Jobs to be saved for locals
(CNS): The labour minster said government is backing a private member’s motion to look at making some jobs the preserve of Caymanians only. The day after the premier had publicly berated protectionist attitudes in the country that were driving people and businesses away, his Cabinet colleague stated in the Legislative Assembly last week that government was setting up a committee that would look at which types of professions and specific jobs could be reserved for Caymanians only. Rolston Anglin acknowledged that there would be detractors but, he said, given the levels of Caymanian unemployment and the changing economic fortunes, it was time to look at the issue.
The motion was brought by government backbencher and George Town MLA, Ellio Solomon, who said he knew the importance of diversity and harmonious relationships between foreign workers and locals, but it should not just be politicians’ or the deputy governor’s jobs that were reserved for Caymanians. Government, he said, had a responsibility to find other positions to reserve for the country’s people. He pointed to positions such as the chief immigration officer or the head of the Water Authority as possible posts but added that he wasn’t going to pre-empt what the committee might come up with. He suggested, however, that he expected the jobs would be in the public and private sectors.
He said he believed there were certain jobs that the committee would recommend had to be designated for Caymanians. He told his legislative colleagues that he was only proposing a committee and hoped people would not twist the spirit of the motion.
Dwayne Seymour, government backbench MLA for Bodden Town who seconded the motion, said there were many examples in other countries where the indigenous people were given advantages. He said it should also be the case for Caymanians, reflecting that they were special. He said there were “plots to employ friends and family in jobs Caymanians could do” but he believed if a Caymanian could do a certain job no one else should have it.
Anglin, who announced that government was supporting the motion and would be moving toward establishing the committee, pointed out that, while the subject was likely to cause people to take sides, it needed to be examined. At the risk of accusations of protectionism, Anglin said, the goal was to find out what practical steps would be taken to assist local people. He said employers had a tendency to always want to employ fully trained individuals who were ready to do the work right away rather than face their obligation to train people.
In the past, he said, Caymanians had been able to succeed because of this type of policy and he gave the example of the laws that prohibited work permits for trainee accountants, ensuring Caymanians were trained and then ultimately able to qualify and follow careers in the accountancy profession. He asked members to imagine what might have happened if past legislators had not made those provisions. He said there had been no decisions on which posts would be reserved for Caymanians but this was merely a first step in examining where positions could be reserved to once again help today’s young Caymanians into work.
While Leader of the Opposition Kurt Tibbetts said he and his colleagues supported the spirit of the motion, he wanted to hear more from the government about the proposals and whether it would apply to spouses of Caymanians and how it would work in practice.
Alden McLaughlin also offered some support but warned that the balance between the needs of businesses, both locally as well as foreign owned, to have the most talented staff with the prospects of the wider local population was challenging.
“Not everyone will agree with me but there can be no future for this country that does not include those that are of this country otherwise, what is the point?” McLaughlin asked, agreeing with the spirit of the motion but warned it was not an easy problem to solve otherwise it would have been fixed a log time ago.
He pointed out that the premier always says the country is going to run away business with such protectionist policies but it was an important issue that had to be examined.
The former employment minster pointed out that the main risk to making specific jobs the preserve of Caymanians had to do with numbers. He said it would be difficult to know if there would always be sufficient numbers of Caymanians willing and able to fill any specific jobs designated Caymanian only.
What was needed, he suggested, was to get the immigration system to work better so that each case was properly followed up but he acknowledged that immigration had not really been effective for more than forty years.
The Legislative Assembly was adjourned part way through the debate and is expected to continue next week. Premier McKeeva Bush, who will be giving an address to the country on Tuesday evening about the state of the economy, has not yet contributed to the debate.
Category: Headline News
Am I the only one who, as soon as he sees the post is from "whodatis", skips it?
I used to do the same thing in Net News with the long winded, inarticulate ramblings of Son of the Soil (J M Bodden the something or other), the extraordinarily strange and totally "unable to be understood by anyone" claptrap from "Rev" Nick Sykes, and the oh so predictable rants from Gordon Barlow?
Re:
"Am I the only one…"
Judging by the response level – I would say, yes you are.
Then again – no, for here you are posting a comment in reference to Whodatis.
Oooohh … silly ‘wabbit!
:o)
The deputy premier is off on a trip to Kenya for one of these talk shops for all freeloaders in the Commonwealth; they never do a damn thing for the world or even the participating countries.
BUT! Is her non Caymanian driver/bodyguard/suitcase handler going with her?? Answers please Protocol Office.
She’s like the American Express add, never leaves home with out him
Ten-four good buddy.
Like all Brackers she has a taste for Country Music, with Willie Nelson’s "Me and Paul" being her current favourite.
I understand that Paul has more than covered the expense of his trip by assisting her to determine when the name "Mugabe" comes up if they are talking about the one from Zimbabwe or the one she left at home.
The Legal Department has 16 ex-pat crown counsels and 7 Caymanians. Ellio will you protect those jobs and do something about an AG that refuses to give Caymanians articles/training in his dept?
Maybe the AG is interested in quality over nationality?
Based on the results of the legal dept., evidently not. If we are going to hire incompetents then it may as well be our own incompetents. No need to import it.
Wow….you can definatley tell that the majority of posters are foreigners. And you all seem to think its ok to come to this country and bash locals for any and every of our shortcomings. I understand that there are not the amount of qualified Caymanians to do the necessary jobs here, but at the same time, those of us who are don’t get first pick. We are almost always second in line to an expat. This country isn’t perfect, far from it. But if you have so much negativity towards it how are you making it any better. You’re just making a bigger rift between locals and expats. Foreigners are needed to an extent but if this is how you’re going to go on when you come to a country that opens its arms wide for you, I would rather see you gone than have to put up with with all this negativity that comes along with your contributions. In any country you go to you are going to find people who believe they have a right to anything over an expat – not just here. No wonder there are so much locals who have prejudices against foreigners.
I suggest that learning how to spell "definitely" would definitely improve candidates’ chances.
There is no "a" is "definitely".
There is no "a" sound in "definitely" when pronounced. Bad spelling is now driving bad diction.
Ghastly. Truly ghastly.
I understand the frustration of the owner of this website:
http://www.d-e-f-i-n-i-t-e-l-y.com/
What a lot of rubbish this idea is. The government doesn’t even believe in it. In Cayman Brac one of the government departments has just hired an under qualified expat who the government will have to send for training over giving equally qualified local a chance. Or could be that this person is related to the assistant to the empress?
I am yet to see any suggested jobs listed that have not in fact been held only by Caymanians for as long as I am able to remember. Which thereby renders this whole exercise a useless waste of time like most things the Legislative Assembly does. Particularly given that our society only follows legislation when they well feel like and as/when it suits them anyway.
What will employers do when a Caymanian is not available for a specific reserved job?
Such a data base does exist at the labour department and is accessable by the immigration department. Just goes to show you how much the public really knows about HOW MUCH WORK the labour department does and has to do. It is not about the labour department not doing their job but the blame for work permit grants (if a blame has to be made) lies SOLELY with the immigration boards (not the immigration department but i repeat the BOARDS. The boards have all the information that they need at their finger tips yet they continue to grant work permits.
Not hard to tell from the comments and thumbs up/down how the literate on Cayman would vote. Which means CIG will vote yes. Cayman. The land of fool fool.
Self-respect is a lost quality for many in our expat community.
This is the only explanation for the ridiculous, narcissistic, and biased opinions and accusations against Caymanians.
Could an expat please inform the room of exactly what better off nation theyderive?
Could an expat PLEASE inform us of a nation that boasts an absolute educated, properly functional, non-criminal, FULLY EMPLOYED, sufficiently capable, middle to upper class society?! (That one is specifically directed to the concerned Brits in the room – the ones that LOVE to pretend that the MILLIONS of "Simons-down-the-pub" DO NOT EXIST in that nation of faded glory!)
Could an expat please highlight their home country that boasts a better current economic reality than Cayman?
Could an an expat please highlight a monetary system and financial setup that is superior when compared to the Cayman Islands?
Could an expat point us to their home country that is NOT currently facing major civil uprising (riots, marches, protests, organisations i.e. Tea Party / BNP / EDL / UAF)?
Could an expat please point us in the direction of a nation in which its PEOPLE are RIGHT NOW pleased, satisfied and confident in the government and running of the country?!
Most importantly – could an expat direct us to a western nation that has NOT made an art and veiled mockery of turning its people into modern day economic slaves?!
