(CNS): The government’s announced intention to reduce the length of time for a break in stay from twelve months to as little as one month for work permit holders reaching their seven year limit (aka rollover) has been welcomed by the Cayman Islands Chamber of Commerce. Chief Executive Officer Wil Pineau told CNS that recruiting and retaining staff was still one of the most challenging areas for local businesses and any move that would make attracting and keeping talented people easier would provide a much needed boost to the private sector. Although government has not yet brought the necessary amendments to the legislative assembly to reduce the rollover period, immigration reform features big on the government’s list of moves toturn around the country’s flagging economic fortunes.
“The recent announcements regarding the possible reduction have been welcome,” Pineau said. “When the Chamber met with the premier in September last year, concerns were expressed about immigration and we recommended that government take a look at that. The reality is we are competing in a global community where tourism and the financial services industry need the best talent.”
The business sector appreciated that the question of the term limit was being examined as it was an important concern for many businesses, he revealed.
The CEO said there were distinct signs of economic recovery in 2010 compared to the real economic slump experienced by most businesses in 2009, but Cayman had to be ready for the future economic environment and managing talent would be an important part of that. “It’s a brave new world and we have to adjust to that environment. If we don’t adjust we won’t be ready for the turnaround,” he added.
The economic downturn, he said, had forced the country to re-examine how it does business and its position as a competitive jurisdiction. Pineau said the world had changed and we had to change with it. While there were no easy answers, the goal was to create the best environment for business to flourish.
With a school of thought in the community that the significant increase in business fees, not issues of immigration, were the major stumbling block to the economy’s growth, Pineau said he still believed that the challenges over recruitment were very high on the agenda for many businesses. He acknowledged that the increases in work permits fees and duties were hard on small businesses in particular, and the increases impacted the bottom line for businesses, stifling expansion, but, the Chamber CEO said, the private sector felt changes to the immigration policy were a significant issue for the overall domestic economy and should not be underestimated.
Pineau added that he still believed businesses were looking for qualified local labour and it was a fallacy that the private sector doesn’t hire Caymanians. The Chamber boss noted that the increase in work permit fees had made Caymanian workers that were properly qualified even more attractive.
Another important issue was training, he observed, adding that at the new Chamber of Commerce location there had been an increased take-up of its courses and training seminars as businesses recognised the importance of well trained, professional employees during tough times.
Pineau said he did believe, however, that things were finally beginning to improve and that Chamber members were reporting improvements in the bottom line this year over last. The changes to rollover, he said, would be a significant help in allowing businesses to manage their talent and he looked forward to seeing the twelve month rollover period reduced.
Thank God for Big Mac Bush!! Caymanians are LAZY, and UNGRATEFUL people and that is just the truth. You want to treat (Not expacts) but JAMAICANS like floor rags. You used us in Ivan (2004) to clean up your dirty roads and then you implement rules thereafter to bar us from coming here. How could you do this? I was in the West Bay shelter during Hurricane Ivan and let me tell you..if it was not for the Jamaicans in the shelter, those bathrooms, toilets and showers would rot and be filled will magots.
The Caymanians only came in…got fed from the Kitchen staff and then go to sleep or break out in fights with their neighbours. You people need to get a life…need to get educated. Its not our fault that you sat on your lazy butts and did not seek proper education, you have the oportunity to travel ALL over the world and upgrade yourself..BUT….the mentality here is just too LAID BACK…yep …Just look at any banks here in Cayman…the simplest job is what you do…being the teller, one cando with their eyes closed…BUT go to the second floor and there you will find…those that really make the bank run and are really qualified..these persons most times are Jamaicans,UnitedStates, or UK persons.
