Protesters welcomed into LA
(CNS): Around 100 people took to the streets Friday morning in George Town to protest the government’s planned changes to immigration law and policy. The men and women, both young and old, marched peacefully but loudly from the government’s new office accommodation building to the Legislative Assembly, where they were invited into the country’s parliament. The demonstration coincided with the debate on the budget speech but the premier, who noted the people’s right to express their concerns, was keen to ensure they came into the House, as he noted that protest is part of democracy.
Among the protestors was a young Caymanian postgraduate whose situation is typical of the experiences of many educated young people coming home and looking for work. Nadine Hollis returned to Cayman this summer following the completion of her master’s degree in hospitality overseas but has not even been invited for interview for most of the numerous applications she has submitted. Nadine said she was joining the protest because of what she described as “the silent treatment” she was receiving from the local hotels, resorts and restaurants to which she had applied.
A clearly intelligent and articulate young woman, she said there were many jobs held by work permit holders that she could do if only an employer would give her a chance. Despite having a master’s degree, a qualification she said she had been advised to get by the very employers who now will not even interview her, Nadine made it clear she was willing to work as a server and start at the bottom.
“I am a realist and I am willing to work my way up,” she said. “I do not expect to get the job of general manager of a hotel. I just want a chance to start gaining proper employment experience and I am willing to take any job in the hospitality sector.”
However, she said that even after taking up the postgraduate study based on the advice she received from the sector, which also included some work placement in the tourism industry, the hotels all say they cannot give her work unless she has experience. This is a vicious circle which is impacting a significant number of local graduates.
Nadine expressed her concerns that the new immigration bill would merely compound the problems of unemployment among locals and make it even more difficult for them to get work. “I have seen work permit holders take up the jobs that I have applied for and that is a slap in the face,” she said, adding that she had little faith in the latest jobs drive as there was no evidence that these initiatives ever worked.
Older Caymanians who are also unemployed expressed different frustrations related to the abuse of the system by employers. The protesters are adamant that the problems they encounter are linked to the ease with which employers can get permits to employ cheap labour. Many believe that the number of expat workers that are currently here will now, under the new regime, be allowed to stay much longer and in some cases permanently because they will all be able to apply for PR.
Billy Adam, one of the organisers of the protest, said the proposals to revamp permanent residency did not address the fundamental problem as it relegated access to Caymanian status to points being ticked of a check list, like a car inspection. He lamented the lack of forward thinking and lack of vision about the growth of the local population and what government was trying to achieve. He also criticised the failure to apply the term limits to government employees and described it as a hole in the fence that government was trying to erect around immigration policy.
Many other protestors expressed their deep concern that allowing workers to stay longer would prolong the day when a local could get access to the jobs they held.
Speaking ahead of the march to the LA, Ezzard Miller, the independent MLA for North Side and the politician currently most opposed to the bill, said he was still hoping that the government would amend the bill. He said that the very notion that people were going to protest had spurred government to begin the town hall meetings, and the rally may push them further.
“Government should have consulted with the people first and not behind closed doors with business stakeholders, pandering to whatever it is that they want on the law," Miller said. "They should have asked you how to deal with the problem. This immigration bill is not a solution for you it is a solution for business interests.”
Thanking the crowd for coming out to demonstrate, Miller said it was important that Caymanians stand up for themselves and make it clear what they wanted.
Category: Politics
I heard on Cayman 27 that after her story aired Miss Hollis got a call from a local hotel to come in for a Job. It seems the that her presence at the protest and professional attitude about wanting to work paid off. I you notice she wasn’t screaming or acting demanding she was asking for a chance to prove herself, Kudos to her and I wish her the best. This proves that you need to do whatever it takes to get yourself noticed, she went out and got the training needed then hit the ground determined and look what happened. She has my respect..
To 15:09: Sir! "Here I'm assuming you are male". You mentioned that you are an American {and based on some of your commentary} a person of color, I too have U.S. Residency and enjoyed living there for many years. And to me its still one of the best places in the world to live, all because of the liberties extended to ALL of it's citizens. But let me ask this question. Do you think for a minute, that in any City in the United States where there are a substantial number of foreign workers on work permits for a given period, let's say [SEVEN YEARS], which has now expired, and there being unemployed Americans who a,re able and willing to fill most of these jobs, if not all. Or in a "worst case scenario" there were no persons to fill these jobs. Do you think for a minute that the United States Department of Immigration would for one second hesitate to [before hand] write to the Employer[s] of these foreign workers informing them that on a specific date "the seven years are up" and to make arrangements, knowing that these employees would have to leave on or before that expiration date of this work permit? I'll answer the question for you! Unless there was some emergency such as hospitalization or something similar they had better not be found in the country after the appointed date of their departure. So my second question is. Why do we with a population of fifty thousand plus, "of which 50% or more is foreign workers", should be asked to let fifteen hundred of those on work permits remain on Island after their given time has expired. Meanwhile, sitting in the wings we have persons who are willing and able to fill at least some of these jobs. To me it's asking a bit much!
To our leaders I say. Whatever you do, or do not do, think carefully so as to make sure that the results will be those that enhances the lives of each and every individual residing on our Island.
WE SHALL NOT GIVE UP AND WE SHALL NOT ALLOW THE PROBLEM TO DEFEAT US.
[Abdul Kalam]
TELL ME WHY IS THE MEDIA SO NEGATIVE? WHY ARE WE IN CAYMAN SOEMBARRASSED TO RECOGNIZE OUR OWN STRENGTHS? WE ARE SUCH A GREAT LITTLE [island] NATION! WE HAVE SEEN SO MANY AMAZING ACHIEVEMENTS BY OUR OWN PEOPLE OVER THE YEARS, BUT WE REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THEM. WHY?
{Abdul Kalam}
WHY ARE WE AS AN ISLAND SO OBSESSED WITH FOREIGN THINGS AND IDEAS? EVEN OUR WORK
FORCE IT SEEMS MUST BE FOREIGN!
[uh uh uh]
You must be blind if you think the US government doesn’t allow immigrants to put people out of work. It’s going on all over the US at rates you couldn’t imagine. Tens of thousands of people lose their jobs on a regular basis only to be replaced by cheap foreign labor and more and more jobs are being sent overseas to places like India every day. And get this the US Government gives companies tax incentives to do this. So don’t act like Cayman is the only place that’s hurting. Call any Helpdesk or customer service number for any US company and see if the person that answers the phone sounds like an American. Walk into any IT Department and see what most of the staff look like. Walk into any fast food restaurant and see what the workers look like, look at the people doing the landscaping, cleaning the government buildings, working the factory floors and then tell me what you think.
