribe in this debate??
Um..you are total incorrect..she lives in a house in West Bay!
We have lots of people, 9000, who want money, they do not actually want jobs, and we give them money, so why should they get jobs?
Just addressing the final paragraph. If CIG tries to force employers to accept unsuitable (unemployable?) Caymanian candidates on a quota system then the businesses involved will eventually just pack up and go somewhere else. I work with a number of very high profile international companies who have been carrying token Caymanian staff doing non-existent jobs on inflated salaries for years but there is a limit to their generosity. My take on this is don't push it because you're going to kill the geese that lay the golden eggs and uneployment will rise rather than fall.
Go where poster 14:49, go where? do you believe companies are here for the love of Cayman? let me tell you NO! they are here for their own benefit, tax free and low crime rate compared to every major financial industry player. I have travel extensively and I will tell you Cayman is still the best place in the world to conduct business. Don't try to scare Caymanians with the old worn out line of "we are going to kill the golden goose if we don't bend down and kiss every foreign employer and developer ring" because if we don't they are going to ALL pack up and leave. Not the case and Caymanians have wisen up. So you and others that don't want to adhere to the laws of this land go, we don't need any more lawbreakers we have enough miscreants of our own. But in the words of Arnold "you'll be back" seen it and heard it too many times. Have a Nice day.:-)
My company is the same, but we also have very good Caymanian workers, who work hard, long hours and they climb the corporate ladder quickly, unfortunately though the bad apples are what sticks in the mind.
Another report? Really?
It is quite evident why Caymanians that are genuinely seeking employment, are not able to find gainful occupation. If the policies and laws were being enforced when employers are found to be outright ignoring the laws and just doing what they want to do, including lying on immigration applications to curtail job requirements such as work experience and qualifications, then it would discourage them and others who are doing the same thing, from doing so again. Name and shame them! Enforce the law!!!
Some employers will tell you outright that they prefer to hire an expat because they don't have to pay them as much as they would a Caymanian and they have more control over a work permit holder. This is so unfair!
A policy should be put in place that every company is required to submit in writing, to Immigration as well as the NWDA, any and all vacancies available or becoming available on a monthly basis. This will allow NWDA to get the ball rolling to search their database for qualified Caymanians and their info could be sent directly to those companies and then it would be for the HR Department to contact the qualified candidates for interveiws and then a follow-up should then be done by NWDA. There must be accountability and honesty! People are hurting and are in desperate need.
Why do you think we have so much crime today in our islands? People can't feed their families making $4.50 per hour. That can't even buy a gallon of milk. People are pushed to their limit and things are going to get worse if we don't all wake up and stop thinking that "poof" everything is going to get better if we keep saying we're doing something about it. Unemployed Caymanians need employment NOW and expats that are currently working making little and nothing need to also be treated fairly. Speak up if you are being taken advantage of by your employer! Don't be afraid!
Caymanians… don't get discouraged, keep following-up with HR Departments where you have applied. Show up in person and inquire if there are any vacancies. Have all your documents in-hand such as yourResume, references, photo ID (passport or driver's licence) and your Police Rocord. Let them not have an excuse. Go prepared and go in faith, with a good attitude and dressed professionally. You will find work and will be recommended for a position! Do not dress as though you're going to a night club or the beach. Dress professional and speak proper with a good attitude and smile. Leave the frown and the self pity outside the door.
Wednesday 9:11 – One could take umbrage to your uninformed stereotyping in your reference to "Caymanians as a people don't seem capable…." of addresing the unemployment issue. You reference being aware of this problem existing for the past 35 years. You are not quite correct. Thirty five years ago and for some time since, Caymanians were largely employed in all sectors of our economy. Our "marginalization" in employment is relatively recent – primarily since the 1990's.
However, you have identifed a timeline which relates to the period in which our people have become less than the prime beneficiaries of the "progress" in our society. As to a primary reason for the high level of unemployment, explanation of which you requested, our successive Governments over that referenced time-frame have continued to rely on work permit fees as a main source of revenues. As such, it is preferred to sell a work permit to an expat than to promote and facilitate the employment of our own. Couple that with a decline in our education system over the same period which has failed to equip many school leavers for even basic employment and finally, the greed of most business operators to maximize profits by hiring foreign menial workers who are able and willing to work for $3 – 4 and hour – which is quite attractive in comparison to their options in their home countries. This latter factor is not unlike what is occuring across the world, evident in the UK, US, Australia and other developed nations where low-paid foreign workers are displacing locals.
