CS needs accountability
(CNS): The departing Cayman Islands governor said that his biggest regret regarding the job he held for more than three and a half years was not advancing the problem of accountability in the civil service as far as he had hoped. Duncan Taylor admitted that there is a problem in the local public sector in that there are no real consequences for non-performance as it has taken a long time to get a proper assessment process in place. Less than one week from his departure, the governor said he regretted that he could not have done more to move this issue forward because other members of the civil service are forced to “pick up the slack” from those who are not performing as they should.
Speaking to the press formally for the last time before he leaves the islands for his new post in Mexico, Taylor said the appraisal system is now taking shape and he commended Deputy Governor Franz Manderson for his strategic vision on this issue. Nevertheless, with the appraisals only just beginning, Taylor warned it would take time for them to gain credibility and it was not until there was “a robust and fair system” of appraisals in place that consequences, such as dismissing people, could be built into the system.
He said that the appraisals would create a credible means to address poor performance, which could eventually mean that civil servants would lose their jobs if they did not meet the expected mark, but strong appraisal system would also be used to advance and promote good performers. The process had taken a lot more time than he had hoped, he said, but expressed his confidence that now it had begun it would soon advance the accountability which was needed and which, he emphasised, was very important.
Taylor also noted that the size of the civil service itself, which has been a topical issue in recent months, was not as important as its efficiency. He said that, overall, government was going in the right direction in terms of headcount as a result of the natural attrition. By the end of this year there would be at least 60 less people on the core government payroll, he added, but warned the problem area was statutory authorities and government companies (SAGCs).
Taylor said the new government had undertaken to look at this issue and see if some mechanism could be introduced to control recruitment in the SAGCs. The government was still targeting a 10% reduction in overall headcount without job losses by not always filling vacancies when people left the service, he said.
Despite pressure from the UK to reduce operating costs, Taylor warned that government should think hard before privatizing parts of the civil service because wherever government services were privatized, there needed to be a strong regulator. This would not necessarily be possible in such a small jurisdiction and what government might save in privatization could be lost in trying to oversee private sector service providers. He warned government to think long and hard about what it wanted to achievethrough privatization and whether it would be beneficial in the long run.
The goal, he said, was to have a government that delivered the services that the community needs and wants efficiently and cost effectively.
Check back to CNS for more from the governor's parting press briefing.
Category: Politics
PPM were going to release Cabinet Minutes as well, and that hasn’t happened yet!!
So, that’s their usual lip service.
I am sure that work towards establishing an effective appraisal system did indeed take longer than His Excellency anticipated. Sad to say that after his departure more of the same will continue as the same civil service players in high places remain. Nothing will change.
In the midst of all the negativity in this thread I just want to thank His Excellency for the good job he did in the midst of the often hostile atmosphere directed towards him. This happened from his arrival here. I wish you well Mr. Taylor and hope that you receive a warm welcome in Mexico in your new assignment, that you and your family will be safe and that God will continue to bless you. There are many Caymanians who are grateful and who wish you well.
Look into workplace harassment. Talk to an attorney or look what Cayman Labour Laws say about workplace harassment/bulling. Document everything-emails, telephone calls, conversations-what, when, happened, what was said. Investin a small recording device (even if it might be illegal) that can be activated without other party noticing it. Record telephone conversation- set it on speaker and record the conversation. Have other people to do the same. Then you will have support for your case and will be able to sign a petition. Stop seeing yourself as a victim, stand up for yourself, but be prepared.
If you live among wolves you have to howl like a wolf. ( a proverb)
Tempura needs accountability!
What about the civil servants who are in breach of the law? Should they be held accountable as well? Most of them do not even seem to know the law.
I read with interest the Governor's comments that civil servants need more accountability and would like to offer another view.
What happens when an employee wants to do their job but their department head/politician doesn’t give them anything to do merely because it is a personality conflict – not because of the person’s abilityto deliver good work, not because the employee misses deadlines, or has a poor work ethic but simply because the HOD doesn’t like said employee. Told the employee – “I have no problem with your work. I just don’t like you!”
A lot of that goes on within the civic service. To compound the issue – most of those above are aware of said HOD tyrannical qualities, who is far more interest in building cases rather than building teams. What recourse does that employee have? Tried leaving but HOD keeps giving bad recommendations – HOD is so bitter and unhappy and more interest in controlling employees’ destinies than having a productivity environment. And yes, people are well-aware of the situation but what is being done? Isn’t this costly too, Government, not only from a productive and cost effective environment but what about the cost of said employees health?
