MLAs expose CS bosses
(CNS): The independent member for North Side, Ezzard Miller, was instrumental in exposing serious irregularities at the ICTA on Thursday when he probed for answers concerning the recruitment process at the authority which manages licences for TV, radio, Internet and phone services. In the Finance Committee hot seat David Archbold, the director, denied that the authority had advertised two posts in the local press despite having already sent contracts to candidates overseas before the date for applications had been closed. However, dispatched back to his office yesterday evening by the committee to fetch the relevant documents, the accusation was found to be thecase.
In a long day of questioning, when the marginalisation of Caymanians in the civil service was front and centre of the proceedings, Miller, East End independent member Arden McLean, Opposition Leader McKeeva Bush and both of his West Bay UDP colleagues, Bernie Bush and Capt Eugene Ebanks, as well as some of government’s own members were clearly outraged at what appeared to be the manipulation of the process of recruitment at the ICTA and other government departments, in particular Lands and Survey.
Concerned about how foreign workers seemed to have been pre-selected and then the recruitment process manipulated, the MLAs began demanding accountability. Questions were asked over the introduction of specific qualifications for jobs that were previously not required in order to suit preselected ex-patriate candidates and push out Caymanians already in the departments. As the budget line items in Kurt Tibbetts’ planning ministry were put under the microscope, Marco Archer, who as minister of finance was chairing the proceedings, made slow progress.
Issue after issue was raised that appeared to point the finger at incompetence, ineptitude, irregularities and improper processes in government departments and in government companies and statutory authorities.
Following major concerns about the appointment of a new registrar at Lands and Survey after the long standing post holder, Aliceann Kirchman, retired, the MLAs placed the chief officer and the deputy governor under the spot light. The members demanded evidence of policy changes and the recruitment process. It appeared that the additional requirement of a law degree among other manipulations to the post had preventing experienced Caymanians from filling the previous registrar’s shoes and tailored the job for a specific person from Jamaica.
Following the exposure later in the evening of more questionable recruitment practices at the ICTA, Miller demanded that for once the people responsible for what was described by his colleague from East End as “skulduggery” were held accountable. While the two independent members were the ones responsible for probing almost every item in the ministry appropriations, other MLAs were equally shocked by what was exposed and new MLAs, such as Winston Connolly, appeared dumfounded by what was happening.
Several politicians pointed out that while government was holding the private sector to the fire about ending the manipulation of recruitment and immigration processes to select candidates from overseas and ignoring Caymanian applicants, they found the civil service management and authorities were engaged in the same behaviour.
While there was some harmony among the opposition benches during the long day of scrutiny, McLean and Bush also found time to clash over the issue of Dart’s community parks and who was responsible for maintaining them. And Miller emphasised for the record his desire for the government to ensure that the developer came nowhere near the park in his constituency.
Finance Committee was expected to continue Friday morning with the police commissioner, one of the public sector figures to face the committee. Given the pressure MLAs are now placing on all civil service managers to account for the tax payers money they are spending, David Baines is likely to find the seat particularly hot.
See details below or click here for the CS response over the recruitment of the Lands and Survey registrar.
Category: Uncategorised
If this lady comes from Jamaica after all this she would be foolhardy. How is she supposed to do any job now ?Poor woman being dragged into something like this just becos she applied for a job for which she is clearly very well qualified. What must she and other jamaicans think about Cayman and how we view people from foreign. very sad.
Other democracratic countries have independent commissions to manage their recruitment. Where is yours?
The most important fiduciary duty of a Director is the duty of loyalty. The concept is simple: the decision makers within the company should act in the interests of the company, and not in their own interests. The easiest way to comply with this duty is not to engage in transactions that involve a conflict of interest. We often call these "self-dealing" transactions. The concept is that the directors are dealing with themselves, and may not reach an agreement that is fair to the company.
Some cultures are more tolerant of conflict of interest transactions.
CNS is your "Flag Abuse" system broken?I keep receiving message saying that I have not matched the characters in captcha.
CNS: I'll ask our IT support to have a look. In the meantime, can you email the comment url to admin@caymannewsservice.com
The Lands and Survey document says it all. That body seems to have come to decisions based on objectively acceptable criteria and any other view is to effectively equate a passport with a signficant and relevant qualification.
How about personal relationships being a significant and relevant qualification?
Letters after the name = qualifiication. "Personal relationships" = good for Facebook only.
…and good for jobs it appears.
How about a qualficiation being a qualification, and anything else being BS resume padding by someone without a qualfication?
No but the view held by those possessing MRICS as can be seen on the government tv channel is that qualification is superior
For the more significant jobs, if you can't get who you want, don't go ahead with the recruit. It is quite straightforward. A few months later try again until it works out.
yes, the other way of depriving Caymanians of opportunity.
09.22, some Caymanians manage to do that quite well on their own…
If so, tough. I care about the business and profitability.
I dont know why this is news it is happening all the time. The worst ones are the Caymanian heads. They are so incompetent and worried about another Caymanian showing them up its much easier to keep an expat under the threat of a permit. If the government wants to check it out start with the statutory authorities!
No real surprise here. Government never plays by the rules it foists upon the private sector. They can hire the best candidate for the job. I must hire some illiterate eyebrowless bimbo sent by DER because she’s married to Caymanian. (As if these young girls really care for the dirty old troll men they marry).
Re: "I must hire some illiterate eyebrowless bimbo sent by DER because she's married to Caymanian."
ROFLMBO!!!
Say wha?! Lol!!
Oh man, reality provides the best humor in this life!
(She can't read a lick, but I bet she can line up dem' eyeliner-brows tho! Be walking in stylin' in da mornins', na true??)
Franz, we need to see you take action and sanction the many senior civil servants who are not following the the letter and the spirit of the law. They should be dismiissed for misfeasance in a public office. Unless it is clear that you will enforce the law, hold them accountable and that there will suffer consequences they will continue with their unlawful acts. You wonder why the moral in the civil service is low, it is because it is so disheartening to see the senior civil servants continously abuse the public trust with impunity.
Any CS that lies to Finance comittee or Parliment should be immediately terminated. Anything else is criminal.
Isn't killing them a bit harsh?
Don’t just do something; sit there……..
Wow people. So quick to criticize and so slow to praise. As someone who has spent most of my working life in the telecoms industry I remind you that the icta (headed by archibold ) spearheaded the liberalization of the industry and also number portability – resulting in many jobs for caymanians and lower phone bills for all of us. I don't know what happened with this unfortunate incident but let's think big picture here? And yes, I am caymanian.
You must be from Norway cos you are a major troll.
Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha. As someone who really has been in Telecoms for over 20 years (senior management) I'm glad to know the koolaid worked.
The monpoly break up was well under way before 2002 and Archibold's appointment: Fact.
Number portability was invetiable and not driven from ICTA. Both Digi and C&W worked this out about 7 years ago and made the terms between them. Yes, we drag the ICTA in to mediate from time to time, but I promise you; it is the lawyers who shape the agreements, not the ICTA.
If you are in the industry, even at the shop level, you too wold have been horrified when Archie went to Spain with Ju Ju to look at the pretty new cell phone models. Please tell me how a blinged out handset has anything to do with his job? 2002 to now….He had had a long run, ran his ship with hand picked recruits against the hiring policies and it is tme to get a new head of ICTA.
just because you say its a fact on a cns blog does not make it one. fact
Does the government want a decent regulator with staff experienced in the field or an expensive but ineffective regulator that employs a few more locals?
THANK GOD
For Ezzard and Arden, God only knows what would happen if The two of these gentlemen was not in parliament we would surely perish for information.
Here is my pray for them.
Dear God please keep these two gentlemen healthy and strong that the may continue to give us good representation in these our beloved islands. Help them to remain steadfast in their endeavors and keep them safe from harm.
If you serve on any Board or have decision power- please try to remember what your mother taught you, what you used to think was right.???
Too many people have lost sight of right and wrong (no exceptions….that is the problem, there must be no exceptions!)
From the "Free Dictionary""The end does not justify the means" assertsthat it is not possible to do good by doing something that is inherently wrong. Each action done must be measured independently, good or bad, or otherwise people will justify their bad actions based on the good they have done.
This statement is essentially saying that the methods of reaching a particular goal were not excuseable. An example would be if you were given a promotion, but you had to lie and cheat to get it. Just because you were given the promotion does not excuse the fact that you lied and cheated.
It means that just because a goal was reached does not validate the process by which the goal was achieved. So someone who got rich by ripping off other people does not mean the person is a good business person. It just means that they got rich through illegal acts.
XXXX
There has to come a time when a person stands on the right side and not the wrong side and looks inside themselves and states their intentions. – It is called ETHICS people and it is not always EASY to follow, but if you don't you slide quickly to the acceptance of wrong.
We all want to tar & feather the ICTA for this blatant hiring practice that broke the LAW, but when it comes time to protect our favourite CTO,SFO, COO and their permit is up for renewal…..you Know it….you will simply F*£$^! do the SAME!
