Mac pleads for expat welcome
(CNS): The need to be more welcoming to expatriate professionals and investors is essential to the future prosperity of the Cayman Islands, the leader of government business has said. McKeeva Bush made an impassioned plea to his fellow Caymanians to return to the harmonious relationship they once enjoyed with those who came from overseas, invested and created jobs in the Islands. Speaking at the official opening and dedication of the new Fidelity banking hall, he said his dream was to turn Cayman into the Singapore of the Caribbean.
He told the audience that his government had made a decision to address the many challenges that the financial services industry is facing in the area of immigration. He said he knew those in the industry were struggling with recruitment and retention and he would make policy changes to address those problems.
Although Bush said he was not talking about granting status, he said permanent residency would be part of the deal for some, as he said it was important that people could come here and make a life. Aware of the backlash from many parts of the community about the numbers of foreign workers in the country he said the community had to be sensible. Given the economic climate, the LoGB warned that without new investment and new business coming to the island there would be no new jobs for Caymanians.
“Government alone cannot make this turn around. We don’t have the resources,” he added, saying it was good to be a nationalist and he said he liked to think he was a nationalist, “but I like to think I am a common sense nationalist,” he observed.
The LoGB, soon to be Premier, said that the training of Caymanians was still a must and he would ensure that happened but noted that the training would do the country no good if there was no work for Caymanians to do. “What good in sending our children away to get a finance degree or an accountancy degree if there is not the work to do when they come back?” Bush asked.
He lamented the fact that firms had sent work to other jurisdictions because they had been treated badly with refusals on work permits and key employees as well as the time it took to get the permits. Sending the work to Canada and Europe would not help Cayman but when boards keep turning things down people get fed up and leave, which has had a serious impact on Cayman’s revenue generation, he said. Bush pointed out the direct link between local jobs and the investors who generate the money, and asked, if that man is not there to bring in the money, what happens to the Caymanian below him?
“When will our people understand this?” he asked. “We must allow sufficient people in to build a stronger industry so the next time the world hits a downturn the Cayman Islands will be much stronger than we are today. That’s what my administration wants to do,” he said. “Immigration must change. It has been the problem child for all developing territories, but we can’t allow it to be our doom. We must allow the money to come in and that means working with people from all walks of life.”
He asked employers recruiting from overseas to be careful and to choose the best people but he made it clear that he believed Cayman could not grow and sustain its own people without outside investment.
He lamented the continued criticism in the press and the attitudes of people on the blogs and talk shows but pleaded with the audience to get on the blogs and say how important it was to work with and welcome those from outside who could make us wealthy again. “I am passionate about this as I have been talking about this for six months and for some people its same old same old,” he exclaimed. “If you treat people bad they leave and it’s unnecessary.”
He said it was the anti-foreign sentiment not the foreigners that would undermine Cayman’s economy.
“Caymanians I speak to you because we can destroy this thing and we have gone far enough” he said, begging people to stop the animosity. “Let them come and move and live and go to church where they want and flirt with who they want it is none of immigration’s business.”
“We can build this country into the Singapore of the Caribbean,” Bush said. Admitting that Cayman was not the ‘only girl on block’, he lauded the technology, the infrastructure and the professionals who could help grow the economy if they were made to feel welcome.
“Trust the government, this one anyway,” he laughed. “We will ensure Caymanians are trained and moved up but we need to retain a harmonious society … we must be welcoming in and out of the workplace.”
While preaching to the converted, as the guest list at the Fidelity opening ceremony which honoured national hero Sybil McLaughlin was dominated by those from the financial industry, Bush faces some of his steepest opposition from his own constituents in West Bay, who have persistently lamented the fact that the trickle down from foreign investors has been sorely lacking for them.
In the last few weeks, too, the UDP back benchers have been vociferous in their objections to expatriates taking work from Caymanians. During Finance Committee, the representative from Bodden Town, Dwayne Seymour, severely criticised foreign musicians from taking work from Caymanians and even raised his own vested interests when he complained that foreigners were allowed to set up security firms and compete against local Caymanian firms such as his own. Elio Solomon has also been deeply critical of foreign workers who are perceived as taking jobs from Caymanians.
Over on the opposition benches, the independent MLA for North Side, Ezzard Miller, has said he is fundamentally opposed to any new immigration policies that allow foreigners to gain any kind of residency rights.
Category: Headline News
When are we going to get a minimum wage?? It will solve most of this problem
I believe that caymanians shouldbe a little more appreciative of the people who come here to provide essential services and contribute to the growth and development of their country. I agree that there are a few instances that there may be genuine injustice against caymanians, but those issues should be addressed accordingly and not be used as a fat to fry everybody. Where else in the world do peolpe bite the hand that feed them? Most people come here for opportunity. Caymanians don’t realize how fortunate they are to have a government that look out for their young people. I admire the fact that there are real opportunities for young caymaninas who really want to work. I believe that the relatinoship between caymanians and expats should be symbiotic as oppsed to parasitic. Remember that in any society it is the people that spend that make the economy turn. Stop turning away your money spenders.
and it has to be a two way street…..
You know this expat thing is really getting old. why is it that everyone wants to blame someone else for what is going on.. Government isnt doing this, or doing that.. or the expats are taking all the jobs away.. that is total BS..
This comment is not directed at expats or caymanian’s its directed at people.. ask yourself one question.. did you go out today and work as hard as you could or did you laze around and wish for the day to be over.. Were you welcoming to guests you ran into or did you shun them off like you wished they were not here.. keep wishing that Cayman and you will get your wish.. do you think the tourists dont notice when you act like an ass to them.. do you think that makes them want to come back and spend there hard earned money here.. no it makes them think we are ignorant and rude..
The simple fact is people have gotten lazy, they want to sit on there ass and make money with out doing or producing anything. do you think that was the way of the men and woman of years gone by did things.. do you think the hard working sea going men who brought the reputation to Cayman of the hard working men and women did it..
Its simple Cayman.. these islands do not have a GNP, we do not manufacture anything that gets exported, ( other then Beer ) We want to lay around and live off the reputations made by our forfathers and mothers. That will only last so long.. these islands were made well off by people coming here, for tourism or to work and make money.. Keep wishing them away and they will go.. then the UK will come in and take over cause well we just dont make enough money to support the life style we all want to live.. We need the expats, we need the tourism dollar and we need to be nice to each other and to the tourists.. smile, have something good to say.. and ask yourself.. did I work as hard as I could have today or was I lazy.. but most of all be honest with yourself.. get off the couch and get busy..
Gotta feel for the Brazilians – not only are they going to pay 2% on their hard earned wages on this end, but their home country is now going to tax them again on money wired in…
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/brazilian-securities-hit-as-govt-levies-new-tax-2009-10-20
Mac – is this where you got the idea to hit up the money transfers?
It really makes the expats feel welcome to hit them in the pockets…
MAC you are too late mate !!!!!!!!!!! The damage is already done.
Ha ha ha ha…..unna wanted McKeeva back because "he is for the Caymanians"
Tek that !!!!
He fooled unnaagain…..how many more times Cayman ???????
You are so right post 10:12. I only hope in the end it hurts those the most that voted for this fool again.
I am not being facetious or rude…I am honestly trying to understand. A few questions to any Caymanian who choose to respond. I don’t live on your island and have no desire to even thogh i have visted and thisk its a wonderful and fairly developed place.
What has the average Caymanian done without the investments of outside interest to develop their country?
Why do you as a Caymanian feel the need that you deserve the job that you didnt creat in the first place?
How can expats be more sympathetic to the needs of the local people?
Do you think expats should just come to the islands and work then leave when asked to?
Do you think that expats get more out of the islands than they put in?
these are questions that i think might help me better understand a very sensitive issue especially since i will be visiting next week
I only have one question for you:
“Didn’t my people before me, slave for this country?”- Bob Marley
Certainly less so in the context of Cayman history than Jamaica to which the quote refers.
Yes, the quote does apply to Jamacia and it’s history. I chose it as a valid analogy for the Caymanian situation.
Although there were millions more Jamaicans who slaved for their country, it doesn’t make it any less valid to Caymanians who have slaved for this one.