I ask you – who wants to be a slacker? – no one that I know. When you go to work you want to be busy and productive for 7.5 hours or more otherwise the clock unmercifully-ticks ever-so-slowly. Now I ask you, who wants to be in the position? And YES, I reiterate, I want to work; most people’s identities are wrapped in work and being busy and productive makes one feel whole.
I am pretty sure that I am not the only person in this predicament. In fact, I know of another department that is also under siege – employees even wrote to the Deputy Governor for help but because they did not sign the letter the complaint was ignored. So why won’t the top people deal with HODs that are horrible at managing employees, making departments unproductive. Remember people are becoming more and more frustrated and lawsuits are cropping up all over the place.
You know how I feel? I feel like I am in abusive relationship. I can hear people say that person can leave – but what will become of my family? Who will pay for the mortgage? Who will feed them – social service? I was angry but I have overcome that and realize that the problem is not with me but with some who are so desperate to control others because they are simply lacking in their own sad life that they just want to make those around them just as unhappy as they are. But what I am angry about is why aren’t the people who know situation(s) allow it to continue and blaming the little guys. Please stop putting everything on the “slackers” and ask, why are they slacking? How many years can a situation like this be allowed to continue and then blame the employee?
I have been with government now for 10 years and not once have I had an assessment. Oh, I have had to write them for staff I supervise but I don’t get one.
I ain’t no slacker buddy! Remember that there are often two sides to every story and if a department is unproductive, then look at the inept and often micro-managing manager who is lacking.
That would still go under the lack of accountability heading. XXX
And its not an unusual trait in the private sector either – plenty of the same attitude there – sucks, but as you say, when it comes to the CS it still goes under the lack of accountability heading.
Change the law so that politicians requesting others ***************** to not follow law or good buisness practice cannot demand government to remove or suspend anyone from their job. Expose the corro uption and be free to sleep at night, also all civilservants must be held accountable from the top down. The problem is who appraises the top ??????????????. Remember most of those people have not worked in the private sector and have not experienced the penalties for [ their new word PERFORMANCE ] SUCH AS, get it right the first time, value for money at all times, time lines that must be met, penalties for tardyness and i'll get it done tomorrow etc. LET'S ALL STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND GET IT RIGHT FOR ALL THIS TIME. Our country needs it NOW. No more lets discuss it tomorrow. We all must accept that Tomorrow is TODAY. Tomorrow is today. ##### ######### ############. If we leave everything for tomorrow, we do nothing today.
Read your employee handbook and company policies on the action you should take when you witness workplace harassment. Review what constitutes workplace harassment. If you have notes and materials from employer-provided training, re-read them for examples. List pertinent information for every instance of harassment that you witness. Include the names of employees engaged in harassing behavior and the names of employees who witnessed it. If the harassing conduct was directed at an individual, highlight that employee's name.Describe the gist of the harassing comments or remarks if you cannot record them verbatim. Refrain from attributing precise statements to participants unless you can remember the exact words spoken. Complete your description of the harassment incident with the approximate time, location and circumstances that led to the incident. Also, note any responses to the harassment, such as employees who attempted to squash it or employees who egged on the behavior. Photocopy your notes and retain the originals. Provide your human resources department leader with a photocopy. By virtue of their rank and responsibilities for maintaining a safe work environment, many employers hold supervisors and managers to a higher standard regarding prevention of workplace harassment. Resist the urge to confront or counsel co-workers or employees engaged in harassing behavior; leave that to your HR manager or the company's top-ranking leader. Refrain from discussing the documentation with co-workers.
Documentation of a complaintshould be clear and detailed, and events noted in a chronological order.
The contents of the complaint should answer the following questions:
When did the incident(s) occur?
provide date(s) of the incident(s)
provide time(s) of occurrence including duration
Where did the incident(s) occur?
location of incident(s) (e.g., office, cafeteria, parking lot, social function)
medium of communication of harassment: verbal, non-verbal (e.g., gestures and physical contact), written (including e-mail), etc.
What exactly happened during the incident(s)?
provide details of the incident(s): specify the actions taken by the harasser (e.g., sent e-mail or a letter, touched complainant, made harassing comments, etc.)