We go the extra mile to get the job done right…we are hard working people. So stop blaming us, and get busy, get educated and step high as if this is really your country, mouth alone is not good enough. You need papers behind your name and not just long well-colored fingernails and overdone hairstyles. Claim your Cayman Islands, not with your mouth..but with action. Yeah, and I make no apologies. YES I believe the roll-over policy should be even down to a month..because really..if we (EXPACTS from Jamaica were to leave her, (daag nyam unu suppa) meaning, you all will be in a mess cause you all wont be able to hold your own country together. You need our help to make Cayman keep being one of the highest finacial centers in the world. You needed our help in the begining and its no different now. dont fight us, work with us..we mean no harm. We are survivers and we do whatever it takes to accomplish our dreams and goals. From garbage trucks to mangers, we dont care…as long as (dollaz a run) we cool. So you do the same. Education is the key Cayman, so take head…a word to the wise is sufficient.
Big Mac and UDP now using the chamber to push something through against the wishes of the people. I was not aware that the Chamber was an authority of the voting costituients!
now where dat who dat is is?
I say thank goodness to Wil and just get rid of it all together as all it was created for was as apolitical ploy. We have lost good law abiding residents who wanted to make Cayman there home after 7 years only to be told that they can’t. I’ve had many friends who loved Cayman and purchased property, volunteered for not for profits and had their children born and schooled here. I’m Caymanian and to be honest I don’t think the rollover has helped me get employed. So for the good of Cayman’s future lets reverse this policy and attract honest, respectful high level and educated people here.
Blessings to all and thanks Chamber of Commerce.
if the roll over policy is not changed or dismissed this island will fail! no expats means…no business…no tourists….no banks….no rental income…..back to making thatch rope and poaching turtles….
it probably won’t be ‘poaching’ anymore
and there probably won’t be any turtles left either
The Honduran iguana would be a good substitute and they might not become endangered as they are surely super breeders!
Great Idea! we could spend 40 million dollars with a ‘consortium’ of my builder cousins and build an iguana farm. Then we could re-brand it as Barkers Beach (hey!!!! we could even call it a national park, and invite the queen) charge $75 to get in and spread the word about how we let 1 of 100 go into the wild as a conservation effor……. oh never mind.
Call me if you want to discuss this further, we’ll meet at the ‘turtle farm’. I gots a $40,000 tab going at the bar there.
I have on several occasions tried to hire Caymanians for a position that became available at the company where I work. It usually takes offering the job to three or four people before one will actually show up to work. That one usually has no qualifications whatsoever for the job. This is an accepted fact of the labour market here, that businesses are required to hire people who are not qualified and show little to no interest in the work needing to be done.
I haven’t heard of another country where the labour market is such that the employer is responsible for training the employees who have no skills when there are other people available and willing who already have the proper qualifications.
Here, I am expected to provide training to people who show no interest in learning just to get them to a basic level of qualification to perform duties that are required for the business to suceed.
It is no wonder businesses begin to look outside for the people they need. As someone once told me, a surefire way to fail in business is to base your staffing plan on hiring policies that focus on all one gender, ethnicity, culture or nationality instead of the skills, qualifications, experience level and work ethic of the individuals.
If Caymanians want work there is lots of it available. If they need training that is available too. I only wish that I had the opportuntities that exist here when I was growing up and going to school. Get good grades, pick a career, get further education, volunteer, work for little money for a couple years to get experience, show interest and a good work ethic, work your way up and sooner rather than later life is grand. I don’t undersand what all the whining is about. A little time, effort, study and committment is all that is required to get ahead on this island.
amen.
Surely there must be a simpler way to stop poor Jamaicans from getting permanent residence?
you funny
Must be said:
I have read the responses and I can only come to one conclusion.
It is fairly obvious the general genre of individual that is up in arms in regards to our immigration policies.
Sadly once again certain individuals are suffering from their long established mindset of sociopolitical privileges etc. that have been forwarded by the harsh and biased historic past of this western world.
We have expats from every corner of the earth however, it is a particular category that tends to be the most vocal at times like these – why is that?
Welcome to the real world my friends. Millions of other humans (expat and native alike) are subject to "unfair" realities in your home countries.