Go ahead, look around. There are so many 30 and 40 year old talented locals who went out, got their certifications overseas, got their MBAs, got the experience and great reference letters- but when they walk into HR to look at any middle management job that an expat has had for over 2 year, the PRIVATE SECTOR EMPLOYER and the HR MANAGERS put all the same tricks into motion: Make some obsure skill a requirement or some excuse and then submit LIES to the Immigration Board that they tried so hard, but could not fins a suitable Caymanian.
You want things to chance- then Change the Work Permit Immigration Board or make ALL their decisions transparent and published.
Ethics. You either have them or don't and I'm afraid most of our Leaders (Govt Chief Officers and Govt High-Ups use them only on Sundays?) Yes, you can try to get things "done" but when it is done at the cost of Ethics you become unethical and the end does not justify the means. It is black and white, and sunny Cayman has gone all gray.
"30% real Caymanians" in the civil service. Ignore the racism in this statement. The real problem is it is totally and hopelessly false which makes most of the rest of the post nonsensical.
Expats are in the Civil Service because they are not exempt from the roll-over policy. XXXX When you say the CS has 80% Caymanians, it really doesn't. We have about 30% real Caymanians and the rest are expats that now have status. Most of them were retired back home and are now here with cushy jobs and making a cushy salary and will get a second pension from us.! XXXX How can you offer retirement packages to Caymanians that are turning 60 and not get rid of the expats that are in their 70s? no packages necessary, just let them go. What were their qualifications for holding these posts? And don't say you have offered the jobs to Caymanians that turned them down because Archibald's job was offered to a long serving, bright Caymanian at half his salary but all the responsibilities. How is that fair? this is not the first instance of that and it won't be the last. And Franz, be careful with whom you surround yourself with because some people are not what they appear to be. When you speak on a conference call you should always know who's at the table. Caymanians work overseas too! There is absolutely no reason that the Cayman Islands Civil Service should have any expats in it doing such jobs as administration or accounts or even programming. It's ridiculous to think that expats are running the Cayman Government. We have too many suitable Caymanians all over this Island and all over the world that have the knowledge and qualifications to hold those posts. It's not 1970 anymore people and we need to stand up and clear out the cobwebs! Caymanians Stand up and be Counted!
I came here over 25 years ago and integrated in the community through my church and then marired a Caymanian. I count my blessings every day and still consider myself an expat married to a Caymanian (I have my status) We will have a long life here, retire here, raise our grandchildren here…..but it really dissapoints me to see the "other" expats who keep a second UK or US, Canada home, plan to retire overseas and THEY ALL WORK IN CIVIL SERVICE!!
Example: When I first got here I was amazed that a techie guy (but no college degree or formal training) was offered status with his FOUR kids and dependent wife. 20 years have passed and three out of four children now work in Civil Service, geeez, what did YOU think would happen? That is one non- college degreed expat who now has status and four full time salaries in CS?
Human Resources in Civil Service should take a look and implement some succession planning for Caymanians to be trained and groomed for long-standing expat civil service jobs.
I agree. Franz….you are on the right track, but only when we truly make Civil Service 90% locals and trim the fat can we suceed. We are paying for 2 decades of pandering to an expat myth and it is biting us in the behind.
XXXX
That sound good in theory, but quite a few of CS HR Managers actually seem to not like people based on how they treat staff.
If you do not like people why become an HR person?
Wat is interesting is that the chief officer tried to explain in committee that government actually guarantees title ( I think that is what was said) and that if errors are made by the Land registry ( headed by the Registrar) then it is government who potentially faces damage claims amounting to millions of dollars. That being the case then obviously we should get the best registrar of lands we can. It would seem sensible with that in mind that a law qualification would be very useful if not essential. The irony if all this it seems is that if there was a big error made at land registry and a damage claim filed, then finance committee would then have to deal with a request for additional funds to cover that claim! But if course then they would be moaning at the deputy governor and chief officer for the error ! Seems to me that they cannot win ! I applaud them for making the right decision for the country despite probably knowing that they would collect flak for hiring a non caymanian.
I
Amen CS!
That's very very funny for you to say they get a pension from YOU. The expats hand over a TON of money here to Caymanian retires, politicians, old seamen and anyone in west bay that votes for the right person. You sir will never be so generous!
What a load of racially offensive, prejudicial, discriminatory crap.
Real Caymanian's, no such thing, you're all descended from expats XXXX
Actually, your argument that we are not Caymanians is flawed. If that is the route you are going to take then you cannot stop there. If your argument had validity, we would all have to accept that we are all Africans. Which we know, some would rather not admit. Secondly, the world does not operate on that system. So, a Caymanian is a Caymanian, whether by birth or by law. All others are expats. Just like how an American is an American and those who are there legal or otherwise are Aliens!
who aspiring to the bench now?
Yes, for the first time the House full up with "qualified lawyers" as mr chairman of the finance committee pointed out. Ironic then that with all them legal hats in the room that civil servants being cross-examined, bullied, insulted, posed all manners of questions in an effort to trip them up while barely allowing them any real attempt to have a real say. Natural justice? Presumption of innocence? shame mr chairman, you of all people should know much much better. You seemed to jump on the conspiracy theory bandwagon to find some evil plot afoot. It's astounding to me that you would think that your line of inquiry…if it could be called that……..was at all appropriate. You of all people treating people up in there like they some kind of criminal, how you figure that right?
Sad thing is finance committee, if done right, could really be a valuable part of ensuring transparency and government accountability and all that good stuff. But if it's just an excuse for a gang-bang in the house with the crass behaviour on show, as it now seems to be, then all you folks do is feed into the nunsensical political agendas of caymanians v ex pats. Ask sensible questions, stop badgering the 'witnesses' (esp ye who preside and supposed to be maintaining some kind of order instead of descending into the fray and treating people with lack of respect cos you dont want to hear from a fellow caymanian no less that your people might not yet be up to scratch).
and u wonder why people can;t stand lawyers.
All of the questions asked were perceptive and on point. Kudos to the Chairman and to MLAs Miller and McLean. That is how a legislative committee is supposed to work. They were all doing their jobs, and doing them well. Throw a stone in a pig pen and the pig that squeals is the one that was hit.
This night as I lay down to sleep. I thank you Lord for Ezzard, Arden and Mac. The only ones who know how to run this ship.
Rarely for CNS, while one might think this needed the sarcasm font as some might wrongly consider it a serious post, in fact it really is a serious post. Terrifying.
Ezzard deserves credit for exposing this, but not only Arden and Mac expressed their displeasure, I recall hearing Winston Conolly, Al Suckoo, Tara Rivers, Ossie Bodden all express their disgust and willingness to do something about this mess.
Yea well I want to see all of them youjust named stand up and do something! I'm sick of their talk. Talk is cheap and getting cheaper!
Abandon ship!!!!!
I think you meant *ruin
Mac? Where have you been since 2001?
Sorry there was a typing error.
Let me fix that for you
This night as I lay down to sleep. I thank you Lord for Mac. The only ones who know how to
runsink this ship.There thats better.
I leave out Ezzard and Arden because who has a better open rare window policy from dropping of critical documents and who does cause so much trouble in the house but these two.
I love Ezzard so much & for long time. I believe he is a real man with strengh of character,and love of country. "When you're running my country, you're walking on the fightin' side of me".
An American song you have 'borrowed'
and it doesn't make sense in the context used. Are you saying that anyone who is runninga country is walking on teh fighting side of Ezzard? Seems a bit negative…
It should be "running down my country".
To:Submitted by anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 19/10/2013 – 17:39. The correct quotation should be"When you're running down my country, you're walking on the fightin' side of me".By the way I understand and agree with you,this correction is intended for those who do not know the song ,or are just pretending that they don't.
We are being too hard on the CS bosses. I say just fire all of them and replace them with the people immediately below them…
Their mistresses?
Ohhhh you too bad 12:52! Ha Ha Ha! Boy, the stories swirling around out there about dem mistresses in high places are enough to make that admin bldg quake! The culprits need to be named and shamed along with the Pensions violators.
Caymanian's appear to forget that most of them are descended from Jamaican's and Hondurans anyway. Some are even stupid enough to believe they are an indigenous race. Take no notice, they'll eventually get the message.
Caymanian's ancestry is mainly from European (mainly British), African, Indian sources. Jamaican ancestry is also the same because the Arawaks were the original inhabitants and did not last long with the presence of Europeans, ie the Spanish Colonists. Honduras, specifically the Bay Islands was populated by people who were invited by the British Crown to pioneer (and who were subsequently left to suffer by the Crown when Honduras was handed over to the Spanish. Read the "History of the Cayman Islands). Would you tell an American that they are not when the roots are the same (with all due respect to the Native Americans fully implicit therein)? You are an ignorant piece of excrement, you know not of that which you speak and it is people like you who should be shown the door by any means necessary and that day is becoming inevitable, specifically because of poor representations of humanity such as yourself. The message is that you and people like you should be treated like the worthless and malevolent carcasse that you are.