(Tactic: Enforce the idea of expensive multi-year higher education (for all areas of qualification) – placing the individual in immediate economic debt / slavery upon adulthood. Thereafter, promote the notion of home-ownership as the rigid benchmark for the sign of a worthy and functional human being – however, keeping the average salary at a pitifully low level in order to force the individual to the bank yet again (fractional reserve / FIAT / "inflation"). Enter the credit market, mortgages, retail banks and centralized banking system. But – here’s the kicker!! Gamble, drop kick and pile drive the very foundation of its economy (the housing market) like it is a worthless tin can and ruin the lives, futures, hopes and dreams of its citizens!! Then simply turn around in the greatest global economic recession known to man, and in the words of Steve Urkel say: "Ooops … did we do that??!")
Now, how many of us believe that all of this was accidental?
When the word SLAVERY pops up in conversation most people think of western "Black" and "Brown" people of yesteryear … however, the HARSH REALITY of the situation is that the greatest and largest SLAVE COMMUNITY in history is the WHITE, western middle class citizens of America, Britain, Europe etc. of TODAY!
These people are the natural and obvious prey of the predatory banking / financial system that has been erected around them – allowed by their very own elected leaders. All the while as they look upon other parts of the world with disdain or relief the joke has been on them – and here we are … in yet another "economic crisis".
Add to this the ongoing onslaught on the senses of climate change, Islamaphobia, human rights, medical / drug advances, "terrorism", religious debate / battle / intolerance (add another yawn), pay-as-you-go auto black boxes, T.V. license fees for your Iphone, speed cameras, bus lane cameras, parking cameras, CCTV, retina eye scans, forthcoming governmental DNA databases, out-sourcing, importation of modern day slave labor, random police spot checks, train delays, road tolls, 3 hour daily commutes, box sized accommodations, concrete jungles, congestion, yard-less attached housing, pollution, tree-deprived children, erosion of personal freedoms, rumors of police state agendas, rumors of future race wars, taxes, taxes, taxes … by way of the populace dividing yet controlling media and other avenues – it is CLEAR why so many look upon us with such disdain at times like these.
My fellow Caymanians, all of this is nothing but the over inflated ego of some in our expat community that are personally offended by us Caymanians having the audacity to deny them – the almighty (yawn) – of their "rightful" place in our world.
Caymanians need totruly appreciate what makes us unique and envied by so many around the world and in our midst as well!
The coveted benefits of the Caymanian experience extend FAR BEYOND "no income taxes" my friends! However, most of us fail to fully grasp this notion for as we were born and raised into it we tend to take all of this splendor for granted. "They" know the value of what "we" have .. and they WANT IT FOR THEMSELVES!
Doubt not for a second that many would not love to replace our RIGHTFUL position with themselves – without a blink of an eye or a spot of shame.
Nonetheless, the world has become a global village and where we once enjoyed the comfort of taking life as it comes at an easy pace in our peaceful bliss – as with every crusade and conquering mission in the past – we now have to arm ourselves to hold our position.
No Caymanian can or should expect a comfortable ride by way of simply being a "Caymanian" – again, I am reiterating my plea for us to diversify our mindset and attitudes in regards to careers, jobs, trades and socio-economics. By demographics, population, history and national industrial concerns we are NOT the typical western country – therefore, the typical dominant and accepted approaches to western government, livelihood and strategies CAN NOT always be applied to our community. In my opinion, the attempts to do this is the main reason behind why we find ourselves facing many of our problematic issues today.
*I am aware that my post will come across as divisive in some areas. However, it is CLEAR for all to see, and we can use this thread for a harsh and realistic example, that we are living in a divided community – at least in the context of mindsets. There are those amongst us that have no love or concern for the native people of this country – and rest assured that the feeling is consequentially mutual. I was brought up as a Christian in this country of Christian values but this individual DOES NOT turn the other cheek. Well, I may – but rest assured that a folded fist is on the follow through.
Cayman’s population has doubled in my lifetime – we are not a hateful or xenophobic people. However, when we younger Caymanians witness some of the attitudes and sentiments like we are doing today we have no option but to take a defensive stance. Is that wrong?
If it is then mark me down as wrong as well. I have studied history, read books (the right ones) and most importantly have kept my eyes open during my short lifetime … I know what time it is.
Everyone is welcome – but only with good intentions. Furthermore, do not come here with the immediate attitude of a right to forever remain. Imagine if every Pakistani, Nigerian, Indian or Zimbabwean took such a stance towards Britain or the USA? (As we can see, many of those types of individuals who were even BORN is those countries are facing physical aggression today.)
Our stakes are much higher here in the Cayman Islands … if you are unable to appreciate and understand that fact then perhaps Cayman is not the best place for you to be.
Good Tuesday morning all,
Whodatis
(P.S. Get to work and stop wasting time surfing the internet!)
:o)
That’s great but in your case I think education is a method whereby you have acquired a higher grade of prejudices.
The educated will not make much difference here because they are in the minority. It’s everyone else’s votes which will count.
No doubt there was similar rhetoric delivered to much acclaim prior to Jamaica getting independence. Whether, based on an educated opinion, that was the appropriate thing to do at the time really doesn’t matter because the vote will come down to the feelings of the badly educated and illiterate. It is these people who will carry the vote.
When (and if) the schools are completed will this herald a brighter future? Depends on whether the parents are going to take a more active role in ensuring their children take advantage of what is on offer to them. Current evidence indicates that many parents do not take an active role in the well being and education of their children. Will this change? Is it too late?
In any event, the schools will only be as good as the teachers they are able to attract and the parents who ensure their children appreciate what is being offered to them. People across the world pay huge amounts of money not just to educate their children but to ensure they receive the best TEACHING possible. The new schools are just buildings. Buildings have never taught any pupils or ensured that once they get home their homework is done.
What is required is for the child to be in pursuit of knowledge but what we have is knowledge in pursuit of the child.
Education and literacy has clearly been a second priority here in Cayman for quite some time.
The educated will not carry the vote here in Cayman. The masses will. The end result will be the same here as everywhere else so why fight it?
Best to just smile and get on with it.
To Voice of Reason;
Perfectly said! I hope Whodatis reads it.
EDUCATE your children. Participate in their lives!
No, this is about adhering to basic and internationally recognised standards of human rights and not engaging in bigotry and xenophobia which is degrading to Caymanians themselves, never mind the victims.
It would also help if the filthy and disgusting lie that Caymanians are somehow discriminated against in the work place is finally laid to rest.
Grow up whodatis, and show some self respect.
"It would also help if the filthy and disgusting lie that Caymanians are somehow discriminated against in the work place is finally laid to rest".
It is not a lie at all. How would you be in a position to make a definitive statement that nowhere in the job market in Cayman is there any prejudice against Caymanians? How can you speak on behalf of every single employer and manager and every situation involving a Caymanian? Think about it for the moment. You may be able to say that you yourself have not exercised any prejudice. You may even have some grounds to say that you have not witnessed any. But particularly as you are not Caymanian you obviously cannot logically make such a definitive statement. Such a statement is itself prejudiced as you have taken a position in the absence of the facts but worse you have have characterised the truth of the matter as "filthy and disgusting". Imagine if you were Judge and had made such statements and then an action was commenced by a Caymanian for discrimination in the workplace you would obviously have to recuse yourself for prejudice. Clearly, you would not listen objectively to the evidence but would rely on your prejudice that the Caymanian was being "filthy and disgusting".
I have seen the prejudice first hand. I have seen supported by documentary evidence. I have seen it in a variety of capacities. I have seen the job ads changed because they the employer did not wish to employ a highly qualified Caymanian who applied for the job. They re-advertised ensuring that that this time the ad did not match up with the highly qualified and experienced Caymanian’s C.V. but did match up with the C.V. for the expat for whom the job was being reserved.
All of this is not to say that there are not serious issues with work performance and attitude on the part of some Caymanians. It is also not to say that all expat employers are prejudiced. There are some fine employers who will give Caymanians every opportunity and in some cases Caymanians fail to capitalize on these opportunities. But it is absolutely undeniable that some prejudice against Caymanians in the workplace does exist.
Excellent and poignant post.
Unfortunately the majority of the naysayers in the room will move forward pretending as if they haven’t read it and acknowledged the truth of your words.
There will be another related news story in the coming days and we will all begin this tiresome process all over again.
Many of these individuals are relentless – if Caymanians are to make it in their own country then we also must be relentless – but to a higher degree.
This is the simple reality of the situation.
This is the most sensible point I have ever heard from a Caymanian and I’m an expat. There are obvious benefits to being a Caymanian and I just hope that all Caymanians realise it and make the best of it. Work hard and achieve much cuz the silver platter is there to just eat off it. Don’t wait for the envious, greedy expat to work for it then snatch it from them. As oppossed to having that platter we have to work twice as hard. So make use of your opportunities!