Exactly how much pie do you expect to eat?
Some of us really ought to get over ourselves.
*This issue has nothing to do with each and every individual expat living in the Cayman Islands. Instead it is addressing the long term result of the pros and cons in regards to immigration. Sadly, most of us view "time" within our personally expected and average years left on this earth – however, "time" is much longer than that my friends … much, much longer.*
Lastly, each and every one of you are well aware of the hurdles, hoops and moats placed in the paths of individuals seeking citizenship in your native first world countries – so please quit it with the fake and over-hyped outrage in regards to our immigration policies.
Didn’t get your British passport then?
Caymanian passport holders can receive a British passport and move to Britain, receive social security payments each week, income support, housing benefits and the benefits that come with an EU passport (freedom to work anywhere in the EU without a work permit).
As a British passport holder, all I am asking is that the Caymanian government do not throw me off the island after 7 years. Fair swap?
How dare you?!
Actually the deal was expressly non-reciprocal.
Doesn’t mean it was fair, though.
Who said life was fair!
Check the archives. I think you’ll find many people demanding fairness here. And they’re not all expats.
You don’t have to fight fair. But most people agree life is nicer for everyone when you do.
Dear whodatis,
you are, as usual being more than a bit vague. I am not a mind reader. Please enlighten me:
Who is it you have identified as the ‘particular category that tends to be the most vocal’ or ‘the general genre’ ?
What is meant by ‘Babylon’ in your earlier post?
Who is it that needs to ‘get over ourselves’?
Do you accept that you may be harboring a wee bit of racism?
Which culture other that ‘the western world’ would you prefer to model?
Thanks
yo whodat!!! this is me responding to my own post (sad, I know) cuz you won’t talk to me. Sad me
How can a month be considered a break in residency when most companies and government departments allow staff to take 4 weeks of vacation at once?
Surely a break in residency is just that; you consider yourself resident in another country (change your postal address, buy a car, enrol the kids in a new school, obtain a new job, etc)? Will the courts accept that this can happen within a 4 week period. I’m no lawyer, but this doesn’t make sense to me.
I think it will be another government policy which backfires.
I am a lawyer and it does not make any sense to me either.
No what will hapen is this. Employers will grab this opportunity to tell you its your vacation time. While you are on four weeks vacation they can decide the fate of your job in a nice way. They dont have to pay for vacation, because you are being rolled over.
AMEN!!!!
Whodatis….I could not have summed it all up any better, thank you. Finally there is someone with the same thought process….
I mean sometimes I have to wonder when I hear the crap these expats are actually requesting from this little rock to accomodate them and their entire families while, we the Caymanians are just placed on the back burnner…..like hello, I have kids and I spend sleepless nighst thinking about their future because right now, I don’t see it the way our Government is trying to run this little Island through the ground….My kids will be expats themselves in their own home….can you imagine that!!!!
I see the hussle and frustration I have to go through immigration in the US just to visit on vacation, imagine me telling them I want to stay there longer than the six months they stamp my slip for…hell NO!!! they would put me on the next flight back to Owen Roberts Airport and no questions asked ….yet we give expats the opportunity here to enjoy our beautiful Island for 7-10 years and they still complain and expect more…..
God help us all…..
You are being disingenuous here. You know very well that you have the opportunity, as does anyone else, to apply for immigration to the US, or to apply for a working visa at any time. "Hell no" is not an official response to a properly completed US visa or immigration application. The fact that the border patrol guards in Miami are rude does not mean that US immigration is closed to you.
However, I do appreciate your concern for your children and for the future of Caymanian life and culture on "this little rock", as you call it. I would want more control over the immigration process here, were I you. The problem, however, is with your Government, not with expats who make "request[s]" to stay. The latter is a matter of course, when people have invested time and effort in a society — and is accepted as normal everywhere else in the world. You can still refuse them — it is in your Government’s power to do so.
