Helpers to skip rollover
(CNS): Government will be amending the Immigration Law during the next sitting of the Legislative Assembly to enable carers and helpers who act as nannies, nurses or some form of “specialist caregiver” to those who are elderly, handicapped or sick to bypass the seven year limit. Under a special certificate the domestic workers will be able to skip what is known as the rollover policy for up to five years if they remain with the same family, caring for the same person or people. The premier announced some time ago that he intended to bring this amendment as he said he was concerned that the country’s most vulnerable people were suffering as a result of the rollover policy.
The suggestion stirred up some controversy as there were concerns that this would mean immigrant workers on the lowest pay and without pensions would be able to apply for permanent residency.
The Immigration (Amendment) (No. 2) Law, 2010 states that the Certificate of Specialist Caregivers would not allow any individual who holds it to apply for permanent residence under sections 29 and 30 of the Immigration Law, as the amendment says the certificate would not represent “legal and ordinary residence for the purposes of sections 29 and 30” of the law.
It is not clear, however, given the implementation of the human rights bill from 2012 how after potentially 12 years in residence the individuals would not have a right to apply for residency despite the wording of the new bill.
The Cayman Islands Immigration Law requires all expatriate workers to depart the islands for at least twelve months after they have worked continuously on the island for seven years unless they apply for and gain key employee status. If they acquire key employee they are then at liberty to apply for permanent residence. This certificate would exclude those workers from that right, the law states. Despite those concerns, the bill is expected to be passed during the next session of the Legislative Assembly, which starts 8 September.
The bill states that the rollover exemption certificate for this special category of workers can be obtained via the Work Permit Board or the chief immigration officer at any time during the course of the caregiver’s final work permit. An application can also be made up to a year after the expiration of a final work permit. The worker must have been employed before application for at least three years looking after the specific person or patient.
The certificate won’t be renewed if the caregiver stops working for the same employer or if the person being cared for dies or recovers from their illness or disability.
The Legislative Assembly is currently scheduled to resume on Wednesday 8 September.
Category: Headline News
the only people that should be rolled over are caymanians…….
they are the ones who will benefit most from a year away in another culture…..
maybe then they will come back with a differnet attitude and different view of the world instead of the standard "give me a job because i’m caymanian!" attitude……..zzzzzz
This whole issue could easily be avoided if you would A)clean your own toilets. B)Cook your own dinner. C) Mop your own floor. D)Raise your own children.
Riiiiiiight!!! Then who is supposed to be earning the money to pay for the overpriced standard of living here? I mean, a job paying decent money will not let you off at 3pm so you can get home to greet your kids from school, cook dinner and clean your house and wash clothes. In this country both parents must work just to make ends meet and MANY have more than one job just to get by.
Before you say, "well leave then", just where do Caymanians go from here? Would your country welcome ex-pats to just squat on their soil and drain their resources? Other than Canada according to one writer below, which is obviously such a big XXX place that it would never feel the strain of immigrants – unlike feeble ol’ Cayman.
Ironically, the ones who chose to build this island into the overpriced country that it is, thinking that the "people" would benefit from the wealth, failed to share the wealth. So forgive us struggling parents who must scrape to pay someone to watch our kids while we fight to pay the likes of CUC. Do you think that we WANT to have to do that???
Oh another one!
In the majority of countries, both parents work! Why do you say, ‘In this country…"?
Don’t you have a washing machine?
How long does it take you to cook?
Do you work Saturdays? If not then clean your house on a Saturday!
If you can’t keep ’em, don’t have ’em!
‘Unlike feeble ol’ Cayman’? This is the best comment yet and deserves to be put in the Comedy Comments!
now this one goes for me because thats one thing that i did myself no expat did any cleaning,raising any of my kids or cooking for me. Dont NEED any of their help.
What is the point of coming out to the less developed corners of the Empire if one cannot enjoy the benefits of cheap help?
I am Darn sure no where in an ovseas news paper you see Caymanians advertising for house maids, helpers or nannys.
To Anon 11:33
And the same applies to unna. None of you expats, of all nationalities, do your dirty work at home, unna pay helpers to do the same. Caymanians, both male & female of the house, go to work, and therefore need help with the everyday chores. Do not try & make it out to be a Cayman problem only, it happens all over the world, because I have lived in many countries in my 66 years & I have witnessed it. Yes, in the UK, in Jamaica, in the US, In central America, & I’ve heard it happens in Canada also. Working people need help, & they pay people to help. Man, you expats try hard to paint Caymanians in a bad light when unna jus the same, do the same things, only sometimes worse.
But could it have been an ethical hard working Caymanian like me sick of grudge-holding morons like (you, possibly?) that posted that in the first place???
Here… Here’s a napkin for that egg on your face…
You know what gets me about most expats living in Cayman? They feel they can ridicule us Caymanians, that they can insult us, call us all kind of names, say insulting things about us, & tell astronomical untruths about us, but we must not saying anything bad about them. They feel that we must not defend ourselves when they constantly insult & castigate us. Well it don’t work so! They must have respect for us in OUR country, & of course being the most friendly & loving people on earth that we are we will reciprocate. My advice to expats is "Do onto Caymanians as you would like them to do onto you" & then we will all live in peace & harmony. If expats continue to ridicule, insult & tell lies about Caymanians, we will fight back & there will never be peace.
Ever thought the poster was a Caymanian with a sense of work ethic and decency and no chip on their shoulder – signed – A CAYMANIAN who cleans his toilets, cares for his kids, does all the familial duties and doesn’t bitch and moan like a baby when he doesn’t get what he wants!!!
Can you walk in my path or hide in my shadow?????
The purpose of the rollover policy is to prevent Caymanians from losing political control of their own country. For some expats this endeavour would appear be of no value whatsoever. For Caymanians it is of paramount importance. There seems to be a "Manifest Destiny" mentality amongst a number of testy and very vocal expats in Cayman, who appear to believe that Caymanians have no right whatsoever to determine their future, and are in fact acting as a hinderence to progress, rather like the native Americans were viewed by some, who wished for them to simply "disappear". As an expat myself, I am appalled at the attitude of some of my fellows, whose level of disrespect and self-interest is truly mind-boggling. If you are one of these cheeky beggers can I tell you something? You have no more "right" to be here than I have. This is not our country for crying out loud! Try explaining to an immigration officer in Miami that you have a "right" to live and work in the US. He’d think you were nuts. So why do you think anything’s different here?
Knocked it out of the ballpark!
However, you will see much disapproval towards your perspective.
Yet they say we Caymanians suffer from a "sense of entitlement" … I wonder what is the suitable description for the naysayers?
"Sense of entitlement to dominate" perhaps?
Balance folks … balance.
I completely concur with your comments about our fellow expats, who mostly, I disassociate myself from because of their arrogant and selfish attitudes. The worst ones for me are the ones who come here and then want to try and change Cayman into a little piece of home. If thats how they feel then they should’ve stayed at home.
However your opening sentence:
"The purpose of the rollover policy is to prevent Caymanians from losing political control of their own country…"
did make me laugh… because it seems to me the real Caymanian people lost political control of their own country long ago, having placed their trust in MLA’s in this so-called democracy, to do the right thing for the good of Cayman and the Caymanian people, and to have been repeatedly failed and failed again over the years. This is one aspect of Cayman I find very saddening for its people.