Whodatis… my wish would be for you to experience what it would be like if every single foreign business and expat was to pull out of Cayman for 1 year. In my country (USA) if every foreign business and legal/illegal expat pulled out we would still survive. We might stumble, but it is the American spirit that would make it happen. I think you would be left to work on a boat or go back to making thatch rope (if there is still a market for that). I wish nothing bad for the rest of the Cayman population and hope this country pulls out of this recession stronger and better, but attitudes like yours is only decisive. Thank goodness there are still many Caymanians that do not have your nasty attitude. Progress creates growing pains and Cayman has experienced its fair share in the last 10-15 years.
Obviously you have spent NO time in an expat on Caymans shoes.
But of course that has not stopped you from knowing all about it.
Look at what YOUR leadership has done and continues to do.
Look at what kind of future YOU have because of it.
Do you still have self respect? Caymanians are unique but envy? You have the typical traits of a Caymanian. Good luck.
… and you have the typical traits of one of our arrogant and jealous type of expat.
Difference between us is – YOU felt the need to run away from your home country and are now spending time battling locals over proposals to control the influx of individuals such as yourself whereas I am quite content within my native surroundings.
Re: "Look at what YOUR leadership has done and continues to do."
You totally missed the point – I was not suggesting that Cayman’s leadership is "better" than that of other countries, instead I was reminding the berating anti-Caymanian posters of the situation from which they are desperately trying to flee.
In any event, our "leadership" has not done anything remotely close to the leadership of the USA and UK over the decades. If you are seriously suggesting otherwise then I do believe that we are wasting each others time here, as you really ought to educate yourself on the true state of affairs of the greater western nations.
For those of you who find it hard to read these posts, either because you start laughing uncontrollably or fall asleep, here are my favorite gems from the above. Perhaps a poll to see which is the funniest/most ridulous offering?
rumors of future race wars
largest SLAVE COMMUNITY in history is the WHITE, western middle class citizens ofAmerica , Britain , Europe etc. of TODAY!
as with every crusade and conquering mission in the past – we now have to arm ourselves to hold our position
this individual DOES NOT turn the other cheek. Well, I may – but rest assured that a folded fist is on the follow through
we are not a hateful or xenophobic people
"The Cayman Islands are a British overseas territory, listed by the UN Special Committee of Twenty-Four as one of the last non-self governing territories." Wikepedia.com
I’ll let you stay, for now.
Can 25,000 people be a real country? Is there an example of this out there somewhere? Monaco?
The Vatican?
Nonetheless, it is country enough for you and many others like you to pack up all your earthly belongings and relocate to isn’t it?
Don’t worry – we understand your situation. If I were you I would want to run away as well.
(Imagine me moving to somewhere only to curse it every living day? That must be a sign of insanity – no other explanation.)
Actually, as far as I can tell from our exchanges, you did move somewhere ( the UK ) and having done so, you do curse it every day. Do you expect us to believe that you did not express anti-UK sentiments while there to anyone who would listen?
Morning!
I don’t really care what they do.. I will be rolled over in 3 more years and I will take my savings and run! Not like I have any incentive to invest here!!
Then they can fill my job with another ex pat who will do the same thing..
Yeap, that’s just what will happen, if something is not done to secure OUR future.
The revolving kick ya in the ass door & see ya later is what Caymanians have endured for many years.
As far as investing, theres nothing here for me either as a Caymanian so don’t feel too bad, at least you have your country to go back to.
Caymanian Heart & Soul, perhaps you can get up and go and work in another country just like the expats here 🙂
Radio Cayman announcer should top the list of jobs marked for Caymanian only.
So true, Tue 5:38. Yesterday in the News Paul whatshisname used the word passENGER – the capital letters are to signify wherethe stress on the word was. (ie passenger in every other country).
I dont blame the guy; I blame the Caymanian heads of Radio Cayman who appoint these foreigners……………..or do no Caymanians apply?
Being a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) is a Cayman only job just like being a Democrat or Republican of the United States Congress. I don’t see anything wrong with making certain key positions of power Cayman-only. Any job I feel that is crucial to the governance of these islands should be Cayman-only. The problem I think most people have –
Is how far will you take Nationality as one of the main criterias
The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has its limits.
LMAO saving "certain" jobs for Caymanians. Who gives the right to the Legislative Assembly to assess what jobs are just for Caymanians. They can’t even run a country, now they are going to decide which job is for a Caymanian and which job is for a foreigner. Don’t you think if a Caymanian was qualified or really wanted the job there are still some employers who will take the chance and hire a Caymanian.
Go to the Employment Relations Department and just sit and look at the so called Caymanians looking for a job. Pants hanging down their rear, hair corn rowed, earrings in their ears…yep lets hold a job for them when they really don’t want to work….
This worked in Bermuda and elsewhere and will work here, so stop ya all crying and get back to work – and if the job you got ain’t for "caymanian only" be glad.
Go Cayman!
Dahwha u ya all Jaicans get for believing in election promises! HaHa, deh talk ’bout anti-expat! Who dah tink dah fooling?
Who do you think the "caregivers exemption" from rollover was for? He had to throw them a bone to keep them happy.
Good idea, but Dwayne spoke of indigenous people, and others about Caymanians. Since there are so few of the former and an abundance of the latter, please explain exactly who you are trying to protect. Is is probably way too late.
"This worked in Bermuda"
No it hasn’t.
This means two things. Firstly, important postitions will be held by people who have not qualified on merit. Secondly, there will be an assumption that any Caymanian in a senior role doesn’t actually know what he or she is doing.
If some jobs are best done by Caymanians then it follows that a Caymanian would always be the best candidate for that job and would get it without the need for protectionist legislation.
The ONLY time this legislation would be necessary is where there is a better candidate for the job who is not a Caymanian.
It’s a bad idea and another step in the wrong direction for Cayman. Wouldn’t it be better to appoint the best person for the job and hope that their expertise will be passed on to Caymanians? Or is this legislation effectively the LA waving the white flag and acknowledging that locals will never qualify on merit for these positions. What does that say about their confidence in their countrymen?
If you want to see where this will end up, you need look no further than the qualifications and compentence of the current members of the LA in both partys.
I believe that this ‘Jobs for locals’ is a good start, but please begin with the politicians first. Do we really need a foreign national to be driver for our deputy premier, come on now a caymanian can surely be found to hold that position. Was that vacancy ever advertised? I know of caymanians who could fill that position, now they may not be willing to go to church with her, but they could wait outside and still keep an eye on her. Vehicle drivers, cooks,and travelling assistants could easily be given to caymanians if that’s what Elio is suggesting. I hope the committee he is setting up to look into this will all be born caymanians. As for Anglin, I hope he hires all caymanian teachers for the schools, but I have to wonder where he will find them. We Caymanians are already outnumbered and the few of us that are looking jobs, I’m afraid it’s too late if we don’t have that diploma. So Elio I suggest you try very hard to see that we caymanians are educated first and then you can look about getting us jobs.
Am i to understand from the above that the deputy premier has a driver. Who is paying that driver? Hopefully not the state in these days of austerity!
Not only does she have a driver – he lives with her (to keep her safe that is) and it appears from all accounts that he works 7 days a week. He goes to church with her on Sundays he goes with her on her morning walks across the bluff (for exercise) – he goes with her everywhere. You never ever ever see her and he is not with her never ever ever no matter where she goes – he even has his family members travel with them to the Brac. He never gets a day off even though I am sure they could find someone to relieve him. XXXX
driver, bodyguard, etc. He has many duties.
The laws may work for trainee accountants, ensuring Caymanians are trained and then ultimately able to qualify and follow careers in the accountancy profession. However, what about trainee lawyers? How many persons are waiting to get articled and the law firms are simply not taking on students? The economy they say? Yet, check the Grand Court List, week after week, after week, and you will see just how many foreign attorneys are being called to the bar for general admission? How many trainee lawyers have these firms taken on? Work permits for attorneys should be tied to how many trainee lawyers firms have. For example, for every ‘x’ amount of lawyers you should have one trainee. There are many of us who have spent years going through law school and completed the ppc course who are now stuck….and unable to complete our training to allow us to practice law. What’s going to happen to those who have just graduated and also looking to article, what about those who will graduate next year, what about those currently in year 1, what future do they have and what realistic chance is there of them getting articled and completing the course fully?