Why wait until these people have invested 7 or 9 years before trying to get employment by having them fired?
I thought rollover wasn't about employment?
For those 7 or 9 years work permit renewals were done and each time an effort has to be shown to find local, "suitably qualified" people who might want the positions. So, for 7 or 9 years no one seemed to want the positions but now suddenly those positions MUST be vacated in order to address unemployment?
How did these people reach 7 or 9 years if there WERE suitably qualified local people waiting in the wings to take the positions?
Yes, I t was strange, after all they have been through, to see Ezz and the Jordanian "sipping from the same cup"
Desperation makes strange bedfellows
Hardly an "Arab Spring".
Obviously the liquor stores had a sale on or there was free food elsewhere.
RE:15:09
I find it Interesting how everyone thinks that a person with an opinion that doesn’t match theirs on this topic or doesn’t agree that the cause of the unemployment is the presence of Expats in Cayman is a Expat. I am not in Cayman on a Work Permit nor do I have PR. I just happen to be able to afford to have homes in the US and in Cayman that I travel in between. I do however keep a close watch on what’s going on in Cayman and have many many friends in Cayman that are both Caymanian and Expat alike I also have friends that have status. I do understand your analogy about people getting granted PR and the effect on future generations. But I still do not believe that the Expat population is the root cause of people being out of work. I have a few friends that currently out of work and I asked why they were not at the protest and their answer why bother and the other was like it’s all the way in Georgetown. One in particular was the manager of a store in GT for years before getting laid off a few years ago and downright will not take a job that’s any less than what he was doing which is his prerogative but it’s not the fault of and Expat working as the GM of another store nor do I think that person should immediately get kicked to the curb just because my friend got laid off. When his work permit is up is a different thing if my friend is still looking and applies for that job. Your mention of long term planning is correct but this has to include preparing the next generation of young Caymanians to compete in a tough job market, you can’t just create jobs and expect to fill them with people unless they are prepared and qualified to do the job. There needs to be a stronger focus on education and specialized training for the industries that are currently big in Cayman. I can believe that a lot of employers have a bad impression of Caymanian workers probably from past experiences. I’ve been in plenty of businesses and experienced very unprofessional attitudes from Caymanians to the point that I sometimes felt ignored and just walked out. On the other hand I’ve seen plenty of highly professional Caymanians in different businesses around the island. The sad truth with this is that people tend to remember the bad a lot easier than the good. In my life I’ve experienced plenty of discrimination and hard time finding jobs because in my day a lot of people had the image of Black people as lazy untrustworthy people that they would prefer not to hire. There’s been times when I went on interviews and was told immediately after walking in the door that the job was no longer available. I remember one time a lady took the sign out the window while I was standing there saying they were no longer hiring, I walked around the corner and came back and it was back in the window. So you it’s not just in Cayman where people face hard times.
All these things are obstacles that people have to learn to leap over and keep going. The two obvious issues I see here is a government that is dependent on the revenue coming in from Work Permit related fees most likely because there’s no income taxes in Cayman, so don’t expect much help from them because less Expats means less money for the CIG. And then there seems to be a general perception by employers that you get more out of an Expat than you will a Caymanian worker possibly because they know the expat is aware that if he loses or quits his job he has to leave Cayman and they are less likely to get mad and quit or find another job and quit so they have a employee that they can expect to get to know the job and work there for a long time. Only Caymanians themselves can change this perception by proving to these employers that they are hard working intelligent professionals who will be devoted to the job which makes hiring them a better choice.
I know from a speaking to a lot of Caymanians that most at least the ones I know are not interested in the jobs on the lower end of the scale such as housekeepers, Dishwashers, Landscaping or even the jobs in the Tourism industry that require long hours and not high salaries. So I don’t see the issue of expats filling these jobs. As far as the expats that fill these jobs I seriously doubt any of them would qualify for permanent residence if the even bother to apply.
As a Caymanian, I am shocked at the abuse that my people are taking on this blog from Expats. As aCaymain I welcome all expats here and It reat none differently from others. I was taught that way growing up and respect was always a given in my house.
I will take no sides other than to say this type of behavior has to stop. We have welcomed all of these expats here, given them work permits and a good quality of life. The Caymaninas are asking for a balance. Is there anything wrong with wanting to have jobs in there own country? i think not? You cannot class all Caymanians alike. Remember a lot of you work for Caymanians and fro Caymanian companies and this is being disrespectful to them as well.
To all those Caymanians that are being disrespectful to Caymanians, I say to you as well, this has to stop. We do better when we sit down and listen to each other and work out our issues. I don't necessarily believe the government has got the immigration issues right but then again none of the previous governments got it right either. The one thing I know is that there are good and bad Caymanians when it comes to work ethic and the same applies to expats. The Caymanians that are out of work and employable need to to get jobs and if it means at the expense of an expats job than so be it. Remember no expat should have ever come here under the pretense that they are guaranteed Permanent residency. There has to be a balance.
I think a lot of this is the work of trolls trying to stir the pot…maybe our buddy from North Side or even the disgraced former Premier who nobody is or should be paying attention to anymore.
Folks I'll venture to say that those persons who have written some of these hateful comments and those giving the thumbs-up to such comments, are not any of the thousands of unemployed on our island, but are those same work permit holders, who are worried that they may have to leave the best life they have ever known, and would rather not return to their homeland or wherever they may have resided prior to coming here. I'm sorry but YOU'll HAVE TO LEAVE! Come back in a year or two and I"m sure you will more than likely be offered a job at some level.
To the person who wrote that "no one" is guaranteed a job, perhaps not! But if "WE" Camanians are not guaranteed a job, what makes YOU think that YOU have a right to stay here long enough to get Permanent Residence? To say that no one has a right to work shows your IGNORANCE and more likely your SELFISH and PREJUDICIAL attitude. We don't need people like you on our Island. What we DO need is less people coming here who show their arrogance while pretending to be community minded by joining voluntary groups such as Big Brothers & Big Sisters while ripping off their employer, for hundreds of thousands of dollars, and others using illegitimate mains to steal many thousands of dollars from their place of employment. There are those who come here to live, and because they are the spouse of someone with a little clout in the business community, they are given high up positions in some voluntary institution later to find out that they used their position to rip off the donated fund. Funds that many hard working, honest people, "Expats and Locals Alike" gave of their time to raise, to help those in need.