Guess we should know it wouldn’t have been long before he dreamed something up. Hmm,why cant you simply get another caretaker when ever he or she permit is up? Oh! that would mean their time spent in Cayman wouldn’t be compounding annually,i see..Wonder what the stats are on those reaching 8years by 2013? Hmm,i tell you got to hand it to him dough,eiyn?
Transplanted soil with deep roots, i feel your pain. I helped my helper got her US Visa and after taking a trip to Mia I never put eyes on her again.
XXXXXX
AMEN.
While I am sad about those wanting to leave because of rollover, being an expat myself I fully understand the reason for that.
This legislation is a very dangerous move and will open door for further legislations to ease the rule. I am fine with that but the process must be well thought through.
There must be a strong clause that people considered to be exempt from roll over MUST have contributed something to the Cayman community. Not just buying a house.
my 2 cents anyways.
The real danger here is more idigent family members bought in on the backs of new status recipients looking for work. Lots of people standing around and no work
These people treat their helpers/nannies like dogs….Now how can they hire dogs to look after their kids….Shame on you!!!!!!! Im sorry for the poor helpers/nannies…God bless them all
I believe this is simply another move by the UDP to secure more votes in the next election. Just give more PR & status & those people will be indebted to the UDP & vote for them, like in the last election. This is known as selling your country for votes! It is also known as the oldest profession in history.
Born Free i have been reading your comments here on CNS for sometime now and all you do is fight against everything the UDP does,you need to go sit down and figure out how to revive the drowning and directionless PPM and give credit to the UDP when it’s due,untill then be fair or SHUT UP!!!!!!
"Credit to the UDP"? For what? Tell me something to give the UDP credit for & I will do so. Wait, let me think…………………………. sorry, nothing comes to mind.
I don’t suppose it matters to you that neither PR nor status make an individual eligible to vote here.
You are correct in saying that neither status or PR makes a person eligible to vote, however, they are both stepping stones, and I believe, prerequisites to Naturalisation…WHICH DOES….
Whaaaaa ya say Anon 18:47? It happened in the last election. If only you knew.
Anyways, PR & status leads to naturalization which is when a person can vote, & that step does not take long (usually 1 year after getting status)
But if only you knew what went on in the last election, if only you knew!
I have not read anyone answer the question "when do we stop"? Not one of you expats have given us a proposed figure of where do we stop. Do we allow unlimited amounts of foreigners to work in Cayman (12,000 population in the 1970’s) & become Caymanians, or do we stop at:
1/. 300,000
2/. 400,000
3/. 500,00
4/. 600,00
5/. 700,00
6/. 1,000,000
7/. 1,500,00
When do you want us to stop? But then, after 1,000,000 people have been allowed to become Caymanians, wouldn’t the 1,000,001 person complain that "Caymanians" are anti-expat? When do you expats suggest that a small country of 50,000 people attempt to control the ammount of expats who are allowed to become Caymanian? Please give us an answer. At what ratio of foreigner to locals does your country attempt to keep it at? Please give us some answers!
Why are you asking expats these questions, is it not our government that make the rules? go ask them, maybe they can tell you
Don’t worry, when next year comes around "assuming we make it that far" and budget time is upon us once more, i have a funny feeling the expat population will fall at an even faster rate than it is falling currently, worrying about expats wanting to become Caymanian will b the least of our problems
What year will the world end? There isn’t a number. Its a natural progression. No need to worry, we have gone fro 60k to 50k people so your point is mute. What other countries do is give away residency to successful and or educated people knowing they bring their money and ideas with them. Money and ideas create jobs. We, on the other hand make no distinction. To us everyone is an expat. Yes I know there are key employees (few and far between are given) and $1,000,000.00 residency, but their application is a joke because if there is any one of us who don’t like the applicant we just run to Immigration, make something up, and that is the end of the applicant.
I also trust no one in your family married an outsider. If they have you should not be asking your question.
Think about it, each permit holder that beomes Caymanian means Cayman needs one less expat as that job is already filled.
Now take a deep breath. if you hadn’t noticed Cayman’s population has droped almost 20% in the last 2 years.
400 years ago when noone was in Cayman how many expats that could become Caymanian do you think the island could have taken over the next 400 Years
once they get to stay pass 7 years they would be elgible for PR if successful more than likely they would get the "caymanian mentality" and they won’t settle for a nanny job they would try to benefit and get a higher position in the country they would say an easy good bye to babies and gran ma’s
What about teachers? I have built up my classroom, my reputation, and for what? Just to move in a couple of years? It’s a joke. If they had to ONLY employ Caymanians as teachers, these kids would be in a world of hurt. Cayman needs expat teachers, and we should be allowed to stay here longer.
Rollovers are a joke.
I would like you expats to tell me just how many foreigners you expect Cayman to allow to become Caymanian? Just give us a figure. When do we stop, or do you expats expect us to not have any limits, just allow millions of foreigners to live here & become Caymanian? Just give us an acceptable figure for you all. The problem is that you expats think that there should be no limit. Would you like that in your country? I cannot understand your reasoning.
For real. & they are confounded by our disposition. We have our own style & pattern,tough if you cant stand it.Talking about entitlement,when they would be the first to stand up in their own country.You think my people toiled for 500 years so you can come here & tell me about entitlement “immigrant” i have news for unna.
foreigners will only stay when they have a job….. i.e as long as cayman stays successful,….. if cayman succeeds caymanians will benefit too….its win-win……you should be grateful that educated, hard-working expats want to come here
if not we can always go back to the good old days….(turling, ropemaking…etc)
I’m from Canada, and we DO allow people from all over the WORLD to come and live in our country for as LONG as they want! Refugees, and all. You should be allowed to live where ever you want, as long as you are contributing to society. And as a contributing member, I should be allowed to work here for as long as I want.
It’s not the expats taking away your country and it’s heritage, it’s Caymanians becoming bitter towards expats because you cannot support yourselves as a alone as a country. Financially, and otherwise.
Look at your police! If they’re not Caymanian they’re from the UK. And you that’s fine? But teachers cannot stay here for longer than 7 years? Completely unfair!
Oh yes Canada. It’s only 3,854,085 square miles. Population 34,238,000. Cayman.. 102 square miles. But why dont we give a try anyway?
You are assuming that all expats that are here want to become Caymanian. Some are really just here for the money and after 7 years will go back home. Problem solved, eh?
It’s a wasted conversation. The direction of Cayman is such that they won’t have to have a roll over policy as nobody will be asking to stay. The mass exodus has begun.
Rollovers suck. I have witnessed many wonderful friends have to leave in the last 6 months. too many infact – they bought property, had families and made lives here over 7 years. its sad that because of legislation they have to say good bye to what has become their home and their lives.
its just silly really as in most cases these wonderful people will be replaced by enother Expat. it just doesn’t make sense.
Let’s not forget, these contributing expats who had to leave after 7 years will be replaced by expats who will not invest in the country. Why bother becoming part of the community when you know fro the get-go that you are not welcome here?
Something that Caymanians need to understand is that just because we (expats) were not born here, does not mean that we love this country any less than you do. We live here, work here, have children here and in many cases contribute more to the community than you do. Just because we don’t have the papers that you have does not make us less of a Caymanian than you are. Being Caymanian is in your heart, not on a piece of paper!
Well, all i know is that we in Cayman have not gotten to the shameful point as most of the greater western nations – i.e. UK, France, USA, Germany, Italy.
See the following links:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RrAbThrWkg0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZGK33rkk6E&feature=related
(CNS: Please make links "clickable" if time allows. How do I do that by the way?)
