63% of Shetty workers local
(CNS): There are currently 220 workers on the construction site of the first phase of the Health City Cayman Islands, the tourist medical facility being developed by renowned Indian heart surgeon, Dr Devi Shetty, in East End. Of those, just over 63% are Caymanians, Gene Thompson, the Health City’s project director, told a group of visitors from the Chamber of Commerce during a recent tour of the site. In addition to the 140 Caymanians who are employed there, Thompson said more than 20 independent equipment operators working on the project are all Caymanian. The project boss also revealed that the hospital is on target to open in February of next year.
The Health Cityis continuing with the public outreach programme to keep the community informed of progress and provide site tours to various community leaders, associations, and groups, he said. During the tour, the Chamber members were also provided with information on several unique systems in the construction that have allowed what Thompson said was “the rapid progress, while providing the highest level or construction and strength”.
The building is being constructed to a Cat 5 hurricane standard and includes many green initiatives, including Sea Water Air Conditioning (SWAC), solar, waste recycling and reduction techniques, water harvesting, and a few other programmes.
The health facility is being built in the High Rock area of East End and promises to bring high-quality, affordable healthcare services to the Cayman Islands, based on the model developed by Shetty in India. The project is a joint venture between Narayana Hospitals of India, Shetty’s group and Ascension Health Alliance, the largest, Catholic, non-profit, healthcare organization in the United States.
Health City Cayman Islands is being built in phases over the next 15 years and will require a capital investment of around US$2 billion, officials say. Once complete, it could employ as many as 9,000 people. Construction began in February of this year on the first phase of the project, which is a 140-bed tertiary care hospital.
Category: Local News
Does being "local" mean that these are Caymanian workers??
Read the article and not just the headline. smh.
Who cares. No drug testing!! Woo-hooo
They need a 4 lane road and a airport closer to them
Hahaha you're gonna want them to build another airport on Grand Cayman? Don't be ridiculous. The hospital is already supposed to be getting a helipad – that would be more than enough for any medevacs they might need to do, especially if you consider the fact that they aren't an emergent care facility and so will not have an Emergency Room.
OK let's get one thing straight. Most of the bars and restaurants are owned by Caymanians. From experience they will not give any young Caymanian a chance. I am an 18 year old Caymanian with basic education who completed a bartending course in Orlando whilst their doing further education. On my return I walked from West Bay to Rum Point (occasionally using the bus!) and dropped my resume with each. I am hard working, but have no experience and no expectations. I was looking for a low paid starter position to learn live service. I applied at more than 50 establishments and got the same answer. We need experienced staff. Now I know that a lot of young Caymanians let themselves down, but please don't just give up on us. How do I get experience? Answers please?
I suggest you start by learning some of the fundamentals of the Cayman tourism industry – low season, no work.
Mmm – I dont see any hotel / restaurant bars closed bobo…
Good try tho…
The summer should be peak trainign time for new school leacers etc, to prepare then for the winter season!!
I know, for as a Caymanian I worked in the industry in the 80s-90s — until they stopped hiring us.
It's a great experience for ANY young person to instill in them guest relations/dealing with people etc…
Typical of them to block a Caymanian…
Copy your info to Immigration!
Becareful there buddie, You might be tagged as one of those self-righteous caymanians who believe you deserve work because of your birthright.
In anycase, I hope you find a job young fellow, if not, have you considered going back to into education and getting better/more qualifications?
Good luck
Those jobs are not for you buddy, not around here at least! If you are not a narly dude with a foreigh accent or beautiful vixon with a drive to party. I am afraid, you will be left wondering how hard is it to mix a drink, socialise,keep inventory, cash out and simply serve a few cold ones. Think im wrong or xenophobic-ask for that next beer and see what happens?
I recommend patience-its obvious our leaders have been tight knecked and cant fathom their head from toe, and the fold of the dollar dosnt help either. And for our employeers, huh, what a joke! I wont say what i dont know for a fact, but what i know for a fact through example.My fiancee who is an expat has expat friends. Much the way i have friends who are local. Our two sets of friends have both seen unemployment , but here is the difference. My fiancees group has seen 100% re-employment. 100% of the time, they relocated to different industries, outside their skill sets.
