Rollover gets rolled out
(CNS): Full story — Government has revealed its intention to suspend the controversial seven year term limit known as rollover for up to two years. Premier McKeeva Bush made the surprise announcement in the Legislative Assembly this evening (Wednesday 14 September), stating that the proposal would be going before Cabinet next week to allow government to temporarily suspend the policy as soon as possible and allow those now facing rollover to apply for another work permit. Government then intends to review the policy and will be appointing a committee to examine the pros and cons of the term limit and look at how the country can address the immigration dilemma in face of a policy that has not worked as it was intended.
"It is my opinion, as Minister for Financial Services with responsibility for economic development, and it is also the view of the government, that the policy needs to be re-examined," Bush told the Legislative Assemblyin a statement delivered at the end of the most recent meeting.
He said that he believed the continuation of the term limit has led to a decline in all sectors of the economy and negatively affected jobs for Caymanians.
“There was time when the Cayman Islands had many more persons from overseas in our workforce,” Bush stated. “Very few of our people were unemployed during this time. Many of our young people were able to establish their own businesses and to have a place in the growth of the country. Unfortunately, some of these local businesses have had to close and others are experiencing very pressing financial difficulties.”
Bush said people had thought rolling over qualified and trained persons would create opportunities for Caymanians but that hasn’t happened. “Many of the persons that were rolled over took up positions in other competing jurisdictions. The lack of their skills was correspondingly felt here, as we failed to gain the economic activities that would have created additional employment for us.”
He said that since coming to office he had pressed for reform but people had opposed it, not anticipating the serious impact on the local economy. Despite opposition within the United Democratic Party, Bush appears to pressing on with the changes at the earliest opportunity, beginning with the suspension which he said will happen as soon as Cabinet approves the necessary amendments to the immigration law. In his statement to the Legislative Assembly he said he hoped to bring that amendment when the House reconvenes at the end of September for a new meeting.
“I intend to present a paper to the Cabinet next week to place a temporary suspension on the rollover policy for up to 2 years pending an urgent report from a committee,” he said.
This new committee will be formed from members of the Chamber of Commerce, Cayman Finance, the Immigration Review Team, and other organisations representing small businesses. Bush said it would review the “positive and negative aspects” of rollover in the current conditions. “The committee will be also tasked to receive input from a wide cross section of our community and relevant data from the Immigration Department and to provide their findings and recommendations to the Cabinet within 180 days,” he explained
Once Cabinet amends the law to suspend the term limits people who were expected to face rollover will be given an opportunity to re-apply for a work permit under the usual considerations. The goal, Bush added, was to try and prevent jobs being lost when senior managers were rolled over. He said when their jobs were relocated, Caymanian secretaries and administrators lost their jobs.
“When this happens rental apartment revenues are lost, plumbers, electricians, shopkeeper, supermarkets, construction companies, heavy equipment operators, truck owners and every other business feels the economic impact in these islands,” he said, adding that he believed there were some 2200 rental apartments currently empty which were owned by Caymanians who were now unable to meet their costs.
“We need the right people to remain on island to ensure that our people have the ability to benefit within their own economy,” he told the House. “Government will take steps to ensure that Caymanians are employed with each business established in this country.” The premier added that business without policies for the employment and promotion of able and willing Caymanians will not be permitted to benefit from the temporary suspension of the roll-over policy.
Although Bush has advocated a change to the immigration term limits since coming to office, the issue has now reached a critical point as immigration figures have revealed that some 6,000 people are potentially facing rollover between November of this year and next as a result of the massive recruitment to the islands in the wake of Hurricane Ivan in 2004. It is understood that more than one thousand people are believed to be due to leave between November and the year end.
The business community and CITA in particular has spoken on a number of occasions about the major losses the tourism sector will face over the next twelve months and the Ritz Carlton is facing the loss of some 120 long term employees.
The temporary suspension will enable any of the 6,000 workers that are granted permits beyond the seven year rollover to remain, without having to apply for key employee status, taking them to a position where they will be able to apply for permanent residency after their eighth year.