Quite disturbing footage.
Just imagine if those countries had experienced a doubling in population by outsiders with many of the newly arrived holding such a high percentage of positions of power and economic prowess as the Cayman Islands have done?
However, we are being branded as hateful, xenophobic and racist?
Very interesting.
The point is that it is not good behavior when the Brits, Yanks, or French do it, and it is not good behavior when you do it.
If only life was so simple.
I agree with your general argument – but immigration is a serious global issue today. No nation truly wants to see a mass influx of new faces in their midst.
However, I still believe that we in Cayman have experienced FAR MORE than our fair share of immigration and for the most part have obviously welcomed the majority with open arms. (I myself am a product of said immigration.)
Consider our population boom in the last 30 years.
Contrast this with the prospect of Brown and Black Africans, Arabs and Asians now making up 50% of the British population and with many of these individuals holding key roles in the society.
Can you imagine the ruckus? (Consider what is taking place at the moment against the sparse sprinkling of immigrants there today.)
Fortunately we don’t have to as this will never happen for it will be a cold day in hell before the British government allows such a development to take place.
Nevertheless, we in Cayman are being labeled with a very misplaced paint brush.
If anything we should be commended for maintaining integrity, calm and civility in the face of such dramatic societal transformations.
For real.. But none can come to a persons country of origin & deprive those folks of what are necessities. But they do. If government had been prudent in their “Caymanian “protection wording we wouldn’t have such a prevalent plague. Many have said this to me,without having to. It’s not that Caymanian’s are vacant of the natural concept of world citizenship,but,dont come to our home from your’s and think we are going to allow anyone to impoverish us because the government has a fantasy.Then turn around & talk crap about “lazy”.First a country had to resemble more than we are given credit for why any investor would consier it safe to leave billions of dollars with us. 500 years friends,500,that’s older than Americas foundation.If anyone who feels smart to come here and do what many of them do,stay in your own country & be smart there & if your lucky we’ll send a Cayman contingent there to put things on the right track. So you really dont have to leave home,really,& be a nuisance to anyone because a government & cronies say you can.
ummmm….I think you need a history lesson, my friend…500 years is a MINISCULE amount of time in relation to WORLD history…and to say that Cayman has older history than America is downright ignorant…Columbus didn’t "Discover" anything…Native Americans had lived on the continent for TENS OF THOUSANDS of years before Columbus "discovered" it….as for Cayman, well…I think that permanent settlers have been here a lot less time than 500 years…so, yo might wanna rethink your mindset….
On second thought …
Your comment was actually complete rubbish.
WE don’t "do it".
Have you watched the provided links? Are you up to date with the developments surrounding immigration in the aforementioned countries?
Cayman is in no way playing in that league my friend.
Therefore, are you suggesting that we should have NO barriers to immigration at all in this country?
Help me to understand your point of view.
Interesting indeed. Kannstantoseenocaymanianwidnuttin political parenting would cause these problems anywhere.These other countries can be protectionist of what is in their best interest,but Caymanians? A know da ga stop.Keep rollin um over,will volunteer,work overtime,on weekends,nights,public holidays,24/7,365,no vacation required.
There is nothing good about rollovers.
You expect undying loyalty and gratitude from your helper because you helped her get PR – in order to keep her your helper long-term!
The better "Masters" in the USA South sometimes granted their slaves freedom. Here is a good example of someone taking what was there’s to take.
Goodness! if she worked as a domestic in your household, in what was no doubt a difficult and stressful position, for all those years didn’t she deserve PR by right? And having been granted it, didn’t she have the right to better herself by finding better employment. What a self-satisfied, smug, condescending woman you are.
This attitude to helpers is too wide-spread in Cayman. They are the ones preyed upon, not the other way around.
Her time was up and her leaving date was set. She wanted to stay. I thought she deserved to stay. Immigration did notsee it that way and just as you stated I argued that she had earned it in years alone and then by her commitment to my family and especially to my child.
Her job was not stressful – I assure you.
My problem is not with her leaving – we had discussed it at length over the years and she knew I would do whatever I could to help her when she was ready to do something else. SHE told me the day would never come and promised my children that she would look after THEIR children. The problem – and here’s breaking news – was that she wanted to be fired (imagine that!) so that she could claim severance AND vacation pay for unused days owed (Did I fail to mention that she got 4 weeks per year AND I bought her tickets home EVERY TIME!?)
You do the math on someone who had 12 yrs in and after many raises would get the current salary’s worth in severance and monies in lieu of vacation time. I’ll help you – she wanted CI$6,000 from me. She was tired of being a domestic, now had her PR and saw dollar signs. Would you be so giving in that situation?? I for one do not have $6k laying around to give to someone who began to methodically increase the likelihood of her dismissal. Oh, and for the record – I did not fire her. She left. And once she was gone, all of her dirty little secrets came out from hiding. I was appalled that I had someone with her lifestyle choices around my children – but there you have it. I thought I had an angel and I didn’t.
Call me whatever you like, I am secure in my knoweldge of the entire situation, knowing that I went above and beyond to ensure that she was not treated in a manner that was demeaning or condescending. EVEN after all of this! Why on earth would she have stayed with me for that long??? Are you missing the rest of the facts?
The point of writing in the first place was to suggest that we carefully consider what is being proposed. I chose to share a truncated excerpt of my story – how can you judge me based on what I wrote. Would you like for me to write down what I think of you based on yours? You do not know me.
If Immigration and the Labour Board found me without fault, then who are you to speak on a matter for which you have no details or facts other than those that I shared here.
I feel EXTREMELY responsible for this. I fought a huge battle trying to explain the fundamental reasons for keeping a nanny/helper on past the standard 7 year stay. I was very vocal in several public forums and pled my case to the heads of Immigration and government. I cried and begged for my helper to stay. She had been with us for 12 years at that time – since my childrenwere only days old.
My argument for the exception to the rule became most important to me when my son was diagnosed with a terminal illness that shortens his life – both figuratively and literally. This woman knew every hair on his head and was the only one outside of his blood relatives that he would allow to bathe him and clean him, and in front of whom he had no inhibitions.
I petitioned immigration and government not to paint all jobs with the same brush. We needed her. My son needed her. I needed her. Too many years invested in incorporating her into our family. Too much time spent teaching her our ways, likes, dislikes. She was their mother when I was not there.
I applied for her status which was declined. I took my fight as high as it could go and gave evidence that only SHE could ever care for my son as she had helped raise him from birth.
My plea found its mark and her Permanent Residency was granted. Of all of the wonderful things that I have given her or helped her obtain while in my employment – interest free loans, food, clothing, jewelry, bonuses, raises, extended time off, 10 year US Visas, car, licence, the list goes on and on – this was my most cherished gift. I was confident that her best was yet to come as her gratitude for my fight converted into eternal service to my family.
How completely naive I was!!!!
The person that I had opened my home, my family and my life to for 12 years did not exist. It was a charade that was pulled off with such devious cunning that I didn’t know what hit me!
The deceitful, conniving and dangerous thing that emerged, from one whom I took for my own, after the ink had dried on her PR was a stranger to me.
That was a year ago and I am still in shock. Never in my life would I have expected to be treated the way that I was by someone I trusted with the most valuable things in my home – my kids. From someone whom I had given so much and expected so little. From someone whom I had tried to elevate in life and show that the world outside of their own was better and for whom the possibilities were endless.