I am not bashing any group of people on this island. Just telling my experience,
Now that I think of it though, there's a lot of SMOKIN hot Caymanians who'd do well bringing me beers.
Of course, after 8 or 10 cold ones even those colourful Cayman chickens wandering all over the place start to look kinda cute, so maybe don't pay too much attention to me.
Offer to work for free or as a Barback.
Let's be clear – this is a private, mass market and for-profit venture. Some have called it the Wal-Mart of hospitals. The business model is designed to make money off people who are often in desperate circumstances. I am not sure why it's getting such uncritical coverage in Cayman….. We need to ask how exactly this business is able to offer such a cut-price product? Especially when you consider there are equity investors the likes of JP Morgan, who will be expecting a healthy profit. Part of the answer is the fact that Cayman has offered enormous, unprecedented100-year duty waivers and other concessions. Cayman has also changed medical malpractise laws, and employment laws to allow Indian doctors to practise here with no further training. Cayman's government has also given teh developers an effective monopoly through an exclusivity grant that guarantees no similar developer can ever benefit from these same concessions. The partners in this venture have already indicated they'll be employing mainly Indian doctors and nurses. Will they be paid according to standards in India, or here in Cayman? None of this is to suggest that the hospital is not a worthwhile venture, but it has happened without public consultation or decent media scrutiny. I wonder if this man were planning to make his money off hotel rooms rather than hearts and organs, if some harder questions would be asked of him and Cayman's Government.
This may sound extreme. But my fear is people going missing for organs. We have no real malpractice laws in place.
The completion of the hospital will be just in time to take advantage of the fallout from Obamacare. For those who do not understand what that means go research it. Nuff Said.
@ 08:37 – Thank you for your post. I think there is alot of sensationalizing about construction workers doing projects and not enough news coverage of unemployed Caymanians and solutions!
Then they will use the unemployment of the construction workers after the project as an excuse for their next project. Yay XD
Every construction job in every country is a temporary position.
The relative size of the construction project to the population is what makes it different moron. You're not in kansas anymore.
I hate to say it, and I know some will crucify me for doing so,but notch one success for Big Mac! I can taste the bile in my throat, but it had to be said.
This was going to happen no matter who was in. He did not reach out and find this and bring it to Cayman. They were only waiting to start fresh with whomever took office. It just happened to be Mac. So….in my view…..no real props is deserved…Same way I don't blame him for the recession…Although I really wish I could find a way to hang that on him also along with Global Warming…World Hunger and the fact that I did not get the raised I feel I deserved.
Temporary work for a few locals in 4yrs at the helm.
You call that successful?
Yes, I call that successful.
Where do YOU get off looking for a handout when a new successful business arrives in Cayman? Sorry. Your sense of entitlement is so socialist, but this country was founded on great work efforts of harworking fishermen, shipping, and financial business capitalists. I hope this is the beginning of a new business model, THAT is how we will benefit…more people means more commerce, period. Go back and sit and your CS job and be happy to take your handout.
Cayman Concern, you have me concerned.
Look for a handout? Not me pal, I have a career, which I worked damn hard to get, and its not in the CS. Not quite sure how you arrived at that conclusion?
Sense of entitlement? Not me. I understand the concept of hard work. I have held jobs that pay $3 hr.
More people equals more commerce? Glad to see you can put 2 and 2 together.
But what you failed to pick up from my post is that when this is completed, the Caymanians currently employed with the Shetty project will be back to square one, jobless and complaining that they cannot find work or that some expat has taken it.
So perhaps you can enlighten me on how its a success?
If our young people will train in all of the ancillary positions it takes to run a hospital of this size now there will be jobs for them and by the way a lot of that training can be done online. Medical transcription, insurance biller/coder, medical office management, housekeeping, pharmacy, medical technician, dietician, food and beverage, lab worker, we have a nursing program already started, as for the construction team they are learning the building from the inside out it will need to be maintained. Are any of the negative posters who are looking for work seeking training in these new fields?