Oh dear, I would not want to be the intended recipient of this post.
Ooooweee, had to sit down after that one!
Who asked you anyway?
Angry and wrong. A dangerous combination.
Oh dear, another dreamer of an indiginous population and Caymanian super race.
Actually, the first settlers may have been British, but they were very small in number. At the ceasation of slavery Cayman's population was approximately 50/50 'locals' and slaves, predominantly brought in from mainland Jamaica, (Cayman being a Jamaican dependent territory). Barely a population total of 1000.
Indiginous Caribbean Indians do not feature in the overall picture as they were long gone before African slaves were settled on Jamaica and other islands en masse. The Spanish saw to that.
Whether you like it or not, your predominant racial profile is African, or rather African Jamaican. Because, as far as I know, there weren't any settlers of African origin who came here from the UK or Europe. Its easy to verify that, take a look around you, how many of your 'real' Caymanian's are of European colour, very few I suggest?
Remember in 2013 there are only 30,000 or less 'Caymanian's', many of whom are recent former Jamaican, British, US and Latino workers. That would leave very few individuals that could claim a clear lineage from the original Cayman pioneers. Keeping in mind that in 1960 there were approximately 8000 people registered as living in the Cayman Islands, how many of those do you think were from an historical lineage of at least 50 to 100 years and weren't current expat's, 50%?
Basically the Caymanian gene pool has been diluted so far down the line now, I shouldn't think there a many Caymanian's who don't have a racial mixture of at least 3 differing cultures within their immediate family. It's just a shame that some are so riven by racist envy and an in built historical disability. But then that's more to do with a serious lack of education and experience of the world outside of this little cluster of rocks.
Unfortunately, your insults are as juvenille as your grasp of history. It may suit nationalists to claim some kind of super race, but in reality you are made up of a mixture of racial backgrounds, mainly from the near Caribbean islands. A pile of 'excrement', really, that's just so grown up of you, I bet you're really smart in 'real' Caymanian circles.
A Caymanian is a Caymanian regardless of some discriminatory, racist diatribe from an uneducated local politician or commentator. It makes no difference from where you come from, it only matters that you came from somewhere. To deny that is to deny your own humanity.
Oh by the way, there's actually a world out there, we have electricty and everything. Just saying, as we don't need to be on Cayman to know or watch Cayman's slide to destruction.
What is your obsession with saying Caymanians are descended from Jamaicans? Do you understand that being a slave who was purchased in a slave market in Jamaica, at that time a colony of Britain, did not make one Jamaican in any meaningful sense of the word? Or that some settlers merely passed through Jamaica? Or that many settlers arrived directly on these shores by way of shipwreck?
Before you start calling others uneducated learn how to use apostrophes properly and how to spell correctly.
"indiginous", "ceasation", "juvenille", "electricty". Here's a hint: no apostrophes are necessary to show plurality.
Your attitude is one of envy, spite, hate and yearning for Cayman's destruction.I don't have to ask where you're from.
No one is claimingany Caymanian "super race". We are claiming, however, our own identity as a people.
Ignore him buddy.
It is clear for all to see what is the true catalyst of his rants.
So long as know ourselves and equip ourselves to defend against the antics of those that discriminate against the very essence of ourselves … all will be okay.
There's that fool who doesn't know how to use apostrophes, and is ignorant of Caymanian history to boot.
You are correct of the first point, incorrect on the second.
So opening a new business is a good thing…THINK AGAIN…the economy can only support so many businesses. The quality of life in the Cayman Islands is shrinking because everyone wants to own their own business (usually a service industry) and lowers their price to compete. This in turn lowers the wages they can pay their staff…etc. That is one of the many reasons that Jamaica is in the state that it is and Cayman is following in her steps.
Thank you 7:38. I was going to post a long reply to 18:41's post but you have said it all very concisely. The ignorance (not bias or bigotry even -just plain ignorance) of some of these posts is breathtaking.
Stay Tuned – Cayman Public – More stories like this will be made public soon.
Ezzzard termed it " a contempt of Parliament ".
Ezzard is right. It is a pretty serious matter. Most people don't realise that the L.A. has the power to arrest and detain people on this basis.
Who?
What about the "fiduciary duty" of the Director who is now Deputy Managing Director, and that of the Board who sanctioned this travesty obviously under the policy directive of the former Minister, and his business partner and Councillor who is now doing Articles?
Stay tuned for more like this? Good, but I hope it does not expose any more Caymanians who refused to upgrade their education but expect to move up.
Precisely ! If you read the documents it seems to me that the bosses did what they could and should in terms of succession planning but f the staff cannot be bothered to go off and get trained then what can they do? Seems to me that this is the old sense of entitlement with some caymanians coming through again……
To;Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 20/10/2013 – 09:03. It is amazing that this all that you were able to gain from this article.Next time try not to use the "Cayman Hater" reading glasses.
FINALLY!!!
Someone has done what they are supposed to do.
You have collected a salary for how long and will have pension for life.
This should not be a revalation, it's just a "Meets Expectations" job evaluation.
ICTA is nothing whatsoever to do with the Deputy Governor, The Chief Officer or the Civil Service. The MD is appointed by cabinet and thereafter it is ICTA board and the chairman that deal with all matters including administration. They hoold resposnbility and shoudl do any investigation that ezzardc wants. The minister has certain powers to send policy directives and request that things be done but thats all. There is a massive difference bewteen civil servants (civil service – controlled by the deputy governor) and general public servants – such as dave archibold. Get the facts right you idiots !
There are "Caymanians" … and there are Caymanians.
Anyway, considering the responsibility and power of the role certain individuals hold along with their professional background in their respective country of origin … I don't know if it is such a good idea to have said individuals in the position they currently occupy.
However, I must say that a lot about the country has fallen into place and makes more sense all of a sudden.
Why do we continually end up in these obvious pitfalls??
I think I should sanction the development of an anti-colonial drug and lace the water supply of the country.
Whodatis, if you were a citizen of a REAL country you wouldn't be allowed to use such disgusting language without facing arrest. Just because it doesn't suit your racist version of life, a person who has earnt the right to be called Caymanian IS Caymanian. You better get used to that because that is the only way forward for a declining local population. Otherwise the gene pool will just get smaller and dumber.
This irresponsible piece of rock has made its own bed through greed and envy, and you will now pay the price. It has nothing to do with colonialism, it has everything to do with short termism and a grap for the dollar. It is you and your kind that made this island the way it is, your blinkered path to getting yourself rich has led to a culture of deceit and corruption. The only problem is, the smart one's got rich and left the rest of you behind to bitch about who is to blame.
The problem here is not the expat workers or the rich foriegners, its the small cabal of wealthy local businessmen who have a hand in every pie. Unless you open up your markets and drop the restrictive immigration/business policy of majority local shareholding, this will not stop. Franchises are not the way forward as they restrict inward investment from those who don't want to hand over their reputation to an incompetant local whose only motivation is making money for themselves.
In respect of this case, one bad apple doesn't make a bad country, but one bad country makes lots of bad apples.
So true 17;22 so true!
it is the greedy and envious Caymanians that made it impossible, for the rest of us hard working, honest people to progress
You appear to spend a lot of your time and energy focusing on a country that you hold in such low regard.
However, if what was said is true, then what does that say about the 120 other countries in the world from which their citizens are emigrating hoping for a better life in the Cayman Islands – yours included?
Also, my opening comment was not limited to the direction of expats / "paper Caymanians". Especially considering that I am the offspring of such an individual.
By the way, I couldn't help but notice the injection of quite an unhealthy number of "you's" and "your's" in your post – yet the actual news story in question was altogether ignored. What is your true motivation poster?
🙂
Lastly, how am I a racist?
In a real country you would not be able to become a citizen without swearing an oath of allegiance and being loyal to your new home. Because we have so many Caymanians of convenience, who have no love for or loyalty to these Islands, Whodatis is unfortunately right.
Agreed, "whodatis" is correct here.
I appreciate the written support.
Keep the hope alive by spreading the spirit of self-determination / anti-colonialism around the community – to young and old. It is the first and most important step out of this mess we find ourselves.
Take care.
I can't believe I'm agreeing with whodatis. I normally thumb you down. Kudos!
Thank you for the support.
Let us be sure to spread the enlightenment to those around us.
Confining these sentiments to the CNS forums will not take us very far.
Take care poster.
You have chip on your shoulder.
Oh yes he does.
For his safety and that of others, I hope he is not a driver because that blind spot must be massive!
Poor lil' fella.
Agree we need an anti-colonial drug for all those anti-colonialists who came here with their chip on their shoulder and gave the locals that cool-aid, but alas if not for some guidance by the UK we'd be worse off than Ja, T&T, Haiti, oh dear looks like we're heading there very quickly though.