I grieved as if my spouse had betrayed me. That was how painful it was for me.
I realized that no matter how you try to help some of those whom you consider less fortunate, the acid of their roots continues to eat away at them and everything around them. They may travel far to a better life, but they are always tied to it and cannot shake the natural inclination to be what they were born to be.
I learned a very hard lesson that day that she let her mask slip. The real lesson, however, came months later when I discovered that I did not need her as much as I thought. I was able to find someone to fill her shoes and we are ok. Things are not the same as they were – I am MUCH more cautious and much less giving. BUT life went on and my son is happy.
So I pose a warning to anyone reading this – be very careful with wide sweeping legislation. Requests of this nature should be handled on a case by case basis, not a general mandate without full due diligence. Even then you cannot know what you are getting into. I would have signed my name in blood for her integrity and swore she deserved to be here forever.
That may have been a one-off situation but caution is prescribed in any situation that may have far reaching consequences.
As a matter of interest, how much were you paying her?
" Of all of the wonderful things that I have given her or helped her obtain while in my employment – interest free loans, food, clothing, jewelry, bonuses, raises, extended time off, 10 year US Visas, car, licence, the list goes on and on – this was my most cherished gift."
She obviously got a lot. Did you miss bonuses, raises..etc?
I can give you one of those horror stories. I hired a lady right before Christmas and was going to pay her monthly but I decided to give her some money earlier because I was out buying gifts and thought maybe she would like to buy stuff too. After I paid her (1 week of work), she lied and told me that her daughter had a hernia and she needed to go back home. She left me with a newborn baby and I had to go back to work later than I had planned because I had to find another helper. However, my friend found her working illegally for a Janitorial Service.
Will you women get over yourselves! Just to read your nonsense is sickening!
My mother brought up three children, put them through their education, worked part-time, had no car, no washing machine, no fridge, went shopping and carried it home herself, cleaned her own house, has never complained and still has a smile on her face at 80+.
Stop your complaining, its disgusting!
This is pathetic!
‘She left you with a new born baby…..’? Was it her baby or yours that she left with you?
I sympathize with your plight and am thrilled your son is happy, but with all due respect, there are three sides to every story.
Lady, get over yourself. You could not "help" her get a USA10-year visa. Maybe she did not want to be your servant for the rest of her life? You are the one who used her. What an elitist XXXX you are! You belong on a slave plantation circa 1700. LOL!!!
As a matter of decency I have suppressed my initial reaction to your obvious ignorance…of this situation.
Pray tell…would a person "endure" 12 years with a family that treated them like a slave? Please do not base your opinion on one sentence that was taken out of context of the entire story – – – of which there is an enormous amount that was left out for brevity. I am so adverse to slaving people that she was not forced to do anything that she did not want to do. I was a pushover for her. She enjoyed a very cushy role in my household.
As for her Visa – you are MOST incorrect! I had to PERSONALLY fly to her country TWICE to be interviewed at great length by the authority that grantsUS Visas, provide some darn good reasons why I felt that she was a likely candidate and gather numerous references from my family and friends to support it. Had she applied on her own I guarantee that she would not have been successful.
I did not use her. I employed her – last time I checked when you are employed you actually have to perform on your job. At my place of employment I work long hours and put in my all – I may sometimes feel like I am slaved but I am happy to collect my paycheck each month knowing I earned it! And I paid her more than most receive in her field of employment. PLUS gave her annual bonses equivalent to her monthly salary, paid her health insurance in full, covered her car insurance, purchase of her car and many many many other gifts and benefits that NONE of her friends and family ever dreamed of getting. She was obviously happy enough working for me to brag to them all about me being the best boss in the world.
I am the farthest thing from elitist, but as you do not know me (or maybe you do and don’t know it!) you speak from blind ignorance of who I am and what I stand for. I CHOSE to help this person! I CHOSE to treat her like a member of my family. I CHOSE to fight for her right to live here forever. I acknowledged that one day she would tire of it and told her that when she was ready she need only say so. I have not said one thing on this forum about what she did, so your opinon is only based on what you have read. Had I been the XXXX that you felt the need to describe me as, I would have demanded that her PR be revoked immediately and made a HUGE stink about her subsequent employment choices that were in contradiction of the terms of the PR. Instead I only wrote letters to advise that she was no longer in my employment, the reasons why and that I had no intention or
@16:59 You are quite right, there ARE 3 sides to a story – and I can bring 20+ people into this thread to give you their sides (which funny enough, would align with mine…hmmm). Of the things mentioned in my initial reply, she cannot dispute any. I keep records of everything and it is all plainly documented. I am sure that she regrets burning this bridge as I understand that she has since been fired from 2 well known employers for insubordination, where she worked in the lowest level possible for easily half of what I paid her and NO benefits.
It’s so easy for people to come onto these forums and write things just for the sake of having something to say – under anonymity. I may feel incensed about your cavalier and flippant disregard for my personal drama which deeply affected and changed me – but I choose to be the better person and stick to the facts and not conjecture.
Yes, you CHOSE to do all those things! We all have choices in life and some do not turn out the way we think or want them to. So stop complaining!
In fact, why don’t you just be happy that you did all you could for somebody less fortunate than yourself, who have so many years of her life to your ‘servce’, give yourself a pat on the back and wish the person all the best for the future.
Dear Transplanted soil,
You certainly have my sympathly. I had an almost identical experience with my Jamaican helper.
I believe these situations are widespread.
architects, engineers, lawyers, accountants..etc get rolled over
cleaner/helpers can stay…..
welcome to wonderland(cayman islands)
Makes absolutely no sense right? but oh wait, hold on ya, this translates into the famous ‘Jamaican Vote’ for the UDP so makes a lot of sense to them. Have yet to see any change they propose that is really for the betterment of this Country – that’s just not their style!
I applaude the Government for this very bold step; CNS its time to start censoring some of the ignorance on this blog, seriously it is giving Cayman a black eye.
It’s the posters who give Cayman a black eye, and trying to sweep their mentality under a rug is to deny the ugly truth that they exist. Sticking our heads into the sand will not make the(ir) ignorance go away.
My head is bloodied from repeated banging against the wall. I could not bear to read more than three or four of these posts before my economics training kicked in – every second I wasted reading that rubbish is an opportunity for actual constructive work foregone.
The rollover policy is bad all the way around and the fact that there are now efforts to repeal it in areas that are deemed to be more politically palatable is the evidence that this is known in the LA.
The reasons for change cited in the article above work exactly the same way in the financial services industry, in the tourism industry, in the construction industry and all of the other generators of economic value to Cayman. An investment manager is not going to move his $500 billion hedge fund operations to Cayman if in seven years he does not have his trusted staff to run his fund. A hotel owner will not spend millions of dollars on a development where he cannot assure longevity to his key people. When this business does not come to Cayman, these are jobs LOST to Caymanians. When expats are shipped out of this country, their economic contribution goes with them. When people who move here are made to understand that there is no longevity for them, they do not contribute (charitable donations or time, purchasing house, spending more money here as opposed to sending it ‘home’ etc) in the same way they would if they were made to feel that Cayman is home.
Caymanians are worse off because of the rollover policy. It is good to see that Government has recognised this and is at least starting to drip feed the arguments to the public in a way that will slowly change the damaging protectionist beliefs that have left Cayman in the financial struggle it finds itself in now.