On second thought however, in a way your comment is not entirely wrong because we as a people keep electing the same worthless leaders who cannot seem to find ways of diversifying our economy and repairing our education system, and thus our people continue to be displaced. Thankfully there are many Caymanians who don't fit the description you chose, but I concede, not enough on election day.
Why are temporary work permits not being posted for the public to see. I think there are too many people getting away with temporarily hiring people for a year and then taking them on full time once they have completed their permit. Caymanians should have equal rights to temp jobs as well… should they not?
Exactly why qualified and capable Caymanians are not gettng the temp jobs, all given to those on temporary work permits.
Please learn our local immigration laws. A temporary permit can only be taken out for up to six months maximum. There is a section on the form for placing the NWDA number showing the employer at least registered the job there.
With the changes in the laws of a year ago the ability to tie a temporary work permit being converted to a grant and if denied tie everything up in the appellate process was closed
the only businesses taking out temps are the placement agencies you want to go after any business go after them they are the ones bringing in tons of ex-pats on temps who can then legally look for work here and they compete with the NWDA.
What we need is a proper employment bureau where in order to receive social services you must go down once a week to the employment bureau and attest to the fact that you have been seeking work you are available for work and you have applied for work and whether the employment bureau has sent you out on various openings that must be filed with them
remove the placement agencies remove the temporary agencies put it under one umbrella of an employment bureau the social services tied to the employment bureau and you have A solution that works very well for monitoring all employment activities.
Then how is somebody still on a temporary work permit, renewed every six months, for two years?
Corruption or Incompetence or both.
Maybe CNS should FOI how many long term permits started as temps… I would bet it’s the majority… yes they only last six months but then when they apply for the long term application the expat has already worked in the job for 6 months and we don’t stand a chance… can someone fix this already!?
Another "report" and "system"….I'm feeling hopeful now….NOT!
And CI Govt. does a fair amount of questionable hiring too (for both Caymanian/Expat "friends" and/or "ass kissers") so their ability to fix this is laughable….if it wasn't so serious.
groundhog day #1,657……zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
this is the big conspiracy of evil employers who for some reason do not want to employ locals but instead want to go through the hassle and expense of getting wp holders in from abroad…….zzzzzzzzzz
welcome to wonderland……..
The NWDA isn't helping anything. We have been interviewing and taking apllications from dozens of Caymanians that hte NWDA has sent to us….problem is they keep sending us people with totally different skills, training and backgrounds thanthe job we are acutally hiring for. We advertise for an accountant, they send applicants with marketing background, we advertise for an electrician, they send us plumbers or even worse beauty technicians. Without fail it seems like they just send whoever is available for any job opening regardless of job and skills.
I'm a Caymanian business owner and I try to hire every Caymanian (without a police record) that I can. I'll even try to train as much as possible, but you can't expect to get a full eduaction in finance or accounting if you studyied marketing, ceramics or hairdressing.
In the meantime the Immigration Department/Boards are issuing work permits to Employment Agencies for visitors to the island who do not have jobs but who the agencies once they have the work permit then seek to place in jobs that Caymanians could hold.
The Government, their boards and the Employment Agencies are inviting civil unrest.They ought to be careful what they ask for !
This civil unrest, is it being paid? I have some friends overseas who may be interested and will do it cheaper.
Do you have actual evidence of that?
Hiring Fillipinos, etc. for substandard wages on a Work Permit owned by an employer. Welcome to the new slave trade.
The headline should read: Unemployed Caymanians still unemployed. The current headline implies that all unemployed Caymanians are actively and genuinely looking for work.
Based on personal experience, I am sure that some just need to make appearances in order to keep collecting their social assistance. To be struggling at something implies actually trying.
There is a job market. If people are unemployed it is because they do not have something to contribute to that market. It makes no logical business sense to suggest that people are simply prejudice and willing to spend tens of thousands of dollars to avoid hiring a Caymanian. That's a pretty expensive prejudice.
12:29 Expensive but true.