“The alien living with you must be treated as one of your native-born.”
If Cayman (laws,etc.) is Bible based, what is the problem? the foundation is known by all, or so I thought. But bear in mind all have fallen short, leaders included. Time does not dull people’s memories, a mistreated or abused person may not retaliate, but by Bible standards give it to God, He is more just than we could ever be. And we (the maltreated) can still wait to be told, my good and faithful servant enter. No person or government can help us with that, but their actions against us will heap conviction on them, HUM? who did you say will be more displaced. You sound like the leaders of old, what they did was for personal gain, and to be admired. Have i over slept, or did i just miss something. Time for some reality checks.
Dear concerned,
not a very good example. Maybe your ‘hussle and frustration’ is born out of something that just doesn’t exist.
Can someone please explain to me what is the purpose of the rollover policy? I consider myself to be a well educated person, and here is what I thought the rollover was put in place to do
1. To protect Caymanians in the work place by having the expat train the Caymanians so after the 7 years the Caymanian would be able to take over when the expat 7 years were finished.
2. to protect Caymanians from being out numbered by the foreign worker, who should leave the island before becoming eligible for citizenship. Notice I used the words to protect Caymanians.
Now as far as I can see this is not what is happening, and Caymanians are being left behind. We have some very smart well educated Caymanians and if only given the chance would prove they are capable to handle any situation.
I just ask the government, especially Mr. Premier, do not take away these protective rights that we Caymanians have especially our young people, and if you expats had any Caymanians at heart you should all be willing and happy to help train Caymanians to take over your positions when you decide to leave, because I am sure not all of you will want to be buried here.
I hope I have not offended anyone, thats not the purpose of this posting, but I was born in these Islands, and I have children and grandchildren here who I would like to see have a future in these Islands where I have lived all my life. Cayman is home for me and my family, we have no where else to go.
The purpose of the rollover is for Cayman to avoid having to grant residence rights to long-term immigrants. International human rights conventions generally require some sort of residence rights for lawful immigrants residing in a jurisdiction for roughly 10 years. Cayman limits residence to 7 years. Cayman law requires at least 8 years unbroken residence to even apply for permanent residence rights and the application may be accepted or rejected. Rollover limits international scrutiny for denying residence to long-term immigrants and avoids applications for permanent residence from long-term immigrants. Rollover is not about protecting employment, it is about managing immigration. Badly.
Rollover – 1 month???!!! This is a joke!
If Caymanians cannot be employed in Cayman, where will they employed?
All of the companies and employers need to consider and answer this question.
What will the future hold for your own teenagers in the Cayman Islands?
As we now see the answer playing our in these beloved islands by idle youths. All of whom are being rejected for employment by flimsy excuses.
What does it take to work at a fast food joint or any other entry level job? Most have already answered by submitting a work permit.
Unfortunately the rolloverhas not worked. We have had a mass exodus of the expat population yet the amount of Caymanians unemployed has steadily increased. The whole purpose of the roll over was to get jobs for Caymanians. Where are these jobs? I don’t think we should keep sending away the expats in hopes that we will find jobs for Caymanians. That theory has been proven false. To me the rollover is just a way to give an out to the Immigration Department who can’t seem to make good judgements and roll over people because their is legitimately a Caymanian there to do the job. If there is a Caymanian to do the job don’t renew the expat permit, simple as that. Rollover then could be as short as thirty days and guess what folks that is already the law.
I think what we need here is more incentives for investment an for stimulating growth. Raising fees in a recession does nothing to stimulate the economy. This is not rocket science but there is proven historical facts to show that this happens.
We also need to look at the law to see if legitimately if someone wants to sign a waiver for permanent residence that can do that proving their are certain checks and balances in place. There are a lot of people that just want to work , they don’t want permanent residency.