Your head is bloodied by ignorance. There is this small element of the rollover policy called a key employee application. No-one such as you describe who is the subject of such an application will be rolled over.
"Your head is bloodied by ignorance" and a bizarrely Shakespearian writing style.
Roll over affects many important staff who do not qualify for key employee status – mid-level staff who have knowledge and experience, add value and are important parts of teams. They make Cayman a rapidly less attractive business market.
Rubbish. That’s the Board which goes deep into the workings of a company. Many good, qualified, people have NOT got key employee. Had they, the government would have been able to claim the Rollover is actually working. Denial of Key Employees is THE failure of the Rollover.
Rollovers are bad.
Rollovers are good!
To Anon Mon 09/06/2010 18:57. Obviously you are just a "johnny come lately" otherwise you would know that it was the UDP that passed & inplemented the rollover policy, NOT THE PPM, as you falsely suggested! I am not a supporter of the UDP but I support the rollover policy so as to prevent the diluting o the Caymanian population anymore.
It will help to prevent Caymanians from becoming extinct because we are already an endangered species, a dieing breed.
You would want nothing less for your country, so do not expect us to want any less for our beloved country Cayman
Very good point made by Anon 18:57: "to prevent the diluting o the Caymanian population anymore. It will help to prevent Caymanians from becoming extinct because we are already an endangered species, a dieing breed."
See http://www.caymannetnews.com/cgi-script/csArticles/articles/000055/005521.htm for details of how "diluting o the Cayman population" must be avoided at all costs.
Can you tell me what that means "Camanians becoming extinct"? Are caymanians a species? I am serious, I want to know what the feeling is of going extinct
It is a fact of life that we are ALL a "dieing breed"
"to prevent the diluting o the Caymanian population anymore. It will help to prevent Caymanians from becoming extinct because we are already an endangered species, a dieing breed."
Ifyou don’t "dilute" a gene pool, you end up with inbreeding and all of the mental and physical disabilities that it entails.
Caymanians, if you want the Islands to prosper and flourish, get into bed with an expat and make babies. It will save the Islands in the long run and be fun in the short run.
Remember, at one point in time, your great-great-great grandparents were expats in their time.
Caymanians were born out of the expat communities in days gone and Caymanians going abroad.
I don’t quite understand why so many people think that Caymanians are some sort of "pure blood".
Do you honestly think that the names Ebanks, Bodden, McClaughlin, Smith, Scott etc are Caymanians names? They come from Wales, Scotland , England etc.
Have you ever done research on your family tree? You should, because then you would stop with this crap that is spouted on a daily basis.
Oh, and by the way I am Caymanian.
And the continued NEED for expats is something that only the menatlly challeneged would not understand.
Nobody hands things out, get over it like you are entilted to something. Only people in wills are entitled to things.
Go get off your ass and do something instead of complaining the whole time, then when you are rewarded you will understand.
And that, my friends, is what a TRUE BORN Caymanian really sounds like. Its is this kind of person that helped to make Cayman what it is. Everyone, please stop listening to and responding to the few loud mouth, ignorant haters out there – on both sides.
In any country is there anything such as a true original people?
USA your original people I guess are the Indians but they were not there forever. Eventually people came from Europe to settle the USA and now they call themselves the original people. See kicking Mexicans out.
Europe history tells us that you were settled from further south.
and the story goes on in all countries. Here is the problem we have people coming from the USA and from Europe telling us we are not the original people. In their countries they have similar laws and yet we poor idiot Caymanians cannot do in our country what they do in theirs.
Caymanians are not against expats, but Caymanians (those who love their country) are against unlimited ampounts of expats outnumbering Caymanians in GREAT numbers. Is that too hard for you understand? Do we allow everyone to come here & become Caymanian? GET REAL!
No Tue 13:37 I am a born Caymanian over 50 years of age who can’t spell Alzheimers (sorry Alois) and who meant that the helper was "beloved" by the family, not the patient. Don’t insult me by comments about what such a patient would or would not know. We have lived it so we need no tutoring from PPM or UDP posters. My disgust with the PPM in my original post (18;57) which got the PPM storm troopers out in force was simply because the PPM Government was so damned enthusiastic about the benefits of this policy and how it would solve all employment/immigration problems in Cayman. Ever heard Arden McLean on a roll about this type of thing?
The poster who spouted about how we could have got key employee status either is clueless or has friends in high places.
I wasn’t going to reply to the venom caused by my original post but I have yielded to temptation. I wont say anymore
@ 18:49: so you blame the PPM who inherited the policy & NOT the UDP who passed & implemented it? UUUUHHHHHHH???????? I think it is best you do as you originally planned & do not reply any more! Please, no more foolishness from you.
The sad think about roll-over is that the Cuba gentleman who made the cigars at the little Havana club has been rolled over. There is no one to take his place and thus there are no more hand rolled cigars rolled in Cayman. This person was a very polite and impressive person who was friendly and a good advertisement for the Cayman Islands. When will they ever learn? Perhaps we should listen to Peter, Paul and Mary rather than politicians.
He got rolled over?????????
His cigars were one of the things that I truly enjoyed about the Caymans. He and his cigars are one of the experiences that I looked forward to when I was on vacation.
Did he leave a forwarding address? If so, let me know so that I can go there for my next vacation.
yes he did, but it was an accident. His permit said ‘roller’ and someone at immigration thought it was caminglish for ‘roll over’
you can hit the funny button now.
Bad rollover! Bad!!
The comments to this article are shocking…"go home" "Cayman is for Caymanians" etc. Come on people that is just ignorant. I hope that when I do "go home" a Caymanian walks through my door in my country and asks for a job so I can put them through the same racist rubbish that you throw around here.
The is the Best News I’ve Heard This Year. SO YOU shut to hell up- you are nothing but a hot aired baloon. If you were working and caring for your loved ones and at the same time having them cared by caring people you would appreciate what BIG MAC has done. Obviously, you contribute very little to yourself, community, and the governmet. Stop critizing everything that is being done. You have no compassion. Caymanians will never do domistic caregiving.
This is appreciated y the caring people who care for their loved ones.
You need to start caring a little.
tit for tat doesn’t solve the problem.
It is not rascist and your country does the same thing. Go and look at what you need todo to get a US greencard or UK work permit and you will be grateful for Cayman’s systems.
Go to the passport office and get a UK Passport, or have you forgotten you live in a country owned by the UK?
It is a territory not a country. Important distinction.
Cannot. Have to register first as British (even if you are Caymanian) and that takes 6 months. Then have to go to London or Washington to get passport… Wake up and stop drinking the cool aid.
don’t sink to their level…..
It already happens Caymanians could not go to your country and get a job just like that. What is the matter with you?
There have been a tiny number of comments to that effect.
Actually, Caymanians and other minorities have always had to contend with some degree of racism in seeking work abroad. What you call racism here pales by comparison.
I understand some of the frustration. But, it is so obvious that none of you who are so angry with this, do not have any person in your family with special needs. Caymanians in general are so incompassionate when it comes to the care of these people. Trust me. I’m Caymanian and have a 3 year old with special needs. Besides the politics of it all, I have daily fights with lazy people parking in the handicap spaces! If I ever am blessed enough to have a care-giver for my son (you know the chances of me having a Caymanian willing to help me is slim-to-none) I would hope that I wouldn’t have to lose them after a few years after they have spent years learning my son’s ways, his medical needs, how he communicates, gaining his trust, our trust, etc. It would be crippling to start all over again.