As an employer of 150+ in Grand Cayman, I see Cayman as a place with unbelievable job opportunities for motivated Caymanians with a basic education (reading,writing,and arithmetic) and a good attitude.
* Key issues that prevent us employing Caymanians that do apply include the following:
1) Poor reading and math skills (below high school level)
2) Poor Attitude
3) Poor work ethic
4) Dishonesty
5) No interest in the job itself (its all about me)
* Key reasons why we have a large turnover of Caymanians:
1) Poor Attitude
2) Poor work ethic
3) Dishonesty
That said, if you are a school leaver with a good basic education and a positive attitude, ignore the press and politicians telling you there are no opportunies. The sky is the limit and your future is bright.
Far too many people do not know the history of what happened in the Bahamas. Caymanians wake up and realise what is happening here now in terms of employment it is the same thing that happened in the work place in Bahamas in the 1970s. Please get a copy of The Vision of Sir Lynden Pindling In His Own Words.Compiled and Edited by Patricia Beardsley Roker
This should enlighten the people of where we are heading if we don't stop what is happening in this country soon in relation to employment and crime.
Bahamas? Are you serious? If you want the same crime rate as a "vision" then go right ahead.
Check out the latest US warnings to people travelling or US citizens living in the Bahamas.
Cayman should erect a statue to Pindling. If he hadn't destroyed the Bahamas financial industry in the early 70s we would just be a piss poor little tourism economy.
Please Government do something about all this unemployed people. We need to pay mortgage, credit car, buy food etc. what do you want us to do?
It's not rocket science. You have bills to pay. Get a job.
However, based on your post, the chances of you actually looking for a job are nil.
Take responsibility for your selves and earn some self respect. Its what the rest of the world does and does quite well. Why can't you?
A young professional Caymanian is going to rise up that set this country on the right path sooner than later.
Put a 8 month hold on new permits.. No new workers on the island.. Continue to renew…
Cayman must be the biggest joke in the world 20,000 work permits and 2,000 unemployed. Now this would get lots of laugh on a comedy circut…. only in Cayman, only in Cayman.
Job Hunters will continue to struggle until Politicians are held accountable. Caymanians stop accepting handout and demand handup by getting jobs and a decent minimum wage to begin with.
I have been trying hard day after day to get it out there that there is no silver bullet, but I have a solution that has worked and will help fill the gap that Cayman has experienced and continues to experience.
The truth is that no one person is ever fully ready for any job, if they were they would be seeking a higher position. We have a lot of talented Caymanians out there that are willing and able but need an avenue to offer their services and also to gain experience
I have created such an avenue. I don't wish to pat myself onm the back or to give an impression that I have all the answers, but I do know that I can help. Even if it can help just a few persons, it's a major difference when compared to none.
Come check out what you can do for yourself today.
Thanks.
Nothing will change until non born Caymanians are allowed to run for political office. Not to worry some Caymanian with status will challenge this in court and with Human Rights, I am confdent of a win. When the win happen everything will change but until that day, contented politician of the day will only continue to look out for themselves, their and their rich expats friends that still need them. Until then the average Caymanian voter is what Connor was in Mobile to them.
Non-born Caymanians are indeed allowed to run for office under the Constitution. All that is required is for them to renounce the citizenship of their foreign country of origin. No need for any court challenge; just read the Constitution.
UK is not a foreign country. LOL Why renounce it when living in a BOT? LOL
This is for all the MLA and government members of the Cayman Islands, here try these
http://www.bermuda-online.org/employwp.htm
http://www.bermuda-attractions.com/bermuda_0001c8.htm
Don't blame expats, there are only here because we invite them in to work, government approves the work permits not the expats. Have some back bone and do what Bermuda is doing for their people here it is for all to see.
http://www.bermuda-attractions.com/bermuda_0001c8.htm
What a bunch of BS Cayman will not have full unemployment until local without jobs realise they must start at the bottom and prove themselves
Advancement comes quickly to those worthwhile but they too must start at the bottom
There is no employer that wants to try to deal with the wpb. Its expensive and fustrating trying to deal with a system that is not working properly, and has really no idea of how it is.
For example My company needs an employee that can work in the UK and be on there own. How are we going to find this in the local labor force? We are not and the WPB keeps turning down the applications we apply for.
We would gladly hirea local but what local is allowed to work overseas?