Were there any witnesses?
who, if anyone, saw the harasser's actions
is anyone else aware of the incident(s) taking place
Did the complainant tell anyone about the incident(s)?
who else was told about the incident(s) (e.g., supervisor, co-worker, human resources, counselor, friend, etc.)
What attempts, if any, have been made to remedy the situation?
have there been any steps taken to stop the harassment
if action has been taken, specify the steps taken to rectify the situation (e.g., complainant told the harasser that his/her actions were unacceptable, complainant approached personnel about the situation, warning was issued to the harasser, etc.)
How did the complainant feel when the incident took place?
specify how the harasser's actions emotionally affected the complainant (e.g., angry, fearful, feelings of inferiority, etc.)
I am so sick of so many people flapping their lips about cronyism and friend and famly member appoiintments in the civil service. There may be cases in which this has happened, but the vast majority of people working in the civil service were appointed after going through a job application proocess and were found to be the best candidates for the job period. I can speak of many private sector jobs where nepotism. cronyism and nationalism (expat hr managers hiring people from their own country) has been the order of the day. but that's the private sector, lets continue to work that regime that way and force all the Caymanians to only work for the Government, then we can accuse them of nepotism and cronyism all day long.
A difference is that the private sector is not using MY money!
Actually, they are. There aren't enough choices of bussinesses in Cayman for you to find any that dont' practice the same as Government. Actually, in many ways Government better since we, the public/shareholders, get to see the accoutns (occasionally) and can FOI the other records (ocassionally). Most of Cayman's companies are completely private so no, you don't know what they're doing with the money you had no choice but to spend with them. The difference is that they would simply ignore you so you choose to complain about Government.
Right they are using your money but they are also providing the services and recieving funds to run this country. The money that you say is yours was collected for services that the CS performed.
And PS the CS collects more funds that is required for their salaries they just dont make enough to pay for all the extra projects etc in this country.
But more accountability is needed. I as a CS am tired of hearing that we cannot confirm our finances especially when you hear that they have an abundance of accountants.
What rock have you been living under? For months in advance we usually know who is going to be given what job regardless of the application process.
How absolutely hypocritical of Duncan Taylor, the latest in a long line of UK henchmen placed in Cayman to pretent to be Governors, while actually spending their time sabotaging the country (or maybe I am simply misunderstanding the role of Governor). For him to speak on the need for accountability in the Civil Service after clear examples within the service of bad management decisions condoned by him, and his assisting persons to escape accountability for their actions is nothing less than disgusting. By the way, I hope that everyone reading CNS realises that a 'robust and fair' performance management process has to look at both sides of HR management. We keep discussing this topic as a tool to get rid of poor performing employees. Perhaps we shoud spend some time reasearching the many many studies that clearly show productivity should be improved by the use of positive incentive. Whiel I will not disagree that poor performing employees of any organisation need to be managed properly to improve performance or managed out of the door, perhaps part of the civil service problem is that good performance is also ignored. Therefore, what is the incentive to the hgh performing employees to continue to be high performing. Simply telling them 'oh, we'll get rid of the poor performing employees' only goes so far. Deal with underperformance Mr. Deputy Governor, but look at both sides of the issue, and reward the staff that have performed above and beyond with something more than a parking spot for a month.
You write suspiciously like whodatis.
I ought to pay your head rent – because I clearly live in there.
Anyway, fear not for Whodatis always posts as Whodatis.
just last week you wrote that you posted under another name or "anon"…and were joking what a wonderful response you got…ganja affects short term memory seriously.
Wow!
Now you REALLY need to get a life … you are obsessed son, can't you see that?
Anyway, please provide a link to last week's post.
Thanks.
*Not sure if you were poster I replied to but in any event – forget rent, I must owe you mortgage by now!
Whassamatta son, no link??
Or did you search, find and realize you were way off the mark with your little accusation.
(Sigh)
Hate is such a crippling emotion … gets us all tied up and embarrassed, doesn't it?
Err on the side of caution and hit the troll button anyway.
If the minutes of the Deputy Governor's meetings with the Chief Officers is any indication of the work he is doing then all I can say is …. keep waiting!