I know of one young Caymanian who has a Masters in Health Care Administration and is now doing her Phd in Business Administration. She has also been working in the USA for some years now. I understand that she recently turned down a Director job in the States because she intend to return home shortly. It will be interesting to see if she gets a job in Cayman. I also understand that there is another young Caymanian that is doing his Masters in Health Care Administration in the States. Lets wait and see whether he will get a job as well. I must say though, that I am encouraged at the words of Minister Bodden who stated that he wants to see Caymanians in this field of work. I will wait and see what happens.
Yes, but at what cost to the Government and the Cayman people?
Have you read the detailed list of concessions that were provided?
The result of the "negotiation" was so one sided that it will make you weep.
14;07
The only lost to the Caymanian people and Government are the wild trees and lime stone.
Broaden your mind and think what would happen to that property, should this development had not taken place. it would have stayed there until someone else chop it up for house lots.
Nothing from nothing leaves nothing.
Giving concessions is a thing all developing country do.
What we, as a people need to do, is embrace the opportunities from this development. lets get proper training, and good work ethics.
If we should get, say 400 Caymanians to focus on these jobs, there would be no chance for any one else to step across our shores, to take what is ours.
I remember 30 years ago, Caymanians left school, they went straight into a job. These jobs were pulling bush, using pick ax and showels to dig trenches, mixing concrete in wooden troughs, sweeping hotel and condo grounds, mopping floors, serving food and drinks, painting buildings.
No one else had a chance to take these jobs. Most of these people are at the top of the ladder today, or own a business….after 30 years
What's with the Caymanians today?????????
That credit goes to PNA Alliance with Mark Scottland
It feels vaguely racist to make statements like this in a country with such a diverse population. It is exclusionary and divisive.
I totally agree but we are residing in the Cayman Islands where unemployment is high amongst the indigneous people. Caymanians first and others after. Check the stats.
The only thing indigenous to Cayman are the Blue Iguanas.
Tell a Good Ole Boy from Mississippi that he is not an American, and only the "Indians" are "real americans. Lets see his response. Please get over it. Those of us who can trace back generations here ARE native. Whether you like it or not.
I'm sure you are a native from your own country, or you go around saying that you are from Africa (where it all started).
We are ALL from Africa
Unless you are creationist. In which case you are from magic.
Obviously you meant Anti-Creationist in which case in your thinking the whole universe was created from magic as well as smoke and mirrors.
Well from the Big Bang onwards, through to the formation of our solar system, through to the formation of RNA/DNA capable of replication and then onto evolution, I am quite happy with the science and it makes more sense to me that Genesis.
Gee. I wonder how and when all of these scientific fairy tails invented themselves? Religiophobia at it's finest.
You're a moron. The first human civilizations actually existed in the fertile crescent in the Middle East – the land that is between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. Not Africa.
wow – you can so easily label people as 'morons' ..
what higher creed or race are you from??
The post didn't speak to human "civilisations" but made they point that ALL modern humans originated in Africa which has been verified by genetics and other scientific studies.
How horribly rude and specifically UNcivilized.
All God's children, my brothers & sisters!
And do you have a passport from one of the States of Africa?
I abhor nativism. It is the default position of the unimpressive.
The only thing truely indigenous to any place in the world not named Africa are….
Certainly not people.
This topic has been kicked around so much it is unbelievable.
Rather than use that term say the earliest settlers and in Caymans case we are talking back to the 1500's or 1600's.
It's high because they don't want to work or work a full day/week. Unreliable at best lazy at worst. NOT ALL CAYMANIANS, of course. Just the ones who gripe and go on all the time about others taking their jobs. The sickening ones that give the rest of us a bad name.
What a ridiculous statement. Statistics show that unemployment is at a substantially higher rate among Caymanians than non-Caymanians. Obviously, it is in everyone's interest that that changes for the better. Also, obviously, Caymanians should have preference for employment in their own country.
You wouldn't know racism if it came and bit you on the nose.
"Statistics show that unemployment is at a substantially higher rate among Caymanians than non-Caymanians"
Errr….maybe that is because non-Caymanians are not allowed to remain here for extended periods unless they have gainful employment.