Not really, as the proportion of the population subjected to slavery was far less than in Jamaica, and the proportion of current Caymanians for whom a majority of their forefathers were directly subjected to slavery was far less too.
Dear Richard,
These seem to be leading questions that betray your own preconceived ideas rather than representing a simple attempt to understand.
"What has the average Caymanian done without the investments of outside interest to develop their country?"
What does that mean? Are you asking how Caymanians earned their livelihood before the days of outside investments?
"Why do you as a Caymanian feel the need that you deserve thejob that you didnt creat in the first place?".
I am not sure I follow the logic. The people who create jobs are not looking for a job. I think what you are getting at is that there is too much of a sense of entitlement to a job purely on the basis that you are Caymanian apart from your qualifications, experience and skills. If so, I agree that many in the younger generation have this wrong mindset. It is because they have grown up in era of abundance and take for granted what previous generations either had to work hard to obtain or did not obtain.
However, there is the other side of the coin. Take this parable. There was country man and his family who had a lovely house and a dining table but only some crusty bread and and some cheese in the house. Some city folk, who have a great deal of the finest foods, found his house and table very convenient and agreeable and would like to bring their food to my house for a fine feast.
However, sometime after the city folk arrive they begin to feel that they should be in charge of the house, keep the choicest foods for themselves and insist that the countryman’s family should sit on the floor and not at the table. From time to time they will pass some food from the table to countryman’s family on the floor. Their view is that the countryman’s family have no right to complain because, after all, all the fine food was brought by them. If they had not come the countryman and his family would be sitting at the table but with simpler fare and none of the fine food. They are being very generous and do not understand why the householder would wish to upset this wonderful arrangement that has worked so well for them both. If the householder insists on having a seat at the table then the city folk will pack up their fine food and leave and find another countryman who is willing to share his home and table but is content to sit on the floor and wait for morsels. In order to avoid this, some of the city folk urge the householder that he should forget about being in charge of his house or sitting at the table. Such aspirations are simply unrealistic given his lower status. If he would simply be content with what is passed to him from the table he will have plenty to eat.
Does the householder deserve a place at his own table in his own house where he can have a share of the choicest foods? What should the householder do?
The other question is:
If he hadn’t let the rich in, would he still now be happy with his bread and cheese?
Of course we would.
No Caymanian wants to watch cable TV, live in air conditioned houses, eat Burger King and KFC, drive their sparkling new car or have the ability to stand in the middle of George Town in the middle of the day without being sucked dry by mosquitos.
Bring back the wattle and daub housing, whompers and Christmas beef!!!
Oh how quickly one forgets where one has come from and how they got to where they are today.
Ingratitude and an air of expectation reign supreme on our little rock!!!
"Ingratitude and an air of expectation reign supreme on our little rock!!!".
You’re right. It has got to the point where it is being reflected in some Caymanians. You are also right about people forgetting where they came from, the difference is that expats believe we don’t know where they came from.
here is what the householder should do – sell his fine house and fine dinning room table to the rich city folk, spend the money on a couple of new boats, some cars and a jetski, burn the rest on clothes and flat screen tv’s then tell the city folk that he will sit at the city folks table and will eat city folks food and if he doesn’t let him, he will get him kicked off the island. Oh wait a second, that is exactly what happened! You are right that is a good parable.
17: 27
To answer your post
"These seem to be leading questions that betray your own preconceived ideas rather than representing a simple attempt to understand."
Well if i have a preconceived idea..wouldn’t i benefit from you attempting to make me understand?
"What has the average Caymanian done without the investments of outside interest to develop their country?"
What does that mean? Are you asking how Caymanians earned their livelihood before the days of outside investments
I am asking what are the native Caymanians doing for themselves to create jobs for themselves instead of waiting on outside investments
Why do you as a Caymanian feel the need that you deserve the job that you didnt creat in the first place?".
"I am not sure I follow the logic. The people who create jobs are not looking for a job. I think what you are getting at is that there is too much of a sense of entitlement to a job purely on the basis that you are Caymanian apart from your qualifications, experience and skills. If so, I agree that many in the younger generation have this wrong mindset. It is because they have grown up in era of abundance and take for granted what previous generations either had to work hard to obtain or did not obtain. "
Well unless i create or own something I am not entitle to anything…
I fail to make the connection between your parable and the situation between the expats community which apprarently you are trying to connect.
Well, Richard, apparently every other poster has got the connection. I am sure if you ponder it long enough you will get the point and your questions will then have been answered. On the other hand it could be that you are simply being obtuse.
16 55
I deliberately tried to answer your questions. You on the other hand did not..you simply made a generalized statement. I am not everyone..resorting to insults and sarcasm..is juvenile..
It begs to question, "Who exactly does this man think he was elected to represent?" Certainly it would appear not to be Caymanians.
Truly, it is no wonder that foreigners take us for fools, laugh at us and despise us. With the type of so called leadership and ignorance we see emerging they have every right to. No other country in the world would be as foolish as we have now become, seemingly begging and prostituting ourselves to the highest bidders.
My questions are many and here are a few:
Where is the plea to the foreigners who come here to be more respectful to Caymanians and to understand that they are guest workers in this country who have been allowed amongst us for a specific period of time to perform specific jobs?
Where is the plea to employers to provide good training and opportunities to Caymanians so that we and our children can have a promising future?
Where are the impassioned pleas to employers not to allow their HR persons to lie and present false job advertisements tailored to hire their friends and family abroad?
Where are the changes to our Immigration Law that will be of benefit to Caymanians?
When will a certain Chairman be told to stop his double edged campaign against what was the "protection board" way of thinking? In fact, folks, what we do need is another protection board for Caymanians!
Caymanians need to take a stand, not through violence, but by being bold and making it known what will and will not be accepted by us. We do not need, nor should we accept, another give away of Caymanian Status or permanent residence, regardless of the package it is presented in this time around. This is ignorance and will only compound our social problems and definately not assist Caymanians to progress in this society. In fact, it will be to our detriment. It will of course garner more voters, which is another issue.
Maybe some light is now being shed on the reasons for the recent reshuffle within the UPD and why Rolston was replaced as Deputy Leader. No legislator with good sense could embrace such an insult to his people.
Amen!
Amen Amen!
There’s a provision in the letter from Immigration to an employer that the work permit has been granted on the basis that a Caymanian must be identified within 6 months to be trained to take over the position for which the work permit has been granted. Of course, this is never enforced. Simple – enforce this clause and many problems solved.
Who the hell would give up their home, family and friends to come here for 6 months? I didn’t even know where Cayman was when I was "recruited" here. I have worked hard to get an education and build a career which is why I was offered a good job here. Trust me, employers would prefer to not HAVE to recruit abroad, pay for permits and have employees rolled over. A Caymanian must be identified and trained within 6 months????? How does this work? They are home watching T.V and someone comes and "identifies" them, drags them to training and drops them into a job? This is one country in a great big world. I can work anywhere in the world that I want because I got my own education. Nobody "identified and trained me" for anything. My country has free health care and welfare – and believe me, people come from all over the world to enjoy that. They don’t even need a job, a work permit or anything – and there is no roll over. Come on Caymanians, this is not a country thing it’s aworld thing. Every single person is responsible for themselves in this world. If there were people here who aquired the education and experience I have, I would not be here. In fact, I still wouldn’t know where Cayman is.
While I’m at it, can someone please tell me why every single server on this island is an ex-pat? There are no Caymanians who can serve? I deleivered pizza while putting myself through college. Look around Cayman, if you get yourself educated you can live in the U.S, Canada, Dubai, Japan or any where in the world you want. If you are sitting around waiting to be "identified and trained" and then dropped into a job, good luck. I know of no country on the globe that does that.
I know of no country in the world that grantys work permits to pizza delivery guys thereby depriving local kids of an opportunity to get entry level jobs … only in Cayman.
Every server is an expat because they are experienced from elsewhere and are cheaper (no pension required) and are willing to split their grats with management (no no under the Law and Caymanians know it)…
They used to almost all be Caymanian. I was once one of them.