You are very wrong in regards to the purpose of the term limit portion of the Imm. Law. It is nothing to do with jobs for the citizens. It is about controlling and screening the numbers & quality of new citizens.
the rollover in consideration of the present government means
MORE VOTES FOR 2013 !
Doesn’t someone with PR still have to wait 20 years to vote in any event? If that is true, looks like more votes for 2033 not 2013. Anyone obtaining PR status now, will not be able to vote at the next elections anyway so your paranoid dilusions are I’m afraid, misinformed.
"Doesn’t someone with PR still have to wait 20 years to vote in any event?"
You just make it up as you go along, don’t you?
If you are granted permanent residency it generally means that you have been resident in the Islands for at least 8 years. You will therefore immediately be entitled to apply for BOTCitizenship. Five years after the grant of that citizenship you may apply for Caymanian status and having been granted it you may then be registered to vote.
EXACTLY…TWO THUMBS UP!
Caymanians are often confused and find difficulty in pinpointing with whom, what, and where many of our economic and socio-political / economic complexities lie … I do trust our eyes are beginning to open.
Not to say that certain entities are "all bad" – however, there is undoubtedly a lot of double-talk and snake-like behavior and stances to which we really ought to be paying more attention.
Furthermore, we must cease the way in which we view emigrating individuals (expats) as favor distributing Samaritans.
(I wonder how many Indians, Zimbabweans, Jamaicans, Nigerians, Pakistanis and Russians kiss their loved ones a FINAL farewell as they depart their home countries for their contractually secured employment in the UK, USA and EU? I wonder how many of them feel as if they have a right to expect or demand anunlimited period of abode as they descend out of the clouds onto London Heathrow or Frankfurt International Airport? Not very many I am sure – because they know that they are lucky beyond their wildest dreams to have gained such an opportunity, will make the most of it, work their fingers to the bone during their time of tenure for they also KNOW that there are MILLIONS of others in the position from which they come that are more than willing to take their spot.)
Excuse me … what was that? 7 years is not enough for you? You demand more? (Try that with the UK Home Office – see how that works out for you!) Ok sir / madame … right this way – here is Owen Roberts International Airport – see ya!
There are and will forever be MILLIONS more of "you" waiting with baited breath for a mere 7 year vacation from "Babylon". (This is the category in which the overwhelming MAJORITY of our expats (white collar) fall – only a very select few of them should be considered as "irreplaceable" … very select few!
WE (the country / nation / people / jurisdiction / entity that is the Cayman Islands) are doing THEM a favor!
This reality must be grasped by all of us Caymanians – ignore the smoke and mirrors of the curtain masters – they expect us to be ignorant to these things.
In previous posts I have done my best to outline the pressure cooker type of society and environments from which many of our expats come (and I am referring to our FIRST WORLD EXPATS here – not only those from the poverty stricken and politically unstable countries) – these people are in effect RUNAWAY SLAVES.
I mean that in the context of the modern, first world approach to government, politics, fear tactics, taxes, society, personal financial opportunities and restrictions, ever increasing erosion of personal freedoms and rights etc. – even more so in these current times.
They have never had it better than they do in Cayman guys … but most of us simply cannot see this for we were born and raised into this advantageous situation. (This also plays into the "hunger factor" that often plays into the Caymanian vs. Expat debate in regards to the workplace.)
*We only have to take a good look at what is transpiring in the greater western world today – who is in any rush to return there? Honestly.*
My greatest fear is that as a collective we will realize our potential and advantages at too late a stage in the game.
We were born with a natural and rightful place in one of the most coveted spots on planet Earth – let us all act accordingly.
A "warm and friendly" attitude is not going to cut it in this predatory western world any longer – let us reserve that for Sunday afternoons.
* I am not "anti-expat" (I myself am a product of a Cayman + Expat union) – however I simply refuse to endorse garbage logic when it rears its useless head. Such arguments are quite frankly an insult to my intelligence – and to that of any reasonably sound individual.*
Whew! O boy, you just made me spit out my coffee! That was the most entertaining performance I have seen on CNS yet.