Remember despite all the disadvantages Caymanians initially faced with the British not as bad as what their anti-colonial friends are doing because they're playing both sides…..Caymanian with locals and as status holder with the expats, united against Caymanians.
Our people have been too trusting, didn't know their history and got intimidated before changes could be made for their growth and protection from the failure of the former colonies who keep sending their people here to reap the benefits of that oh so terrible British rule, celebrating independence in this country and then fleeing to the UK for the life that can be achieved because the British are in control.
When I callfor a spirit of anti-colonialism in Cayman it does not necessary mean a call to be "anti-UK".
I would encourage every colonized nation to at least free their minds regardless of their status of sovereignty.
There is nothing to stop Caymanians from developing a double-consciousness and addressing our issues from the mindset of an independent / sovereign people.
Believe me, many of our pitfalls would be immediately highlighted and avoided if this was the case.
Lastly, it is very disappointing the way individuals like yourself constantly refer to 60 year old legacies of countries like Jamaica and the Bahamas (ignoring the wider contributing factors in the process, of course) and relentlessly align independence with failure, corruption and regression.
If it was up to you the USA, Canada and Australia would all still be parts of the British empire.
Actually, I am sending the very first dose of my special anti-colonial pill to you … free of charge! Promise.
This is not even thinly veiled racism. It is racism.
Don't you worry WHODAT. Mr Dart will make the move to independence when everything is in place. He does things right. Are you on board?
This is good stuff! *grabs popcorn and coke*
This begs the question… If the civil service is so incompetent, inept, lazy, and corrupt, (a view shared by many, even those in the civil service) and its composed of 80% Caymanians; if you really want to change this culture and turns things around, wouldn't you start by getting rid of the political cronies in key positions, and replace them with competent ex-pats?
Can't have your cake and eat it too.
I think you've missed the entire point. They should be replaced with competent Caymanians. There are plenty around.
Doing that would be like giving your chickens to "Colonel Sanders"…
You know DAMN well they're gonna get FRIED!!!
And…… what's the point in getting cake if your not gonna eat it????
I said it before and I will say it again who else in the LA is really really for Caymanians? Can you imagine what he could in 4 years if he was PREMIER?Thank you Ezzard for doing your best to solve all of our problems.
We should be respected in this country we made it what it is today. I say that because it was our decisions to say yes or no to development, banking,tourism etc. If we didn't say ok you can come and that we would allow you to stay how could they.
If they are so great at what they do why don't they tell countries like Cuba or Jamaica or other central american or south american people in their country that they have to have more then 7 years and then get citizenship and start businesses without hiring the countries people. Hmmmm can't do that there. Tell a jamaican you going to open a rest. and not hire a jamacian .Half of the people there can't read and write or add or subtract. But you still got to hire them . So why not here.
How long does it take to teach a waiter or waitress,bar tender , dish washer? Hotels staff too. How long does it take to teach entry level jobs like front desk nioght auditor on down to security ? One week tops.
I can imagine if he were Premier and it’s a scary thought. You thought Mac was bad? Wait till you see the power trip Ezzard would go on.
Caymanian to the bone
People like you will wish for Ezzard when it is too late to fix the problem, then turn around and blame him for not fixing it.
You may of said it before and you may say it again, but it is still crap!!!
'Tell a jamaican yougoing to open a rest. and not hire a jamacian .Half of the people there can't read and write or add or subtract. But you still got to hire them . So why not here.'
If that is the quality of written English and grammer on Cayman then we are all doomed to failure. You are a prime example of why businesses employ expat labour, because why would they pay over inflated wages to someone who cannot even construct a simple sentence. Combine this with a dubious work ethic and a self rightous attitude, then employers are always going to look elsewhere.
In answer to your question, 'So why not here', that's why.
You may have said it before.
You should learn to spell. People in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.
"grammer", "rightous".
These are posts on a news website, not a university paper. Don't be such a prig.
How dare you say that about Jamaica when 80% of Caymanians can't speak, read or write properly. If we were to rid the island of all expats how many Caymanians are left to be lawyers, doctors, accountants, teachers, nurses? Most of you do NOT want the menial laborer type of employment when those are the jobs you qualify to do. Majority of you couldn't even be a bank teller in Jamaica. You people are too high minded and broke pocketed. Yes I said it!! Now roll me ova.
The narcissism of minor differences, a tremendous spectator sport.
Please stop making up statistics. It only makes you look like an ass.
To:Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 18/10/2013 – 20:49. You had a pretty good post going there until you threw in that bit about the Jamaicans.Care to edit out those couple of lines,resubmit it and ask CNS to post it and take down the original?
The issue is one of ENFORCEMENT. Do we have the courage to call for a public enquiry (which should be televised) to grill these individuals for their circumvention of the spirit of the law. Shame shame on you Mr. Archibold!!
It is not the spirit. It is the letter of the Law.
Grill them?
Well done Ezzard and Arden. Although I am not your biggest fan, I believe you two definitely earn your pay cheques.
On a side note I would have liked to see our new employment minister and her councilor (Tara and Winston) carry out the interrogation and grilling. I am however hopeful that they are taking notes and will take the lead next time around.
Interrogation and grilling?
We need the Spanish Inquisition here, only they can put the fear into them for this sort of matter.
"Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition".
Bujt Archie loves Spain, he goes shopping for cell phones there with Ju Ju. (on our dime)
Not the Spanish Inquisition!!
Our chief weapon is surprise. Surprise and fear . . .
Grilling and interrogation! This is not a BBQ or a court of law or a Spanish Inquisition. It is the Finance Committee of Parliament, the Legisltive Assembly.
Archie is well over retirement age. He should be replaced asap with an up and coming Cayman.
He is.
Or how about someone who actually understands cutting edge technology from silicon valley? We could and should be successful on the global map for leading the offshore world with better than just decent telecoms. Old Archie and the gang of cronies have kept us back from more than a decade and we are now paying for the cronyism. Put the best people for the job on the board and not your buddies!!!
I am in love with Ezzard.
*shudders*
Good Job Ezzard! Now let's go after all those Human Resources positions that are held by expats in CIG. Most of these positions are never advertised. Just another way to keep the qualified Caymanians from getting these jobs in government.
Let's March and take back what is rightfully ours.
They may take our freedom but they ill never take our human resources positions or swivel chairs again.
Yes, let's march. Should get 10 or 20 on a good day.
Yeah and while you at, why not get all the "suitably qualified" caymanians to start working as domestics, waiters, bartenders, hotel maids etc. Oh, i forget, them jobs just good enuff for the 3rd world impoverished desperate expats. Expats, i encourage every last one of to take a week off (or a month) and let the caymanians run tings. Should be fun and games.
And, all the vague "Policy Advisors"….
"The two enemies of the people are criminals and government, so let us tie the second down with the chains of the Constitution so the second will not become the legalized version of the first." ~ Thomas Jefferson
"And then lets give everyone guns because that will be a great way of making the nation crime free"
Some people don't understand what they read and then bleed from the gums.
Tell us what it is like.
I posted this earlier on the Civil Service redundancy article. I believe it is equally and if not more so relevant here.
"You know, until a very brave politician (premier) stands up and says exactly that the CS is a stinking cess pit of corruption, cronyism and nepotism, acknowledges the issues with vocational education, assists in making certain elements in Cayman understand that unless the island is competitve it dies, acknowledges that the police and criminal laws need severe tuning, then nothing really is ever going to happen.
Acknowledgement is the first step on the long road of putting it right, so it works better, people are educated in the right things, want jobs and understand that in the real world most people have to work damn hard to be recognised and promoted. Unless acknowledged out loud, it will just carry on, slowly but surely sinking that which "hath been founded on the seas"."
Does Franz have the balls to do the right thing in this situation? The head of ITCA must go now and all who do the same things in the CS
ICTA is NOT the Civil Service so Franz is not the one to fire him.
Thank you for the clarification:
The Board of the ICTA reports to the Legislative Assembly (Parliament) through the Minister of District Administration, Works, Lands and Agriculture. –
Sooooo Kurt, you gonna fire Archie? The buck stops here! Someone needs to be sacked if recruitment and contractswere issued to expats while locals did not even have a chance to apply. I'm so TIRED of all this rule bending = Law breaking
I listened to Ezzard and Arden questioning the CO that heads up Kurt Ministry as well. Got to say this seems to be wide spread. While Franz cannot do anything about the SAGC's he can sure as hell do something about core Government. But, I am willing to bet my bottom dollar he won't do squat!!
and yet he has to come to finance committee?
At the very least his budget is dictated by Government. If that is so then why give them money unless they have the ability to ask for him to be fired?
Undoubtedly the most wide spread form of cronyism, sycophancy and nepotism is from Caymanian's who have managed to get whole families and their friends into government service.
The question you should ask yourself is why so many employers want to employ expats. Of course many do it for financial reasons, but many want experienced and skilled employees to take their company or department in the right direction.
Unless the local population can supply skilled, experienced and hard working labour, then it will never stop.