Cayman isn’t really a country though. 30,000 people is just a small town on a remote island.
Although Bush said he was not talking about granting status, he said permanent residency would be part of the deal…
What!? Am what deal?! Deal for who?! What are we receiving for that deal?! Does this deal look remotely close to the last deal you made 5 yrs ago?! Who are you kidding sir?! I wonder if Caymanians realize that PR have a right tovote after a year?! Yup…check it out. What a shocker that is. With that right, who needs a status?!
You ever hear a more twisted sell to Caymanians. What a "old bush" slap in our faces. Mr. Bush, I have the greatest of respect for you. However, this is one time you have got to realize what fire you will start. Sir, I do not know what time warp you are cocooned in but you had better start that metamorphosis and catch up with the caymanian of today.
Let me make sure I get this right: you want Caymanians to sell our souls one more time?! For what? So we can develop for who?! Let me make myslef abundantly clear for all in sundry to understand…without a clearer understanding of this "deal" the relevant facts and the ENTIRE cost this country this country will endure, I would humbly suggest you reconsider that "deal".
For starters, do not insult our intelligence, by bringing the same sell/position for the one or two or, ok, 15 investors (XXXX) that you have single-handedly stamped as our saviours, for the guest workers in our Financial Services Industry! So wha now…we should view these as our diciples? Lord have mercy and good loving saviour forgive me for any implied pun…cause I assure unna, there is not one single solatary thing that is amuzing about this for me. These are two different sets of people. They are not the same and any arm twisting and doomsday scenarios by the "Travers" prototypes should met with strong challenge. Now while I have in the past thanked the recent efforts of Mr. Travers, I quite easily entertain self-serving efforts. Do I judge him as such? No, and would not purport authority on his "heart" issues, besides not being the good Lord…I do not know the man well enough. So I try to live with an open mind. And because of that, i have found myself wondering lately: what in the heck do we pay our elected officials for? This man – Travers has been portrayed as the authority on Cayman’s demise vis-a-vis our Immigration policy broadly and the roll over specifically and its destruction of these Cayman Islands. Were not these policies debated in the house? I am not saying that we should never seek to examine the effectiveness of legislation and policy (which is what I heard the last administration say they would do), nor am i suggesting that the "Travers" authority on the issue should not be weighted. But for goodness sake to take, YET AGAIN , and throw the baby out with the bath water and call everyone else a big pile of idiots because we do not see eye to eye for your singapore vision or WORST the expat/guest workers self-serving interests is just absolutely wrong and will not be tolerated. this is one horse size pill to swollow ya man. We have made these people kings and now you want us to empower more to, in absence of the REAL/ENTIRE costs, our detriment?! What hog feed.
Secondly, as mentioned above. Where are the facts on the deal"? Never mind the environmental or considerations that must be weighed for our XXXXX…in this context, the very real SOCIAL costs must be calculated. And if you come out of that slumber you must be in…the scales of balance is heavily tilted now in the "new comer" favour. You had better arrest this area before we go one step further down this road. See, unlike our investors, which we can live with…even w/ PR (I suppose), the self-serving, "hedgers" seem to believe that they made the Cayman Islands. they discount our culture, our history, our qualifications, our experience and believe that they are the gift we must have. You might share that belief. But be assured, not every native Caymanian is that insecure about the fortitude and courage that runs through these salty veins. My greatfather was bombed andkilled by a german U-boat fighting beside his british counter-parts. I would like to believe, his heart was locally as much as it was globally in his pursuits. These "new comers" are disrespectful, pompous and self-serving. As far as am concerned, we owe them nothing but honest pay for honest work. If and only IF they become desrving and have integrated well into our community should we oblige with tenure. Anything less and you have just added fuel to this divide that has been created.
Mr. Bush, we are smart people, strong and worthy of our own. We need want whats best for our families but am not sure if we want it at the peril to our souls, drive and hope as a nation of people. Our Human Capital Development needs has been grossly neglected by this Industry for the converse benefits. Do not for one moment think, I do not undestand or know the trickle down of what we have had thus far…do not insult my intelligence, with any scare movies, but the scales of balance when we weigh everthing is tilted.
In closing, I wish to reiterate: there maybe need for adjustments but this deal thing and behind the door thing better not be in the mix. We need to come clean with the details and come out of that slumber
Now I going need some blue mountain brew with lil sugar for this one ya.
Hi Johnny – some valid points well put however i think i don’t believe you are admitting to the reality of the current situation. Cayman is hemorrhaging financial firms and hence jobs left, right and centre. There are no major inflows of companies or positions and the on island industry is getting smaller. This is the situation, you can blame any number of causes for the decline but this is where we stand at the moment.
What Travers and Bush are saying is that Cayman has a choice, either they continue to let the financial services industry wither and die off completely, as will happen, or the country will have to make some major changes to encourage more business. There are plenty of Caymanians who would love to see the back of the whole financial industry and they are fully entitled to that view. However the Caymanians who do actually want to try and keep a financial services industry on island do not have the luxury of burying their heads in the sand and hoping it will all be ok. IT WILL NOT.
They will have to choose, either let the industry die a natural death, or make major changes to the corporate climate to encourage new inward corporate investment with the associated wealth and job creation. Every CEO is telling us that the quickest way to improve the corporate climate is to allow the companies to employ the right people. No matter what people feel, Travers is not lieing, CEO’s of companies who have left say that the reason for the moves was primarily driven by employment requirements and restrictions.
Either don’t do anything and they leave – Citi, Goldmans, Maples etc or make changes and they will stay and new ones might join. Its not a popular choice but it does have to be made!!
I reckon my company’s Cayman presence will be about 25% of its current size in 2 or 3 years. Saving every penny I can because I wouldn’t want to be left behind in this place once it really starts going down the tubes.
would you like to leave now?
Not really. Money too good for the little work I have to do. I will ride this wave for as long as I can.
You have to love the 5 year plan. A classic.
How does one quatify the validity of your statements relevant to exist surveys you say were done? Assuming this is true…we still are void of all the facts.
As a young boy in school, i was told that our competitiveness in the FS industry were based on a number of other variables…which we do not hear about. They included, our location to most of these institutional investors. they did not need to fly to Asia to be near their wealth. What about our government and its stability, is that not relevant anymore to the investor? Of course, the ability to litigate and wind up and the assurance of a healthy judiciary…not relevant? Quality of life for the staff of these firms – not relevant anymore? The fact that we are a offshore domicile period – not relevant? Our ability to have in-place enabling legislation that allows for the creation of things like the SPVs etc – not relevant? Our ability to be competitive in service fees – not relevant anymore? I could go on. Okay, any of our selling points could be perception driven, although less so now than in our start-up days because we have established crediabilty now in the markets, but perception is half the battle. So, now it is purely their ability to not just employee people but that we give them tenure too?! I am sorry but you just slapped me again and I am almost tempted to take this on.
We need thorough competitive analysis done so we can better reevaluate our competitve advanges and refocus. That is what the Finance association should be doing instead of trying to justify PR and tenure for their croonies. Ignite and refocus and sell what our competitive edge.
Again, void of the benefits to the social costs analysis…we need to stop all deal making period.
You made me search for my blue mountain again.
Oh and on further thought to add to my reply below: Goldman sachs had major financial problems, as I recall, just before the meltdown and so I am not sure I buy the reasons you said as to why they downsized.
Then you threw in Maples…they are a law firm and that is their core business model. Although I suspect they are involved with the instituitional/company management business their model is mostly centered on law issues…and I know the law business supports the FS Industry. However, they have not left. Are they not mostly locally owned?! Yes, they have outsourced some of their work, but outsourcing is not unique to them or to that Industry the world over. I would venture to say that some of our local firms have also gained business from other jurisdictions from outsourcing. I would suspect the decision has less to do with our granting of PR and lack of employees as it does with strategic decisions surrounding the strengths each jurisdiction brings to the table relevant to employees and the part each play in the revenue flows generation for the corporation/firm.