We ask all those who come here to work, if nothing else, be considerate of your host. That's right! "We" Cayman, is your host, and when you came here you were welcomed with open arms, we gave you work that you could not find in your own country, we let you work for seven years without taxation, you were able to send money back home to your families, and we are happy that you were able to do so. But! Don't insult us, by trying to impose your selfish will on us by not wanting to leave, so that at least some of the two thousand plus unemployed can access some of those jobs that are being vacated. Do what many did years ago. Leave and come back after a year. And then if you have proven yourself after another seven years, as someone who has conducted themselves in a manner which entitles you, to be worthy of being a "Permanent Resident", then you will have earned it.
To all those misinformed Caymanians who constantly mimic those who constantly say things like Caymanians are lazy, Camaninas don't want to work, Caymanians don't want to work in Hotels, Bars or restaurant work! Think about what you are saying, and how in saying these things you are putting down of your own people! And! You are, by these thoughtless comments and selfish attitude, contributing directly to the rapid social and economic decline of this beautiful Island. THINK ABOUT IT.
To our government I say! Start listening to "YOUR PEOPLE"! Take a look at the rapid decline in the standard of living In this island. Take a look at the rapid growth of inflation! Take a look at the rapid increase in the number of people who are unable to meet their financial obligations and be able to provide a decent standard of living for their family. Think of the rapid and overwhelming growth in serious crime. There are those who continue to blame it on those who don't want to work! Let me say this. I too believe this to be partly true, but to assign it all to laziness alone is absolutely ridiculous. We have according to Government Statistics some two thousand plus locals who are out of work and these, "we're told" are mostly in domestic and/or other menial jobs. Assuming the afore said is correct, would it not be better to let these jobs be given to Locals while paying them a Livable Wage, rather than relying on Government to provide funds to feed and shelter these unfortunate people. If these people were working they will have gained "if nothing else" some self respect. Use Government funds wisely and get our people back to work or down the road we all will be feeling b the effects of all these things, because NO ONE wanted to face the truth that has been staring us in the face for the last three decades.
21:39 you are very intelligent. I tried solving what 'OWA' was but you answered it for me. I really did not come up with 'OUR". I came up with things as 'Only We Angry', 'Over Worked Agents', "Ony We Able" " 'Our Way Ahead', "Out We Announce' 'Objection With Analytic' and finally 'Oh What A$$Hole$". Really 21:39, I do salute you for solving this one for me as I tried to connect "OWA' with the rest of the sentence and which did not make sense with any of my answers.
FR: A brilliant CAYMANIAN who longs for peace in my islands.
Nope, you are not missing anything 15:09. They just did not wake up on time for the march.
Problem is there were no UDP handouts going around.
1000 jobs paying 100 each is 100,000 per day 5 days per week
Only 24 million per year
two million a month
Unemplyoment issue solved
Not much money for people intent on destroying the local community
thus controlling them
The excuse of taking care of the unemployed by politicians is a farse
Unrest in the community seems to me to be the goal
Socialism
Unless you are all that smart or that stupid I am not sure
It would be a smart move for some local businesses to get together
and solve this problem
While you many not be sure whether we are all "smart or stupid", a quick read of this post proves firmly which camp you are in.
Then you agree that the 100 million dollar surplus should be given out to those needy umemployed people
and that Cayman should accept that they are a socialist community
Or maybe you realise 24 million dollars is no money compaired to the harm being done to the island
Acquiring a Master's degree requires critical thinking, analytical deduction, and a level of maturity to conduct one's own research. Ms. Hollis should have known that a Master's degree in Hospitality is not viewed with much respect since most of them (although maybe not hers) are awarded by inferior educational instititions and barely worth the paper they are printed on. A solid MBA from a reputable University would open more doors, even in the Hospitality industry.
Sorry, I see your point but your wrong. A Caymanian with that level of education, should be able to gt a job NO PROBLEM!!! does not matter what type of masters degree it is. The simple fact that she does not have a job even if she is willing to work from the bottom up, tells us all that SHE HAS NOT REALLY LOOKED!!!!! i dont care what she says, she CAN FOR SURE GET A JOB as a hostess, then a server, then a bartender, then a supervisor, then F&B manager, then director, then so on and so on, you get my point.
I'm an expat, that came here first as a server and worked my way up. But the way i got my first serving gig on island was i called, and called, and called, and CALLED (same resort I call multipul times may I add) they finally hired me. After a few months working, I asked why did they aventually hire me? they said that I was so persistant, they could NOT hire me.
MS HOLLIS. Please dont fall into the trap of blaming others, its one of the first steps in faliure. Keep hunting for jobs, and the most important think FOLLOW ALL INTERVIEWS, RESUMES UP!!!!! multipul times.
Question… do you really think it's appropriate for a person with a Masters degree to be a hostess or server?
If she doesn't have the relevant experience – then yes. You can't expect someone who has never worked in the field of being a F&B or purchasing manager to be given the job. Studying from a book and taking exams may give you the theory, but the practical side of things are extrememly different. I know 1st hand.
I sold guttering and double glazing from door to door in the UK on a commission only basis for 8 months after qualifying and before I could find a proper job, and even then I started in the reprographics department of the law firm and had to work my way up to the position I was qualified for through recognition for my hard work and determination. That's how it works. A job is a job, and sometimes, if you don't want to end up on the street and out in the cold, you have to do whatever you have to do to pay the bills. Thousands of people with Masters Degrees in the UK start off like this. Its just how it goes when you have no experience at all regardless of your qualifications, you often have to start at the bottom and work your way up.
You didn't have thousands of foreigners taking up the "proper" jobs.
Absolutely. A good resume has both education and experience, and taking a masters degree doesn't replace the experience. Working your way up requires work. I own a law firm now (not in Cayman) but I started pushing a broom as a boy and worked up as a dishwasher and burger flipper, and on to a computer salesman and bartender, and I did those last 2 jobs at the same time right up until I began training as a solicitor after my second degree. A person needs to work at what's in front of them, and not "hold off" until something glamorous comes along. There's a simple name for people who think "Oh, I can't work an entry-level job after getting a masters degree", and that name is "unemployed". Pride is not always a helpful emotion.