For those of us in the Civil Service who go above and beyond the call of duty and in many cases do the jobs of others as well as our own I am pleased that Mr. Taylor has chosen highlight this issue on the eve of his departure. The nepotism ,sense of entitlement and 'peter principle' effect is painfully evident at every level of the Civil Service and gives us all a bad name in the eyesof the public we paid to serve. I sincerely hope that our in – coming Governor will make the weeding out of our dead wood and penalties for under performers a priority in her term of office. It would also greatly help morale if the high performers were recognised!
Thank you for understanding where Mr Taylor was coming from, rather than getting all defensive and objective as some of your colleagues have done here – perhaps they have something to fear?
Saw CayCompass Headlines: "'Few Consequences' for Civil Service Slakers" .
Easy for Mr. Governor to say this since he is leaving the island for his paradise home in Mexico.
The real headlines should be "'Few Consequences' for Incompetent Leaders" .
Paradise? Mexico?? Are you completely insane or do you just have a preference for gun toting narco warlords?
And pray tell Cay101, what exactly have you done for your country lately? Except possibly try to besmerch a man who has done his utmost to keep outright corruption off the menu? What did you do in that battle? Easy to slag someone else off when you sit on your fat a$$ and do nothing..not even learn to write properly…
he he he he … somebody got their toe smashed
Give the guy a break; he is thinking Cancun or Acapulco rather than Mexico City.
Say it as it is Mr Taylor, say it as it is. Lets hope the new Gov can fix this instead.
The Governor need to realize that the morale of civil servants have been reduced because of the cuts and downsizing that is occuring whilst certain of the private sector are making them into a laughing stock. He is asking accountability for non-performance of duties ….. but what about accountability for the way He, the Deputy Governor, and previous MLAs have "managed" the Civil Service??? Yes says the Governor, blame it all on civil servants that are not performing their duties, let us draw the attention from the heads and place the blame on the servants…. that is what this all sound to me like!
I would like to take time Governor Taylor to thank you for your time and opinions on the Civil service and your time here in general. I too would like to share an observation in relation to your points and regrets. One of the main problems with the civil service in regards to what you have meticulously point out is the lack of accountability in regards to civil servants and there performance, however the real root of this problem is not what they do there or inactions in government, but their installation or how they got their in the first place and by what means, nepotism, cronyism, friendship, political pets & handlers and last but not least who's agenda will they now carry out along with their own. Their support system is also crucial along with their cohorts who usually conspire with them prior to their arrival in their "post"
This all goes together to create or form virtual Mini Mafia type Groups "cliques" within government, thus a whole range of nasty little situations start to effect the workings of government where efficency and performance are sideline or subsituted for loyalty, power,and wealth, the by products of this is are even worst the decay and decomposition and paralysis of government, this in return has a very negative effect on the public's view or perception of government, however it empowers these same very groups in both the government and the public from the stand point of getting things done to membership.
These members or civil servants thus develop such an enormous sense of immunity and impunity from anything it even eclipses sickness and death.(legends in their own little minds) When they are then given title MBE's and awards this puts a virtual crown and Halo on their heads. That in return empowers their ranks and followers and it demoralizes their victims within government and the public. I wiil not evoke the Edmund Burke quote on Evil but my grandmothers quote on the suffering of many here in Cayman and it goes like this Sir! Sympathy Without Relief do mean $#@* God speed and good luck Sir at your new post in Mexico best wishes to your family and please brief Mrs Kilpatrick thoroughly. SFC
I hope that with your level of illiteracy and peculiar paranoia, 9:27, you are not a civil servant.
I do not know whether he is a civil servant or not 11:05 but from the type of criticism your now leveling at the poster You are and your response also tells everybody you are also infact one of the very people he is referring to. Tek wood!!
ummmm.. "I would like to take time Governor Taylor to thank you for your time and opinions on the Civil service and your time here in general." … where do they get this guy? I too hope he's not Caymanian!
I totally agree with Governor Taylor, but culture trumps systems every time. As a former head of department, I wanted for years to terminate an under-performing staffer, but I knew it would have been hell todo so: I would have had political pressure, the superstructure would not have supported me, and my own position would have been at risk.
That is the simple truth: until top managers stop listening to one-sided stories and really start supporting their managers, nothing will really change. We simply need a more professional civil service in terms of human resources management where employees do not "have the ear" of those who supervise their own bosses, and politicians do not try to influence decisions — in one way or the other.
As for the former staffer, last I heard the top bosses had recommended a promotion — which everyone knew that person could not fill. Fortunately, the person involved seemed to have realized that as well.