Further, if much of what you say is also true, it says very little for the Caymanians who have made it to the top of their game: Mr. dan Scott, Canover Watson, Mr. Martin the many Caymanian Partners at the law firms etc. Are they not examples that Caymanians have what it takes? or are we just settling with the scary movie spew?
So what am I saying: If we have 50 or so major FS firms here…that would equate about 50 or so bosses/CEOs….an acceptable number (I suppose) and PR if necessary could be entertained. But to say that wholesale sell out for middle manager "hedgers" and lawyers…the latter being an area where Caymanians are excelling in at the law school, is rubbish in my view.
So you tell me now, are you saying that caymanians cannot be qualified through training and acquired education for the other leading posts aswell as the CEO posts? If they can, why is not happenning then? Yes, we have limited labour pool, but with 20 years under our belt, more could have been had. And we certainly did not give away our souls in the beginning. i am sure this was not the vision of Sir Vassel and our leaders back then.
You think about that for a minute.
Dear Johnny, once again some valid points and i always enjoy reading your posts.
The reason i choose Goldman’s as an example is because i happen to know that the reason they left was because of difficulties and problems hiring the right people for the job. Their financial problems had very little to do with them leaving as it was already in place long before the global economy took a down turn.
As for Maples, they have outsourced their IT department becuase one particular person was denied a work permit, they needed this person and since they couldn’t get him, they had to move the office to somewhere where he could get a permit. This cost the island around 20 jobs. You are correct that IT is not a ‘financial job’ per se but it is still an important job that we would like to be done on the island. The 20 people who have been made redundant or relocated would perhaps think that it was an important job.
2 real life examples, bury your head in the sand all you like but this is the reality.
As for people, Johnny you have to come to a couple of realisations here. There are very few poeple on the planet who are intellectually capable of doing some of the roles within a financial company. No matter how much training, qualifications and experience someone has, there are some jobs he will never be able to do. A good way of looking at it is to use the example of a top basket ball player. You can train all your life and work on your skills as much as any man alive but you still might not make it to the NBA because you are 5’2”. It is the harsh reality of the real world. We can’t all do everything. There are plenty of jobs i would never be able to do, i accept that. We might tell our kids that they can go out into the world and do anything but it simply is not true, and we know it. You can work on the Nuture side of the equation but there is nothing you can do about the Nature side – ie its in your genes.
There are 25,000 Caymanians out there, on a western world scale they are considered very average, no one would deny that. Much like a randomly selected group of 25,000 Amercians etc. Of those 25,000 only a handful of them are actually capable of being CEO’s and only a handful of them are capable of performing certain roles within certain financial companies. If it was anymore than a handful, then Cayman would be the most amazing random selection of humans ever encountered! No matter how much training you give most people and how many qualications they may get, they will not be able to do the CEO jobs or the certian financial services jobs that are required. This is the reason that companies down here HAVE TO look elsewhere, look in a bigger pool to find that particular sort of individual.
I guess the crux to understanding this is that :1) Cayman is an average poplulation of humans with a normally distributed range of abilities, 2) there are some jobs that most people will never be able to do.
And with all due respect for a country i love, i do have to say that the only advantage that Cayman has over the rest of the world is the low tax status of financial instruments, to prove this just image what would happen if its tax rate increased by a material amount. It does not have the best people, it does not have the best lifestyle, it does have a lot going for it for someone like me but for the average business man, not so much, – what it does have is its low taxes. This alone makes it a viable financial centre, remove that and the whole thing will collapse.
I hope i have not offended anyone as this was not my intension. As i have said all along, it is a very hard decision and neither of the two choices are attractive.
And thank you for the engage and endorsement.
I appreciate your examples and your interesting spin and insight of the issue; yet, I am not on-board with them.
First, i did not say anything relevant to IT and Maples, as I never knew the details like you seem to have. I could call maples spoilt asses and cowards for not telling the Cayman public at the time. Instead, like Goldman, they publicly declared bottomline/streamlining realities. So I took them at their word, versus sticking my head in the sand as you suggest. It is obvious then, on your word, that their words are not worth their salt. And that is the issue here.
What I have heard from you in sum total are: old boys club (as another poster said), and generalizations to support the hiring bias and sheer unethical behaviour by, what most view as, major professional organizations. If it was not so serious an issue it could be laughed at. As I am not totally convinced that this is all the case, in other words, not discounting your reality of them and the issue, I will try to delve into it and show why i do not.
I still live in a place called hope, I still believe in telling our children they can be ANYTHING they want to be and thatit is true. I do not believe it is fairytale and history has taught us this time and time again. At one time, women could not be astronauts either…and for black people could not serve in the military. We know this to not be the case. To believe your sum total of the reality then, is to further limitation on Caymanians and their abilities to run any firm in Cayman – the crux of our discussions. Further, there are holes in your example about a 5.2′ man not (actually you used might) make it in the NBA. Well please read this:
This is a run down of the shortest players in NBA history and some highlights:
The shortest player to ever play in the NBA is Tyrone “Mugsy” Bogues. Mugsy, standing at just 5 foot 3 inches, was drafted twelfth in the 1987 draft after playing for Wake Forest in college. He went on to play 14 seasons in the NBA for five different teams. Before retiring in 2001, he had racked up 6,858 point, 6,726 assists and 1,369 steals–impressive stats for any NBA player.
Among the shortest players in NBA history is also the famous Spud Webb who stood at 5’7”. After leading his North Carolina college team to the Sweet 16, Spud was not drafted until the fourth round by the Detroit Pistons. Spud went on to enjoy a 13-year NBA career and amassed over 8,000 points during his time in the league. Spud, however, is known for being the shortest player in basketball to compete and win the NBA Slam Dunk Competition in 1986. He amazed journalists, fans and even his teammate and dunk competitor Dominique Wilkins with his memorable assortment of dunks.
Earl Boykins rounds out the list of shortest players in NBA history, standing at just 5’5”. Still active in the NBA, Boykins began his career with the New Jersey Nets in 1998. His 10-year career was highlighted by the four years he spent as a member of the Denver Nuggets from 2003-2007 when he was their back up point guard. Not only were his regular season averages impressive, he was a playoff performer, upping his averages in every category. He also has one of the most memorable photos with him and Yao Ming standing side-by-side.
There are many basketball short players who stand between 5’7” and 6” to list and many are notable. These include: Damon Stoudamire (“Mighty Mouse”) at 5’10”, and 5‘9” Nate Robinson who plays for the New York Knicks. The shortest basketball player to ever become the Most Valuable Player in the league is Allen Iverson, who stands just six feet tall (on a good day). Iverson not only has performed despite his height, he has dominated the league because of it; routinely using his speed and size to elude defenders and score baskets. He has averaged better than 27 points per game for his entire career and currently has just under 20,000 total points in his 13-year career.——
Now again, you said might, but you just read the examples of many who are doing it. And I maintain many more Caymanians want to and can have more of a presence in this Industry. There is one more point relevant to this example: clearly height is an advantage to not just playing basketball but playing it at the NBA and I accept that. However, what is the advantage, the skill set, specfically identify it, that you say do not exist for the FS industry in cayman and Caymanian generally? All I heard were generalizations. I recognize becoming, studying to be a doctor does not make you the best doctor but you are still a doctor and the judgement could as to your ranking could be viewed as subjective.
Again, I believe that we are much more competitive on many variables than you suggest. Your example to try and dispute this is not accpeted by me either. To say that one move in our taxes would mean they would leave clearly indicate its all about bottomline and the likely substitute choice would be because its cheaper and nothing elsethen…right?! Think about what you are saying here.
Again, I stand that we need the competitive analysis done to lay the facts out before this whoesale PR giveout because we have a big pile of rocket scientist around here.
Thanks Johnny,
Once again i must say to you that the world really is a harsh place, we can sugar coat it all we like but business is business. The one and only reason that a company like Goldman Sachs exists is to make money for its owners and senior personnel. There is absolutely no other reason, they are not doing it for the good of the American people, for the poor, for the environment. Yes they may well make contributions to charitable causes but the amount of money is not material and the feel good factor associated with the company easily outweighs the costs. It is not pretty but that is the situation.