There are many! List your contact info and see…
I can.
I have Caymanian Status, a British passport, and a Green Card, a Bachelor's and a Law degree. 🙂
Am allowed to work overseas, especially UK. What kind of job is it? Only drawback to that is will have to pay UK income tax, correct? If the salary is high enough to cover the tax, then hey, post details.
I can. I have a few passports. Besides what you've stated is a bit of a nonsense statement. Most Caymanians (granted not all) have UK passports. Post your email and the JD and if it is in my field I'll send a resume over. Humour me at the very least.
I have just come back from working in the UK. What are you looking for?
Still waiting……………..
First of all, if our Government truly wanted to do something about this situation they could, that is what the law is for. FORCE employers to hire Caymanians or hire no one at all! It puzzles me how employers get away with claiming they are hiring an "expat" to train a Caymanian but you never hear about the Caymanian gaining the position and then the expat leaving. The Caymanian is normally fired or treated so badly that they choose to leave before getting the opportunity to fill the post! Our "noble" policiticians can very easily make specific jobs fillable ONLY by Caymanians, if a Caymanian cannot be found, the post simply stays empty until they find one, if one is not found in one year, then a permit can be granted!!! Our officials kick back with high salaries and no common sense, if they wanted to do something, something could be done. 20,000+ work permits and 1800+ unemployed, something wrong with that picture??? It would cost 3,360,000 per year to employ 200 Caymanians for road cleanup on a constant basis, sounds plenty? Think about the fact the crime would reduce, pressures on social services would decrease and the savings on legal aid, social aid and criminal procedures would far outweigh the CI$3mill! Our officials are a disgrace, and absolute embarrassment and it is no damn wonder Caymanians get no respect if we have nit-bats at the helm!
SIDE NOTE: That lost one billion could fund the road cleanup and keep 200 vulnerable Caymanians employed for 300 years! Nice eh?
Government members need to follow this example
http://www.bermuda-attractions.com/bermuda_0001c8.htm
Aren't the Russians and the Chinese the ones with the money? So learn the language. This 'issue' is a problem around the world. What we Caymanians have to do is adapt. Maybe the current skill set isn't enough. Maybe it is an attitude problem. Maybe it is an education deficiency. Whatever it is, fix it within yourself and stop complaing
Nothing will change until Caymanians, politicians, business owners, employers and employees change their attitudes. This is not an easy fix and all need to do their part to make the employment of Caymanian possible and unemployment of Caymanians a thing of the past.
Need to fix the schools and address the issue of workforce management.
Employers want the flexibility and control they get from having permit holders on staff. There is a perception that if they make a hiring mistake with a Caymanian they are stuck with the employee as there will be labour tribunal actions and other complaints if they let them go. With a permit holder especially one on a three month permit it is just see you later.
We have a growing underclass of permit holders whoin some sense are being abused but it is still much better than their home country so they don't complain.
At this point Cayman needs to figure out how to stop business from doing their best to avoid hiring locals. Amazingly Caymanians in the CIG also do this as well. The skills gap or labour flexibility needs to be dealt with to stop this. Unemployed Caymanians may also need to lower their expectations.
To those who say that born Caymanians should not have to work for such low wages, maybe in a tough global economy unskilled and semi-skilled work is only worth $5-$10/hr.
PPM and C4C just one term government .Help is on the way.
I am sorry to target a particular race but when we imported Philipino's, they took many jobs that where held by Caymanians. They are qualified, sometimes over qualified and are willing to work at wages that are at poverty level.
And the problem with that is what? It is about supply and demand and if too many have your skill then you cannot demand a high wage anymore. Find another skill or go with it. Some money is better than no money. What's to say that your previous salary was even worth what you were being paid. Or your skills are outdated. Eg you specialize in typewriter repair. Who cares if you paid thousands of dollars to be qualified. Your skill is no longer needed.
A bachelors degree nowadays is a basic minimum. Equivalent to a high school diploma. It guarantees nothing it is up to the individual to make themselves marketable.
Because they did it better and cheaper andyou can send them home if they dont.
This viewpoint from last year discusses some of the reasons Caymanians find themselves unemployed and what can (and cannot) be done about it. As the author points out at the very start, in order to solve the problem you must first understand it.
http://centos6-httpd22-php56-mysql55.installer.magneticone.com/o_belozerov/31115drupal622/viewpoint/2013/10/16/economics-unemployment.