Even as an expat I agree that the law school needs to be working with the large firms here to place the graduates from the day they start! Every firm should divide up the load and not get any permits approved unless they prove that they have taken on the local grads assigned to them.
I have been here 15 years and married a Caymanian. I have seen this from both sides of the fence and put the blame on the wealthy Caymanians who CONTROL and corrupt Immigration. Until the big boys play by the same rules, the little people will continue to get passed by.
Garbage. The law already prohibits the training of non-Caymanian law graduates, to the massive detriment of Cayman law firms. The fact is that there is an overwhelming requirement for highly experienced commercial lawyers in Cayman. Anyone without at least 5 years experience in New York or London, Caymanian or not, should not be considered. As a commercial client I can confidently say that there are far too many mediocre, inexperienced and outright stupid lawyers practising in Cayman, both expat and Caymanian. Forget the nationality issue and focus on quality.
As a young Caymanian I know many, many people who have gone through CILS, and I don’t mean to be rude but not all of them are that great. Let’s be completely honest here, the admissions process isn’t very competitive. The ones who are deserving get scholarships, internships, summer jobs and ultimately the chance to article with a firm here. The ones who are not great students or employees… don’t. Some end up using the LLB in a different way. Others eventually find something in law and do well.
You suggest forcing firms to take up every single CILS student from day one, but I can see it now… just like choosing sides for some sport in primary school PE when teams fight to not get the bottom of the barrel. Government should not force firms to take on Caymanian CILS students who can’t cut it. The ones who can cut it are scooped up without Government intervention.
Unfortunately there are many of us who "cut it" as you say who have not been scooped up. I’m not talking third class passes or 2.2, i’m talking 2.1 and first class passes, and people who have graduated the ppc with commendation or distinction…..
Only a small percentage of those with law degrees are suitable to become attorneys, especially at the higher end firms. In the local market I would put that figure at about 1/10-1/6th of those that get the academic qualifications.
You should check the figures in other jurisdictions first.
Law Schools are churning out far more students then there are trainee positions available – not just here.
Many young people aspire to becoming a solicitor / barrister but there is simply not the demand for them from the law firms or requirement for them in society in general. Hence the very limited number of trainee positions here AND abroad.
Before moaning about the situation in Cayman take the blinkers off and consider the global position. Cayman operates in an international market and if you are unable to consider the global picture then you are probably not the best candidate to e considered for one of these rolls.
If you want to see how desperate some students are then check out this article dated 10 September 2010:
http://www.rollonfriday.com/TheNews/EuropeNews/tabid/58/Id/883/fromTab/36/Default.aspx
There are plenty of other articles detailing the exact ratio of applications to places so please stop moaning. If you have something intelligent to say than say it. If not then it’s probably best for you to keep quiet.
Seeing as you clearly consider to struggle to look beyond the end of your nose at what’s going on in the "big wide world" I have done some research for you (research is something you might have to do if you actually succeed in securing a trainingcontract).
This article details the lengths that some law firms in the UK have gone to with regards deferring those students who thought they were lucky enough to secure a training contract.
I appreciate that it is different in the Cayman Islands though as we live in a bubbleof self entitlement and "apparent" immunity from the global economy.
Grow up.
Isnt it the same in Canada, UK, USA and Australia? Please, put Caymanians first for once and stop opposing this move, its about time!!!!!
Not in the UK, no. As a caymanian you have the right to a British passport and you can live and work anywhere in the EU. France, Spain, Germany, Irleland, UK etc. You can go and work there without a permit. Oh,,,,,but don’t forget, it’s a level playing field so being a "caymanian" is not condidered a qualification in other countries.
well, we don’t know exactly what they are planning on doing, but I will guess that, no it’s not the same in the US and Canada et al
Well that is not exactly correct. In Australia for example they identify where they have needs for people, builders, plumbers, accountants, etc etc. If you meet these criteria you can apply to immigrate to the country based on a points system much like the PR points system, however the difference being if you meet the points you get residency straight away. That then means that you can apply for a job anywhere that you like, and that then equates to a free labor market where the best person is chosen for the job and the weaker candidates are forced to either gain additional training or take another job. Now before you start saying that Caymanians would be discriminated against, you can report an employer if you think they have been sexist, racist etc and a full investigation is conducted and you will be compared by an independent panel to see if the better person was chosen. Also employers can apply in limited, and I mean limited circumstances to have someone come and work for them without going through this process, but they would be on a visa and when that expires they have to apply as above, if they don’t meet the points, no residency.
I really believe all of this is pointless without facts, I see from this http://www.eso.ky/docum1/docum112.pdf that at the end of 2009 there were 1790 Caymanians without work, but what are these people qualified to do? Let’s get a breakdown of the skills, I would be shocked to find a lot of professional people on this list, why would an employer pay $12-20k for a work permit if a Caymanian is available, let’s get the statistics and then have a discussion about this.
In Australia to be classed as unemployed you have to go to a government office on a regular basis and show what jobs you have applied for and they perform random checks with employers to confirm and understand why the person did not get the job. Now this is related to benefits, but I don’t see why in Cayman this could not happen, 1790 people should be registered and no matter what the sector is the employer checks with this department and they send along the candidates. Now if they continue to not turn up etc they can be removed, but if they are not being employed and they want to work then it can be investigated. This is not rocket science people, the true facts of both sides of this argument would then be answered, my personal believe is that it is a little from column A and a little from column B, but sitting her pointing fingers at expats and locals will get you nowhere, it’s time to change the record Cayman, deal with this issue and move on to fixing the massive hole in the countries budget before it is too late! I just wish we could all get along!
Yes, it would be interesting to know of the 1790, how much are actually employable. I hope they are not counting the drunk man that I see walking the streets every day, or the one sleeping under the tree smoking cigarettes or the one that I see walking from bar to bar bumming cigarettes or what about the mental cases. What about prisoners are they included?
I find it very hard to believe that 1790 people can’t find a job. Either they won’t take it because it’s not enough money or they aren’t employable for the reasons listed above.
You can not compare developed countries with Cayman.
The Cayman Islands is socially a century behind.
Next private "motion" to be voted on. No permited working expat may show any skill or competency over and above the Premiers while on Cayman.
That’s Premier’s
Then no one would get a permit. lol! There you go problem solved. No need for Caymanian only law.
And the Past 40 years have shown nothing but proof that if you want something done right you hire an experienced, skilled worker for it. The past 40 years have also shown beyond any shadow of a doubt that putting an unskilled, no experienced worker of ANY nationality makes for an incompetent, unreliable and expensive worker that is bad for business. The point of all of this is that this is all proof that any intelligence in the hands of fools will do then no good at all. CIG still cannot see that Caymans biggest problem is the incompetent way the country is being run by Caymanians with jobs that they are not able to do and can’t seem to get trained for no matter how badly they screw up. I said it before and it still rings true. Cayman does not have the ability to save itself from itself and therefor it is only a matter of time before they drive themselves into so much debt that they will have to give it all up just to survive.Please soon come!
I swear to god, it’s like those politicans wake up every morning, wondering what stupid idea they could put on the table today, completely oblivous to the fact that just a few days prior they been completely running in the other direction……..
Well I guess it is true what they say, ignorance must be bliss!
This legislation just will never work. Let us suppose that the law states that all government schools must employ Caymanian teachers ahead of expats. Sounds reasonable doesn’t it?
MICO, the main establishment for the training of teachers in Jamaica, a college respected throughout the Caribbean, willaccept students, including Cayman students, to study to become secondary school maths teachers with nothing more than a CXC grade 3 in maths.
After qualification those Caymanians would return and expect to be offered employment (if there is a vacancy) at John Gray. If the competition for a place were between that Caymanian and a graduate from a British university, it is fairly clear (all other things apart from nationality being equal) who should be offered the job.
As a Caymanian parent, who would honestly prefer to have teaching your child?
That is just an example from education but the same principle applies in medicine, law, engineering, tourism etc.
Similarly, who would you prefer to have responsible for your pension? A Caymanian who is in post because of family ties and nationality, or an expat with a proven track record in administration and management in a similar field?
The only jobs that can be for Caymanians only are the very jobs that, historically, Caymanians will not do. Then what?
As a Caymanian parent, you should ASK for the test score results and scream from the top of your lungs that an illiteracy rate of 40%is NOT acceptable,
that 37% of children under the age of 10 in Cayman Brac are obese is NOT acceptable,
and 58 per cent of boys and 64 per cent of girls aged 13 to 15 in Cayman and in St. Lucia spend more than three hours a day watching TV, on computers or chatting with friends, outside school hours.
Unless we stop churning out fat, lazy, and stupid children……we have no hope.