Same ting the expats / "CAYMANIAN STATUS" holders are doing…
there is an undeniable expatriate bias. and even when they get on the job, we make more allowance for them than for Caymanans.
So, it is not usually a matter of hte best person for the job, it is a matter of perceptions. And Until Cayman relinquishes its colonial status this perception will remain active.
Even the Caymanians have this perception — they have interernalised because they have been subjected to it so much, and they turn it on themselves and on other Caymanians.
It will not go away until our political status changes — whether we like that or bot.
Hear! Hear!
Be careful what you wish for. Look at the Bahamas.
Right then – matie.. Time for some High Tea, with a bit of "Chip on the shoulder".
No longer the British EMPIRE… Hrumph.. I SAY!
Oh I don't wish for it, I long for it.
Go, you are not the Bahamas, they made their mistakes and learnt. You just keep making the same mistakes and blame everyone else.
Yes look at them. Masters of their own destiny now and taking our business.
Perhaps, but it took 30 years of hell. What do you think will be left of this society after 30 years of hell? By they way – you don't get to keep the spoils of the last 50 years. And be prepared to be one of the most highly taxed countries in the world.
Oh please, just vote for independence and p*** off. If you you think you really can survive on your own, then go and stop bitching about colonialism. You have a great deal to be thankful for. After all, you could be living in Jamaica or any other former 'colonial' country that has turned their land into a war zone or poverty stricken hell hole from a vibrant, civilised economy.
The big problem with that is, this was never a 'colonial' requisition, it was a barren piece of rock that was colonised by the British and has remained a British Territory ever since.
That is your history, like it or not.
Just take a look around, how far down the road do you think you'll get before it all implodes on you. Who will come to your aid, without wanting something in return. Where do you think your crime stats will be in a years time. Will you be another Honduras, Jamaica, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Egypt, Trinidad, Nigeria, Pakistan or any one of many failed states since independence.
You don't have the economy, mechanisms, reputation or experience that successful country's have, and you certainly don't have the work ethic to prosper in the outside world.
However, if you think you can survive without the protection of the British crown and miraculously find the finance to support your own security and armed forces, diplomatic service and exchequer, then please feel free.
Until then, for the love of god, stop whining!
And that has been working so well in the US recently.
Again I ask, why are people blaming expats when these are Caymanian employers setting things in motion.
naive
Interesting … that so many persons rated him as if he who absolutely correct. It just shows again that ratings coming from presumed intelligent and well-informed people mean nothing on this site.
Archbold is from UK.
keep going higher… who gave him the job?
UK
UK? Bull, it was Linford.
Linford Pierson, 15:26, -it was that long ago.
Employed by Cayman CS who should have some kind of authority??? Perhaps? Or is that a step too far?
most of the H O D's in govt are from, not here. 777777777777.
18:41, that is total, absolute, complete bullsh## and if you don't know that you have no idea about the civil service. VERY few HODs are expat. Stop posting about things you know NOTHING about.
7;38 you are so right, why is it Caymanians are so quick and eager to blame expats.We Caymanians are our own enemy.Expats could not come in the country and do what they are blamed for, with -out the caymanian letting them do.Stop blaming the expats, they are more loving than our own.
Truth hurts, ############# we we we we we little ms piggy.
Ya, Yaaaaaaaa check their mama an dada and wa they born
777777777777777.
Take the time [[[[[[ ]]]]]]] to check it out,eg. legal, go down the list, please
respect, me love wa me nable string covered up.
When invilving Lands and Survey, The person in Charge was an expat (i beleive he now has PR).. So not all Caymanians are bosses, Look at the RCIPS's recent senior hires, the chief and Deputy all Expats, whos the boss their, not a Caymanian, OH i forgot, we gave a couple token Caymanians a higher rank… Yes i agree Governement has a major problem, but lets not Blame Caymanian or expat bosses, lets come up with a solution!!!! I cant beleive i am going to say this but "Well done Mr. Miller".
The director of lands and survey is a naturalised caymanian and has been here over 25 yrs. the same is true of the chief officer. I know them both and both have given there all to their jobs, the dept/ministry and the country. It's shameful in those circumstances that we caymanians -"proper caymanians" for you bigots out there – try and pull them down for merely doing their jobs correctly. Will we all be satisfied when the politicians get their preferred choices in posts and the dept and the land registry go down the toilet. Then everyone will be calling for the heads of the director and chief officer. Madness.
If I see a job advertised and it asks for a Bachelor's degree and 30 years experience, I still apply. You know why? I apply because at some level I know I can do the job even if I don't have all the required qualifications. Recently, I saw a job advertised where they were seeking sales representatives that were bi-lingual. I don't speak a word of any other language apart from English, but I applied because I have 10 years' experience in sales and marketing. I am computer proficient. I have lots of experience at both the mid- to senior management/supervisory level and I know good customer service. Guess what, I got the job because I ensured that notwithstanding I lacked one of the criteria for the position, I do have experience in other areas that could be beneficial to the company.
How many people who see jobs being advertised and decide oh, they want someone with this or that qualification and as a result they just don't apply? I think we Caymanians do ourselves a disservice when we don't put our best efforts forward in order to get a job by trying very hard to sell ourselves for any position that is advertised.
A former recruiter told me years ago, sometimes you just need to get your foot in the door and let employers see what they are missing out on.
Great advice, employers are always going to put what the perfect candidate would be. Doesn't mean they expect to get the perfect candidate. Congrats on the new job.
@12:30 your boldness is commendable and I agree, we need to apply even if missing one criteria but have other positive skills.
But me thinks you're not a Caymanian, we get the fact that we just need that 'foot in the door' and that's the point, they don't want to even give us a chance when we apply for those jobs with astounding list of requirements. Until the government, especially the Minister of Labour ensures the Employment Law is assented to and ALL Civil Servants are subject to same rules, the unfair practices will be even worse than we know about now.
Now this is a bit off the subject but I'm at home today on vacation and I hear the sound of a lawnmower so I get up and take a look outside. I see two Jamaican men out in the hot sun with t-shirts around their heads taking care of the lawn around my apt complex. I offered them each some ice water as I thought to myself which Caymanian is gonna do their jobs if they were to leave?
Caymanian
Respect!
The equally racially-charged answer is: they'll both be replaced with one peace-loving and hard-working Filipino.
Guess they could have an ice cold Miller Lite!
Now I have nothing against Jamaicans but this is the most ridiculuous comment I've ever heard.
Just so everyone knows there are in fact Caymanians who are helpers, gardeners and garbage men.
Some Caymanians are not too proud to do whatever it takes in order to support their family!
I have lived here over thirty-six years…. I've NEVER seen a Caymanian Helper or Garden Labourer.
Someone who was a teacher said that their kids told them 'up front', Caymanians don't become Helpers'
There is no shortage of Caymanians within my community who are quick to help me when I need gardening (and my garden is no joke), car repairs, painting, decorating, general handyman work, cleaning or anything. I've known them for years. Many of them are unemployed youths considered "undesirables" but I find with mutual respect, all have been refreshingly hardworking, honest, trustworthy and reliable, and I like to help them earn an honest living and offer to provide references for them when they are trying to get work.
Aaah…..I'm 47 born and breaded Caymanian and I have seen Caymanian helpers and gardeners and garbage men and bartenders and porters and nurses and doctors and pilots and lawyers (can't remember seeing a judge) and ambulance attendants and and ship engineers and ship captains ( down to AB seamen) and ministers (preachers) ….should I go on??? Yea, weathermen, air traffic controllers, premier……we (caymanians) cover all strata my friend….where have you been living????
That is good. You should have no problems when you go it alone then.
I'm sorry, I know I shouldn't comment on spelling/grammar mistakes, but the fact that you are "breaded" just made me laugh outloud, and frankly, the way things have been going for me recently, I needed a laugh. Thanks!
On a more substantive note, what you say is true, but what is also true is that there are far fewer Caymanians working in gardening/porter/bartender jobs than there used to be. Any idea why that is? And yes, most of the garbage men are Caymanian because that's one of the occupations the goverment gives to Northward releasees.
you live in a shell my friend. i am a caymanian and a gardener. it is not my career of choice, but for now, it works. and believe me, i work! i get to work at 7am, and by 7:30 has done more than most for the day. and to your further surprise, there are two other young caymanians on the team.
not sure where you been for thirty plus years-but im guessing, no where near my neighborhood.
My gardener is a Caymanian from West Bay. He runs his own small business with his wife and does the best work I have ever seen! He charges a fair wage (lower than the big commercial firms!!) and has been a loyal contractor for over 8 years. I feel blessed to know this hard working family man is Caymanian and I thank him twice a month when he comes to my home.
My helper is also Caymanian. She is like a sister to me. She comes to my house 1.5 days a week and is an upstanding wonderful woman.
Now, if I could find a pool guy who is local, I would have the perfect trifecta. Don't tell me locals don't hold these jobs….that is hogwash!