Government’s goal, however, is to have another term limit type plan in place before the end of the two year suspension that can tackle the constant dilemma faced by government of facilitating the recruitment and retention of talent into the islands to maintain the financial services and tourism sectors and create proper career opportunities for Caymanians, while at the same time controlling the number of people who eventually become Caymanian.
Vote in the CNS poll: Are you in favour of the suspension of Rollover?
Category: Politics
Cuba is the neighboring country. And it cannot be Jamaica they are talking about and spewing all that HATE, because the bible says you must love your neighbours like yourselve. Remember Cayman is a christian country.
I am a Caymanian, but… to Thur 14:43 that is why it is so hard to keep people like you employed. You are not even equipped to write on a blog. Your spelling and grammar are atrocious. Bottom line, WE NEED TO GET EDUCATED! Nobody can take away your education, but they can stop you when you are empty headed.
A Caymanian, i think not , just another disgruntled resident.
I got my status over 20 ,years ago when it had to be earned.
have never been unemployed and love this country and the genuine people here.
you check the grammer, and ignore the message, thats why we are where we are now.
I will get back to figuring out the material for my next project.
what were your Net earnings last month.
maybe you can help, how much cu. yds. of 4000psi do i need to purchase for an area 3953 sq.ft. 8" thick., i also need help figuring out the roof.
Hey 15:49- why are you so hateful towards the Jamaicans? Your comment appears as if it has a history and nothing to do with Roll Over. Did your Jamaican spouse left you?
To 11:33 I think you 'The Canadian Educator' is teaching the Caymanian children at the government schools and that is why 75% of them are BOBOS and so dunce. Roll out and be replaced with a real teacher.
I agree. I am another Canadian educator and am embarrassed both for, and by, my compatriot above. If this is the standard of writing displayed by teachers, what can we expect from our students? Please, Canadian educator, at least learn to spell before you frequent a public forum to criticize others. You are letting our entire profession (not to mention our glorious country) down!
This has to be the only country I have come across where the government and its people expect employers to do what the government, through its education system should do – train people to be able to do jobs. Everywhere else you have to get qualifications at schools and colleges, then get a job (mostly unrelated to your qualifications at the very bottom rung of the ladder), and work your way up through recognition and commitment. Only then, when you have finally gotten into the job you trained for, do you start to get education and training from your employers, but that is usually to help you to be better at your job, not to learn it in the first place.
A girl I know spent several years studying in accountancy qualifications, went on to work for a major auditing company and now is a financial controller and accountant, after more than a decade of working from the bottom to the top and earning recognition and position in her home country. She is a key employee in the company she works for because she has specialist skills, yet the unskilled, unqualified Cayman admin assistant is expected to fill her shoes… well at least thats what the Work Permit Board dictated… how logical is that and what business do the Work Permit Board have in telling you how to run your business?
Try push your government to produce a more literate and work orientated schedule and colleges if you really want to see fair change.
The following is not a credible story.
"A girl I know spent several years studying in accountancy qualifications, went on to work for a major auditing company and now is a financial controller and accountant, after more than a decade of working from the bottom to the top and earningrecognition and position in her home country. She is a key employee in the company she works for because she has specialist skills, yet the unskilled, unqualified Cayman admin assistant is expected to fill her shoes… well at least thats what the Work Permit Board dictated".
The Work Permit Board would never require an unskilled, unqualified administrative assistant to replace an experienced, qualified accountant in the role of financial controller. That is just plain nonsense said for propaganda purposes.
As for training people to do their jobs, that happens all the time with respect to expat employees. Having gained training and experience while on a temporary work permit (which did not have to be advertised) that is then produced as their advantage over the Caymanian applicant when they advertise for the full permit.