I’ll be thinking of this while I’m on vacation next week, soaking up the crisp autumn breezes and kicking leaves. I’ll try and post a picture while I’m taking a glorious walk through the huge and beautiful, protected national park my tax dollars have paid for. I’ll be thinking of you and all your "personal freedom" down here. You have totally made my day!
“The alien living with you must be treated as one of your native-born.”
Fine with me, as long as I get to refer to them as Aliens.
You have got to be an adventist, because that is the only book in the bible that is really read by you people. Stop quoting Leviticus scriptures, they were addressed to the Isralites before the birth of christ.
Expat, with Caymanian Status, how nice it must be to hold onto both worlds yet critize one.
“The alien living with you must be treated as one of your native-born.”"
When I hear this quoted by an expat it most often reflects hypocrisy. Would you really apply the same test in your own country? Were the roles reversed 90% of expats would view the situation in exactly the same way as Caymanians. Ask about how the ordinary Briton views the immigration of Polish people and other eastern european peoples to Britian. Do you refer to Leviticus for any other principles or is it only when you think it might be convenient?
Of course we are enjoined to love expats and treat them fairly, but what does that mean in practice? Does it mean that there should be no immigration controls? That expats should be permitted to determine the destiny of your country? That we should allow our native-born to suffer as a result?
What you are missing is that Israel’s arrangement had an element of reciprocity, namely, that the alien became, to all intents and purposes, a full member of the congregation of Israel, agreeing to abide by the terms and observances associated with God’s covenant with the people of Israel. For example, the alien was expected to observe certain religious and other laws. Many expats expect permanent rights but have no desire whatsoever to integrate into Caymanian society.
Whodatis, were this drivel true why then are the first-world expats fleeing your "paradise" literally by the thousands?
As a former expat I can say that Cayman was OK but I am doing much better in my homeland: more money, better services, better cultural opportunities, and the list goes on and on and on.
You say, "They have never had it better than they do in Cayman guys…" but you are so very wrong. You list "…politics, fear tactics, taxes, society, personal financial opportunities and restrictions, ever increasing erosion of personal freedoms and rights etc…", but at home I have:
– a stable and reliable government (that for the most part does not do stupid and unpredictable things)
– fair taxes and great services for those taxes
– a real "society" with the symphony, opera, museums, art studios, a steady stream of (free) intellectual speakers at the universities, and let the nearly endless list continue…
– much better financial opportunities than are available in Cayman, in that I can have my own business or professional practice here and not have to be at the mercy of an unstable government as to whether I can continue and keep what I build, without having to gift 60% of it to a Caymanian as the price of admission
– and, wait for it, a HOST of personal freedoms and rights that are enshrined in the laws of the land and are enforced effectively and fairly and are not subject to the whim of this term’s dictator
– and the crime is much less
So you see, you have a nice little island that was nice to pop down to for a while (before the crime wave that is), but it’s not the center of the universe that you seem to think it is.
You need to clear your head a bit my friend.
I am curious to know the reasons behind the thumbs down on this comment. Is it that you don’t believe Common Sense about the advantages he or she has found back at home, or that you find it offensive that other countries might also be nice places to live?
Perhaps it is the language Common Sense has used, implying by the world "real" that Caymanian society is not, or by the term "price of admission" that Caymanians do not deserve their 60% share of the pie? If so, I can certainly understand your hackles rising, but still…Common Sense has a valid point of view. He or she has gone home, by the sounds of it, to start a business without having to give the lion’s share of profits away as a matter of course, and also to enjoy a broader spectrum of cultural and leisure activities. That is fair enough, and both perfectly good reasons to move on.
I would gladly pay fair taxes if someone would fix the ginormous potholes in the road in front of my house.
That’s an almighty big job… insulting your ‘intelligence’. Try to step back and get a handle on the real world. I’ll wait……
for starters, you may want to re-asses you claim that you are not anti-expat. Then go from there.