Please don’t make harmful generalizations like Caymanians in general are "incompassionate" with these people.
I do agree, some Caymanians are compassionate to/with people/children with special needs, and I apologize for the "generalization". We have a few fellow Caymanians people in our lives who are the most amazing, compassionate, generous people. However, Cayman on the whole, is NOT a special needs friendly island. Walk a mile in our shoes – better yet, grab a wheelchair & see how life is here for you. We live it, everday. And we will live it for the rest of our lives.
I can only back up my wifes comments, as although we as Caymanians would like to believe we actually care, my observations are quite the opposite.
So if making "harmful" generalizations improves the truth of how "these people" (as you so compassionately discribed them) are viewed, valued and treated, so be it!
More likely that you will just piss people off.
Take a read of comment made above at 14.03 – just might wake you up from your dream world!
I feel horrible for the person who authored the post at 14.03. The fact that this topic is not about getting the care givers permanent residency, it is about not requiring manditory roll overs. The person in 14.03 was a very unfortunate, and the trust that was put forward was broken, but that is one isolated situation, with rules and results that would be different with proper legislation.
However as the father of a special needs child, infact the very same child my wife refered to. I find you comments a perfect example of the ignorant, carless way that the typical person is when it comes to the plight of those who have special needs, and those who care for them. I will quote you here " just might wake you up from your dream world!" I can only pray for the day we wake up from this dream! The daily toll is so far beyond what you could possibly understand, and you have proven that you simply don’t get it.
If you want to know how the powerful politicians in Cayman view disabled people, just drive by the parking spaces behind the glass house.
On the right side, of the doors (the last time I looked) there is a reserved space then two handicapped spaces. When the lines were first drawn, the two handicapped spaces were closer to the doors. The owner of the reserved space made a fuss and forced the spaces to be moved so that he/she could be 15 feet closer to the doors.
Go figure. The situation could make for an interesting FOI request.
It’stime to ask- does anybody know the status of Dr. Shetty’s hospital? Did the MOU expire? Anybody know the proposed location with any degree of certainty? Anybody evidence of any activity at all?
It was a Shetty idea to begin with.
I was beginning to have the same thoughts about the new dock, but then I received this email yesterday. At the meeting he should give a list of Civil Servants responsible for the holdup.
We should all be happy that Stefan and Big Mac bypassed the CTC so that Dart could start construction in early 2010.
http://centos6-httpd22-php56-mysql55.installer.magneticone.com/o_belozerov/31115drupal622/headline-news/2009/11/04/dart-build-cruise-berths
And if mumbles doesn’t address the Shetty situation on Thursday, what will you infer?
That will have to wait until another luncheon when he will update the Medical Tourism Policy.
He can’t each as much as he used to, so he has to luncheon more often. lol.
Roll over is based on fear, greed and narcissism.
XXXXX
Rollover is based on legitimate concerns about the rate at which we can absorb persons into our permanent population. It takes a long-term view for the greater good.
Its true. I’ve seen all the research – NOT.
The research is right beside the research that claims our economy has contracted as a result of rollover, businesses are leaving as a result of rollover, crime is up as a result of rollover, global warming is account of rollover , etc etc.
So the rate of absorbing people into the community created the rollover. But the economies contraction, business leaving, crime up, etc is pure coincidence? Did no one read the Net News articles on the effects of the rollover would have? Perhaps you can give us an update on how the absorbing of people has worked out. Has it been a success? Are you happy with it?
Oh well, if the Net News said it, it MUST be so.
Rollover needs some refinements, but the principle is sound.
CNS,
I am puzzled as to why you saw fit to edit the first para of my post which merely responded to this post which you did not edit out altogether. This is a general insult to Caymanians. Let’s be even-handed about this.
Roll over is based on fear, greed and narcissism
CNS: The deleted part was not a general comment but a direct insult to someone who appears to use their own name. Read Moderating the comments, noting: "You can disagree with people who identify themselves … but be nice, especially if you hide behind anonymity."
In any case, the comment was about a government policy and it is not a general insult to Caymanians, as you claim.
Rollover is based on the false human assumption of ‘This is mine’
“This is Caymanian’s” & 500 + years building is by no account a “false human assumtion”.To the end.
Wow this is so wonderful,run out ever one is in other jobs,but,saves the ones who have to do the dirty work that caymanians dont want to do.
How many caymanians are household helpers,how many caymanians work at the Pines and all the other golden agers home on the Islands.One can see what is happening caymanians only want people who can do their dirty work while they just sit back.
But watch out cayman this is a very fast changing world,and trust me the change will leave you all behind if you do not change with it.You call yourself a christian society.I want you all to take a good look at the wonderful word call LOVE.
cayman a christian society….hahaha
when caymanian discuss the rollover they should ask themselves…’what would jesus do?’
Probably cast asses like yourself out of the ‘temple’ (Country)….tek dat!
Jesus is not just in Cayman. Jesus is also in your country which does the same thing! When your country people discuss the immigration policy in protecting their borders they should ask themselves….."what would Jesus do?"
they love our milk and honey..nothing else, they don’t respect or embrace our culture they leave here for weeks anytime holidays come around they say where they come from is better more entertaining they stack up 10 to a room so they can save and send their money back home…well i say stay where the hell u come from…
Lets break down you post, so I repond to each point.
they love our milk and honey..nothing else, actually they love many other things like their families which is why they send money home. Also if you hate it so much try doing the caring yourself, get a job as a carer at the Pines and look after your old people yourselves instead of paying someone else to and and then complaining about it.
they leave here for weeks anytime holidays come around. Their wives and children are not allowed here with them and you decry them for going to visit their much missed families, what is wrong with you
they stack up 10 to a room so they can save they have families depending on them back home, and YOU do not pay them enough to live in nice condo’s because you prefer your carers in a type of indentured servitude, just like the bible teaches.
and send their money back home Shame on them sending their money home so their childeren can eat. What a lovely person you must be that you would rather they spend all their money here and have their own children starve. Selfish selfish selfish.
well i say stay where the hell u come from… well then stop hiring foreigners and do the work yourself. You are actually capable of caring for someone I hope. Well get out their and start gving sponge baths to your elderly.
Until then grow up
It occurs to me that many of these people could have had no idea of the political and social situation on the ground in Cayman when they initially accepted their jobs. From their points of view, they were welcomed here — hired (probably by a Caymanian) to do a job that needed doing. Many of them have made great personal sacrifices to be here, likely out of great need.
Imagine their surprise, once they have come to a mutually beneficial decision to accept a position here, to find that many locals (not all, by any means, but enough to make life uncomfortable) look down on them and consider them unwelcome parasites on the community. By the time they have figured this out, they will have made commitments, both familial and monetary, that make going back "where the hell [they] came from" difficult at best. Like many of us here, their freedom to move away will have been curtailed by obligations they have entered into on the strength of their promised jobs — obligations you probably take for granted, such as providing for a family or paying school fees.
Oh my.
Are these people not human? Do they not have ties and fondness for their own cultures and families, just as you do for yours? We all come from some place. Ofcourse they want to go home for their holidays — gracious, many of them have wives, husbands and children to go home to!
And wouldn’t you try to find a roommate to share costs if you were trying to live in Cayman on a helper’s salary? All it takes is an ounce of human sympathy to understand the habits you skewer here.