The wealthy Caymanians who clawed their way to the top and left their children to this fate should be ashamed of themselves.
"As a Caymanian parent, you should ASK for the test score results and scream from the top of your lungs that an illiteracy rate of 40% is NOT acceptable".
Where did you get this statistic? I find it highly dubious.
What is interesting is that this proposal is very short sighted. being a caymanian myself, i do understand the lawmakers push for this motion.
Issue being that in the case of specialized work that a caymanian out there has no experience doing or is not versed in doing, it would be advantageous to bring in or find on island, a foreign worker that is very skilled at that job function. Having said that, the contract given to this person must have teeth in training up a caymanian under them as part of the contract leading to successive planning. Where once trained properly and getting the right amount of experience under their belt, the caymanian can take over the positionand train any other caymanians as part of the successive plan.
Just look at government, it’s filled with positions where successive planning was supposed to be instituted but foreigners have filled those positions for many years. Better for government to make education a top priority and lead the way with successive planning for all positions within caymanislands.
I thought this already existed? Isn’t it the policy that any available job must be filled by a suitably qualified Caymanian before being filled by a work permit holder? I do not see any Caymanians working as landscapers, supermarket cashiers, bartenders, waiters, cleaners, labourers, etc. etc. These are the "bread and butter" jobs that any Caymanian willing to work should be able to fill in an instant. No, they do not pay top dollar but its better than sitting around doing nothing complaining that all your jobs are being taken. It would be interesting to see the list of "Caymanian Only" jobs that is being considered.
They prefer not to take those jobs and refre to themselves as "Unemployed"
No, in this case, the job is offered to an approprostely qualified and experienced Caymian, if you can’t find one you can either forgo the job, outsource the job to another international office or employ someone uncapable of doing the job, over pay tthem while paying to trin them to do the job and then have them leave when trained to go elsewhere.
The option that makes the most business sense it outsourcing, sorry Cayman
My goodness! Did you read your post back before submitting it? "approprostely"? "uncapable"?
Car wash attendants is a must. Ellio should on see smiling, happy, and grateful to him, Caymanian faces when he gets his Benz washed and waxed.
The Cayman Islands would grind to a halt without the expat worker, it’s about time they were given a little more respect. Many Caymanians have non Caymanian partners, who bring in fresh blood and life into Cayman, Cayman needs the expat not just to work but to ensure it’s survival.
Wow!
I have heard of prejudice people before, but look at the Anti-Caymanian sentiments on this site! I wonder if envy or jealousy has to do with the sentiments, seeing we are one of the most blessed caribbean nations. I guess also a whistling duck like me don’t deserve any protection in his own home country :o)
One of the reasons that Cayman was such a "blessed Caribbean nation" as you put it is that back in the 60s and 70s when other countries became quite anti-expat (the Bahamas being the obvoius example) the financial industry and many expat workers moved here. This place is becoming more and more anti-expat. This pampering and ‘spoon-feeding’ of Caymanians doesn’t help. I applaud those Caymanians who obtain an education and experience and work hard, but we have a significant number now who expect everything handed out to them simply because they think being Caymanian is the only qualification that counts. Proposed, overly-protective rules like this one only make that seem true.
Amen.
We simply have to ask the aggressors what exactly is so great, amazing and superior about the utopia of a country from which they came.
Interesting how they have subjected themselves to the apparent torturous existence that is the Cayman Islands.
Every time I outline the many shortcomings and failings of their own societies I am met with either silence or ad hominem attacks.
Quite pathetic really.
Nothing great, amazing or superior where i come from. I just needed a job to feed my family. You will probably find a few more in my situation. I’m not looking for utopia nor have I found one. I just want to eat. Every time you outline the shortcomings of my society you confirm that there are at least two societies with shortcomings and failings. Get over yourself (gratuitous ad hominem attack).
you’re saying it’s torturous existence. most of what is hear is more like a stone in the shoe. Relax
Blessed for now. But it’s on the decline rapidly. Other islands are picking up the slack due to these broken policies that drive immigrants from a country that is dependent almost entirely on them. This type of prejudice restricting some jobs for one group just does not exist in most civilized countries.
Sometimes it appears that a lot of people here don’t really understand what jobs are, what they are for, and where they come from. In the private sector there is no job jar full of slips to be passed out at will. Not even the government can compel employers to hire people who cost more than they are worth. In the end business simply stops if this idea is pushed to the limit (viz. the USSR). If the government can’t hire all the people who demand jobs by right of birth, then it will just have to mail them welfare checks like other countries do. It’s probably cheaper in the long run and less wear and tear on everyone.
Who you daddy is?
Only a thief or fool would be jealous or envious so now you can stop wondering. As usual your not whistling from your mouth.
Could it be that people living here are tired of poor service, rude and disrespectful behavior, being robbed at work and at home, and paying for the privledge of knowing people like you?
Hey Nicky, can we get a ROFL button too?
well, aint you a special duck
Fellow Caymanians, this is the worst motion that could come before the LAespecially at such a dire economic time. This is nothing less than shameless political posturing. Lets face the facts.Caymanians are not available in sufficient numbers to fill any substantial skilled work catagory in this country. This means that the only jobs that will be designated as Caymanian only will be unskilled jobs. What happens when a business needs to fill a position in one of these designated "Caymanian Only jobs"? Do we simply deny the business an employee because we failed to produce one in time? No. This legislation is simply another justification for creating more paper Caymanians, a practice the UDP is known for, to the detriment of others. This policy cannot and will not work in our current labour market and will not be enforced. Lazy unskilled entitledment minded people should not be protected by the law. The policy that will work is for Caymanians to continue to become qualified and develop excellent work ethic. Only then will we have true grounds to say that we deserve government protection when the loaded dice continues to play against us.
You have the nerve the use a tag like Caymanians first and oppose this, you obviously are very confused.
its a sad day in cayman.
there are definitely 2 opposing sides to this story. here is the sad part – ten years ago, there would have been only one side, everybody in cayman was on the same page, there was no expat this, local that, white this, black that.
cayman was never a paradise because of jungles and wildlife and sights to see. it was a paradise because it was a vibrant economy where locals, expats and everybody lived in harmony with very little crime and almost non existent violent crime.
in a few short years, and one struggling economy later, cayman seems to be getting sucked down this road. we read about often violent crimes almost daily in our small community. i cant imagine a city of 52,000 people anywhere in the world with robberies, murders, and so much happening week after week.
i recently received an email from a prominent caymanian whom i have known for years, describing how he thinks that the street we live on should be reserved for ‘caymanians’. i was gutted and shocked. i kept this email as a reminder of how people can do and say the wrong things.
i dont know how this can be reversed, but i sincerely hope it doesnt continue or get even uglier by introducing a racial overtone although that may be creeping in already.
the only solace i get in reading these and pretty much every other story and string of posts, is my knowledge in that under the cover of anonymity, people can and will say things they would not normally say and sometimes dont even necessarily beleive. i also hold onto the fact that i have met too many caymanians who are great people that are also saddenned to see the divide happening in their small community.
i have left cayman recently, although it will always be in my heart, so i wish the best to all and hope that paradise will not be lost.
I call BS on that one.
The expat vs. local thing started 18 years ago. Peaked it’s ugly head out during the ’92 elections. That is when it started. And has only escalated since then.
Wake up people……Elio is being used by his UDP govt. to move this motion as an acknowledgement that what they did with designating so many foriegn people as "key employees" has put many Caymanians out of work and marginalised so many other Caymanians.
This is the UDP’s attempt to correct that and gain the support of the Caymanian people again…….but guess what Elio – you and your govt is trying to close the gate after you have allowed the horse to bolt !!!
We are not blind people !!!
"Dwayne Seymour, government backbench MLA for Bodden Town who seconded the motion, said there were many examples in other countries where the indigenous people were given advantages. He said it should also be the case for Caymanians, reflecting that they were special. He said there were “plots to employ friends and family in jobs Caymanians could do” but he believed if a Caymanian could do a certain job no one else should have it."
Ugh. Dwayne, that’s what the laws already say. Not that I expect anything better out of you.
You tell ’em Ellio, that’s my boy. You tell ’em we are entitled to whatever jobs we want whether we are competent enough to do them or not. You tell ’em we are entitled to those homes and cars we can’t afford. You tell ’em we don’t need no stinkin’ pensions. This is our house!
Ok great. Now please explain what a Caymanian is, as it will be defined under this ruling.
I was brought up to belive that if you want work, you will find it. There is no such thing as no work. The problem seems to be what you will accept.