By the way, yes there have always been plenty of immigrants applying for the same jobs as me. I wasmore persistent and worked harder and that's why I got the jobs and they didn't.
17:21, your question encapsulates the Caymanian employment problem. Why the hell should people with degrees NOT work in hostess/servers jobs? If they are worthy of these degrees (and they didn't come from useless Bible Colleges in the US which many of these degrees in Cayman come from) they will show their worth and intelligence and be quickly promoted. A degree says nothing at all about your personality, attitude, work ethic. It should, repeat should, say you have a certain level of intelligence but some of the degrees around here are from some very dodgy places. I got a letter the other day from a well known senior civil servant who represents civil servants and it was basically illiterate, but he has more than one "degree" from a bogus religious institution which certain Caymanians love to attend because they only require "christian beliefs and commitments" to get in, no academic requirements.
Exactly. Where was this degree from?
Reasons so many Caymanians are out of work: 1. A lot of jobs Caymanians simply refuse to do – gardeners, domestic helpers etc they feel it is beneath them. 2. Lots of protesting but less educated, qualified Caymanians and "Caymanian" is not a qualification. 3. Poor attitude, poor performance when they actually do get a job. 4. Unfortunately due to employers past bad experiences with Caymanians they are unwilling to give them a chance. There are some very hard-working Caymanians but you also have those who feel they are entitled to a job and because it is their country they There are some very hard-working Caymanians but you also have those who feel they are entitled to a job and because it is their country they should not perform and they expect the employer to put up with them and this has unfortunately made employers wary of hiring Caymanians. They don't know a person's work ethic just by looking at them so they go by their past experience which is unfortunate. An expat knows that if they want their work permit renewed, they have to perform, they have to make their boss want to renew their work permit and they will go over and beyond to make sure that happens whereas some Caymanians have this entitled attitude and feel it is their country so they can do whatever they want, do little or no work the days they actually come to work call or call in sick several days a month or just don't show up at all. When the employer reprimands or fires them they want to go to the Labour Board and claim unfairness. And no I am not an expat, I born and bred right here. Regarding the young lady in the article this is a vicious cycle but this happens in a lot of places, employers don't want to hire due to lack of experience but how does one get experience if they are not given a chance? Also, just because the companies in the industry advised her to get a Masters degree it didn't guarantee that they would hire her, it just meant she had a better chance than if she had no education. Perhaps what needs to happen is while these students are in college they should work at a company during the summer holidays and this will count toward their practical experience.
The masters degree could be from Burger King University….the US training institutions have devalued the words "universty" and "degree" …………..like a local businessman who attended a 6 week Summer course at Harvard and now peppers his conversation with.."When I was at Harvard…."
100 people???? From what I saw maybe 50 people, now if you do take all the people coming and leaving from the Gov building around this time yes maybe there was 100 people but not in this gruop, well done Lizard. Oh must also mention mostly NS's there. What a joke!!!
How can there only be between 60 and 100 people unemployed showing up for this demonstration?
Me no 'ave gas money or bus fare.
If you really cared about the unemployment situation and you really wanted a job, you shoulda try hitch a ride.
Isn't this a welcomed change from the last Government not even allowing the protestors to step on the sidewalks. PPM demonstrates democracy to the 9th degree
I had a good long look at all the protesters and walked away with only one in mind which I could hire, and that person is the man from North Side, who also did not appeared hostile. He and the Jordanian also looked peacefully together. In regards to the rest, they were too loud and did dressed to impress me as an employer.
at least we all now know what a non issue 'caymanian unemployment' is…….time to move on….
Congratulations Alden. I am more and more impressed by your handling of things every day.
We can only pray that "a na steppin down, a na steppin aside, dey jes want my seat", is learning.
As a supporter if this bill, I would be pissed if the government made significant changes to this bill based on 70 people who either couldn’t or wouldn’t explain their concerns otherthan four cliche phrases on a placard.
Nadine's situation is "typical"? How do you know this? There are virtually no verifiable statistics on the unemployment situation, leaving pepole to just make things up, like that sentence.
If it is about unemployment, the UDP or DART then the level of editorial bias in reporting is getting very obvious.
Being unemployed and desperatey wanting and needing work is not funny for anyone. But I am surprised if the problem is as bad as everyone keeps saying it is, when an opportunity comes to protest about the issue, why only 100 (although there looked to be significantly less than 100 people there to me) turn up? I say give them 100 people the TLEP jobs and forget the rest – they obviously don't want a job or care about being unemployed enough to get off their lazy asses and make a stand. As for the young lady with a Batchelor's degree, there isn't no way she should be unemployed given the number of jobs in the hospitality industry being given to expats – heads should be rolling. The biggest issue to me is not so much the Immigration Law, as the employers demanding years experience to do what can only be described as entry level jobs. Perhaps we should move to a system where for unskiled jobs, requiring years of experience should not be allowed. For instance, my Caymanian friend is looking for work he has no skills. To do labouring jobs on construction sites he was asked to have 5 years experience… this should not be allowed. He also loves gardening, so he went to a very well known gardening business to apply for a job they were advertising for a gardener. He was asked to name 100 different species of plants and because he couldn't they would not consider him for the job. This is the kind of behaviour that is depriving people of jobs and it needs to be stopped.
Finally, the TRUTH comes out! Nadine Hollis is NOT alone and we can finally dispel the rumors that educated and willing locals can find good jobs if they want them. That is supposed to be the way and the Law, but the harsh reality is that we have a white collar / middle management work permit problem. Whether it s the Caymanian ruling class. (HR being crabs in a bucket or Senior Management simply preferring expat hired over locals ) this problem exists and has become part of the fabric of the flawed employment scene.
Ms Hollis highlights what many have missed: a Masters degree, willingness, but previously too proud to register with the NWDA. Yet, even in today's (printed weekend edition-N news) there seems to be a perfect front desk job for a tourism master degree person – but asks for 8 years experience!? I'm sorry, but even the most staunch permit supporter should agree that with 90 days of training on the job, this MBA local could figure out the reservation system? It is simple … This hotel needs to hire Nadine, suck up the cost of getting her ready for the role, and transfer the front desk expat to another location or dismiss them.