That's the way it goes.
I admire the man for marking his own report card "could have done better", it speaks of an overwhelming honesty…when did we last hear a politician say that? I still think he did a brilliant job, perhaps more notable for what he prevented from happening (crazy, not transparent dealings) and some movement forward in other areas, but as he says, not enough. I now hope the new Governor can, working with government, bring us transparency, openess and a much more effective and cheaper civil service.
If they are to do this, then barriers to opening local businesses must be removed to encourage investment from overseas and more employment generated that way, this will help to take up unemployment from the CS.I am referring specifically to the "60% Caymanian ownership" of any local business. All this does is allow the current oligarchs and monopolies/cartels to thrive with no competition..it needs to be freed to be a free market and cheaper economy
Not surprising accountability for performance was never considered as being part of the CS mandate. This of course would be normal procedure in the private sector, but the civil service was not created with performance or accountability in mind. The original intention was to have the island run on the fees, licences, duties, etc. while hiring expats to do the manual labor. Everyone else was to work for government as one big happy family but the realization was not everyone could get a job in the CS. This has left a lot of disgruntled people.
DUH!
I thought as the Head of the Civil Service it was Governor Duncan Taylor's job to implement the necessary changes in order to get the level of accountability throughout the Civil Service what has he been doing during his time in Cayman? He should be embarrassed to admit his failure
Muppet…the CS supports CIG…CIG dictates policy to them…Governor has nowt to do with it.
As the Head of the Civil Service the Governor has EVERYTHING to do with it. That is why he is expressing regret that nothing was done during his tenure.
I believe that you will find that the standard in UK OTs is that the Deputy Governor is the nominal head of the CS – the DG is also normally a citizen of the OT, appointed by whatever local Government is in place. The Governor is the Queen's representative, so appointments are approved by him in her name, but he really doesn't have much to do with CS decision making (including recruitment and HR policy).
You're right that the DG is the NOMINAL (look that word up) head, but it is the Governor who is the actual head who delegates that responsibility to the DG. The buck stops with the Governor. Why the hell else are we paying his big salary?
Accountability in terms of civil servants being held accountable for not obeying the law would also be nice, although it may be too much to expect.
Did the Guv only figure that out in the last week or what?
Mr. Taylor has been a ray of hope during these past several years of reckless behavior by our elected officials.
Thank you Governor Taylor for maintaining stability and seeking to improve government efficiency – which by the way will continue to be an uphill battle.
On another matter – since the election the economy has continued its decline and at this point is worse than ever.
There is the initiative of the upcoming games tournament which should hopefully bring a temporary boost to the economy.
However the country needs a strong stimulus package to halt further decline and may I please suggest to our elected officials:
1 Set criteria for permanent residence for those that are affected by the rollover that are attainable and will boost the economy – eg the purchase of a home or property valued over $200,000.
2. Reduce the import duties on fuel by .25cents per gallon (even for the balance of the financial year) and at the same time reduce government expenditures to make up for the shortfall in import duty.
3. Start the sell-off process for those government assets that have been costing millions of dollars to operate.
To the good old boys of the PPM – you promised to improve our economy – so please would you get started before it has declined further?
The bloodsucking CS and the 9000 free loaders are going to suck the life out of this country .
Hey there,Mr. Haranguer. All those 9000 CSers aren't freeloaders! I know 2 that are conscientious and hard-working.
I think "freeloaders" was meant to refer to those who are in receipt of govt. assistance from the social services dept. rather than civil servants – and no smart comments!
How true! Accountability in the Cayman CS is never going to happen because the problem starts not at the bottom, but at the top. People are appointed on the basis of family/friends/political compliance or worse, once in their slots they appoint more of the same. Attendance becomes optional, and performance is a joke. Shame is that many people assume that is normal, and so it becomes the norm!
I suspect the new Governor is in for a frustrating time!
Unfortunately these poor performers have become accustomed to not having accountability not achieving deadlines etc. They have become used to going home early and starting late and taking sick days as if they are vacation days owed to them. How can the private sector afford to have employees like that.
11;42
Don't forget running their own private businesses!!
ah… the same way they can afford a Governor to live on the beach and speak whatever he wants to the press… oh sorry we're paying for that too :o)
2;14
You said a mouthful.
The problem starts at the top.