If they are here its because they are married to a resident / Caymanian or their "significant other" is here on a work permit.
And…? How does that negate my point that Caymanians unemployment needs to be addressed as a priority?
Unemployment is higher amongst Caymanians because most non-caymanians leave the island when they can't get work. Duh.
If expats can get jobs here they should be allowed to run for political office too we would get good representation just as we have good expat workers so much so that they are preferred over locals in many instances. I am an advocate for the expat politician as I believe they will give Caymanians better representation.
Can you please name one other country in the world where you can run for office simply because you have obtained a work permit to work there?…I thought not. What an ignorant post.
Wonder if you would want that back in your own country? To think of it I am actually wondering if someone so stupid actually can get a job here. This has got to be a troll comment.
True, but that doesn't change the fact that there is relatively high unemployment among Caymanians which we should all want to change for the better. That was the point.
huh?
This is quite possibly the most ignorant post ever on CNS. And that's saying something!
And remarakably similar to how the rest of the world works. Citizens first.
february opening is impossible…..
Things are progressing very well from what I have seen. You can monitor weekly progress as they are posting weekly progress reports. The latest set of pictures has some good aerial shots of where things stand. Looking good so far for a 9-month soft opening date: http://www.healthcitycaymanislands.com/photo-gallery
of course…. but what else is new….. this project has been a classic case of smoke and mirrors
Really? Do you see a lot of 'smoke and mirorrs' in these pictures, or do you see a very active and progressing construction site: http://www.healthcitycaymanislands.com/photo-gallery
Anonymou, just cause you dropped the "s" doesn't mean we don't know who you are, and that you've blown all your credit on this website. You speak of things you know of not.
Very good glad to hear caymanians are being employed on this project.
But as always CNS, we may get 63% local workers, but when the project is done and Shetty has his hospital, will we get at least a percentage of 10% Caymanians working there. To this date, Camana Bay has not even 50% of its workers being Caymanian. I went to a new restaurant that was opened just the other day at Camana Bay, and I only saw one young Caymanian teen amongst the rest which were foreignors. So… we may be promised Caymanian jobs for those who build infrastructure in the construction field, but nobody is dumb…. once construction is done, Caymanians are back to square one. What concerns many of us, is "who" gets permanent jobs? How is it that permits are granted despite the number of Caymanians unemployed ???
Actually, if maybe you, I and the rest of the Caymanian population get off our arses and do what Brazil did with peaceful protests, then the government will listen. Power is in numbers, whether you like it or not.
I think you meant Egypt not Brazil.
There are/were protests in both countries. Watched the news you uncultured ***
Restaurant work would appear to be beneath many young Camanians. Not good for their image, far better to be unemployed and look cool 😉
Let's just be honest, you don't want to hire Caymanians because you can't get away with paying them low, ignoring their pensions, and sexually harassing them if they are females, and the other employment abuses… oppsss did I step on your pinky toe? 🙂
So true. There are some employers I know that would never hire a local, say they are lazy and you never hear the end of it, cause they are scared to get caught what they do in the dark.
If you're talking to me, you'd be wrong, I have hired many Caymanians in the past, some good, some not, same as every nationality. The rest of your post is just jiberish, but good luck when you get to secondary school.
You may not be guilty of sexual harassment and other abuses that goes on in the work place, but the POINT I WAS MAKING is that certain employers today are not hiring Caymanians so not to prevent them from such practices. I recall one day a filipino worker in tears came to my office with the fear of losing her job and being sent back home to the Philipines. She was sexually harassed by her boss [name I choose not to disclose],a prominent man who I wouldnever had suspect to be the kind of person the evidence found him to be. He economically threatened her, using salary and immigration threats to interfere in her marriage. This is the sort of nonsense that is going on in a renown local company, and I must ask what is government going to do with these cases? I can assure you that if this was a loud mouth Caymanian girl that employer would have thought twice to put his hand on her. You have some very wicked employers on this island, not paying people's pensions, making them pay for their work permits, and not paying them a good wage. I can see why they would prefer expats or their own kind to work for them.
Fair enough, but you insinuated that I was guilty of these crimes.