For the record, Caymanians have and do work as helpers, ask the many aunts, grannies, and cousins that serve today and the many Caymanians that served in Cuba, Nicaragua, Panama, Columbia and wherever else there were opportunities in earlier times. Maybe you don't see them in your circle, but guess what… Been there, done that … And …can do it again…
however, we will not be second class citizens on this little rock, with persons no better qualified than ourselves putting us down and taking away all that our forefathers have worked hard to preserve.
Both politicians and the those expats with the entitlement attitude need to understand and appreciate that Caymanians have had ENOUGH of the Bull.
Educated, employed and Politically aware Caymanian.
Do you really believe that you know every Caymanian? How ignorant!
When have you heard of a Caymanian changing their passports. NEVER.
Heard of plenty taking out additional ones!
Oh – u mean like when they all ran to grab the full UK PASSPORTS THAT WERE OFFERED. Think I would rather be a paper caymanian than a paper Britain my dears. And let's not forget all the caymanians who are in the uk now claiming benefits . Oh, and let's also talk about the caymanians who have benefitted from US passports. Such bigotry and one sided thinking really does beggar belief..
Usually give them an ice cold Red Stripe!
True dat….
But back to the story of the day, take a rabid vitriloic rant replete with bigotry and racism under the guise of nationalism and some pretty pathetic reporting replete with inaccuracies (deliberate or accidental…who cares) and you get the juicy story to fuel the flames of the never ending marginalisation of the caymanian lot. I see CNS has now tried to remedy some of its appalling misstatements (like the forcing out of certain civil servants who in fact retired of their own choosing), big help now that the damage is already done and the reputations of some people are probably already sullied by your irresponsible writing. The whole thing is like a really bad piece of theatre…the MLAs hiding behind parliamentary privilege to conduct a kangaroo court session where they try, judge and sentence public officers without knowing the full facts (or even caring to). Even the ones who sit in there all day and can;t say one word suddenly find themselves full of talks. Talk cheap, for sure.Especially when it's pure mad rant. Sorry you guys finished so late that we couldnt get to the public lynching in the square before bedtime. ANd good on those of you who fought back, stood your ground and tried to set things straight (even when no one take you on)
You just can't win. Your own people being offered chances to train and better themselves and can't be asked to do it because it's too hard and interfering with the other activities…ooops, sorry…heaven forbid a caymanian should ever have to better himself when he holds the ultimate and only qualification that counts..his nationality. Right, that makes himthe bestest and only candidate for the job. I forget.
politicians have to put on a good show for the cheap seats in the back but their reckless and wanton accusations, arrogance and just plain venom being spewed all over people who not being any chance to defend themselves or actions just shows the basic level at which you operate. if you want your society to develop in any meaningful way, learn some basic decency. i know it's not popular and won;t make your people respect you any more but if trying to pull down foreigners every step of the way to constantly justify all your woes is the best that you can do, you worse off than you think. Thanks to you all for reminding me what a good God-fearing society looks like.
Brilliant 14:34. You obviously know what's going on.
Looks like some people on here know what the time is!!!
Oh dear 14.34, is it a full moon?
I would say look out into the night sky and see for yourself, buy it's probably hard to see in the dark with your roae-coloured glasses.
I was beginning to think it was just me that had noticed the plays and politics inciting the misinformed to a point where they are searching for the next lit torch and clutching pitchforks.
Nationalist politics do not generally end well and there is definitely a case of be careful what you wish for. Playing to the whims of people who are excited by cheap, venomous rhetoric will only highlight one thing. The electorate get the politicians they deserve. This can be good or diabolical by example.
Inciting one section of the community against another or several others will change the dynamics and exposure of these islands very quickly and internationally. Already, the international media are carrying the news that future independence from the UK is being sought after. Once the burning hay cart is pushed towards that town gate, there is no stopping it, and at the moment, several factions with different agendas are all lighting it up.
So it would pay to have all eventualities covered. If you are going to publicly assassinate somebody's character and "claim" that job for the right passport holder, you need to make sure there Is someone who knows how to get it moving and is up to speed.
As relying on others to blindly follow suit and fill or replace the position from overseas may not be that sure of a bet anymore. Simple math tells me that there isn't enough home grown talent going around to even make a dent in what is required. Tricky, as revenue will decline with permits lost yet income tax is not a cost effective option until the population numbers around one hundred thousand.
You could sell residency but I think that has been tried so it is back to increasing permit fees which will be a road to nowhere.
But who am I to interfere. I just invested in the Islands, in money,time, property and emotionally. I have concerns about them as much as any other person does which does not make the current frenzy any less difficult to observe.
Pero Que serar serar.
If the fire is too hot in the kitchen! you can politely, pack your traps, haul your ass and LEAVE. I certainly would not remain in a country that I am not comfortable in and feel so upset about the citizens views. It is past time to move on.
Why have a lawn?
Why not have a "natural" space where local flora and fauna can thrive?
A lawn, to a bee, is a desert.
Cos then you get more scorpions and snakes.
We are our worst enemies…..(yawn)……what else is new?
I agree. And flora and fuana can't grow when they are continously plucked and picked to keep the lawn prestine.
Who will do it? Those who did it prior to importation of cheap labour will do it plus others who want to work but not for $3.00 per hr, so businesses will soon have to realise that slavery is now being abolished in Cayman – hope so. Onthe other hand, we may become just like our neighbours – reeking of corruption and crime except nowhere to run.
By the way, this Caymanian swept her white sand yard and later pushed her lawn mower. She also worked in the hotel industry like many of her native Caymanians, We don't need imported labour for these tasks.
Please remember that many of these lazy Caymanians arrived on our shores in the last 30 years and their lazy parents live on our Social Services.
If htey are accused and prosecuted, it will set a precedent. I know of several people who are busting at the seems wanting to leak this practice occurring at a higher education establishment where new jobs are never posted, but instead used for managers to create thier own cult following.
Archibold should be relieved of his post due to gross misconduct.
I agree! Unless somebody's head is going to roll, all of this "exposing" is going to be in vain and things will continue to be done in the same matter…..
It is time an example is made……
The problem is that all CS bosses -and most of them are Born Caymanians – want to employ the best person for the job. Sometimes that person is not a Caymanian although the Caymanian naturally thinks so, as does Ezzard Miller as part of his DNA. I think the solution is to tell the bosses just to go ahead and appoint Caymanians only and accept that the job may not be very well done. But I hope that Ezzard and the posters on here who are so vocal about how Caymanians are marginalised but also about how there should be consequences for poor performance in the civil service, will accept it when a Born Caymanian boss fires a Born Caymanian employee for non performance. Or will they jump up and down and say the employee is being unfairly fired. Bosses in the Civil Service can't win for losing, true to God.
Read the immigration law! Where there is a suitably qualified Caymanian available for the post, no work permit should be required.
Suitably qualified – not the best in comparison to every Expat from around the world who could potentialy apply for that job.
If the jobs are open to any and everyone around the world, why would we bother to have immigration policies in place, aimed at regulating the work permit issues?
From an operational point of view. The expat must be more qualified than theCaymanian and not just in the same ballpark so to speak.
I think much of the problem is how for does "suitably qualified" stretch? In my field, if I advertise for a position (and I speak from experience), I may get 5 applicants, say 3 from Caymanians and 2 expats, either here on Island or overseas (via the website). If I use 2 recruitment agencies, one from on Islands and I from overseas, I may get 10 more candidates from the overseas agency and 4 caymanians from the local agency. When I look at all the resumes, usually of the 19 total candidates, the five best qualified, most experienced and best from a business potential point of view are expats. This is not to denigrate local applicants at all – it is just that if you open the applications to all relevant persons wherever they may be, probability dictates that it is likely that the demonstrably more experienced and immediately productive applicants are probably from overseas, as the pool of available talent is larger. As a businessman, I want the best for my business and for my clients, so that I get more business. As the operator of a business in Cayman, I want if possible to hire locally. My business is not of a size that allows me a dedicated training regime, and in any event I cannot guarantee being able to train up anyone to become "suitably qualified" – that term is so subjective, and what I deem "suitably qualified" necessarily is going to have to include "the best person available at the right price" whereas of course that is not necessarily what the law is trying to achieve. I do not want to be thought of as discriminatory. I want to the follow the law, and I also want to hire the best person available. Too often those aims are not capable of alignment.
Yeah right. Ok, so because the expat’s resume looks better, how do u actually go about verifying that any of their credentials are accurate? How do you know that their police record is legitimate? Also, u mention that you cannot afford to train but yet you can afford to pay for a work permit? Also, mind asking if you can afford to pay pension and health insurance??