Ms Hollis does not have the luxury of coming from a North American population of 300,000 million people! No, she was born on a tiny rock that has 30,000 jobs. So, if you think the law of Caymanian protectionism (even when we follow the rules, pay to go overseas to get the MBA) are not good enough , then please go back to your 300 million because this is suppose to be our home, where we have the home advantage….
Lastly, my nephew is one of these Caymanian "unreasonably" unemployed too. He has a top UK degree, finance and technical background, great references,and for over a year he has been told at every single interview (Govt & private alike!) that he is overqualified or some other excuse while the expat gets the job! He dares not complain because it WILL get back to the hiring manager and HR and the industry is small and boutique (people talk). He also can't mass email his CV or again the HR intertwined network will leak that he is unemployed (a death roll for qualified Caymanians). So until the senior execs really put emphasis into once again hiring qualified locals the problem will continue.
Thank you Ms Hollis for highlighting that the 2,000 unemployed has at least 200+ with experience, education, and desire.
We need to ENFORCE the LAW & application process period. If you are found passing up people like Nadine (you had better have a damn good reason!) and pay the fine if found out!
Finally, the truth came out! Tara/ Winston/ Alden: time to tell us what the white collar placement plans are???
The truth, you wouldn't know the truth if it hit you across the ass with a banjo.
The amount of people that turned up is not a true indication of the vast amount of Caymanians that are against this Immigration proposal. Our new and lovable Governor will soon learn about the real Caymanian spirit. Caymanians are very laid back and because of being used to hiding their true feelings and also being peaceful they are afraid to show their faces. However I must say that three quarters or more of the Caymanians are afraid of this new bill and very worried over it. Alden do not need to get so comfortable because of the small gathering . This is not a true picture. He would be surprised to hear the comments from his supporters and those that voted for him. Alot of these people are Civil Servants as well. The very educated and middle class Caymanians never ever show up for occasions like this. People are worried sick of the importedpoverty and more crime that this will bring. Please giys please put away as Caymanians call it BIGGITINESS. tHINK OF YOUR CHILDREN AND GRAND CHILDREN. As it is now so many people here are already suffering. People who were granted Status, people on work permits, the smaller businesses, those out there on rent and those that are paying the Banks fot their homes. Last but not least POVERTY BRINGS CRIME. aLDEN PLEASE GO BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD.
Or, the amount of people that turned up is a true indicator of the tiny amount of Caymanians that are against this immagration proposal. Or the amount of people that turned up is a true indicator of just how weak they are in their demands. And the amount of crime on the island is the result of a culture that does not teach respect for self or others. Want to change that?
Nope, you are not missing anything 15:09. They just did not wake up on time for the march.
CITA is currently interviewing potential tourism employees and putting them in touch with hotels who are recruiting. Has Ms Hollis been to the interviews which have and will be conducted in all four districts? East End and Bodden Town have already taken place, tomorrow CITA will be holding the recruitment drive in George Town and on Tuesday in West Bay. If Ms Hollis is as interested as she says she is and has a genuine desire to enter the tourism industry then now is the perfect time for her to attend one of these meetings. There are many entry level positions such as servers, housekeepers, etc available – if she really wants to start at the bottom, there is a job for her. Remember working in the tourism industry requires a dedicated hard working employee willing to work early mornings,late nights, weekends and holidays and willing to take vacation time in low season I.e. September to October, tourism employees do not get Christmas or Easter off.
Clearly anyone who makes a sign at a protest rally spelling "our" as "owa" is unemplyed for a reason!
as is anyone who is plyed generally.
What about the many people here who speak Spanish (or whatever) as a first language and are working for these businesses and the mojority of us can barely understand what they are saying? Why are they employed? Is is based off of their looks?
If you are one of these unemployed people and you wouldn't do the job the Spanish people are doing, then you have no right to complain.
and the filipino guy who can barely take my order at dominoes-what about him? seems being able to communicate is a luxury most companies cant or dont want to afford!
You want his job?
Do you know if any Caymanians applied for the job a Dominos ?
so are you "emplyed"?
Obviously a typo, not a deliberate gramatical error. Dock Head!!
Dock Head…oh geez. Well anyway I have no idea what you do for a living but you are definitely ova "emplyed".
To: Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 14/10/2013 – 10:35. Perhaps Dock Head,you should try to avoid "grammatical" errors while implying that someone has made a "deliberate 'gramatical' error". Did you miss the fact that "Govment" was used instead of Government? Maybe the signmaker was simply displaying a preference to use the local dialect,in fact I believe that was the case,which means that your criticism was out of line.
To:Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 11/10/2013 – 21:39. Did you stop to think that this was not a spelling mistake ,but rather a deliberate use of the local dialect?
That is why most of these people don't have a job, because they don't even have ambition to show up for a demonstration on their behalf.
Please tell me that protest sign in the photo is a joke. "Owa?" You can't be serious. I am deeply embarrassed for my countrymen.
I feel for Miss Hollis, and her situation. If accurately recounted, it is a clear example of inequity faced by qualified Caymanians. But…..I think there may be more to the story. Our business only hires Caymanians, the reason we don't employee more people is that we are in a recession, worsened by poor decisions from our elected officials, such as the draconian immigration fees and small minded policies grounded in ignorance rather than real economics. Want to put Caymanians back to work? Want opportunities for advancement? Want you children to have a future? Then you need to think globally, and give up your small minded ideas. Think two steps ahead. Economics are not linear.
Truth is, not one Caymanian is unemployed because of any expats, in hospitality or anywhere else. Frist thing, the ones out of work are UNEMPLOYABLE CRIMINALS (mostly).
Second thing, all those hospitality jobs? Where are they? Not in this Friday's Compass unless she's applying for a maid position with a master's.
Truth is, all the resorts here are run by management companies and they bring their own staff for the senior management positions.
If Ms.Hollis wants a senior management position she should start her own management company, or start at an entry level position like everyone else.Truth is, not one Caymanian is unemployed because of any expats, in hospitality or anywhere else. Frist thing, the ones out of work are UNEMPLOYABLE CRIMINALS (mostly).
Well done to those who participated. It could have been a lot worse like rioting and holding people hostage.
i fear it will come though. The younger generation are not as passive as we old ones.
The younger generaton are not as passive …..butcannot even turn up for a protest march! How are they going to summon the energy to riot?
Err, the "younger" generation were not there as far as i saw, just about 48 retirees (or near so), one Jordanian (aka Luca Brasi) and one asylum patient named Luarca.