Also, I would strongly encourage you to disclose the name of this prominent man, even if you do so anonymously, as these problems ain't gonna go away on their own.
You should learn to spell "gibberish" before you comment on anyone else's education.
Bite me http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=jiberish
That is desperate. Urban dictionaries won't help you when you are commenting about someone else's lack of formal education.
I wasn't refering to his lack of formal education, I was refering to his age 😉
Urban "Dictionary" BaHaHaHa
Sad but true.
It may be true, but there is nothing SAD about it. If young people don't want to work for shillings but for what they can afford in a very expensive society, there is nothing wrong or sad with that! So many other young who are expats would do the cheap labor because when it is converted to their currency they get more value from it. The young Caymanians realize that this expensive place is home, and so it means a good paying job.
"it means a good paying job"…..
A good paying job takes a lot of hard work to obtain so if it means starting at the bottom then thats what you do. You don't sit and moan or think you are too good to work for low wages.
Life is hard, its up to you on how you want to live it.
It's sad that you think this.
And you make such a general statement, about Caymanians. Wow, your ignorance and dislike for Caymanians is very obvious. If it wasn't so, you would not make such an ignorant statement.
As an "expat" married to a Caymanian, I hear a lot of terrible comments about Caymanians. Once these person find out that I am married to a Caymanian they quickly try to correct or qualify what they have said.
I can appreciate an individual having their preference or their bias towards people, that is just how some humans seem to be built. But what I cannot take is those who hate people, make fun of them or feel that they are somehow superior to them, but yet down swear that they actually do have those ways and get upset when they are called out on them.
And you are full of shit. I don't dislike Caymanians in the slightest. Also it wasnt a general statement, I said "many young Caymanians" Like it or lump it, many of them can't be arsed to work a hard job in the service industry.
I also don't care who you're married to, and wouldn't change my statement if I was face to face with you or your wife. It was an accurate observation.
It is obvious they struck a nerve with you. Like we say in Georgia, if you didn't step in the sh%t it wouldn't smell so bad!
So your response reflects that they were right!
Yes they struck a nerve, being accused of disliking a nationality that I don't dislike struck a nerve. My response reflects that. Whats your point? May I suggest you stay in Georgia and enjoy your shit 😉
Simple answer…If Caymanians want to work, turn up on time with a good work ethic and the job is yours for the taking!!!
why do you people / expats / always bring up good work ethics turning up on time want to work etc etc etc like this is only a Caymaniain problem ? I work with many expats & wow most of them are all of the above & of course the supervisors are the same race so its always over looked but by gosh let a Caymanian be a 2-3 minutes late all of a sudden its time to deny all Caymanians the basic RIGHT to work & succeed in thier own Country. Well just let me say … It has already started & it will come to serious terms Welcome to the Native / Ancestral Caymanian Revolution 2 thousand Strong every year graduating ( most are Native / Ancestral ) & Mon are they getting ready to Kick some serious expat ( not all ) Ass. Long Live the revolution !!
just ask any business owner what their experience is of caymanian workers…….
cayman revolution?????………..hahahahaha
This person sounds like a warmonger with experience. No wonder they are having a laugh. Kill over being kind is their motto.
You can tell this person has worked in the local work force. They got it EXACTLY right. Cover up for their own kind and blame everyting on the local, no matter how useless and incompetent their own kind are.
Good luck with that revolution. You may be outnumbered.
Thank you. I think you hit a sensitive nerve. Is the new government willing and able to address this problem?
Well get out there now and start your medical training, whether it be in the actual medical field, or administrative or whatever. Shetty cannot hire a bunch of unemployed Caymanians as Drs and nurses if they don't have the qualifications.
The first thing Caymanians have to do is apply for the job, and when doing this please make sure you can do the basics like read and write, do currency conversions, work nights, weekends and holidays. Wanting a job but being picky and not wanting to work in the service industry is the greatest obstacle for Caymanians finding a job. Oh and I say it again you need to apply for the job and not just expect it to fall in your lap. Oh and I am a Caymanian
Your post I find very insulting. When you refer to "Caymanians," remember there are some who are more smart and intelligent than you.