The Average Amercian person found that out last year when they paid $10bn to help rescue Goldman Sachs from certain bankruptcy only for Goldman’s to pay bonuses of over $16bn to its employees this year! Shareholders in Goldmans have more than doubled their money as well! The Amercian people only got their $10bn back and nothing else. The average employee at Goldman sachs will get a bonus of around $750,000 this year, add on their salary of around $250,000 and they will walk away with around $1m. There are 35,000 people working at Goldmans and the top guys will make an awful lot more than that.
The Amercian people saved its life and will get nothing in return. The world is not fair and big business is there to make money, nothing else. It is all about the bottom line i am sorry to say! As i said earlier there are plenty of Caymanians who would like to see the back of FS companies, probably for this reason.
Please don’t make this a xenophobic discussion, i never said any thing specifically derogatory about Caymanians, i said that Caymanians are an average group of people with an average range of abilities. One particular example of a tangible trait that you are asking for would be IQ. IQ distribution amongnst a normal population of individuals (be they American, European or Caymanian) is a typical bell shaped curve with very small tails. This means that most people in any population have an average intelligence and very few people have a very high IQ, say above 140. In Cayman, just like else where with a population of 25,000 people, there are very few poeple with the appropriate level of IQ to do some jobs in the financial services industry. An average CEO has a far higher mean IQ than an average person. As you mentioned there are plenty of people who can be a doctor but there are very few who will ever become a good doctor. Imagine you had lots of money and had a dieing mother or child, would you make do with the average doctor or would you want the good doctor?
Most excellent Caymanians have great jobs that pay exceptionally well and they are very happy, they are very likely to become CEO’s if they are not already CEO’s of their respective companies. But an average Caymanian (just like an average Amercian or European) will never have the ability to become a CEO.
please note that IQ is merely one attribute that i have mentioned, there are plenty more, leadership is another, there are natural born leaders out there and there are natural born followers. If your country was going into battle you would far rather have a natural born leader to lead it to victory rather than a follower who had been to all the right universities and got all the right degrees. Natural born leaders are few and far between.
I hope this goes someone to answering your remaining doubts or questions.
I may have choosen the height of 5’2” on purpose but i do understand your point you are making. As you say, my assumptions could be completely wrong and the average Caymanian is actually a rocket scientist and this is actually the most incredible group of 25,000 individuals on the planet. If this is the case may i suggest they kick out all the expats and start their own FS companies.
‘PR have a right to vote after a year…’ ? Where does it say this?
Once they get Naturalised, which they can do 12 months after grant of PR. Thre are now many such people. They have Caymanian passports but are not Caymanian.
Don’t they have to apply and be granted status before being naturalised…? Where does it say they can be naturalised after 12months of PR?
Call Immigration…better yet…call the Portfolio ofInternal and External affairs and investigate and be thoroughly surprised.
Surprised?… or Shocked?
floored! And if you are Caymanian, you better understand my anger.
Amen, my Caymanian brother!
Mr. Mac needs to understand those foreigners from North America and Europe who get residency or received status would send their children to their mother country for subsidised higher education. When they come back with such high quality education, our Caymanian children will have to compete with them. We know what is the outcome of such competetion is. In the end our children who are failed by the system will resort to violance and guns !!!!!!!!!!!. Also, as far as I know Singapour does not give foreign workers permanant residency or status. Same situation in Dubai as well. You go there for a limited duration for work and then they return home. In most middle eastern countries including Dubai, you will live and work there and you will never get residency. This is now happening in the UK as well. In the UK you get bring in skilled workers for a limited duration on work permit and then they return. XXXXXXXXXX Some employers get down so called skilled workers and unfortunately, most of the time they learn the job here. However, same damn employer does not give that opportunity to a just graduated caymanian because of lack of experience. Even right now so much injustice being done on the Caymanian employees at the work place. Our forefathers built this place for us not for the foreigners. They are most welcome to come here and work and enjoy life. That is fine, but not to take over this place. When children of the present residents and status holders come back in next few years, Caymanian children going to face tough times ahead. A deal has already been struck at the secret meeting held at the Westin recently. I hope Ezzard Miller will play his part at the appropriate time to oppose this move and all loyal caymanians should be behind him all the way to support. We should stop tinkering immigration laws now. Afterall, they were put in place by UDP in 2004 for a reason when they were in power last time. Rolston was a part of that immigration review at that time.
Here’s an idea, the government could have a government-funded (or industry funded) program to train Caymanians for the financial services industry. Let me explain this, in the states, we used to have programs called CETA (comprehensive employment training act) and JTPA (job training partnership act) – this was for on-the-job-training, usually ages 16-24, economically disadvantaged, and/or to train people for other skills. The employer would receive grants, and/or subsidies to train participants.
This could be not only on-the-job-training, but, someone from the financial industry could give classroom short-term courses.
The CETA & JTPA programs had some advantages, as the employer would accept a trainee for 6 months. After 6 months, the employer could decide whether to hire the trainee. This program in the states also helped some people train and become Physician Assistants. ***This program that was held at a hospital required participants to go to school/intern – could not have any other employment. Must be able to live off grants/loans, but it was successful.
I know this sounds like wishful thinking, and I’m certain the financial industry will want some kind of incentive to provide training. **There are teachers coming there from the U.S., Canada, and UK, why not hire someone already there that have retired from the industry to teach a class (prep for securities, bonds, futures…..)
I have an idea! Why don’t all the executives or law firm partners who get a couple of million dollar salary a year plus a hefty bonus agree to live for a year (or two) with an average salary paid to a middle management employee. The savings made by that could then continue to pay the salary of the employee they were about to make redundant. If you made a millon or two last year, do you really need to make another couple mill again this year? Come on guys, for the love of the country ……what ya say?
Come on – there is only one response…
"Blow me"
But in reality, are you just calling for a socialist society – be ready to accept the rest tha comes with it.
Jealousy is not the answer. MONEY IS THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL.
Let’s just all recognise we have a place in life – some below us, some above, but you need to accept reality…
That would be "the LOVE OF MONEY is the root of allevil"
But the point is still spot on!!!
That would be great – but unfortunately to maintain their ability to maintain their 2 million dollar plus incomes – they just laid off much of their middle management. Its really amazing how many extra Porsches can be bought with the savings obtained by getting rid of a few pesky 60K a year Caymanians – and the joy of it is we can blame it on the economy and everyone believes us!
Economic downturn is a great time to trim fat in a business. All top businesses do it. Weak ones try to hold onto the status quo.
Agreed – but if you lie to immigration or to your staff in the process and wait until you have had your Key Employee application granted then I have a problem with it.
Another shameful post which insinuates broad dishonest and illegal conduct to deflect valid business issues. Such posts are quite cowardly.
Sorry – what is cowardly. Disclosing the true picture of what is happening in some companies, or concealing the true picture from those that are affected.
It can be hard to trim the fat when the law requires you to keep the fat and trim some of your more productive employees.
Someone did come here and try to make a life. He is also trying to make a difference in the lives of some of our young people.
His name is JR Cameron. And he has devoted his time selflessly to the kids who love to skateboard. He listens to them. They talk to him. And… they are involved in a healthy, co-operative activity. This is what we’ve all been talking about. Helping our youth and supporting them. An adult wants to be part of that solution. And he is about to get rolled over. Go figure.
This isn’t about just the financial industry.
Did he make a key employee application with letters in support from the youth concerned or some of their parents ? The Boards I know would look upon him favourably based on the picture you paint. It is not too late.
If ANYONE in Cayman deserves to be a key employee, it is JR. Not for Black Pearl or the Surf park. The Island needs him. We actually need 10 of him. He is at the skate and surf park day in and day out, providing a positive influence for hundreds of kids. He is genuinely interested in the well being of these kids – he wants to see them at least try and provides them with the opportunity, and encouragement that is missing from so many parents today. These kids may not be able to depend on much, but they can depend on JR. They can depend on him to be there. They can depend on him to encourage them. They can depend on him to push them harder, to challenge them and reach goals they didn’t think they could make. They can depend on him to celebrate in their victories, and motivate their losses. They can also depend on him to set an example and enforce rules. They can depend on him to call them out if they have broken a rule, or are behaving inappropriately. Whether it be skating at Black Pearl or surfing the next big wave – JR is an asset to the island – especially the kids of the island that are looking to stay away from bad influences and trouble. If anyone is listening…..please do not let the best influence on a lot of kids walk away…….