Training is not only about money, it is about time and having the right people to do it. A great accountant is not necessarily a great trainer of accountants, ditto lawyers, investment managers etc. I think you misunderstand the point I was trying to make. Obviously there is always a risk recruiting someone from abraod, but there are plenty of ways to mitigate that risk. I can visit them when I travel on business. When I want someone to work for me, I want them for the qualified worker they are now, not what they may or may not become in say 2 years' time. You seem to think I would recruit simply based on a piece of paper someone sends me. That would be foolish. Any application have references – you check those, and depending on whether they are merely friends rather than current or former employers, you may ask for more information or more references. I don't understand your question about pensions and health insurance – of course I pay them, but that is not relevant to hiring an expat or a Caymanian. You have to pay them irrespective of whether the employee is expat or Caymanian.
But how do you know you've found the best person if you send them a contract ebfore the application period has finished? Maybe there was an even better foreigner than your friend? – Oh, sorry, you just want to bad-mouth Caymanians? Right, back to it then.
Sorry 14:07, I was not trying to defend Archibold's alleged actions or actions like them. If they are true he should be dismissed.
It is very hard to recruit top quality people because of the uncertainties of the advertising system. Understandably they won't resign until a contract is in place and deferring this until the technicalities are observed often results in talent being lost. Some businesses don't settle for the merely "suitably qualified".
Do you really think that nonsense justifies what happened?
that's fine, as long as you then appreciate that some businesses thereby choose (unless they are making a full and fair declaration) to break the law and commit an offence.
Firing an HR Manager is not good enough. The buck stops here!!!…..(at Director level.) I am positive David Archibold would have known WHO was hired and it is HIS duty of care to adhere to all laws, period. To deny it was even worse. Supena the email logs….
All well and good, but everyone should check they can't find anyone "suitably qualified" locally BEFORE offering contracts to foreigners. Even I know that.
What a crock……
I have watched countless ads in the newspaper where my mouth falls open at the qualifications being asked for the requirements of the job. Then when you look at the salaries YOU JUST KNOW. No one in their right mind would take CI$2,000 while requiring bachelors degrees and professional qualifications.
There are many businesses out there KNOWING FULL WELL the ad they are posting is to run Caymanians and attract only 3rd world country workers who are desperate for a job.
I get it that businesses want to maximize their profit but until there is some sort of marker out there or our Immigration department REALLY scrutinizing ads we won't make it. Just like there needs to be a minimum wage their needs to be a pay scale level system if not in law at Immigration where permits that are for post with TOTALLY UNREALISTIC pay scales are set aside.
We are never going to get our Caymanians back out to work with the system being manipulated.
BUT…..let me say this also….not only attacking local businesses but attacking CIG also…
Until CIG get's it's act together and stop taxing us to death we will always have businesses trying to skirt expenses because they are trying to stay afloat.
I lay blame at previous governments for their spending practices. The millions spent on travel. The millions spent on SLUSH FUNDS. Lower taxes so we all can survive instead of private drivers, private security and God knows what else you threw our money on.
Excuses aside, the law is the law.
Yes, but it has no application to employers. They are exempted by the invisible hand of nepotism and corruption. Only lower level workers and the general public (Caymanian and Expatriate) need be concerned about it.
Great that the finance committee has suddenly popped up and put the pressure on.
I do have to ask though, who is actually scrutinizing the finance committee and other pseudo political pension grabbers?
It is clear that the government needs to send a strong message that this type of behaviour will not be tolerated. They cannot have 2 government departments policing the private sector for this type of behaviour only to have it going on IN government. The government's own credibility is at risk now as they cannot have one standard for the public sector and another for the private sector.
I dont expect them to FINE themselves but at a minimum I expect them to FIRE someone.
Don't be silly. No-one is policing the private sector. You do not get 1100 employers in breach of the pensions law while happily getting their status granted and permits renewed if there was anything like policing going on.
So glad PPM is exposing this. Now we have proof that it is not just a conspiracy theory.
Expat bosses have infiltrated the private sector as well as hiring manager roles "owa" government. Now we have proof that there has been a collective and active effort to keep Caymanians out of employment.
PPM? Please… if it wasn't for Ezzard!
Who do you think required him to produce the documentation? Na the PPM Government??
it isnt the PPMs fault they are so clueless on fixing the problem, but had enough brains to campaign on the very same issue EACH AND EVERY ELECTION! HELLO!!! PPM sucks as much as the UDP! More!
This is not the PPM government but simply the government. Many people who are there have been there since Adam and Eve were kids. Okay I know that never happened but you get my point.
So what's new?
I am so happy to see this coming to light. "Thank you Mr. Miller". This type of manipulation and circumventing of the employment/work permit process is being carried out everyday by the government and private sector. Hence the frustration of my Cayman people! Now my question is…what is going to happen to Mr. Archibald and his staff responsible for this gross misconduct and illegal act? I say …he should lose his job and the employment contracts awarded be made null and void pending the outcome of a new recruitment process which would gave those qualified Caymanians a fair chance at this position.
"what is going to happen to Mr. Archibald and his staff responsible for this gross misconduct and illegal act?"
Well that's quite an allegation, and potentially a false and libellous one. There's no evidence Archbold knew what had happened (and from his this report it would seem he definitely didn't… why lie when you can easily be found out? Though if he didn't know he's not doing a very good job managing that department because the buck stops at the top). And even if he did know I doubt this action would amount to gross misconduct or a breach of a law. It would certainly be unethical if it was in fact deliberate, and maybe misconduct worthy of a written warning from the Chief Officer (who appears to have his own troubles). But how about we wait for them to figure out who actually was responsible and not exaggerate?
I realise I will probably get a lot of thumbs down for this (and trolls, since it appears a lot of people don't know what thatbutton means), but I must also say that it's very possible that no Caymanian was willing or able to do the job and the ICTA was going through the motions with the advertisements and trying to get the persons in quickly. It's possible that they meant no ill-will and no one was actually disadvantaged in the process. That would mean they were cutting corners, not deliberately trying to shut out qualified Caymanians. Not saying it was right – because process matters, as the former Premier learned through feeling since he couldn't seem to hear – but maybe it wasn't malicious. We simply don't know.
I will, however, be the first to call on Archbold to investigate the matter, fully disclose what happened, sanction the person(s) responsible, take any action necessary to rectify the situation and bring the employment in line with all legal requirements (e.g. void the contract pending open and fair recruitment if there were in fact any Caymanian applicants and/or re-do the job requirements if they are found to be biased) and ensure it never happens again.
If you don't do this everyone will just think the worst of the process and of you, sir. It will probably blow over quickly, because if I've learned anything over the years it's that we have the memory of goldfish here in Cayman. But that doesn't mean you should bank on that and take undeserved licks and/or duck your responsibilities. What happened and what are you doing to fix it?
To everyone giving this comment a thumbs down… please read the whole thing first. I was going to thumbs down thinking it was trying to make excuses, but I actually agreed with it once I read the whole thing.
Yeah, but its a little too balanced. We Want Vitriol! Thumbs-down to the gladiator that did not entertain us suitably.
Sorry, that's a lousy excuse he didn't know. If he is in charge of staff, it is his responibility to know and he is at risk for taking the fall if they screw up. That is how it works in the real world.
But then again, this is in general the problem – everyone wants to be the "head" of something and just delegate work. They like to take the title, benefits and pay that comes with a supervisory position but not the responsibility!
Excuses. The buck stops with him. That doesn't mean only him should bear the penalty.
You obviously are NOT well connected with the industry or you are blind. There are quite a few locals who have been made redundant recently by local Telcos, whom I am positive could fill any positions currently open or previously open in the last year at the ICTA.
That would not be good policy. At least five years should lapse before a former employee employed with a telco should be appointed to the ICTA Board or ICTA.
This is needed to ensure objectivity so that they do not act impartial or otherwise. Such arrangments are in place with other industries.
If Mr. Archbold did not know, why didn't he answer accordingly to Finance Committee? Why did he deny what was later proved to be case when he was compelled to produce documents. This not so easy to weasel out as you seem think.
Don't ruin it all with a lot of truth and facts that make sense. I prefer the other versions where there is grilling and televised interrogation!
the deputy governor and the chief officer have no role to play with ICTA at all. Arch inbound is not a civil servant. ICTA Board and chairman control all admin and other matters.
We have met the enemy and it is us.
Huh? People like Dave Archbold are not "us".
At the Government hospital the same thing is happening with overseas contracts and promotions of expats workers.
and at Cayman AIrways…Watch the press another one is soon to come to light….maybe two
If so, good on the whistle-blowers.
This type of manipulation has long been occuring by CI Government!
Heads of departments have too much power with crafting and re-crafting job qualification criteria only to suit their own pre-determined candidate being hired. Often seemingly because of their own ineptitude and disdain for proper procedures (let alone, ethics) they want to hire persons they feel will suck up to them.
And it will continue unless meaningful "accountability" is brought to bear! This means firing (without goldenparachute retirement packages) those responsible!
Thanks Mr. Miller and others for starting this process….long overdue!