Simple soultion to the problem poster 9:15 do what Bermuda did
http://www.bermuda-attractions.com/bermuda_0001c8.htm
Go for it and seehow you make out.
If you think it is a shit show now, let's get some of the long term unemployed into those special category positions without any experience.
This should be good.
You're right this new (hopefully) law will solve the problem restrict categories on who can get the jobs caymanians and residents. Everyone needs to read this. Bermuda had the same problem we have.
Saw an article on facebook which was a copy of an advertisement for a job here in Cayman. Requiring a Bachelors degree for $1,000 per month job.
That is the kind of matter that needs to be fixed as we all know that is doctored for someone to come in as cheap labour.
Caymanians as a people just don't seem capable of adequately addressing the issue of regulating matters in the workforce to provide for employment for their citizens. It's all very puzzling. I've been observing this anomalous situation for over 35 years. Can any Caymanian readers explain?
Our Government is offering us outdated tertiary education that cannot compete in the ever changing "global market place" as Cayman stretches itself thin to accommodate "globalization" the Caymanian people are getting left behind with antiquated tertiary qualifications that are deemed "unsuitable" for most top positions in Cayman's largets and most prosperous market, the financial industry.
Yes, there is indeed an element of absurdity, but can any Caymanian explain was my request. (And I suppose after 35 years it'd be a bit lame to blame any particular government or individual, surely.)
You hit the nail on the head just over 35 years ago about 1975 Caymanians slowly began to relinquish their firm control and reign over this island (unlike Bermuda) and this is what has happened as a result, poverty, unemployment, crime and a general falling away of all things Caymanian.
work perpmits = government revenue.
Yes! Attempts at regulation always end up in more job losses or jobs being moved off island as nobody is going to be told who to employ! When will we learn and create the right training and condtions where Caymanians understand it is a free market and hard work and intelligence are needed to replace the expats. If we had that, there would be very few expats here. A lot of the unemployed (not all), just beleive they have a right to a job. No-one does in any country, so we need to wake up.
Whoopee!! 12:12 here, and very excited, very excited indeed. I'm leaving for Miami tomorrow to tell the immigration officer (with a revolver on his hip) that I've arrived for a job because there are no regulations about who can be employed in the U.S.A. I'll send word back to you and 15:52 and 08:06 so that when you all finish H.S. you too can come over and enjoy an unregulated ("non- communist") work place. Grow up/finish school, will 'yer. I'm rolling about laughing!
Whoopee!! 12:12 here, and very excited, very excited indeed. I'm leaving for Miami tomorrow to tell the immigration officer (with a revolver on his hip) that I've arrived for a job because there are no regulations about who can be employed in the U.S.A. I'll send word back to you and 15:52 and 08:06 so that when you all finish H.S. you too can come over and enjoy an unregulated ("non- communist") work place. Grow up/finish school, will 'yer. I'm rolling about laughing!
Yes it is strange. If Cuba, the USSR and East Germany were able to "regulate their workforce", so can Cayman!
Yes and it worked well, where are the USSR and East Germany today, oh yes the social experiment failed badly. And if yu like Cuba so much move there, I expect we'll see you on a raft in Cayman waters in a year or two
On one hand: Greed, exploitation, official expedience, + cultural misunderstanding.
On the local side: Low self-confidence, pride, no exposure to life’s hustle, disinterest and drug dullness.
15:52, 08:06 and 12:04. Evidently you have a problem with the notion of (any – or is it just here?) government regulating anything. Most peculiar. Also, "Just In" : the USSR and East Germany no longer exist. Oh, and Russia and Germany do have (horror of horrors) regulations involving the workplace, duh. Get real you jokers.
09:11 Thank you very much for your question. The answer is simple: Greed. Until the government of these islands and greedy employers (both Caymanian and foreigner) wake up to the fact that the growing unemployment of the Caymanian people will lead to eventual destruction of the base that is making them rich nothing will change. We only have to observe the gradua disintegration of the society aroun us to have a fair idea of where it is leading to. Very sad but it is the reality.
23.03, thank you for your measured response. I will pass it on to my Caymanian wife!