Everyone in Cayman came from somewhere else.There was no one living on the islands in 1703 when Columbus discovered them . A lot of Caymanians, their fore parents came from Jamaica Barbados,Trinidad, Belize, and some are descendandts of Ireland, England , USA. I repeat many. What make us inherently so different from these other countries. Read the book Founded Upon the Seas. We all have our flaws. You might have experience some bad elements but don’t brand all to be the same. I observe that its mostly three countries nationals that are hated more and one among the three is hated most.Some of these nationals are married to "Indiginious Caymanians" and many make very good citizens and lead exemplary and productive lives, so wil you stop generalizing? I wonder if you speak bad to your children about their families in(the three more hated countries) other countries and what must be going through the heads of these children.
Brilliant post.
Psst. Columbus was dead for 200 years in 1703. We were discovered in 1503. By 1703 there were Caymanians.
I don’t believe that there is a substantial element of Caymanians that are derived from Trinidad, Barbados and Belize.
I don’t know which three hated nationalities you are referring to, but speak for yourself.
There are many posts on here which make derogatory posts about Caymanians generally. Perhaps you should address the hate that is directed against Caymanians in our country. There are also nasty posts about Cayman itself tthat actively seek to discourage tourists, investors etc. from coming, yet you overlook these to trot out this spiel.
You are right its 1503 . It was my mistake but you do get the gist of what i said. I know. I got an A for history. Are you satisfied with that?
Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 09/07/2010 – 15:16
Americans are nothing more than displaced Englishmen themselves. And Europeans come from elsewhere so your point is one of the most overused, abused not thought of illogical points.
Are there original people in the US. Sure there are but they are treated like third hand citizens in their own country.l
"embrace our culture"? Can you give us some examples of this ‘culture’ please. Other than rope-making, turtling, spousal abuse and hating foreigners.
Attitudes like yours, which stinks, is one reason there is acrimony between expats and Caymanians.
This is such a wonderful sentiment we leave our children with……think of the current problems our youth now face, can you see the correlation. Probably not, lesson wasted yet again.
So, I want to know how the government will justify having other employers deprived of a similar "certificate" for their workers? Is this not a form of discrimination? Just thought I’d ask.
Whatever happened to rollover in the civil service? As usual, Government has one rule for itself and another for everyone else.
Rollover in the civil service? Haven’t you heard? Some of them are rolling over laughing themselves out crazy receiving full pays for doing nothing.
yes…but not ‘unfair’ discrimination
I am so baffled at some of the statements you all put out here, no common sense at all, think before you all start typing. so many of you are spreading propaganda, here say, hatred & lies.
There is expats in all countries around the world so why do you all think that cayman is any better, why we have a lot of Caymanians in foreign countries too and I pray to God that they are not treated like you all treat the expats here. Beleive me Cayman your day of recconing is coming, you all preach love and christianty but all I see is the wicked step mother here and I am ashamed of you.
Politicians not coming together for the betterment of the country just because this politician dont like the other politician that brought a motion to protect Caymanians when they advocate it, is insane. Yes I agree that if a caymanian will not work or stay on the job and an expat will, then the business man should be able to hire who ever will do the job Caymanian or not.Its time for this UDP/ PPM strife to stop, we need leaders that will lead not stumble.
Most Caymanians are only Christians on Sundays when they pray for the sins they have done during the other six days of the week.
Well its comforting to know that when I get rolled over my helper can stay:)
If you are being rolled out then you are obviously not ‘ELDERLY, SICK OR HANDICAPPED" – youre helper therefore will have to go if her/his time is up
well that’s just NOT TRUE. (where do people come up with this stuff?) There is not an exemption from being kicked out (rolled over) just because you may be elderly, sick, or handicapped. (in fact it’s probably the opposite)
Where the above poster made their mistake is that if you are in the position to be rolled over eventually, you are NOT ALLOWED to have a helper (God knows what THAT is all about.)
A more on the mark statement is that yopucan be rolled opver and you dog gets to stay!
So who the hell is Cayman for if it is not for Caymanians? Where do you come from? Is that place not for the people from there? Do you accept an UNLIMITED amount of foreigners working there & eventually becoming citizens of your country? Do not be stupid! You sound like one of those udp supporters who was promised residency before the elections. There is only so many foreigners that Cayman can absorb! Do you honestly think it is ok for a small country of 55,000 people to open our borders & allow 200,000 people to come & work here & become "Caymanian"? You would not like it for your country so do not expect us to like it for Cayman. You sound so silly. Cayman is first & foremost for Caymanians. If you do not like that then please go back to your country & open your borders to millions of foreigners so that you become outnumbered by foreigners in your own country. That doesn’t sound too good to you does it? It is funny how all you foreigners think that Cayman must open our borders to everyone, but you would not approve that in your country! HYPOCRITES! While we welcome foreigners Cayman is for Caymanians. Canada is for Canadians, England is for the English, America is the Americans, Jamaica is for Jamiacans & so on. Cayman is the greatest place on earth & it for Caymanians. You do not like our laws? Then go home to your laws!
Last time I looked, there were a hell of a lot of Caymanians living in America – Texas, Florida, Louisiana, New York, etc. You probably have a relative living in America. Maybe the US should kick all the Caymaniansl out of the country just on principle. After all, the US should be for Americans not Caymanians. Do you see the problem with your argument now?
We live in a globalised world. The sooner Caymanians accept the fact that to stay competitive in a globalised world, they have to accept the dreaded foreigners, the sooner this country can move forward.
The old paradigm is dead. The free ride is over. From now on, only Caymanians who work hard and have some intelligence are going to become rich. That is how it should be.
Free ride?? Let me tell you something punk, the free ride in this country has never been taken by Caymanians. There are those of us who work our butts off and can stand alongside any foreigner intelligence and capability wise, however, we are sidelined and are not given an opportunity for advancement. So, don’t jump on here inferring that Caymanians are unintelligent, dont work hard and get a free ride. As is the case with any country, we have some lazy people but the majority of Caymanians are hardworking, intelligent individuals and I am sick and tired of people like you with your snide remarks. Your type comments is what is fuelling Caymanians dislike of foreigners.
You are dead wrong 23:51. I would guess most expats come here wanting to add their little part to the Cayman economy, and helping out where our expertise is sought. However, it is Caymanians that leave expats with a bad taste as we are discriminated against in every way possible. Caymanians have benefited greatly from both their own insight and work ethic, to those of foreigners. The smart Caymanian families still exist, planned for the future, and set up their heirs for success. The ones that seem to be complaining are those Caymanians who didn’t have the foresight to get an education (proper and relevant), start a family business, or sell their land at the right price (remember no one would every live on SMB that is for fools with hurricanes and mosquitoes!).
Wake up, the world is closing in on you and small mindedness!. Spend your time finding out how you can better yourself, get more out of life, be happier, and most of all learn to deal with what the civilized world is today. As far a free ride, I say you have a pretty sweet deal, free education, including college if you so choose and can make the grade, first choice at jobs if qualified for them over expats, the ability to become an MLA without any education and make as much as the US President, and get prime rates on loans and stamp duty.
Oh how ignorant you are!!
HYPOCRITES American, Canadian, English and others are not. What is America, immigrants. Think about it
As is Canada
I have travelled and lived many countries for 12 years and it is same problems with others countries. You have to learn and take it in. There is nothing you can do about it. Expats in cayman put the country on the map!