So will his employer make an application or not? Let’s stop lying down in front of steamrollers and complaining we are about to be "rolled over". The system provides for people like JR to get out of the way. Seems like an excellent test case for the doubters.
His employer made an application for key employee and it was denied.
I believe an application to appeal by his employer was/is up in the air.
Cannot be appealed. He can make another one 3 months after last denial. I respectfully suggest another be made under the exceptional circumstances category and that the Board be provided extensive details and numerous letters in support relating to JR’s exceptional extra-curricular role and the positive effect it is having on youth.
It’s a fact, the whole fact and nothing but a f@%$*#g fact:
A helper who had less than two years on the island was granted Status to ensure her continued service in caring for a dying parent of one of a prominent businessman in one of the islands…(She was not even interested to have one in the first place and is even not on the island anymore when an opportunity to work in Canada came by).
xxxxxxxx
S@#t happens, I know, especially to those who does not know Somebody who knows Somebody who could do the twists and turns (LOL) or circumnavigate (not the world – but the system).
I suggest that another directorate or committee should be set up to oversee what the other committe or directorate had done (these are job opportunities for Caymanians – bright idea – yehey!)
Seriously, the above-mentioned instance is an anomaly if one considers the requirements for Key Employee/PR applications.
There are a lot more others more deserving but denied – WHY????
That status could only have been granted by Cabinet. Not a Board.
I truly hope they do appeal it, it’s people like JR that we NEED and WANT here.
I’ve seen for myself how great JR is with those kids.
The Board is making some terribledecisions right now. Cayman get what Cayman deserves if this is what the Board decides.
All countrys complain about a foriegn work force but Cayman is the only place where the people complain about foriegn Professionals in there country working. Think about it these are Doctors, Lawyers, Finacial Industries Professionals, Accoutants, IT Professionals , with years of experience. They can make good money in any country. They are in Cayman because maybe they wanted to travel or maybe got transferred through a corporate office etc. You never hear in other countrys " Man if I see one more Chinees Doctor I’m going to puke " Every country complains about foriegn workers but it is the domestic workers who are doing the jobs for dirt cheap driving down the costs for local construction trades etc. No one but Cayman complains about the Professionals working. You talk about expats this and expats thats like they are from one country. They are from all over Europe, Americas, and the Caribbean. So quit making out like they are in a conspiracy about your country. They are in a foriegn country they are not going to come in and kick dirt. People have more since than that. Wake up.
……..nobody complaints about professionals who hold permits because they are really professionals who are desperately needed ……..most people complain because of work permits that are given out to administrative staff with the poor excuse that no qualified Caymanian could be found……..
In my humble opinion, a lot of those professionals in the financial industry who have risen to top positions aren’t necessarily all that qualified or smarter than anyone else. I would say that a lot of them just happened to be at the right time in the right place, and that was Cayman in the 90s. Some of those professionals did not come to Cayman for the love of the country or the love of the Financial Industry, but they came because they couldn’t compete in their own job market back home and didn’t make the cut there. Something to ponder, don’t you think?
Amen Amen Amen!
You are so right. They are now the big fish in the small pond and have gotten used to lording it over the natives.
I am SO TIRED of having to be TWICE as good and work TWICE as hard for them to think that I am HALF as good as they are.
Anti-Caymanian discrimination is real and I am sick to death of hearing otherwise.
I have seen too many examples of people bringing in their friends from back home and making Caymanians come in and interview and jump through hoops with no intention of giving them the job.
And let’s not talk about the perks expat workers get compared to locals. Shoot – if I had my rent paid, a company car, two flights a year, my phone bill paid, and my kids’ private school fees paid – I wouldn’t want to leave here either!
Surely it is a very simple question to ask – as a Caymanian would you prefer half a cake or no cake at all. Would you prefer that your children had the opportunity to work in a financial company or not. This is not complicated – just ask yourselves honestly. Because it might not be a great set of choices but they are your only choices. Either you let the expat professionals in and make them feel welcome or you better start teaching your children the merits of manual labour and mixing cocktails cause that is all you will have left.
You have tried the 3rd way and that hasn’t exactly worked out well for you.
I think your children might say that they would prefer to have a middle management or support role in a bank than no job at all!!
Stop being so deluded and self centred and start thinking about the bigger picture. Travers and Mac are finally telling it like it is, any other interpretation of the situation is dellusional.
This is such a lame post. Instead of using all your time and effort to lobby for immigration changes, why don’t you lobby for reduction in overhead cost? Perhaps if the utility providers would reduce their rates, greedy landlords would lower their office space lease, insurance companies (health and property) would lower their rates and import duty would be reduced, more people would find it rewarding to set up a business in Cayman or corporations would not feel the need to outsorce some of their departments to places like India……..
McKeeva…XXXXX
Many, many politicians have been preaching anti-immigrant rhetoric for decades now….only for their own political and personal gain (and Mac is a pro at this). Instead they should have been ensuring a world class education system…that we might have produced more intelligent people (and more intelligent politicians). Instead, we have a totally "reactive" government….and people.
We are only now beginning to reap the seeds that Political Leaders have been sowing for years.
More to come….unfortunately!
They are the ones backing him financially, therefore we should expect nothing less! Money comes before country, family, friends, & colleagues. It is all about "what is best for me" & "how I can make myself richer"! The more I get, the more I want. When, oh when will we see this? When it is too late?
The rich foreigners, I presume that is who you mean is backing him financially! "SHOW ME DOLLARS" is their motto!
If you were getting richer because of foreigners, I’m sure you would want to encourage more to come! BRING THE MONEY & COME!
Isn’t it obvious to one & all that the rest of the udp government puppets have no voice, &no opinion (at least they have no say/influence). If you read this article, you will see that a few of the udp puppets voiced an opinion contrary to their boss’s view, & once again it’s all about him. I wonder, if the udp is supposedly a democratic government, not a dictatorship as many of us suspect, why is it that the majority have no say. We are told not to refer to their lord almighty leader as a dictator, but if the evidence shows that his views & his views alone is what counts, then we have no alternative but to accept that our suspicions are in fact true.
I wish those wimps, those spineless weasels would try & stand up for their beliefs, not someone elses! STAND UP
Mozzie:
Unfortunately, I don’t think that the gov can afford to put all expat children through school as I am sure you are aware, they can not even afford it to a decent standard to do it for Caymanian children.
The number of Caymanian children in private schools is probably higher than what you would expect. Also, please keep in mind that children do not just meet at school. They also meet at other extracurricular activities or befriend the children of their parent’s friends. Obviously, if the parents don’t have any Caymanian friends, the chance is smaller to meet Caymanian children. Whenever I lived abroad, I would make an effort to meet the locals and socialize with them. I would expect that if someone moves to Cayman and wants to raise their children here, they would make an effort that their children mix with a variety of people and not just a certain expat group that they may encounter at a private school…….
I totally agree with you
You need to stand up for your people and stop this nonesense that we have to welcome expats. You are definitely not for the Cayman people. Its a sad shame.
"stop this nonesense that we have to welcome expats"
You, and I mean personally YOU are the reason this place is currently failing. Pathetic…..
No its the opposite way around post 15:42. Its people like you why the country is failing. This is the Cayman Islands and Caymanians come first in their own country otherwise how pathetic !!
I have an idea. The Caymanians should identify all the expats that they personally know and like, and then those folks can stay. Presumably you won’t like them very much if they are not doing the right thing and helping our Caymanian hosts get through as well.
The folks that no one knows and likes, well they need to get out, make some friends and make a contribution. Or carry on with your travels and seek out another adventure on another island.
We’ve all in this together, except for the criminals. They are the true risk that Cayman will fail. Neither tourist nor expat nor frankly some Caymanians will want to stay here if that keeps getting worse and worse.