If you actually read the post in context of the trail of responses, I think you will find that the poster is not referring to Caymanians as a whole, but more the unemployed Caymanians that are being referred to time and time again. The post is correct, if you want a job, stop sitting on your ass expecting one to fall onto your lap, get up and get out there. Drop off your CV and follow up. Ask the employer why they didn't hire you so that you can use the information to better yourself. You may want to start by learning correct grammar and English in your sentances.
Before chiding others about their grammar and English please learn to spell "sentences".
To provide a simple answer to your question How is it that permits are granted despite the number of Caymanians unemployed ??? Becasue they do apply for the jobs in the first instance, and particuary so in the hospitality sector – ask any restuarant owner!!!!!
I am usually against xenophobia, but when it comes to DART I have to whole-heartedly agree!!! The HR hiring practices there are so biased amd WRONG. I have heard waaaaaay too many stories of qualified Caymanians trying to get in the front door or break through the glass ceiling, but the HUMAN RESOURCES action of the day is to hire a few uncle toms and keep the rest OUT.
Yet, we ALL still flock there like sheep to mecca Camana Bay on the weekends and drool over the job postings weekly. Wake up Cayman and FORCE our Business Staffing Board and NWDA to stop swallowing DARTS ex-pat parade. Dart is pro-expat and against locals, period. The proof? It is in the nunmbers!!!
And in the fact that so many long term local and resident staff have been forced out of work from the various businesses bought and then run into the ground (Bernard Passman anyone? Island Companies?). Island Companies still hires ex-pats while they have laid off qualified staff. How is this allowed to happen?
I am glad Passman has gone. That business was immoral. Black coral is not for turning into garish trinkets.
How can Dart be for expats when he is Caymanian? The man/entity does what every other Caymanian establishment does they hire the best person for the job foreign or expat.
Forget Dart. I think you need to differentiate between "Caymanian" and "Rich Class Caymanian." Yes, we have a class system in Cayman. May not be like Indian, but we pretty much have low, middle, upper middle, and rich class here. The Upper Middle and Rich Class Caymanians it seems are all about themselves and what they have overseas. Don't for one moment, think that they care what happens to their own Caymanian on the low end of the food chain. They have homes here but live life very well than most people. They like to take their airline flights and fly back and forth whenever they like or feel pressured, but pretty much they are comfortable in their"well-off state." These Caymanians are unable to understand the growing situation that is occuring on the ground level, and at times side with certain expats on demeaning their own people.
Dart is not Caymanian; he is an expat with status.
Why do you think Dart is anti Caymanian?
Could it be that the Dart organisation has learned through bad experiences that some Caymanians make poor employees?
I work in a national institution and our Secretary, who is Caymanian, has a job for life, despite only coming to work 3 or 4 days a week, where she puts in a hard hour or so of phone calls before disappearing for the rest of the day.
She is not alone, she can not spell to save her life, she can not type and has no idea what 'Spell check' is…she is one of many very unproductive employees who are solely managed by Caymanians and who get away with blue murder most of the time.
We do her job for her, because it is quicker and more effective to do it ourselves….don’t get me wrong, she is a lovely girl, but if she lived in any other country she would have been sacked many years ago for sheer incompetence.
This is just the observations of an expat who has lived and loved Cayman for many years but the attitudes of the Dart Corporation (and many other employers) towards Caymanians are acquired through bad employment experiences.
If you want unemployment to be reduced then perhaps you should stop moaning, acquire a better work ethic and educate yourselves to compete on a level playing field with the rest of the real world
I just left a place of business where my expat manager in the area of ICT, didnt know how to perform 4 digit dialing or explain the benefits amongst other short comings(wish i could tell the whole story-he really is a fool). But, his expat managers protect him they same way you say the caymanaian managers protect the secretary at your place of work.
Difference is, he is also defensive, resentful and what we around here call a snake in the grass..
"don’t get me wrong, she is a lovely girl, but if she lived in any other country she would have been sacked many years ago for sheer incompetence"
Im guessing they fired him for these reasons back home, and he ended up in Cayman cause of a friend of a friend. Wonder if that happens anywhere else on the island