Ezzard's comment belies his true agenda: not finding jobs for Caymanians but getting rid of pesky foreigners. Only problem is, there are 20,000 work permits and only 1,900 out of work Caymanians.
Why do you hate Ezzard so much? Because he dares speak up for Caymanians? Why is any person who is pro-Caymanian automatically deemed anti-expat?
Some of those 1,900 are capable of fulfilling some of those positions held by the 20,000 work permits! Employers do not want to lose the work permit because they will not be able to obtain another one for that particular position. The standard, robotic reply from employers is 'excellent in test but did not interview well'. Good excuse for not letting go of their work permit holder!
Getting rid of pesky (not decent) foreigners should be the ultimate goal of all civil minded Caymanian not only Ezzard Miller.
How do you know which foreigners are decent?
As recently, the local standards of what is morally or ethically right does not walk hand in hand and sit comfortably with most of the planet.
Tara will be a one term wonder. She soon gone
One term maybe. "Wonder" not so much. Other than wondering how she could be so awful.
Tara inherited the problem and I am sure if she did what she knows must be done all hell would break loose in this country. Writers like you would be the first on the blogs to give her a mouth full. She should understand that you cannot please everyone so she should stop trying to be political correct and do what she sees as in the best interest of her country and its people everything else will follow, fall in line or cease and desist. Cayman needs Tara and most members of the LA (albiet a few) more than they need to be in politics to earn a living or to give out handouts to a few lazy Caymanians that are now conditioned over the years by some politician to seek alms.
Hope and pray she takes the chief officers in her ministry with her, AND the NWDA. TOTAL useless and incompetent.
MLAs don’t deserve life pensions after 1 term!!!!!!!!!!
Renewals of w/p's are also a big problem. Immigration cannot merely focus on new permits for foreignors. The belief by many exployers is that the granting of the first permit effectively secures tenure for the employee. firms specializing in immigration services are aware of the immigration department's resource limitations and focus on new permits, and they are therefore fluent in the weak machinations required to circumvent (for a fee) our immigration laws and regulations.
"The belief by many exployers is that the granting of the first permit effectively secures tenure for the employee." – why should this not be the case? One of the reasons for protectionist measures is because absurdly you can lose your job at any renewal, no matter how good you are at it. Just because someone else can prove on paper that they are 'equally qualified'.
The right candidate for the job at immigration must come soon to clean up the mess in that department. When he/she arrives I pray that they will only be answerable to the UK and that every department in Immigration will be headed up by a person from the UK for 5 years until they clean up the mess and break the yolk of incompetence that seem to reign supreme there now. Gone are the days when the Immigration department was a shining example of professionalism within the CS not anymore, there are still some good and honorable men and women working at immigration but something is wrong with those that administer the law. As a result I think it is now time to chanage out most of the staff at immigration and start a new.
So, your suggestion is that once immigration grants that first work permit, and the employer spends time and money training the new employee, that immigration should force the employer to fire that employee the first Caymanian that says they want the job comes along?
Great.. so one trained staff gone, replaced by a person who then quits two days, weeks, months in. Then the employer goes back to the international labour pool and starts fresh with a new, untrained employee.
How is the Cayman economy supposed to compete and grow when institutionalized systems are in place forcing employers to take on staff they don't want and to constantly be in a state of training? Has no one heard of human capital??
Now this is where I have a problem, I do believe that most, but not all, Caymanians without jobs, simply won't take the jobs that they are qualifed for.
However, if an employer can hire a work permit holder and spend time and money training them, why not hire a Caymanian and spend the time and money training the Caymanian?
It's one thing to hire a qualifed work permit holder, it's an entirely different thing to hire and then train and educate a work permit holder over an available and willing Caymanian.
Why are you shocked by the rules? Yes you must leave or send your staff away if a qualified citizen of the country needs the job. What did you think the advertising on renewal was all about? I hear sob stories about people coming here, starting families, and now possibly having to leave…..maybe you should keep your pecker in your pants (or a profylactic) until you get PR.