Show me somone who is of the mind that we are this little place, wrapped in a cocoon where nothing can touch us, and that we can just carry on without other nationalities coming to our shores and living and working among us – and I will show you someone who is living in a dream. Open your minds and learn something – learn that Caymanians have ALWAYS travelled to and lived in other countries in order to make a living AND SEND IT BACK HOME – whether it was on a foreign flag ship or actually living in another country. Open your minds to other cultures, and try a little graciousness instead of anger.
why suspend the R O. for 2 years? it shows a lack of consideration for our future and selfishness of our leaders and their supporters.
say 2000 will get RO in the next 2 years, thats roughly 83 each month.
the employer, had a minimum of 84 months (7years) to find someone locally for that job.
there are very good ethical hard working Caymanians going to and returning from highly rated Universities every year who are willing and capable to share their knowledge while gaining the expertaise you require,
IS THAT NOT WHAT USUALLY HAPPEN WHEN YOU BRING SOMEONE IN ON A WP? So why deprive the Caymanian. BUT no you have to have that WP WHY, WHY/ !!!. The experience you clame the employee is taking away when he leave, DID HE NOT GAIN THAT IN THE CAYMAN ISLANDS.???
if the employee have a rare specialty that cannot be provided locally then the RO do not apply.
Say the RO is suspended for 2 years, 2000 people their employer and the country are in limbo,
2 years is up Caymanians were/are out of work and the 2000 people all have to leave at once.
who benefits from this ?????. worse yet, they could all qualify for residency and then the issue of there dependents come into the equation.
from the begining when they accept the job, everyone knows they are leaving their home to come here to work for 1 year OR A SPECIFIC PERIOD and they gladly accept.
so why all of a sudden everyone is so surprised to find out what they knew from the time they got their first WP??? The world is in a tail spin millions would be glad to come here for 1 year at a time.
Give the Caymanians a chance you know they can do the job. You know the Good companies that have and are doing it and they are very competative and succesful.
I know of people from different countries who have got Status and they say the worst thing that happened to them were to get status. they had constant employment when on a WP and could be exployted, now they can hardly get a job not even from the people that exployted them. what sayeth though, show the thumbs down, TRUTH HURTS.
Caymanians be respectful, be firm, stand up.
this gov or ment is tricking us again preparing for the next election.
Anon 0936 this is call trying to serve two masters. A number of people are crying out in favour of the roll over and others against it. The Government is trying to make both happy. They probably would like to try it as a testing period to see if indeed the country is better off without the roll over.
What is probably needed more than the roll over is an imigration with teeth. If private sector companies are not giving Caymanians a fair chance then the immigration department should have some mechanism in place to punish them.
what do the rollover policy have to do with your nanny leaving after being here for 5 years?. sounds like the buisness was doomed from the get go.
Another 1 saved, $100,000.00 moved to another country,
whare there are no immigration controllsfor foreign nationals.
why dont you people just admit i want to stay in Cayman and stop writing rubbish.
better than back home eh.
wow, spirited reponse there 17:55!
your spelling and grammer show your intelligence and your lack thereof explains your hatred for "you people". I wonder who that my be?
To help you along there sport, she was with me for 5 years which has no reference to how long she was in Cayman.
How would you know anything about the business I am referring to? Ah, maybe you're psychic as well as being an idiot.
I would argue my comments were factual therefore not "rubbish" and yes I do like it here, guess what i'm Caymanian you tool, but unlike you I am educated caymanian and an entrepreneur who is a positive force contributing to the economy and many charities in a big way. I would love to know what you contribute on a day to day basis. Pray do tell?
The rollover was bad for all of us. Expats too, but it appears you hate them rather than try appreciate we all need each other to survive.
S h o o o o o, EDUCATED,
want more WP's.
If you had trained those Caymanians your buisness will still be up and running. Greed is the problem not the RO.
21:55
Educated !!
Educated people do not use words like IDIOT, in their correspondence.
Well intended people, do not donate to a good cause's and then brag about it.
One can have and opinion without disliking others, guess only idiot's can figure that out.
Very shallow indeed
"you people"
mean, anyone who fabricates reasons to bring some one here and do not keep their end of the bargin. such as pay, accommodation, have them work free for the employer also forced to give their employer money they earned illegally working for others, on and on it goes. when that person get status, the employee lay them off and go to immigration for another W P.
no secrets being told here.
now go ahead and correct the gramma, oops, and watch our country go to hell,
it will make Caymanian children proud.
"Mr. Kettle you are looking mighty black over there".
"your spelling and grammer (sic)".
What a hoot! Never criticise anyone's spelling unless you make d@mn sure yours is spot on.