When Mr. Manderson took this job, he swore he wasgoing to make changes…. have you seen any?? most departments got worst. There is no accountability in the CS. The big boss Mr. Taylor alluded to this.
You say the Deputy Governor has not made any changes are you blind? My God the man just saved the Government millions of dollars in HR costs, implemented and enforced performance mangment, has visited my department – whihc was never done before- to show that he cares, implemented a culture of change to name a few,,,,,, what planet are you living on…. wait are you the same person who thinks they are 9000 civil servants when the number is 3500??? Oh wait you think civil servants are the same as public servants??? no public servants are not under the control of the DG- they work in the authorities and government owend companies and make lots of money. Looks like i will have to spend my weekend educating the posters on CNS who complain complain never offer a suggestion and sound really dumb.
13;25…. Kudos to him for saving the Government millions.
My gripe is, and will always be, the ineptness and incompetence of some of you civil servants. You have no sense of urgency. You will drag on the process of getting simple document done .
The planning department, for instance, is a national disgrace.
Me personally, have submitted an application for a non profit organization since last year october, and up until now, this document is still sitting in the Ministry of finance office. The answer I keep getting, "I cant find the necessary persons to sign on the document".
This is discusting, should I tell my customers that BS I would be out of business long gone. I couldnt care less, how many of you are there….just do your f@@ing job, deligently and on time.
Possibly the only honest thing Governor Taylor has said about the Civil Service ever. Now the buck stops with Deputy Governor Manderson and his team. Do they care about the parting shot from Taylor?
Will Cayman ever really find out out deep the rabbit hole goes in the Civil Service or will it always be this way as Cayman becomes the Greece of he Caribbean?
The buck stopped with the Governor himself. Why are you trying to let him off the hook? Because he is a Brit?
sorry but too little too late duncan…… you were meant to ensure good governance but you oversaw the worst administration in the history of these islands…..
21.48..he oversaw the worst admininstration that Caymanians ever elected. Easy to forget who putthem in power, and it was not the Governor but you crazy Islanders. Oh how people love to blame everyone but themselves…it is so much easier, is it not?
Good words Mr. Taylor. I would expect nothing less from a politically correct product of the English public school system that thinks that the Queen and her corgis are wonderful.
However, you are an expat. Full stop.
Guys like you come and go here in Cayman.
You get your pay cheque from the UK and get to spend time reading boring governmental documents while living in a tropical paradise. It is a comfy gig while it lasts.
Cayman is Cayman. Caymanians are Caymanians. West Bay screws Northside and vice versa depending who is in power. It is what it is.
The UK should just let the Caymans be independent and see how they do.
Of course, unless MI5 needs a nice safe place to launder their dirty spook money.
Just sayin.
21.19..if you are Caymanian, look at your passport. Its British. Any Brit is therefore not an expat in reality, just your deeply prejudiced and slightly sick mind at work.
Funny. That passport marked "British" did not mean a d@mn thing to the immigration officers at Heathrow in the 1980s and 1990s. They put me in a queue with everyone else whether they were from Afghanistan or Zimbabwe (were they just deeply prejudiced and had slightly sick minds?) It gave me no right of abode in the UK. It said the holder was subject to immigration control. I was an expat. Well now the shoe is on the other foot. Your UK passport gives you now right of abode here. You are subject to immigration control. You are an expat.
If there is one thing I cannot stomach it is rank hypocrisy.
As long as cayman does that to Brits , Brits will do it to Caymanians. It's the same anywhere and everywhere. So you don't have a point at all.
Such an ignorant argument 09:44. I couldn't care less about this Brit vs Caymanian rubbish. I am a Caymanian and I love my country. I also love visiting the UK, spending my money there and experiencing the country of which ours is and Overseas Territory. I have not applied for a British passport and have no intention of doing so. My Caymanian Passport is British enough and I am quite happy with that status. Just stop all of the nonsense and let us all respect each other and be grateful for our individual countries and the ability to enjoy the other.
18.56…there was no disrespect at all…just a factual comment. For example, because the US requires most foreigners to have visas, we require it of US citizens. The same with Australia etc etc…so if one country imposes a visa regime on another, the other will respond in kind.
Except for here…all people with British passports need a visa or work permit to work here. Caymanians need no such thing in UK.
Ummm….yes they do! 1. "Caymanians", include those who hold Caymanian status but are citizens of other countries. 2. If you travel to the UK on a BOTC passport you will be subject to immigration control just like always.