I don't believe anyone would hire someone just because they "suck up". They are probably circumventing the process so that they can hire the "best" person for the job. With a seemingly endless supply of expats full of qualifications knocking at the door, it is very difficult for a qualified Caymanian to compete…hence immigration policies. You nailed the issue on the head though, the employers lack ETHICS.
Poppycock. You can still recruit the best person for the job without circumventing the system.
Oh, you will soon know that if you don't 'suck up' and run after and wait on these bosses with all their money and 'power' that you will not be promoted, their favourites will be promoted. You will be harrassed, bullied, demoted and ostracised to try and make you leave. If you don't, then come the warning letters. Too much of it goes on. Sad but true!
It starts right in the core civil service. There are contracts and posts for expat retirees that get extended and renewed without advertising while other Caymanians have to go home. If there is no transparency at the top why do we expect it further down the ranks?
There are other plans afoot for other departments like Fire and Customs. People who work there are saying that they know about active plans by the powers that be to bring in expat HOD's but these plans aren't going as well as originally envisioned so we might see the plan b rolled out soon.
The political adminstration will be completely screwed and government will have no credibility when the private sector sees the hypocritical practices of the government especially when it comes to Caymanian upward mobility.
And with training budgets slashed as we seek to reduce expenditure, its even harder now for people to move improve their qualifications so expats will always be 'better suited' for the job.
If your HR department is filled with anti-Caymanian expats can you really expect anything better?
Thanks Miller and McLean. This is the proper job of the Opposition. Probe those irregularities. Of course, foreign workers being pre-selected and then manipulating the recruitment process to exclude Caymanian applicants is par for the course in both public and private sectors.
To engage in such employment practice is stupid, especially in the CS. To get caught doing it and then lying about it, is even worse. Not sure Mr Archibald is going to be around too much longer, if he had any decency he would quit.
I know one thing for sure, this is not happening everywhere, and certainly not in our firm. We are an equal opportunities employer, and that is exactly what we do, give equal opportunity. If it is possible, we would much rather employ Caymanians, but we do not always find the skill levels needed. We cannot compromise our service, otherwise out competitors (and there are many) take our business. If we can find those skills and positive attitude then Caymanian first, every time.
Yup, there will be more of this to come. This is how they operate in the Cayman Islands, always giving the impression that everything is fine and dandy when the dirt is constantly being covered.
They constantly advertise jobs in the papers for which they ALREADY have chosen who will fill that post.
Do not forget just recently as the new school year started that an expat teacher had been told she would be teaching a year 2 class in East End Primary and upon arrival she is told "oh no we are actually having you teach a year 5 class"….
Were "we" the public ever told the truth or did we have to go 'knit-picking' to find it. This behaviour and attitude of our public officials (ministry of education) is unacceptable. They CANNOT just do as they FEEL because they have the power; and at the discretion of our childrens' education no less???!!!!
So yes, this is thenorm here, and transparency is only now becoming a part of our lives.
Some might say, "too little too late".
Serious meeting. Why do you think David Baines, the Police Commissioner cut his holiday short??? Because I suspect he knows the interrogation may have put him in the hot seat too. He doesn't want to be on a vacation and his name comes up. Come on … Police asking for more recruits to an already bloated Police Service, and agencies like Immigration are underfunded – not enough enforcement and to enforce PR holders to pay up!
Underfunded or inefficient? Spent 3 hours at immigration to get a stamp. 5 clerks at their desks but only 2 were taking customers, why?
Spent 1 hr at police records office to obtain a police clearance for immigration. 3 clerks working there? Why can't I apply online and pick up next day with proof of identity? Better yet, why do I need to get a clearance cert so I can line up at immigration for 3 hours to put my application in? Why can't immigration access the police database? Aren't they supposed to be in charge of border control? How odd they do this if they can't access the police records? Do those immigration officers at the airport not scanning passports to check criminal records? Is it that people escaping from prison can board a plane with no problems?
i think there is a great deal of inefficiency not underfunding.
This is done in the private sector all the time, some employers prefer non-Caymanians because they have more control over them. Unfortunately, they can use their work permit to threaten them, since it is alot easier to fire a work permit holder than a Caymanian they get their way alot easier. Also, alot of times people in the higher positions want to hire friends or family for a position.
That works the other way too, even in our office some Caymanians abuse their positions knowing damn well that we will think hard about firing them, even if they deserve it. You make a good point, expats are under pressure all the time to perform, Caymanians not so much. Do you wonder why the competitive edge of parts of the Caymanian work force is blunted? Why some are shunned, unemployable? Until education shows these people that they are killing themselves and no-one else by being so, the problem will not go away.
True I have seen this myself, the attitude of oh well they can't fire me. Guess it isn't really working for either side of the coin. Unfortunately, there are caymanians and expats that do work hard and have great knowledge and both get hit by the two sides of this.
Now that David Archbold has been found to be untruthful, at worst, and inaccurate, at best, what will be done?
Absolutely nothing I expect.
Yet, the ICTA continues to bring shame on Cayman by not dealing with the Westar / HBO debacle.
For anyone who knows anything about the ICTA law, you will clearly understand that this is a matter of copyright infringement and that it is a matter for the courts and not the ICTA. HBO also knows this yet they refuse to pursue it through the proper channels, i.e. by bringing a lawsuit through the courts.
Information, Communication and Telecommunication Authority. ICTA.
Television signals and broadcast licenses fall under the remit of the ICTA. If an ICTA licensee is using their license to illegally transmit pirated material and charging the public then the ICTA cannot stand idly by and deflect to the courts. These are ill-gotten gains and by deflecting and refusing to act the ICTA is complicit.
Your reply confirms that you do not know the ICTA law and that you are simply assuming that the ICTA has certain powers that it does not have. Under the ICTA law, the ICTA does NOT have the power to enforce the copyright law (an extension of the UK's copyright law) of the Cayman Islands.
But the police do have the right to prosecute persons selling stolen property or engaged in money laundering under the proceeds of crime law, as well as those who aid and abet such offences.
And presumably the ICTA has the authority to act where one of its licensees is committing criminal offences.
Finally it is aBout time they exposed the corrupt practices inside the Civil Service by senior officials. Fire them all they been doing this for years. Dep Governor and Chief Officers this is your mess and the buck stops with all of you.
U dimwit ! The deputy governor and chief officers have no authority at all or responsibility for the ICTA or any other authorities. The responsibility sits completely with the board and chairman of the authority. ICTA EMPLOYEES ARE NOT CIVIL SERVANTS they are merely public officers. ( not the same !)
Pre-selection before recruitment. That kind of sh%t don't go on in America!
Oh dear, Mr. Archbold looks like he's in trouble and quite rightly so.
I find it funny that McKeeva is suddenly championing the cause of his people when he spent the last 4 years in government robbing them.
I cannot wait for Baines to get into the hot seat. This bloke won't have a leg to stand on, so rather than give him a cow cod and send him on his way, we'll just fashion a pirate's peg leg before wishing him farewell.
Winston, stop looking like a deer caught in the headlights and step up to the plate or you won't get voted back in.
Mr. Miller, I have never been your biggest fan, but you sure are asking the right questions and for that, sir, I applaud you.
People in business and power do not not like Ezzard and his aggressive style but the man is no fool. He is prepared to stand up and fight for Caymanians and expose the BS. Yes he is loud and obxnious but hear the message do not focus on the messenger.
There are many out there like Mr. archibold who try to take us for fools. Thank you Mr. Miller.
That is one reason why you don't get rid of Ezzard. He is a definite MLA member. He is needed to expose and critique the governments and private sector, and he is not scared to do so!
Interesting enough is that these departments all fall under the same Ministry. I find it very ironic how you can go through a "process", do the worst out of all the candidates and still end up getting the job. You know what they say, "If the head is not functioning don't expect the tail to either"
What?!!! Say it isn't so!!! Qualified Caymanians being overlooked!!! What a shocker.
Story did not say that.
No, because the qualifications are artificial, those who were really qualified did not know, and so never applied.
Or they applied and the application went into file 13.
Read between the lines. We all know who the target of the ICTA's discrimination is.
So now that its clear the Governor's Civil Service is not being fair to Caymanians – what will the new Governor do (other than lip service of course)?
Err…its CIG's Civil Service, not the Governors..please try harder.
Who is the head of the Civil Service? Under whose responsbility does it fall?
ICTA is not part of the Civil Service.
Isn't the Deputy Governor responsible for the running of the CS and isn't he a Caymanian?
That is simply delegated by the Governor. The buck and the authority stops with the Governor. Stop trying to make the expat weasel out of their responsibilities.
And so what is the consequence of the ICTA not having been accurate in his statements?
as they are being called as witness they should be called to take oath under penalty of purgery.
Purgery – sounds nasty!
It is a cross between perjury and purgatory.
Keep up the pressure Ezzard and Arden…
Prosecute the bastards in the same way you prosecute the private sector for breaching the immigration law for tailoring requirements to artificially ensure no Caymanian can do the job!
Oh wait, you never prosecute the private sector…