From the time Mckeeva sold out Cayman by granting 3000status he has started a fire that he will never fix. So if Caymanians have anger towards expats then its quite understandable. They are being out numbered in their own country and are also having to compete just to get a job. So Mac needs to shut his mouth and stop blowing out hot air.
In every other country people have to compete for jobs – it’s a healthy part of your personal development. If you are Caymanian and you have the skills then you already have an advantage over an expat but not over other Caymanians with similar skills. You should be prepared to compete in the job market regardless as you never know who the next candidate will be or where they are from.
Clearly, it is different if you compete for a job in a much bigger job market. For example, if I live in New York and can’t get a job there, I have perhaps the option to relocate to California to find a job there. If I can’t get a job in Cayman (my own country), then do you suggest I should uproot, leave and move overseas? Guess what! I wouldn’t be able to do that because I would first need to obtain a work permit which in most countries is unfortunately not that easy…….
The Brac is waiting. Belive me – people in NYC want to move to San Fran as much as you want to go to LC or the Brac. So, step up and acceptweall have our limitations…
Nobody has anything against expats, as long as they treat also everyone fair. Unfortunately, I know many expats who have been here for quite a few years and have never made an effort to befriend a Caymanian. Just go to a child’s b-day party of some expats and tell me how many Caymanian children you see that have been invited. It is because birds of the same flock stick together. So unless expats do make also more of an effort, this will never change. Yes, there is always the exception, but remember that applies to both side.
Could that be because expat children have to go to their own private schools? I would imagine that the number of Caymanian children in these private schools are in small numbers so of course there is a lesser chance of them being outnumbered at a party. You can blame the Government for this segregation.
Sorry MAC I cant do it. Maybe you should ask them Expats to try making me feel more at home.
LMAO – this is too funny. I have also been wondering where the heck I am living – doesn’t feel like Cayman any more! It is amazing that we have allowed poeple to come here and exclude us, look down on us, and belittle us – and now we have to be MORE welcoming? I think we’ve been plenty welcoming and look where it got us…
Pay attention everyone
To the Premier (to be) I say “GOOD JOB SO FAR”.
You continue to show why a four year degree is of no importance in the real word.
You have vision and your strategic foresight stem beyond all the negative comments that are put here to derail your ambitions for the Cayman Islands.
And rest assure that the Cayman Islands can in fact be the “Singapore of the Caribbean”
But wait!
Guess some of us are so into ourselves and against outsiders that we would rather see these Islands go back to the early 1900s (fishing and rope) than work together and continue to build a country in which their children’s children can reap all the success.
Wait Again!
Some of us don’t even think about our children just ourselves and our next trip to Miami.
To: Chicken and Egg
I don’t need a lecture from you or anyone else on how to treat expats. I have many, many expat friends and they are decent people. We need them here yes, but they come here to benefit themsleves as well.
I am a fifth generation Caymanian and am 41 years old; I have had three jobs since joining the workforce at the age of 17 so don’t tell me crap about job hopping. It is obvious, you are an expat and don’t know what the hell you are talking about!!!!
Trying to understand what you are saying?!!!!
Should I take it expats should not come here to benefit themselves.
Understand this!
I go to work 9 -5; my helper stays with my child
I go to play on a Friday 10 – 3 (am) night my helper stays with my child
I didn’t get enough on Friday so I go back on Saturday,
I only do this all year long so it’s no big deal.
Better yet!
We need to institute slavery here so I don’t have to work !!!!
The way some of us think, and express ourselves that’s the only thing left for us to ask the government for. (
Wow – you probably got handed everything you ever wanted and are one of the main reasons there is an entitlement attitude amoungst Caymanians.
Some of us other Caymanians had to work hard to get where we are – and actually worked in the jobs I am sure you look down on. Let me see, I have done manual labour working on the roads at Public Works, served in the restaurant industry, cycled to work every day from Prospect to town when a car was not an option and before busses existed.
My bet is, Daddy got you a cushy job and of course you wouldn’t job hop away from the silver spoon!!! Obviously cushy enough to spend your day surfing the net and belittling those around you – including fellow Caymanians – and biting the hand that feeds you!!
I respectively suggest that if you were such a true Caymanian, you would have had the good nature and respect instilled by our parents.
Dude – you forgot to tell him when you graduated – was it this year or last?
Dearest Mckeeva,
How about we have a reverse scenario of Making Caymanians feel welcome in their own island for once instead of this Hocus Pocus theory and plan by you and these self serving financial Guru’s to further alienated Caymanians further in their own society. Start with the Caymanians first and then the foreign residents and then Foreign workers. I am much afraid that if it continues we will have to intern the current Caymanian population in a District 9 situation because of crime. Not that some would appreciate this to make them feel safer. Thank you
The Singapore of the Carribean, excellent! Legalised gambling and prostitution, finally! I am looking forward to being able to go to the supermarket on a Sunday too!
well the supermarket thing is good..people need food..
Does he mean an autocratic dictatorship with no free speech or effective opposition.
Do Caymanians want professional jobs and middle management roles in firms with some foreign bosses or serving drinks to tourists and playing reggae covers on a midi keyboard? That really is the choice.
Arrogance like this does not even warrant a response!
It wasn’t arrogant. It was a statement of the precarious state of Cayman’s economy. Cayman is faced with a choice: have a financial services industry with significant foreign participation at upper management levels or have nothing but a relatively poor tourist industry to fall back on.
And yet again to reiterate: it is an arrogant filled and implied statement! You think about it for a minute. To make such a broad sweeping, insulting, arrogant statement that seeks to justify either 1) Expat labour (upper management or not or 2) the existence of the Financial Services is wrong, misinformed and is proof positive of what I have called the enlightenment culture (see my comments on the Governor’s blog relevant to the entitlement culture piece he did) at play. So because of that arrogance any reality not justification as to why you are beside arrogant in your position but wrong, does not warrant any further time. Now re-read your coined precarious statement without your enlightenment bliders on and try again.
You lost an "n" in the last sentence…. Until then you was doing juss grate…
When you have finished your rant against the poster who was making an objective statement about the obvious options open to Cayman, ask yourself this: What prospect of prosperity does Cayman have in the absence of a financial services industry? What other industries does Cayman have that will bring the economic benefits that the financial services industry offers? Ifyou do not want prosperity, and you are willing to return to the days of scraping by and sending your male population abroad to make a living, then by all means toss out all of the expats (you won’t be able to afford to pay them anyway). However, if you want the money to keep rolling in, then you may wish to maintain a slightly more balanced approach to those who are the source of that money.
Naivety like this does not warrant a response.
Do adopting the Singapore model mean housing millions in high rise buildings, importing millions from neighbouring countries with them required to go home everynight and return to the country next day, cable car service between high rise buildings and so on???????.
If you want to be like Singapore start doing the prudent thing and develop the Ports in the North Sound rather than waste money on Cruise ship Piers in George Town and Cargo Ports in the east.
If you are serious about developing the Singapore model you need to start by thinking and doing the things they have done with only a speck of land.
This island is similair in size, shape and resources to Singapore, but the ideas to develop it like Singapore is just not there. The only way to copy a model is to construct from it likewise.
Stop this madness about developing cruise ship piers in George Town and put them where the good Lord provided for them.
The foreigners that come here to make money need to adjust their attitudes towards us and then maybe we can live in harmony. They passed their derogatory remarks about us all the time, treat us like crap and we are suppose to smile up in their faces? I think not!!!!
A lot of us DO give them reason to be upset. We make comments like yours. It takes BOTH parties to act in a civil and welcoming matter. Stop kissing your teeth and thinking I sold out to the expats – that is exactly what I am talking about.
We do need them to make the country work. We used to welcome them – now we go around seeing them as a threat.
Of course they are a threat if you spend all your energy putting them down and not doing your job, and jumping from job to job just because we can.
Look in the mirror – YOU are the problem. Try being a welcoming Caymanian – it works for me and I have a lot of great expat friends.
dude shutup..expats treat u more than well..
Oh sure. We can tell by the lovely comments on here. Killing us with kindness. Caymanians complaining? Well, these ignorant natives are just delusional.