In over 20 interviews I have had with Caymanian applicants in the last 6 months for WP renewals, none, I repeat none were unemployed, all had good jobs elsewhere but looking for more money, one even had moved jobs 7 times in under 2 years. One of the WP holders they replaced was the most efficient member of staff we have. The guy we replaced him with we trained for 3 months in the job, meaning much unpaid overtime to do our own jobs, and then he leaves after 3 months, leaving the company short staffed. And this happens around 50% of the time and the business suffers, morale suffers, and now the company is shifting the jobs to Canada. It is a great law and is obviously working
You've proved point about employers, REGARDLESS of the laws and regulations, believe in securitiy of tenure for their employees upon the granting of the first permit. IMMIGRATION DEPT and MLAs take heed…this is the expectation out there.
Okay…. Every time I post on CNS that I am very qualified with professional overseas experience and have impeccable work references I get feedback from readers to "get a job" and heaven knows I am trying! I take on contract work, I have received new certifications and I AM more qualified than the Joe from overseas….please give succession planning and locals a chance.
I've offered to work for half my professional rate and still see work permit renewals granted without question.
Dr. Tasha & MLA Tara- Please stop the lip service, it is getting really-really old. Are you actually going out to the top 20 firms and asking them about their upcoming renewals and asking that they post with NWDA? (nope)
As for Home Affairs and CI Govt- we still have a HUGE problem in all departments where Caribbean locals are hired and Caymanians are qualified, yet the overseas contracts are also renewed without question.
Stop passing the buck!! DO something.
"I am very qualified…..have impeccable work references". I hope you don't speak like this at job interviews or with work colleagues. Qualifications and references should speak for themselves. The minute you start sounding boastful, doors will shut.
15:28, it would help of you gave us your name and listed your qualifications so we could all judge whether you are a genuine case or one of the many whiners out there who have qualifications from Donald Duck University and a dreadful attitude along with it.Trust me, bobo, there are a whole pile of them out there.
And this is exactly what the poster warned of… I know it is beyond your comprehension that there are Caymanians and spouses of Caymanians that are well educated and have had respectable and sometimes (hold on to your seat) dynamic career experience who cannot even secure an interview but the REALITY is there are many… not 1900 but lets go with 10% which is conservative enough that you won’t choke on it. Even 190 is unacceptable considering how long this has been going on now and how it us impacting local families.
You might want to grab your popcorn for this example as I know you will find it entertaining in your doubtful, disrespectful and ungrateful mind…
A Caymanian friend of mine is married to someone from another island who went to OXFORD and graduated with distinction, had a great career before moving here and now finds it nearly impossible to get an interview and when the coveted post-test interview finally happens they are often told they are looking for someone from the UK, Australia, etc. Which I guess just occurred in the middle of the interview…lol… The temp agencies say the same thing… Their clients what expats. What an easy way to discriminate.
You can write as sarcastically and as rude as you want..It doesn’t make you right. In fact you are very wrong.
PPM are doing the same things they did last time nothing to help caymanians. Tara is hopeless as a minister of labor she needs to go!
True dat…my first time voting and only used one of my four…might as well have stayed home. The whole C4C thing was a crock.
LOL there is not one independent thinker or doer among them three jokers i thought they joined up as ppm members because that is what they sound and act like since elections
And again, I am so tired hearing about this s….t "Poor Caymanians"!!!! How come we still have work permits for workers at the fast food restaurants, cashiers @grocery stores, DOE, laundry cleaners at certain hotels, to name a few…….cause these jobs are below them…and yet again….certain companies are protected and can get away with as many work permits they want!!!!
your a real winner or a child,
if your a winner you should of voted before and not have wasted 3 of your votes what happend?
if you are a child you should not have voted
But she is great at commissioning reports to back up her c4c agendas.
This is way more complex than you "Tara haters" want to portray. The issue of employment and immigrationgoes beyond any one Minister or Ministry. At least now the government, with the efforts led by Mininster Rivers and her Ministry, is now trying to tackle the issue from all sides.
More to the point, Caymanians are doing nothing to help themselves.
Drop the entitlement mentality already and go find a job.
PPM and all politians are all doing the same thing . I think it is time that they wake up , because they are wakeing up every liveing and every dead Caymanian with all the lame excusses to all the problems we are faced with today . See what happened in the good old U.S.A it went from DEMICRAT controll to REPUBLICAN controll overnight . WE have enough of all your lame excusses / studies / committees to the solution of the problems we are faced with today in the Cayman Islands .