Sorry "Cayman For" unless you add to yourpopulation’s tax base, cut your bloated civil service, or solve the rampant illiteracy problem….you will need the evils of expats for their expertise and their dollar flow. Something about having your cake and eating it too! Without expat dollars, your new schools will not be built and your country will go bankrupt. I wish for every Caymanian to travel and live abroad to really understand how the world works.
NOPE cayman is not the greatest place on earth!
I cannot blame you for saying that Cayman is the Greatest Country on earth because you were born here and its your country but your statement is an exaggeration.Also you may not have done too much travels abroad. Like all other countries Cayman has its flaws. There are many things here that fall behind the standard of other developed and even developing countries. Thats the reason why Governments constantly try to improve standards and diversify the economy as one example. Lets not be self righteous now.
I guess your home Country is right?! NOT!!
Inhumane. Yet the gardener where I live got through. I guess it helps to have an employer on the Board.
Ok so they are good enough to stay here for so long in order to nurture our youth but not good enough to become apart of the privilege society. Why? Because they are poor? Because we are willing to welcome the man with millions who before his “welcome” may not have contributed to the society and probably will never apart from buying a house and going to the supermarket.
Many of these poor people we refuse are actually the ones that aid tremendously toward the continued driving force of the economy by supporting small businesses.
I appreciate the hard work performed by the many helpers in this country, however, government must be careful in how they are implementing such changes, unless of course we intend to continue to build a society of poor and underprivileged folks who will end up being maintained by the Social Services Department. Where will the money come from for their health care and general upkeep?
Oh no, you mustn’t say such things. You will be accused of racism against Jamaicans.
Racism against Jamaicans? Here is an appropriate question for you – WHO DO CAYMANIANS LIKE?
Not that this had anything to do with my post, but we like well-behaved people who respect us.
I’ve never heard of that nationality.
That’s because it isn’t. The point is the issue has nothing to do with nationality and people are not liked or hated on that basis.
I don’t know what the thumbs down are for. TennisAce and others have been making posts to that effect for a while.
I hear this argued by Caymanians, across the board, educated , non – educated, wealthy – poor, etc. I know many truly believe this.
My concerns with it however are. One, if a person doesn’t have a job here, he must leave. Even if they were making $100k per annum. No one can afford to live here without a job. Surely one would prefer the support of family and the social services in their homeland. Many other countries actually treat the elderly with much respect. That unfortunately, is not the case here. Two, a major reason people send money home every month is to add a brick or two to their retirement home. Home is where one is welcome, andthat in most cases is not here. Most have no intention of staying here. Just as Caymanians have a love and longing for home, so do other cultures.
At the end of the day, Cayman is just another island in the sun. During the 70’s, 80,s and 90’s there was a working together to create wealth. Those three decades Cayman was on an upward move and that is what separated Cayman from other places. But with the introduction of a "fixed pie", division, "roll over", government debt, crime, declining economy Cayman has done a 180. It is still above many other places, but it the direction EVERYONE should be worried about. As one of the people that helped build this place, I’m very concerned.
Hopefully this is just the first official acknowledgment that the "Rollover" has been the most damaging policy to the Cayman Islands that could ever have been dreamed up.
Our shrinking economy and shrinking population should be a worry for everyone.
Have you not pictured what Social services would look like without it?
It will continue to be abused by those who do not need it.
Human Rights 2012 will overule this (and many similar), full stop.
How can you allow someone exemption to r/ollover but deny them rights to PR? It is little different to the current scenario of expats who’ve been here 8+ years but had PR denied & are now awaiting appeal results. Those appeal results maybe a long time coming while they hope you just give up and leave.
Unfortunately, until someone has the resources and the will to take these sort of things all the way to the Court of Human Rights local laws will often prevail. Be ready to step up to the plate any pro bono attorneys! Put something back into the community by helping Cayman’s most vulnerable & poor work permit holders. Thank you.
It is of course completely different to the scenario where you have applied for PR, it has been refused and you have appealed. That is due process. There is no beach of any human right. There is no guarantee that you will receive PR simply because you have been here for a certain period. You are entitled to be considered in accordance with the law. You are allowed tocontinue to work pending the outcome of your appeal.
The fact that the system is backlogged has nothing to do with people hoping that you just give up and leave. Quite the opposite, many appeals are completely frivolous with no arguable grounds but are pursued cynically because they allow the appellants to continue to work in the meantime.
If one was here 15 years at the introduction of the law 1 Jan 2004, one was entitled to PR. This did not stop Immigration from kicking people off.
And why can we not do this for all that stay with the same company?
Only LTD companies in good standing would be able to qualify.
I think it is totaly wrong that the Gov should be able to dictate who you can hire and who you cannot for the good of your company.
And before anyone gets upset, If there is a local that is willing and able, all the better. (no permit fees and immigration to deal with) It’s annoying when you HAVE to replace a good worker, just to have someone else quit after a short while.
Too late for us who had to go through the pain of an Altzheimers patient losing her beloved helper. For that reason, none of my family will EVER vote for any government that has PPM people associated with it. They rejoiced in kicking these people out and "preserving Cayman for Caymanians". Inhuman idjuts.
Of all the ignorant comments I have seen posted on CNS, this one (18:57) beats the lot!
First of all, "idjut", check out which Government introduced this roll over policy, and the PPM only put it into law when they were Government. The roll over policy was the brain child of the UDP.
You know you UDP come on here typing all kind of "idjut" thingys and this just confirms the facts that you all are full of "idjuts".
Its like the Deputy Premier claiming that the Media is to blaim for Cayman being broke after her esteemed Leader was the one to proclaim to the world that Cayman was broke.
Boy you all are a bunch of "mixed-up idjuts"!
You are right except that it was the UDP which legislated Rollover in the Immigration Law, 2003 which came into effect on 1st Jan. 2004. The PPM were elected in May, 2005.
Which makes me wonder : Was Hurricane IVAN a wakeup call for all the stupidity both the UDP and PPM do to the Caymanian people?????
You are right, except, it is the PPM that first administered the law, or at least tried to. It was indeed subject to favoritism, corruption, and incompetance. Ironic how these traits are only attributed to the UDP.
Please. That is just UDP rhetoric without any substance. There is no irony at all in the UDP being perceived as corrupt and incompetent.
I am not sure what you think your comment adds. The poster was stating she would never support any PPM member because of rollover. My point is that on that basis she should also not support the UDP since it was primarily responsible for rollover. It really is saying nothing at all to say that the PPM "administered the law". That is what govt’s do – "administer the law". However, on a point of fact, the first applications under the Immigration Law, 2003 were received and decided upon by the UDP appointed Boards and Tribunal between 1st January, 2004 and May 2005.
Part of the points system is to sit a cultural test. These tests began in May 2005.
http://www.caymannetnews.com/2005/04/808/status.shtml
Besides you not being able to spell Alzheimers correctly, calling the helper "beloved" seems like a made-up story since not remembering loved ones is a sign of the condition.
Criticise the PPM or anyone else you want by all means, but watch out for karma when you are making up stories.
I concur…….
What did that have to do with the PPM? You do realize that rollover was created by the UDP, don’t you?
Do you not mean "we could not be bothered to make a decent Key Employee Application and therefore put ourselves through the pain of…"
You probably rolled your own carer over. Live with that!
I have seen several such applications made and every one of them has been granted (under both the PPM and the UDP).
This has nothing to do with either party but everything to do with the need to protect the viability of these Islands (you were not paying the carer 3,000 a month and setting her up with an apartment, pension and good health insurance were you).