COMMENTS 12:03, Shut up expatriates treat u more than well.
I wish I could say other wise, but I have to be honest and say you have a point.
In fact listen mek I tell ya something. Expatriates only do what they are allowed to do by their Caymanian counterpart bosses. I have never had an expatriate insult or offend me. It they do it I will put them in their place, I do not care what or how high position they are in.
Caymanians are Caymanians biggest enemies. I will also venture to say that Caymanians will badmind and grudgemind another Caymanian and will keep them out of making a dollar or getting a job. Drinking from my saucer because my cup has overflowed. So if an expatriate tries, (which he may) to push you aside, carry news pon you, insult or offend you. Put them in their place right away, even if it take beating pans and shaking coconuts. Figure that one out. But if you are a Caymanian, to deal with another Cayman, trust me you will have to get radical. Because They will tear your behind to pieces to keep you down stream. Now lets hear the same persons I am talking about say this aint true.
you are prejudgice.
It’s so obvious when Mac has been sold on an idea spelled out to him by his ‘inward investors’…..wonder if he thinks Singapore is run by uneducated locals being told what to do by foreign ‘pirates’….I give up!
McDinejad knows his audience and always plays to them.
Here is an excerpt from the Hansards of the LA from 1995.
http://www.legislativeassembly.ky/pls/portal/docs/PAGE/LGLHOME/BUSINESS/PUBLICATIONS/ARCHIVE/1995OFFICIALHANSARDREPORT.PDF
Ooouch!! Bullseye!
Of course, Mac will say that was then and this is now. I have been born again.
Like Michael Vick?
Please do not insult Michael Vick like that again. Do not ever put Vicks name & Mckeeva Bushs name in the same sentence! Do not ever insult Michael Vick like that again.
Thanks for printing this excerpt…..as Caymanians seem to be so forgetful they need to be reminded of the McKeeva Bush of the past in order to realize that he is so easilybought out he just leans in whichever direction he at the time has been convinced is the ‘right’ way to go (not necessarily the right way for the Country either). He was not good for the Country in the past, he is not good for the Country at present and he won’t be good for the Country in the future……
This statement is coming from the same man who years ago said that the “foreigners were cluttering up the infrastructure”. But I guess at the time that train of thought was essential to his polotical gain. Oh how I tire of politician’s antics.
I have no issue with expats coming here to work because as a business owner my business would suffer if I had to depend on Caymanian labour only for the following reasons: 1. There aren’t enough to fill the many job posts in Cayman. 2. Many Caymanians don’t have the requisite skills and qualifications to fill certain posts and 3. Some (not all) Caymanians lack the right attitude to maintain a job.
I also have to agree with Richard Wadd’s statements that we have nurtured a generation (with another following behind closely) with an attitude of entitlement and no respect for authority and law and order. I mourn for the future of our country if it is left in the hands of these morally bankrupt Caymanians who shame the name of what it means to be a true Caymanian.
God Bless Cayman
I agree with 9:43…..and in relation to your point #1 – not enough Caymanians to fill the many jobs in Cayman, I often wonder where McKeeva’s head is when he continuously preaching that we must embrace more and more inward investment to create jobs for Caymanians!! There seems to be a total disconnect somewhere in that big head of his! We currently have to import approx 26,000 expats to fill the many jobs here yet he seems to think we need development etc in order to provide jobs for Caymanians! Does he not think perhaps he should be looking at how we can export some of the 26,000 expats so that Caymanians can take on the jobs that are currently out there??!! Does he really believe that the Caymanian population is only made up of his blind followers who simply accept everything he says?! If this were not so sad it could be funny but unfortunately it has SAD written all over it.
Yes well Ezzard Miller has always been small minded and inward thinking so he would oppose anything to do with expats
Mac, stop being a parrot for others. As far as animosity goes, this is a two-way street. Caymanians have legitimate grievances and his time would be better spent trying to address those.
‘Permanent residency would be part of the deal for some…’ Why? Let them come, work for seven/eight years, contribute to community, then considered for residency if that is so, like the other people that have been here for so many years and had to apply and go through the process for residency…and still have to wait until year fifteen to apply for status. In return for their loyalty, don’t you think these people deserve Government’s loyalty before the ‘residency deals’? Different rules for different people.
I completely Agree! First off, why does Mac have any say in who gets PR? Why is there a PR and an immigration board if Mac is just going to have the last say.. I agree in keeping the peace, but on our own behalf and with our OWN national common sense.. Not all of us are puppets, Mac. I mean the status grants were one thing to get votes, and i know you’ve seen the damage that has done.. I usually support alot of what you’re saying, but to me, promising an "expat" he/she will get PR right off the back by just coming to work here, has to be the dumbest thing i have ever heard.. Everyone’s entitiled to their opinion right?
IF we (Mac) really wish to adopt the ‘Singapore model’ then we must be willing to adopt the WHOLE, and not just A PART OF.
Yes, we need better Immigration / Work Permit policies, more civilized, humane, certainly rational policies. But that is only a PART of the whole model.
Education and a Disciplined, Law-abiding populace are as important, if not more important, for from these roots, we will be able to grow ‘Home-grown’ talent, that will take us onwards through future generations.
Too often, in our selfishness, we dwell on the present, and don’t give weight to the long-term effects of our policies. We have already lost a generation of young ‘Caymanians’ due to a lack of focus, and spoiling them rotten, TO THE CORE.
We are only now beginning to reap what we have sown. Mark these words, without DRAMATIC and FORCEFUL action, we will spiral down to where we cannot escape, fast.
Adopting the ‘Singapore model’ is a GREAT plan. It is a proven model, that has turned a nation around, and made them THE Financial Powerhouse in Asia.
Do WE have the ‘balls’ to follow this through? I personally don’t have that level of faith in my fellow Caymanians, for we have raised our children to dis-regard Laws, Rules, and Authority.
The Jamaicans have an expression, " If the head of the stream is dirty, the water at the bottom can’t run clean".
I’m with you Dick. We need forceful police action (like imported DEA/SWAT teams) to snap the population back to respecting law and order. If that means a few (or all of) criminals get shotin the process, too bad. We need a clean slate and a firm hand to preserve what we have here.
Limp-wristed law enforcement and a dying work ethic will see the death of Cayman unless we can turn it around.
Gun crime = permanent removal from Cayman society, if you survive the arrest.
Work hard = reasonable chance of a reasonably successful life
Carrot and a stick. A big freakin’ stick. Applied to Caymanian and Expat guest alike (though deportation of the expat must follow)
MacKeeva is a true patriot; he knows where this country’s and its peoples’ best interests lie and is doing everything in his power to change this country’s fast spiral to economic ruin (it has already started taking on shades of the Bahamas). Alas however, he is just one man, trying to stand up against the swelling tide of anti-expat resentment born of sheer ignorance. It will be interesting to see whether he gets washed over by it or whether he can actually make a difference, or even save this country.
If only the antis expat sentiment were born of sheer ignorance I would agree. Regrettably, having observed first hand some major employers misleading immigration to get permits without regard to the effect on Caymanians, there is at least enough smoke for me and many Caymanians to yell fire! Give Caymanians a means of making reports without being fired and you will see the problem.
You could not have said more clear than that 09:09! I am glad that it is a McK Bush supporter as yourself that has confirmed this fact for us, that YES indeed "Alas however, Mckeeva is just one man." Despite the fact that he has 4 other ministers as well as backbench colleagues, I am thankful that you have confirmed that indeed the UDP is a one man show! It’s not that we did not already know, but thanks for the confirmation! DUH!!
McDinejad is now trying to put out the fire he started and hoping that he will be hailed a hero.
Mac and Jack, go home!!!
Where is Mac going, Jack will go, mac will haunt us for years to come. Dont tell me that he will be Premeir for the rest of his life. God help us, those that are advising him must be from mars
What more do you want Caymanians to do MacKeeva they have taken everything else in this place read the signs Mann start protecting what is ours? When a politician wrestles with his conscience he usually wins. Curb the influx of these foreign nationals and their influence on our society Sir!
Nice to see you trying to fix what you started years ago for political gain!!