How about starting your OWN business and being your OWN boss? If you think you have what it takes to compete, then stop complaining and DO IT!
All of Cayman with real Caymanian blood failed Ezzard and Arden today, you all sit and complian as to what is going on, and we were all cowards for not going out and standing up for ourselves, Ezzard, Arden and the 60 strong that went out there on the road are the real hero's today and all of you laughing on the sidelines, when they come for you and your jobs, who will stand for you.
And yes there is lots of jobs given to Expats that Caymanians could have so all of you saying it isn't true know you all are lieing thruogh your teeth.
I challenge every Caymanain reading this to go visit friends and family this weekend and write down your goals and dreams and come up with a way to achive them, as you can see these laughing and belittling Arden and Ezzard have nothing good cooking for each and every one of you.
We Caymanians all got to get out and start our own business and push to reach the top of or own professions, because trust me Cayman is Soloman's gold mine when it comes to wealth and the blinders is on a lot of your eyes, and we really are not even getting the scraps of this pie, holler and scream that you want more, because there as alot that are eating your pie everyday for breakfast, lunch and supper.
100 people showed up to the march this just goes to show what the native population really is. For everyone that showed up to the march you did your part to those who did not please don't complain about being unemployed in your country.
Ed
Ms Hollis, start somewhere at the bottom and you will go up the ladder quickly. it is best system in any company to understand how companies work. I have friend who start as food runner couple years later now general manager of big Bar.
@15;09 yes you're missing a lot…first PLEASE try telling the work permit holders ALL of them that a job IS a privilege and that our laws must be enforced and they're are not entitled to more extensions, moe laws in their favour.
Expats need to stop their entitlement mentality.
Next, many people didn't show up for several reasons, including intimidation about being seen, scared to upset the PPM/C4C and a general disconnect and lack of hope in our system continually catering to expat workers who can't no for an answer.
Oh dear, reality is a bitch, but you need to be there to understand it. I will however give you credit for a vivid imagination.
Invited into the LA… Wow! What a difference the PPM is compared to the UDP. The UDP sent the Sergeant-at-Arms out to disperse the people and asked the Police to force people off the steps of the LA, including an old lady in a chair!
Extremely biased stuff.
A poor turn out. So much quack quack over the ariwaves, we're gonna do dis and we're gonna do dat, and you see no more dan 50 walkin the street, heard dat Ezzy wit cuban doctor and jordanian by his side and dats it! Wow! I tell you boy dats layed back Caymanian for ya!
The problem here is that Caymanians are a very docile people. They are a very close knit bunch and many them fear reprecussions if they are seen in public. Alden knows this and to say that 70-100 marching in the street means nothing is a big slap in the face..
A much more likely explanation for the sorry turnout is that we are now seeing the scare stories about unemployment for what they are.
Docile? Are you kidding me?? Most vicious people alive..epsecially the majority of Church goers would stab you in the back as soon as look at you. And look on here, the most vindicitve, racist posts are coming from Caymanians..yes I agree that there are some rabid expats too, but normally there is a point to their arguement rather than pure hatred with no reason.
That's a ridiculous comment. There is far more contempt in the majority of expat posts.
How do we know how many Caymanians are out of work? Is the 1,500 number official or did it come out of someone's backside? Sorry but the numbers just don't add up. CIG should only worry about out of work folks that have enough initiative to sign up with the labour office. If that were the case, we would all know the actual number and we would also know what skill sets they have. Somebody give poor ole Austin some facts to work with so he doesn't have to make stuff up on the fly.
The unemployed three thousand must have been busy today?
Ms. Nadine Hollis' story is an unfortunate one, and unless she has a troubled work history, I would be surprised if she does not find employment in the very near future. That said, please do not try to use her exceptional example as an example of the type of Caymanians that are currently out of work in large numbers. My business interviews Caymanians monthly for various positions and I can assure you that Caymanians with good work ethic and attitude are snapped up quickly. As a Caymanian business owner and employer I would really like to know where the number of unemployed Caymanians (1,500-3,000 depending on who's talking) is coming from? Do we really know who is unemployed, their nationality, their skill sets, etc.? Is this number coming from the list of people getting CIG assistance checks? If so, an audit might be in order to see how much is known about those people and what due diligence was done to prevent fraud. Rooster recently did a push to collect CVs of unemployed Caymanians, does anyone know how that turned out because I haven't heard them crowing about the numbers. You say 100 people showed up for the march? Hmmm……maybe it's time for us to hear the rest of the story.
I saw them and a right motley crew they looked. I dont think anyone will be surprised that most of them don't have jobs.
I do wish MIss Hollis all the best in her search for a position and trust she will get a position soon.
More like 60. They must have picked up a few stragglers along the way then?
"the Premier, who noted the people's right to express their concerns, was keen to ensure they came into the House, as he noted that protest is part of democracy"!!! "He was keen….."!!! Wow! What a difference! This would not have happened a couple of years ago! And to top it all off, it wasn't a problem for the protestors to go into the House anyway, it wasn't like they couldn't fit inside, the House easily accomodated the small numbers!
I tried it on my calculator and it started sparking and making strange hissing sounds. Tell me, what percentage of our population is 60?
Stragglers is the right word……mostly disgruntled unemployables jumping on the bandwagon of blaming everyone else for their past decisions…..a lesson for our school children highlighting the importance of education.
Ezzard enjoyed another 15 minutes of rabble rousing glory.
So true. And if there need to be any doubt about the ability of Ezzard to bring out the masses, this must be it. His endless bullshit has been rumbled, even by his own people and he should go.
This was an unmitigated disaster for those who claim to speak for the Caymanian people. If they couldn't get more than 100 people maximum to protest, it speaks volumes for his blind crusade to victimise expats. Where were all the thousands of mythical unemployed and how many jobs has Ezzard secured for the junkies of Northside from the temporary permit debacle.
The truth is his demo was an embarassment to Cayman and its decent people, his nationalist and racist undertones are not compatible with the general feeling towards expat workers.
He should be arrested for inciting racial and cultural hatred, not encouraged to spew his vile message from a seat of priviledge. If he were a citizen of Europe, (which I suppose he is by proxy) he would be arrested and sidelined as a far right nationalist.
Funny. Compass says 70, Govt Facebook page 60 and theMouthpiece of the North "around 100". Somebody clearly can't count, wonder who?