This government needs to realize that like every society there are some people that are just not employable. FULL STOP. A business is a business and not a charity. they need to clear out the "permit of conveniance holders" and there will be lots of jobs for the willing.
Mr. Solomon is correct to look at particularly the Public Service with a view to having certain jobs designated as "Caymanian Only".
In almost every sensible jurisdiction around the world there are certain jobs within the Public Service that are for Nationals of that country only.
Again positions that come to mind, and I hope the Committee will look at are:
Permanent Secretaries
Chief Officers
Directors
Collector of Customs
Chief Immigration Officer
Speaker of the House
I was proud to see ALL Members of the LA (UDP and PPM) support Mr. Solomon’s Motion and finally set aside politics and rally behind what is right.
Dont get me wrond, Motions on protecting green iguana are important too, but Mr. Solomon has a Motion that is aimed at protecting the Caymanian people and may God bless him for looking out for us – even if a few on here hate him for it.
There seem to be 2 distinct issues here that are wrongly being mixed up:
1. Protection of jobs for Caymanians on economic grounds; and
2. Protection of jobs on public policy and national security grounds.
What worries me is that one is being used to justify the other. These issues are separate and should not be mixed on the same law. Certain government jobs (arguably those that were mentioedn in the article) ought to be Caymanian only, but this will have little effect on unemployment. Be worries when we see entire industries being marked as "Caymanian only".
Free market principles ought to be given a chance to work first. If an eligible Caymanian is not available yes still gets the job over an eligible expat, then the free market, and Cayman, will suffer.
Jobs are available, its just a question of preference that seems to be getting in the way of better employment numbers.
"Dont get me wrond, Motions on protecting green iguana are important too"
says it all really……
dem farkin boo-stairds alweys pestin me ohf wit dar bad spelin.
Congratulations to all, another story and blog thread to feed devisive attitudes that prevail in Cayman
Keeping locals in mind is great and should be the priority of any government . As the expats will run in most cases of problems since here is not there home. However Cayman has developed its model on workpermit fees and thus far has raise fees, now looking to reserve jobs for caymanians. This will continue to drive businesses away as people want the best out there for their money. Caymanians need to concentrate on developing its people in terms of education and expertise continually. So there can genuienly compete in the market place and bring value to employers
Get the model right and look for alternative means of revenue as your policies will bring the country to the ground
I hope the mosquito control isn’t going to be "Caymanian only"! Or maybe Elio and his peeps really do want to get back "to the good ‘ol days" in every way. Elio can hire another Caymanian to fan a burning bush at Sunset House so he can play dominoes in comfort.
Going down a slippery slope here.
While I fully understand the logic behind this and would welcome similar moves in the UK there’s a problem.
Article 15 of the EU’s Charter of Fundamental Human Rights stipulates that –
1. Everyone has the right to engage in work and to pursue a freely chosen or accepted occupation.
2. Every citizen of the Union has the freedom to seek employment, to work, to exercise the right of establishment and to provide services in any Member State.
3. Nationals of third countries who are authorised to work in the territories of the Member States are entitled to working conditions equivalent to those of citizens of the Union.
It doesn’t take much imagination to predict that sooner of later there will be legal challenges to what is fundamentally just an updated version of the old ‘Cayman reserved’ system. If memory serves me right under that a whole host of jobs were denied to ex-pats.
When you consider that a Caymanian with a UK passport has an unrestricted right to live and work in the EU it might now be felt that the UK was breaking European Law by allowing this restriction. That argument might prejudice future EU funding and could eventually undermine the whole work permit system.
There have always been unofficial controls and quotas on work permits so I wonder why the decision has nowbeen made to pass this legislation?
Cayman is not an EU member.
But Cayman is an overseas territory of the UK, so it is bound by the treaties which bound the Uk under the primary, secondary legislations, and directives, and case law under the EEC. UK will not tolerate one of its territories to breach the law as it relates to basic fundamental rights and duties. I hope weaccept the definition of "Caymanian" under the Immigartion Law and not as understood by some people in the Cayman Islands.
When the UK Parliament passed the European Communities Act in 1972 its preamble stated that it was "an Act to make provision in connection with the enlargement of the European Communities to include the United Kingdom, together with (for certain purposes) the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man and Gibraltar". The Act provided for the incorporation of EC law into the domestic law of the UK and (for certain purposes) these territories.
Cayman is indeed an OT of the UK but nothing of what you said next follows. We are not bound by the EC treaties, and we are not bound by EU legislation and Directives. We are in a different position from another OT – Gibraltar – which is a part of the EU and is bound. However, in particular cases the UK may choose to apply certain elements of EU legislation to us. To illustrate this you may recall the EU Tax Savings Directive of a few years ago. This did not automatically apply to Cayman but we were pressured by the UK into agreeing to it.
Learn the difference between the EU and the European Convention on Human Rights – the latter has nothing to do with the former, and the latter also applies in Cayman. Beyond a few public jobs where a margin of appreciation type argument on security grounds might just fly, a "Caymanians only" policy will certainly be judged discriminatory and illegal under the ECHR and will be vulnerable to challenge (assuming of course the Governor permits such a disgraceful piece of racist and xenophobic legislation become law in the first instance).
I am of course well aware of the difference between the ECHR and the EU and that the former was extended to Cayman. I was responding to a poster who was quoting EU treaties, legislation and directives. Perhaps your post was misplaced.
The ECHR has nothing to say on this issue.
How dare you point out the obvious!
Correct, because Cayman is neither European, nor a country. Cayman is an overseas territory of the UK (for better or worse), which is a member of the EU.
…… unless there is money to be had!
Civil rights and affirmative action for Caymanians … in Cayman!!
I honestly don’t know whether to laugh or cry at this current state of affairs.
There is a plethora of reasons why we have arrived at this point in Cayman.
Regardless, no one can argue that Caymanians are not often discriminated against in the workplace, and at the same time no one can argue that many (young) Caymanians do not have a sub-standard work ethic and attitude toward the job.
(By the way, this approach to work can be found in every single job market around the (Western) world – more frequently within the indigenous working population as well. There is something about a "work permit" that transforms one into a tireless, thankful workhorse. Again I will refer to the ongoing crisis of UK national vs. New (formerly Eastern) Europeans in the British job market. There are millions of Brits out of work, sitting at home and receiving "benefits" from their government at this very moment – however, this was the case long before the EU began expanding, the numbers have simply risen thereafter.)
Regardless, somehow the usual name-calling and attacks (lazy, uneducated, attitudinal etc.) that Caymanians are made to endure do not apply to others … anyway, moving on.
Brits (and Europeans) are currently marching, (physically) attacking, voting and protesting along a myriad of lines – race, color, racial sub-category, religion, political, nationalism etc. – Cayman’s population has doubled in 30 years without so much of a hiccup when contrasted to developments in the "mother country" and elsewhere.
We really ought to be commended.
My point is that Cayman has developed and changed at a breakneck pace and many of us became somewhat disoriented in the stampede.
The most important issue facing Cayman today is our dire need to DIVERSIFY our mindset in regards to "work" and "jobs".
The USA and UK are now suffering from what is referred to as "outsourcing" – in Cayman we have introduced the same negative development however our has come by way of "in-sourcing" – meaning the importation of cheap labour. (Filipinos, Latinos, Indians, Jamaicans, Europeans, Brits – yes, our "lowly" jobs are filled by a wide array of nationals.) This has to be controlled and in some instances eradicated.
Also, our business leaders need to understand that the current typical modern western and capitalistic approach to labor (in effect slavery) is an extremely flawed one that will lead (is leading) to the breakdown of the social harmony which will inevitably lead to the complete destruction of brand Cayman. (Both pillars of our economy rely on a safe and stable working environment.)
The worst thing that we can do (and sadly many of us are doing it – including Premier McKeeva Bush!) is to address our issues solely from a domestic perspective. For when one does it may appear that Cayman has become some twisted, crazy and dysfunctional society – when the TRUTH of the matter is that EVERY SINGLE country in the world right now is extremely turbulent, tense, recessed and confused.
So, my fellow Caymanians – let not a soul make you feel inferior or victimized – instead, demand them to outline the current TRUE state of affairs within their own home countries … I bet they will not have a lot to say.
Stay up.
Good Monday Morning to all.
Yea it’s long been a long time comin.. People who left their own country,expect alot from Cayman. A tiny little place with some brillant,mild toned,mannerly people. Exploited by way of those traits & they know that & we know it too. None the less i’ve met people from advanced countries who couldn’t operate a window blind or knew how to text. So give our little country a break,we shouldn’t dwell on nonsense & judge each other. The person who knows it all learns something from someone else everyday.It’s great to see my country turnin around,that we Caymanians can bring back the shine that has been tarnished & polish it to a finish never again to be lost.