But aside from all that, it is commonsense that there should be immigration controls in Cayman for Brits but not vice versa. There are some 62m Brits. How can they all be entitled to come and live in Cayman? There are about 30,000 Caymanians. It would make no difference if the entire population came and settled in the UK.
When we had an open door policy, life was treating us all good, jobs flourished, and money was flowing back in the 70's, and for decades after that, did you see all 62M Britons rushing to get residency here? No. So why on earth would you and fools like you keep spouting this rubbish now that life in Cayman is nowhere near so good, money is barely flowing and restrictive Immigrations policies are in place? If you offered it up on a plate, there really wouldn't be that many flock in from the UK. If that was the plan, it would have happened in the golden days, but certainly not now bobo. Fact of the matter (as census confirms) the Brits represent a very very small minority on-island, and this wouldn't change if you were to open the doors to them again.
Boy are you confused. The UK's actions are not at all dictated by ours. It was the UK which unilaterally decided to deprive citizens of the UK and colonies of the right of abode in the UK. It was the UK which unilaterally decided to give us a citizenship different from theirs (BOTCship) so that it could discriminate. It was the UK which decided to give us British Citizenship on a non-reciprocal basis.
You are an idiot who doesn't know history.
A convenient and over-used comeback. Non-reciprocal yes. But that doesn't mean you have to stick two fingers up at the UK and its citizens. You always had and still do have the option to choose if you would like to offer it up on a reciprocal basis if you wanted to extend a similar courtesy, or gesture of goodwill, but you'd still rather treat them as foreigners.
Not just him/her, the Immigration Law too as it treats British as foreigners. I hate that we send home the Brits like that. I wish they were exempt from the rollover.
21;19 Is just another Caymanian that cant handle the truth, especially if it is coming from an out sider…we see it every day. This is so unfortunate..if we could just listen to our shortfalls and sortout our own mess.
What's the point! He is not born or raised here, and so most naturally will have interest elsewhere other than Cayman. Hence to many Caymanians he is British apart from us, and that's all that matter! They have right to vote for their prime minister – we don't! They have rights of self-determination – we don't! They have right to even run away from here with a whole heap of money when sh.t hits the fan – we don't!
I thought he got his pay check from Cayman. I agree, the UK shouldlet you go independent and sit back and laugh when Cayman falls, which will happen. While they're at it they should take back all British Passports and stop issuing any more to Caymanians, especially to racist, xenophobic idiots like yourself.
I think you mean MI6 – MI5 only works within the UK.
Working in the UK has nothing to do with laundering dirty money mi chap! Dirty money is laundered all over the world by people living and working in far off lands.
I worked for a while in the civil service and, by the way, the people I worked with were much better than some of these nasty posts about the civil service. Everyone hated performance reviews (and it doesn't matter a damn which system you use) because no one wanted confrontation when a manager said you effed up or didn't do this well. Caymanians went to school together, church together, married each other etc – they don't want to criticise each others' performance and then meet up with them in Fosters or Kirks or a barbecue at the weekend etc. I think that's understandable. But I agree that the result is some terrible Caymanian civil servants stay there for life – I say Caymanian, because it is so easy to get rid of useless non Caymanians. Franz will NEVER change that.
Caymanian civil servants who don't perform don't like appraisal and they have a whole range of excuses why which are regularly paraded in CNS-unfair, done by foreigners, done by crabs in the barrel Caymanians etc an infinitum ad nauseam. Caymanians and expats who perform well don't mind them, of course. Expats who don't perform simply don't have their contracts renewed. If everyone in the civil service worked to three year contracts, the performance would be light years' better. As it is, Caymanians are appointed for life which is why those who fail in the private sector (sometimes repeatedly) end up in a secure job performing dreadfully in the civil service. This will not change as long as there is the "Caymanians must have jobs no matter what" policy in the civil service.
H.E. is absolutely correct in his warning about privatisation.
All we will get from selling off assets like the water authority will be a higher bill at the end of the month, less cash flow for govenment and increased taxes to fund the regulator of this new monopoly.
Not to mention the possibility that some political associate will be able to cast the "winning bid" for the asset through govt's transparent bidding process.
If we are going to privatise assets lets get rid of those which are liabilities to us such as the Turtle Farm theme park.
Chris,
His Excellency IS absolutely correct. So are YOU!
Cheers,
TOC