Extract from the Compass:
“I live here eight years now,” Mr. Zureigat said.
So let me get this straight, "The Jordanian" is about to be (i) rolled over; (ii) is one of these TLEP's; or is married to a Caymanian or Permanent Resident (thus now has the right to stay as a dependent, has PR or has been granted Status)……..
The guy is protesting over something over which he himself is the very subject!!!!!!!!!!
I just pee'd my pants, literally.
When they passed our office we figured there were about 50. Who does these grossly exaggerated headcounts?
"…wonder who??
I think it is the group that is responsible for the government's bookkeeping.
The higher estimates were going by weight rather than head count.
100 people???….the myth of caymanian unemployment has been exposed…….
this is a bigger laughing stock than the west bay road 'demonstrations'…….
Obviously, apathy will be the downfall of Caymanians. Recall the one-man one-vote fiasco and how Mac rigged that?
The 1500 unemployed must have other things to do today.
The existence of Caymanian unemployment is not in doubt. The myth that they themselves have any motivation to do anything about it has certainly been put to bed.
This argument is getting old real fast now. The total number of persons unemployed has zero coloration with those who chose to exercise their democratic right. There is a glass ceiling that exists here on these islands.
So if the unemployment is a joke why are young business professional like Ms. Hollis experiencing difficulty obtaining gainful employment in their own country? Every country has mechanism in place to protect the rights of their citizens and has the global job market continues to shrink, governments around the world are tasked with ensuring citizens possess adequate skills to enter the job market. This is where our government and society failed. Our education system is not competitive enough, resulting in disenfranchisement of our youth. The Caymanian society for too long has focused its energy upon mass consumption of good and materials not needed, living beyond their means and neglecting children. These factors compounded by a low literacy rate limit the opportunity for job prospects.
However, let us not forget that businesses on island also discriminate against the hiring of locals. Regardless of the employer’s nationality, work permit holders can be controlled whereas locals have the ability to move from job to job. In addition, permit holders are forced to perform excess duties without proper compensation, something Caymanians will not do. The problems our country face are complex and interconnected. I suggest we as a whole community (not Caymanians versus expat) come together and focus our efforts towards finding solutions to problems that plague this country we all love.
There is a correlatio between restricting the amount of businesses in Cayman in any market to protect income streams for the capital-owning influential families and the level ofunemployment and the hight cost of living. Opening Cayman markets to more foreign investment would be likely eliminate unemployment, but the rich families don't want their profits threatened.
Yes laughing stock that is exactly what many like you think of Caymanians and their issues because many just like you come here and don't no their limitations or boundaries in this little place? Soon come ya hear soon come!
I respect Ms Hollis for allowing her name to be made known. It would be good to hear from the tourism industry their response to her claims of never being given a chance by them.
Sssssshh.. please keep quiet, the last of our managerial level staff are about to get PR. Maybe she can go to Canada or somewhere elso to get experience. We are businesses you know, not training camps. Who the heck do you think you are telling us who we have to hire! It won't be long now…. Anyway, we will all be Caymanian soon so what's the problem?
Great news, expats will finally have enough numbers to vote out these bigots.
I am 15:15 and i can't believe 3 people trolled me. I would love to hear more from this lady and the people she applied to. I don't believe in some of the crap about Caymanian employment – I'm a Caymanian and i well know we have useless dregs out there but this lady seems to be a genuine case and someone should follow it through since she has been brave enough to give her name.
Where in the world do people get the idea that anyone has a right to a job, I always thought a job was a privilege and needed to get treated as such. I also find it a pathetic display of support for this protest that with nearly 3000 people out of work less than 100 showed up. While I understand the complaint people have about jobs I still find it hard to believe that the Expat population is the root cause for the joblessness because I can’t believe any employer would rather hire and expat over a Caymanian of equal qualifications and ethic when he would have to pay a huge fee to do so. I would think with over 3000 qualified people out of work that are actively seeking employment there would have been a lot more people at the protest and there would also be an equal amount of people registered with the NWDA. Am I missing something here?
Let me help you buddy, the three thousand that they keep talking about do not want work, they want money, and by and large they get money, comprende.
Because we don't want our interview faces in public. Ms Hollis case is True and too often the case!
"I can’t believe any employer would rather hire and expat over a Caymanian of equal qualifications and ethic when he would have to pay a huge fee to do so".
You must be living in Cloud Cuckoo land. That happens all the time and for a variety of reasons including personal friendships, greater ability to exploit an expat worker, feeling the expat worker would be a "better fit" because of culture and background, to meet the supposed expectations of international clientele, etc. etc. etc.
I'll venture to say that most of those persons who have written some of these hateful comments and those giving the thumbs up, are not any of the thousands of unemployed, but are the same work permit holders that are "crapping in their pants" worrying that they may have to leave the best life they have ever known, because they are afraid to return to their homeland or wherever they may have resided prior to coming here. Get over it! YOU HAVE TO LEAVE. If "WE" Camanians aren't guaranteed a job, what makes YOU think that YOU have a right to stay here long enough to get permanent Residence?
To say that no one has a right to work shows your ignorance and more likely your selfish and prejudicial attitude. We don't need people like you on our Island. What we don't need is more people coming here who rip off law firms for over $750K dollars, and others using illegitimate mains to steel $200K worth of jewelry and, unscrupulous businesses who don't pay their obligatory pension contributions.
Do what many did years ago. Leave and come back after a year and if you prove yourself worthy of getting Permanent Residence, then perhaps we'll let you have it. The best thing all you "thumb uppers" can do,"especially those the ass kissing Caymanians" is to think about what you are contributing to by the putting down of your own people! You are, by your thoughtless comments and selfish attitude, contributing to the rapid social and economic decline of this beautiful Island. THINK ABOUT IT!
The lady who worked hard and got a masters degree In tourism that's Who! Go back to your 300 million people in North Amerixa- we only have 30,000 jobs here and need to hire our own!
I agree 100% where are the 2000 people that out of jobs not even a hundred showed up … They were Too LAZY to even come out and march and majority was poor old UDP supporters who cant accept the fact MAC is out they are from the HAND OUT Party who are so use too that life style they have become Lazier and a few was in there late 60s and 70s dont even have a clue what they marching for… All including Ezzard need taketime and READ and UNDERSTAND it first before they critsize it…
"Am I missing something here?"
Yup, the politics.
I wonder how many persons would view their job as a privilege??