Another bright idea along the road to ruin.
Why stop with only ‘selected’ jobs, selected by ‘wise’ Caymanians according to ‘fair’ criteria.
Surely, if this logic is so good, why not simply rule out employment of ALL
non-Caymanians. And keep doing this until there are no jobs for anyone.
And we could save yet another expensive commission sitting around and
trying to second guess the economy.
Anglin said…. "employers had a tendency to always want to employ fully trained individuals who were ready to do the work right away rather than face their obligation to train people."
How dare employers hold the fact that people don’t know how to read, write or add against Caymanians. They should fire their expat workers, hire uneducated, untrained and unmotivated Caymanians and put them through primary school… again. And so what if they just need to show up to get a diploma. These employer types are so ungrateful! They should take one for the team. So what if they lose money as long as they’re employing Caymanians!
This government is pathetic.
Ah.. Let me see.. You do realize the flip side of a loooong period of protectionism is what helps your statement? Throw in disinfranchisement & yea you could have a number of people who lapsed education. And felt like giving up. Caymanian’s dont always show everyone their cards,learn that,especialy to the learn-did. So much talent,with such a subliminal knack of makin it look easy,loungin in Bermuda,New York,Switzerland,Hong Kong,France,Rio,London,moving millions around. You dont think they trust average inexperienced thinkers with that do you? Of course not.. Shout me if you need DT money.
Haha, that’s awesome! I wonder which jobs will be reserved for Caymanians only? Let’s see, the Caymanian who ‘served’ me at the cinema the other day was talking on her mobile, didn’t say a word to me and didn’t even look at me. So that’s service jobs out the window. I have yet to see aCaymanian cleaner, or helper, so nothing there. Hmmmm, how about finance? Yep, I’m sure the 2000 or so unemployed Caymanians who can’t (or won’t) even hold down a cleaning job will be well suited to the corporate world of banking.
Thankfully I saw the writing on the wall a while ago and am getting off this featureless, cultureless, backward island.
Ah… i’m sure she saw you,maybe she just had her nails done.Geez.. give a girl a break.. A hundred years from now we’ll still be on top. Seeeya. I’m great at packing.
Although I do not agree with the Policy, I do wish that your job at least had been reserved for Caymanians. We would then have been spared you.
My job was advertised locally first but no one applied! Isn’t that the whole point?!
Don’t Kill the messenger because u don’t like the message
Bye!
Quite sure you came here on a return ticket right? Talk about being ungrateful! As so many has said and will continue to say, if life was so good for you where you came from, why are you here? Use that ticket, my dear, make your reservations soon.
How disgusting. As a young Caymanian away getting a proper education so I can COMPETE and EARN my job, I am disgusted that incompetent individuals are moving to vouch for those who LIKE THEM are totally unacceptable in any respectable business… well I suppose the lame would look out for each other.
Don’t you worry. Someone with your positive work ethic will always be able to find a job. Even if it isn’t in Cayman. I hope Caymanians in 20 years remember who supported this movement. My prediction is that in 20 years the Expats will be blamed for leaving.
It’s about time they look at the issue! It is a shame that in our own country, we have our own graduates coming back here with degrees and can’t find a job because someone from overseas have the position. This is not how I would treat my own family or household!
Couldnt have said it better myself!
.
As a business owner the obvious question is this. What would I rather do, spend $75,000 a year on permit fee’s, spend months waiting for employee approvals and legal fee’s… or… would I rather hire locals…
The answer is not only obvious but I am even willing to offer a premium to a local employee exactly because I don’t have to bother with all the paperwork and costs.
For that reason alone, any local walking in my door gets extra points.
I am currently aware of an expat who is about to marry a local, her employer is worried that they will soon loose her because she will no longer be required to have a work permit and her employer will not be required to pay the $8,000 a year permit fee for her position.
Clearly this employer knows something … all us know… ANY qualified local is in high demand for the reasons stated above.
Qualified – being the operative word. The number of times I have heard somebody say ‘only $5,000 a month’ because they have no concept of reality.
$5,000 a month is $32 an hour… how many jobs on this island pay $32 an hour… and yet… I constantly hear that phrase… ONLY $5,000 A MONTH.
Market conditions speak for themselves. We have +/- 18,000 locals and 30,000 expats… with 1,000 (again +/-) unemployed local persons.
Assume that 1/3 of the local population are retired, not currently living here, own their own business in which they work, or are a government employee.
Assume 1/3 are too young, students, stay at home Mother’s, etc..
This would leave an adult local workforce population of about 6,000 people and 30,000 expat workers.
This means that 85% of the workforce are expats.
Unemployed expats, leave… and about 4,000 of them have done so.
So indeed the numbers of unemployed expats 4,000 = 80% and 1,000 locals = 20% are indeed reflective of the economy as a whole and the proportions of that unemployment seem to be fairly applied.
Many local business owners are hanging on for dear life, they have not made a profit in perhaps the last year and a half. They take no salary and are only trying to keep their head above water and are waiting for some recovery.
Why then, should any unemployed person expect that with little or no effort they should be offered a well and high paying job when economic times are so hard for everyone else.
These same people that complain about no jobs for locals, are lined up at the airport on the weekend to go to Miami "shopping".
How often do you hear: I can buy that in Miami for $50 less and I don’t have to pay duty when I come back because i will say I took it with me. And then say, how come there are no jobs andthe government doesn’t have any money…
Support your local business owners, spend your money here at home. Those businesses will grow and hire more people… and yes, whenever possible those jobs will go to locals.
The only jobs that should be legislated are NATIONAL jobs. Treasury, tourism, banking, legislature, foundations, gallery, arts, education and related jobs which represent the country and its population as a whole.
ANY job that involves private industry should be left to market forces.
Well we can start with Minister Dwayne’s security company – lets say all security officers must be Caymanian and we will just see how long it takes for him to shut down operations.
Not to put my nose where it does not belong but last I check Dwayne Seymour Security Company along with about 2 more than I am aware of are actually majority Caymanian employed. When I go to the airport all I see in the APS Security Uniforms are Caymanian Officers. Though I am sure you would put companies like Security Centre and National out of business because last I check they hire NO Caymanians just about.
You may see only caymanians working for him at the airport that does not say that he does not have others working on permits elsewhere.
Dwayne is not a minister. Thank God for that!
My wife tries very hard to hire Caymanians to save the company she works for money on work permits. A competitive wage is offered . The problem is most of them don’t even show up for the interview. Who’s at fault?
Dwayne was illegally elected and the Attorney General and Governor stood by and did not uphold the law.
The knife cuts both ways, Dwayne. Better keep that day job.
Ok then, save 25% of the hotel, restaurant and shop jobs for the unemployed Caymanians – what, you don’t want to work there – because if you did you would apply for the jobs NOW and be guaranteed, as they would have to give them to Caymanians!! They don’t want to give up there nights out, their parties or in fact actually get to work at the same time everyone else is working. There are already policies in place to protect there jobs now that ensure Caymanians have the first chance (if they have the skills and will)
At first i was against this motion. But then i thought about it more.
One area i think we should consider the value of this proposal is for Counsellors. I remember when my brother was at the local Government drug treatment center. All the counsellors there were from USA, Canada and England with none from Cayman or even the Caribbean area. Me or my brother could hardly understand anything they were saying.
I can imagine what it must be liek for those in there for months tying to talk with the staff and having such a different culture. I not saying all need to be caymanian but for sure more need to be.
What happen to all the local counsellors that were at this department?
Minister Adam, Minister Scotland or Mr. Eden???
ARE YOU SERIOUSLY TRYING TO TELL US THAT YOU AND YOUR BROTHER COULDN’T UNDERSTAND THE ENGLISH BEING SPOKEN BY AN ENGLISH OR AMERICAN COUNSELLOR?. WHAT IS THE "LANGUAGE" SPOKEN IN CAYMAN SCHOOLS??
Sun 20:43: The local counsellors left because they could not get on with the local head of department.
If you couldn’t understand someone from England, Canada or the USA, then perhaps you should take a remedial English class. Last time I looked English is a requirement for all expats and a test is given to any that come from a non-english speaking country. This is one of the lamest excuses I have read so far in favour of this law.
In my experience any Caymanian that shows a spark and obtains an education or a skill is given an opportunity to make a decent living. I find it disgusting that anyone would think because of their birthright they are entitled. This seems to be the current mindset no matter where you go (here and abroad) that people are entitled. When I grew up it was instilled in me to get an education, show others respect, work hard and be honest. I say a thumbs down to the entitlement attitude.