BTW, what in your world is the meaning of Babylon?
and BTW good luck with that ‘collective’ of yours.
"Furthermore, we must cease the way in which we view emigrating individuals (expats) as favor distributing Samaritans."
This. Exactly.
But does the author understand the difference between emigrating and immigrating? Emigrating refers to leaving a country. Immigrating referes to arriving in a country.
So… we must cease the way in which we view individuals leaving the country as favor distributing Samaritans. Agreed.
Expats are leaving. And they are taking their jobs, their skills, their companies, as well as many Caymanian jobs and our economy with them.
Some expats are leaving, but about another 50 A WEEK are becoming Caymanian or being granted PR – consider that before using the decline in permit numbers as "proof" the sky is falling. It is falling alright, hard and heavy, onto the heads of Caymanians.
By Caymanians do you mean you… or the 50 A WEEK you say are becoming Caymanians? Just what are you afraid of?
Your Proof is were the sun never shines.
No, my proof is by way of an FOI request.
The whole point of the Rollover / Residency issue is to improve inward investment from the expats, people on here complain about expats earning their wage and then sending the money home. Well, if you only had 7 years to set up home, enjoy the comforts and sell it all at market value, what would you do? As soon as people know you’re leaving the island, even if you have a year to go, everything you own is reduced in value, anything you may have saved in Property, Cars or big TV’s is just wiped out. What’s the fun in leaving your home country for that!
So to encourage expats to spend their money on all the nice things here, you have to encourage them to stay; otherwise working here is just a saving scheme for all the nice things somewhere you can call home.
Whats the difference between a whole string of expats queuing up for the 7 year job or one doing that job for 10 or 15 years and not having a time scale in which to lose value of the goods they have purchased?
That is what the question should be!
They will still do the same, that wont change a thing.
This idea annoys me greatly. I have lived here for more than ten years. In that time I have rented an apartment at quite an exorbitant rate, purchased a house, bought four cars, spent a boatload of money on groceries and in restaurants, furnished my entire home with furniture and decorative articles from local shops, and devoted a good part of my pay cheque to a clothing shop owned by a Caymanian. In addition to this, I have paid school fees for my child, and bought a great many tickets for Cayman Airways. I have contracts with a local gardening company, a local air-conditioning company and a local pool maintenance company. I have used local contractors when making renovations to my home, bought fencing from a local dealer, and every Saturday, my son spends his allowance in the Book Nook. I have not one penny in any account except my Bank of Butterfield one, and I have sent a bank draft internationally twice, both times to pay for the renewal of my passport. I admit to having purchased occasional items of clothing and even electronics while abroad, but I am fairly certain that both Caymanians and denizens of other countries do the same. The vast majority of my income is spent on this island, and while my own decision to shop locally has been a conscious decision (I still remember the "Shop Canadian" radio jingles of my youth and have therefore come to you preprogrammed to support the local economy when possible), I submit that no resident has much choice. We all spend money here. If a part of our population is obliged to send part of their pay packet home to support a family that is not allowed to reside here or to ensure a future for themselves when they are duly "rolled over", that is hardly surprising.
It remains true that all expatriates, by necessity, spend a good portion of our daily earnings here, on the island.
Not true, ‘not correct’. I lived here 5 years and bought everything here; kept all my money here as well. As soon as I learned I may have to leave, I stopped buying. Why would I spend money here on things I would have to pay to ship ‘home’?
I’m guessing I am fairly normal in this respect. No guess, just fact
Not true. If I could stay I would set up home here, keep my savings here and pump all my money back into the local economy. But as I am to be rolled over I am simply saving to go elsewhere when my 7 years is up.