NOT everyone want's to protest but just want to work., Most must have been out looking for work. Many families don't have food to feer their children. We know we are one of them., This is not a make pretend thing it's reality. Why are many of us are not certain about the Immigration bill is thatthe Caymanian bashing continue and we are worried to be stuck with SOME of those same one's for Life. Do you think the situation will improve with time? I think not. Could we do this in Your country that THOSE OF YOU have left FOR what EXACTLY.? tAX fREE ? fRIENDS BROUGHT YOU HERE ? And do you think we are ALL idiots. Well think again !
Your missing the third world mentality that makes it OK to not take any responisbility for yourself. Be glad.
Simple arithmetic…the remaining 2900 will resort to social services which when you think of it we will be paying them to stay home and do nothing, while others will opt to steal or enhance their drug selling habits. Those who wish to turn their cheek to reality. ..don't complain when the crisis which we are currently facing gets bigger. It will be tooooo… Late!
I am registered with the NWDA. My company downsized (moved key departments overseas) and I have been locked out of my white collar industry by work permit renewals for almost 2 years. My peers think I am studying for my MBA. I'm too embarrassed or proud to march. I don't want to be known, my struggle (like others) is a quiet and private one.
I am not on social services, my aging parents are helping with money, we do not make a scene about my job search and I assure you (dear expat ) that I am qualified and have great references, but permit holders are taking my job and the NWDA is all lip service (still). The winds are changing, but the Chamber companies are still playing their Chamber crony games. My application is NEVER submitted when the permit goes to the Immigration Board. No, the Law firms, Accounting firms, and large Banks say they interviewed locals, but something was missing. (A common and sadly accepted lie) -instead they say I need 7-10 years of direct experience or some completely obscure named skill or software training or must be qualified in 3 areas- really (?) please, we can TELL when a permit renewal is advertised for a specific person and we all should be upset with Immigration ENFORCEMENT for allowing such law breaking . My hard earned overseas degree and 5-8 years of experience in my own professional field are not good enough?? It is sad and wrong! Again, I am well liked by my peers, never sick, hard working, active at church, teach local kids in a program, and still passed over….explain that from your canal rented condo??
Where in the world you ask? Here!! and I think we should take away every single politicians paycheck, so they too, can finally feel the unemployment pain and fear of not getting a job or making your mortgage payment or paying home insurance while expats live in rented comfort and we struggle to keep our homes.
I challenge MORE than one local recruitment firm to step up. I challenge Recruiters to offer an advertised event instead of back room resumes.
I challenge every white collar firm to superceed their own flawed (crabs in a bucket) HR Departments and to ask for local CVs to be submitted (now) to your Senior Executive Team- Offer a true recruitment drive internally!
Have a LOOK for yourself dear CEO, CTO, CFO, COO – there is a pool of local talent and you too, can break this permit cycle, but you have to BE that executive person you think you are!!! I challenge those at the C-level Executive positions to LOOK for and recruit the qualified locals.
Stop the work permit dance and do what is right. We, the hard working professional Caymanian, we DO exist! But the glass door has to open….
Bless you Nadine Hollis.
yes the fact is that the number that turned out is the same as the number out of work who just might be interested in finding a job and not just turning up to social services every week for a pay check
I don't know who you are or where you are from but a basic human right is a right to live. If you have no income to purchase the basic necessityies of life, you will die. In that comes the right to work especially in the country of your birth, no citizen of any country that is willing and able to work should be lacking a job because immoral employers who want employees that they can take "every" advantage of can chose not hire a citizen of this country.
Furthermore, to have willing and able citizens of the Cayman Islands un-employed because there are so many foreign nationals here is simply wrong.
Years ago when the Bahamas declared that jobs in the Bahamas were for Bahamians, many people and countries decried them for the position. Today, Bahamians are employed in every sector because unlike the Cayman Islands they had politicians that understood that they should serve their citizens FIRST and others afterwards.
But it is not easy for politicians to take the right decision for individuals when many businesses contribute funds and goods to their campaigns.
Finally, I am not going to waste my time replying to other posts that differ from my position or opinion.
The expat community is not to be blamed for anything they are all good and upstanding citizens in the event that one should leave or die the Cayman Idlands as we know it will fall to pieces.
Well actually, Yes, you are missing something, several things as a matter of fact! But, kudos first; you are thinking, which automatically puts you ahead of most commenters on this topic. Here is where I think you need some help in finding the real situation: Certainly not in Cayman do people think that they have a right to a job, but, Caymanians do have the right to be honestly considered first in their Homeland! A job is not a priviledge, it is a business deal between two entities! You're right of course about the support for the protest aginst the immigration bill, it was pathetic, I was there! You are on the right track about the expats not being the root cause for the unemployment among Caymanians, it is the employers! (some of whom are Expats) You better believe that employers will hire expats over Caymanians! Expats can be underpaid and used to suppress wage levels, they can be abused, made to work overtime without compensation treathened with being forced to leave the Island, in other words in many cases, controlled. Also many employers find expats willing to forego Pension contributions (because they feel they won't get their money back anyway) The reason why many unemployed do not register with the NWDA is because they, (the NWDA) do such a lousy job! When you say 3000 qualified people out of work, first I hope its not 3000, second, yes, they are qualified, qualified to work in various disciplines and at various levels, regardless whether they are qualified to push a wheelbarrow, serve you a meal or represent you in court! but they all deserve first consideration by virtue of the fact that they are in their homeland! Failure of this current Government, like the many that have gone before, to really tackle this situation, will lead us to the point where the problem is irreversible! I suspect we are now probably in the early stages of the second generation of Caymanians who (in some areas of the Islands) have not held a regular job, if we continue at this rate we will get to a point where it will have to be explained to some what a job is! Unfortunately, they do watch television and play Video games and most of the time it is programming which will equip them with the knowledge how to go about getting what they want in a way that is not pleasant for you or me, or, for that matter, the Cayman Islands! I hope I have been of help in understanding the problem!
Unfortunately I hate to admit it but yes there are some employers out there who are willing to pay a hefty work permit fee and hire and expat over hiring a Caymanian. Why? Because most times they actually get more work out of the expatriate than they do a Caymanian. This then spoils it for the other hard-working Caymanians because some employers have had such bad experiences with other Caymanians in the past they are unwilling to give them a chance.
Surely there's at least 4000 or maybe 5000?