Some Caymanians are awarded scholarships and go abroad to study. Some take advantage of this opportunity and become successful while others take it for granted and do not apply themselves. They have the new attitude that they are entitled and hard work/perseverance does not factor into obtaining a job. Sometimes you get out what you put in.
And then of course there are the ones that take the fabulous opportunites for their education and then completely RUIN their future trying to smuggle drugs!!
You all know those that I am talking about..
This is just a wild guess on my part, but don’t you think the inability to understand anything might have something to do with the years of drug abuse?
I agree with you. I too have been there and was shocked that there were no local counsellors. Understanding ones dialect and culture goes a long way when it comes to effective communication. It would very likely improve it’s success rate if patients and counsellors better understood eachother.
I don’t think ALL need to be caymanian, but certainly MORE need to be (say at least 50%).
What will employers do when a Caymanian is not available for a specific reserved job?
Actually, all of this is supposedly in place. The law is that a qualified Caymanian gets preference over a foreigner. Is this law being enforced? Most definately not. I am a Caymanian who has been through this first hand. After graduating from college, I started applying for jobs in July of 2009 while simultaneously submitting my applications to DER. They not once did any background checks for me and it was not until May 2010 that I got a job and not even in the profession I was trained for. Governemt is worthless and needs to get their act together
I suggest that jobs as security guards, gardeners, general labourers, cleaners, busboys, beach attendants, boat crew, bus drivers, care givers, "helpers" of any sort, and any other jobs that we expect foreigners to come and do for next to nothing, be reserved exclusively for Caymanians.
Quite naturally some people would go back to doing certain things for themselves, but before too long all of the unemployed Caymanians would be back to work getting $25 per hour for mowing lawns and other such unskilled tasks.
This could ensure full employment for Caymanians for many years to come.
you should try starting at the bottom of the food change and work your way up for once. Janitors, dishwashers, refuse collection – all unskilled labor but vital to the economy – oh wait, I forgot that is beneath the average over-educated caymanian. What a joke!
The problem here is that the government is as guilty as any other company with their hiring , they have as many expats as any other private company, what the ******* is this Island coming to,if I cant do the job I dont deserve it, if I have the qualifications to do it and the persona, then I should be given a chance, but for you to push it down my throat that I have to hire someone just because he/she was born in the cayman Islands is draconian.
Guess what? with all the expats that got status you are all shooting yourselves in the foot, I am ashamed of the caliber of people that we elect to represent us, on second thought maybe someday these new caymanians will be able to be elected and when this group of lame brains in the house need a job then we’ll see how they handle their new law,shame,shame, what are we going to do., TOLERANCE MY DEARPEOPLE,TOLERANCE
Kurt & Alden did the right thing to supportthis Motion.
Ellio is looking out for Caymanians.
Excellent idea Ellio!
Thank you for looking out for Caymanians.
yeah elio, you plennybig smart
Its about time. Let us start withe the real estate industry. Why should we allow real estate firms to bring in expatriate workers on work-permits to sell Cayman real estate when it was Caymanians who started the industry. Selling real estate is not a rocket science, and we have many Caymanians with college degrees that are out of work and can do these jobs with a minimum of retraining.
It is absolutely no good reason for this situation to continue.
Sounds perfectly reasonable to me……send me a Caymanian who will work on commission ONLY and pay the Real Estate brokerage firm’s monthly desk fees and advertising costs and the field will be flooded with Caymanians. What?!? Caymanians don’t WANT to work on commission only??? There are NO salaries offered in real estate that is why there are no Caymanians. Oh yeah, you have to be self guided, work evenings and weekends for real estate showings, can’t take 10 or more sick days and still keep money in your pocket.
Sorry, real estate is only rewarding to those who are willing to take a risk and work hard.
That being said, both Dart and Ritz (who DO pay salaries) should be hiring Caymanians…..wait, I forgot, they already have the politicians in their pocket to bless their work permits.
Dat’s wat U Get!!!
What about bank mangers? I know some are qualified, but I also know several foreign managers who are in the top jobs because of time with the company. Often, right beside that foreign manager, is a local with just as much time in the company / field. As a result, the foreigner chooses who works for the company and not the Caymanian. This can make a big difference. One often hears the story, "he started as a teller …" So why can’t this field, which is certainly NOT a profession, be for locals? The only jobs that should be left wide open for competition are ones that demand qualifications, such as attorneys, accountants, trust officers, doctors, investment advisers, etc.
Cayman is indeed Paradise Lost. I wonder how many people heard on Talk Today on Thursday or Friday a reasonably articulate young man lambasting "they". "They" brought slaves from Africa and put them in the US and Caribbean and did all the blah blah nasty things. (I need to paraphrase for brevity). "They" drovethe Indians out of America."They" brutalised the Australian aborigines. "They" exploited Africa. He had other examples I can’t remember, but his grand climax was "and "they are doing the same thing here to us Caymanians and we must resist it etc etc".
One must assume "they" equals white people, nuh true folks? Sterling Dwayne, God bless him, did his usual non committal murmuring, "yes sir, true, hear what you say" etc trying I imagine to be neutral but as always failing terribly and ending up sounding as if he supported the caller. Many of us know Sterling Dwayne; he is a very decent non racist non bigoted guy but he can’t bring himself to tell bigots of any type that he disagrees with them.
To make matters worse, a very nice sounding lady came on immediately afterwards to say how brilliant the young man’s contributions ALWAYS are, allowing Sterling Dwayne to say "how true".
Maybe I shouldn’t worry too much about Talk Today. After all, a recent program had Roy Bodden on it talking about his new book. I heard about 5 callers congratulate him on his achievement and saying how wonderful a Caymanian had written it (whch I think is true). However, NONE of the callers had bought or read the book.
I’ve lived here a long time and love the place, even with some of its little peculiarities and I do not think it is the corrupt racist place that many posters on this site make it out to be but I have to say with the sort of content to a talk show I refer to, we are just feeding our detractors with what they want and adopting these excessively protectionist policies will only increase that.
The alternative is having a decent education system. This is much cheaper…
Designated Caymanian jobs? I want to see the list of what they are.
Why is the thought of this here? April fools is 8 months away…
Only in Cayman. And before all you ezzardians get going about how it applies all over the world, well, quite simply, it doesn’t, other than things like the US president has to be a US born citizen. Even that will go one day.
you can have them. bye
Well, bye to you too!
well thank you
How pathetic. If people cannot get a job when they only have to show they are "suitably qualified" then they should not get this level of protectionism unless Cayman wants to drive business away and thus costs even more Caymanian jobs. Let us hope that this stupid law, if it comes to pass, is limited to public sector jobs.
How ignorant of you! This is done in many countries. We must ensure that Caymanians have the advantage with jobs that they have the skills for. This is especially important with the economy. For example receptionists, secretaries, messengers and other entry level jobs should be automatically open to Caymanians only as we have many school leavers that can take advantage of these jobs.
A secretary is not an entry level job. A secretarial position is a skilled position. Try putting school leaver to act as a secretary to a high profile hedge fund manager from one of those big companies and see what happens. She cannot fix appointments, she cannot answer the phone properly, spends all day on the phone, makes the boss miss appointments etc.
Yeah, good luck with putting a school leaver there. And how about a receptionist. Gone are the days when all the receptionist did was hand you a form etc., now she multi-tasks. Go to your doctor, dentist, lawyer etc and watch and see just how much tasks these people do. Then tell me that a school leaver can do those things.
Pit Bull, is protecting your love ones and ensuring they have a job so bad??? Don’t you have the moral obligation to protect your family first? How would your wife respond if you said to her the words, "you have to be suitably qualified in your cooking to get any help from me around the house"? Don’t you think a good husband would be supportive to his wife despite she is a qualified cook or not? Don’t you think Jamaicans should not look out for Jamaicans, British look out for British, Caymanians look out for Caymanians despite if they are qualified or not? What is so wrong with that?
Was it wrong for blacks to look out for blacks during the Civil War?
Was it wrong for Americans to look out for Americans during the Revolution?
Is it wrong for fathers and mothers to look out for their children and love ones?
Just stop embarrassing yourself and acting like you had no family! Your a Pit Bull and I’m sure you had help from the master! If you don’t like Caymanians getting in the way of your economic pie, if you have a hate for a country that has became a financial success, why don’t you live some where else!
You’re expecting Caymanians not to be Protective of their own –
SORRY, BUT I THINK YOU ARE PATHETIC!