You sir whodat may have baited breath, but we millions are waiting with bated breath
So what is the sense of a 1 month roll over they will still qualify for Permanet residence!!!!!! if they even take this break. What is Government going to do change all Immigration Laws. WE the PEOPLE of these ISLANDS have no say already. As we can see it doesnt matter to the upper hand person what the middle and lower class persons deal with. Everyday you hear people saying they cant make it or they are barely making it. Why is it that this country has to add more people to the mess we are in for them to come to our island increase the CRIME which is already at the highest point yet! and let our Government care for them. All countries are suffering the rollover was the BEST thing that happened to these islands. How many Caymanians do we honestly need! The one that has all the say and is God’s gift to earth is the only IMPORTANT one who is making these unnecessary changes THE PREMIER! Get it together having more people into this country isnt going to help they will be sending there money back home not keeping it here! Honestly Politrics is a mess in these islands. Looking for a future look no where near Cayman its a battle that you wont win. Sad but True. The "country" isnt looking out for its people and the people arent looking out for one another. Isnt the Government best interest at heart the "COUNTRY" the "PEOPLE"…Suggestion why not look into getting the people here who are Caymanians and are wanting to work the Jobs since rollover persons would be coming here to work HELP YOUR OWN!!!!They wouldnt apply for jobs if they couldnt do it or want the pay!!
It does not qualify anyone for Permanent Residence, it will only allow them to apply for it, NO GUARANTEE.
If you refer to a copy of the application, there is a mysteious section called "Miscallaneous Reasons" or something similar whereby the Board can subtract points (I believe you must obtain a score +100) for any reason(s) at all and this is where a vast majority of applivcants fail.
Actually, most applicants make it.
Rubbish.
Who do you refer to as "lower class persons" ? Have you read animal farm?… remember the ending?
The ones who, if permitted to remain for ever, will take more from society than they contribute.
Ha, ha ha, ha, ha!!!
Yep lets open the gate and let them all in, and continue to ignore the plight of displaced and exploited Caymanians as usual. Let’s get that money machine chuggin because daddy needs a new boat and I ain’t been Cuba in a while. this place needs an enema!
Oh and I noticed that the quality of the bartenders has dropped since locals were being hired, so get them Spanitas back NOW!!!! and know the Law firms could use a few more Lawyers because their business is booming! WOW good times are here again…..
we are gonna whoop it up big time.
The Chamber is nothing more than a special interest lobby group looking out for the interest of the "Big Boiiis"
just to let you know that it is the big boiis that take care of the little boys.
Hey!
The Chamber is a good and clean chamber of men and women! These guys are loving, generous, and look out for others; especially, Caymanians! In fact, even when Cayman financially sinks into depression, these righteous bunch will stick around and do business here and never forsake the local people here…
:o)
ha ha… I kill me
Not a big suprise here, after all the Chamber is basically a special interest group of companies. Of course they are going to support less restrictions on running their businesses.
I’m due for rollover this year, and is it a real, real headache, so I am naturally biased on the subject but even I can’t see how reducing the period to 30 days is going to show a break in residency.
Does anyone know of any precedent any where else in the world?
But why? The rollover is working so well. Aren’t Caymanians getting all the good jobs.
Unfortunately, because it took the governments 6 years to realize this was a law that would doom us to failure, Mr. Premier is going to have to do something extraordinary to pull us out of this. I believe, according to him, he has 10 weeks left to do just his.
In a related matter, I hear there is a "walk on water" competition for Pirate’s Week. Wouldn’t it be ironic if the Premier won this competition?
WALKING ON WATER planned for Pirates Week Competition?. Has the entire Cayman gone mad. I guess next year it will be RAISING THE DEAD.
Be careful what you are doing. I am Black Beard, and I would not take those words so likely.
where are you from Wil Pineau?…this should not surprise anyone…Does this make sense…instead of making it 30 days….lets just get of immigration all together and make this little rock open to every an anyone who wants to live here…
sounds like a good idea to me. Save some money by not having to pay immigration employees.
if you’re joking, the joke’s on you.