In the last year we have lost our Nanny of 5 years and devastated my kid, lost our family and comany mechanic who employed 5 staff and after leaving shut down his company and just recently lost our second tenant in the space of 18months to the rollover. She left with her husband who had a job but she was not a dependant and neither were their children who were on her WP. They had 3 kids.
Think of all the spending power that was lost to the island.
The mechanics staff all have to leave except the 2 cayamanians of course who are now out of a job. There is no replecement coming. The company and the staff are gone from our economy or on teh streets with no prospects……and you know what that leads to!
The nanny was a lovely woman who had our trust and my sons adoration and she was impossible to replace……and so we did not. We manage without her.
The married couple had 3 kids at school, they worked hard and spent most of their considerable income in Cayman. Now they are gone and spending their money, getting their schooling in the UK.
We know many people and similar stories but here are 4 easy to see how they affect the overall economy examples.
15:42
lost our family and company mechanic who employed 5 people and after leaving shut down his company. sounds like FRONTING dont it.
Sorry for your, is it kid or kids loss. take my word for it they will be better off in the long run now that they are being cared for by you their parents.
I was Roller over in 2009
I would have loved to purchase a house and call Cayman my home. When the rollover was put into place I was looking at purchasing a home but when I knew my days were numbered I decided to stop that thinking all together buckle down and save money (meaning not spending it in Cayman on anything other than necesasry living expenses) because I would have to relocate and would need funds to do so. I was also thinking of updating my car at the same time but did not do that either. So none of my money went back into the community – I thought well I will save all I can and then take all my savings and purchase a home and a new car in a country where I know I can live in for more than 7 years and call my home. I ended up saving about $100,000 and have taken every penny of it and purchased and home and a car in another country that was not going ot make me leave after 7 years… Just an example of one expat who was rolled over…
That's really great that you could leave with all that money and get all those things in another country.
I am happy for you.
It is sad that no Caymanian can even write a story like that in their own country. So amazing you can critize our country when you benefited so much and with such wealth to boast about it on this blog. I am very happy for you.
But as you are very ungrateful, I hope that you don't have to eat those words when you apply to come back to this country, that persons such as yourself have come to love and know as the 'land of milk and honey'
Stop being ungrateful for what this country has given to you. Think about if you hadn't come here and worked and lived for years you wouldn't be able to write about it either.
I don't get the impression the poster is ungrateful — just pragmatic. I think he or she wrote to explain some of the ramifications of the rollover have been: many expats thought twice about investing here when there was no long-term benefit for them. That seems reasonable to me. What would you do yourself in such a position? I doubt very much you would be giving away your hard-earned money to a community that wouldn't let you stay. Just like this poster, you would be absolutely obliged to save it in order to be financially capable of setting up a permanent home elsewhere. Nowhere in his or her post is there criticism of Cayman — just simple observations from one individual's real experience.
And I doubt Cayman "gave" this expat anything. He or she obviously worked for the money and was paid whatever his or her employer felt was a fair wage. It's not as though Cayman's government or private companies just throw money at expats for nothing. A paycheck is earned — and a paycheck can be earned by hard-working people in other jurisdictions too.
What I assume is happening is that some business was going to loose a vital employee, because of the rollover policy, so he calls mckeeva and said something needs to be done.
Since he is a good friend, mckeeva decided to change the law, since it is common practice to do that here to accommodate business.
I assume the same thing happened with the 3000 status grants. A few people applied for residency, but were not qualified or had a criminal record. So somebody called somebody and the rest is history.
Like I said, just an assumption.
Re: "The rollover policy made all expats feel unwelcome, widened the division between expats and Caymanians and discouraged expats from attempting to make themselves a part of the local culture."
My friend, the operative word in your post is "EXPAT"!
An expat, regardless of where he or she has expatriated to, fully understands that he or she is an EXPAT.
They filled out forms, they knew the terms of the situation before entering into the agreement – what pray tell is the problem now?
I challenge any one to try that logic with a U.S. or UK Immigration officer. Good luck!
happens hundreds of times a day in those countries my friend.
Enjoy it while it last, remember the world is in a recession, expats will leave with or without a rollover policy, it's known as supply and demand, no business, no jobs, no work; voluntary rollout. Will still be faced with unrented apartments, properties for sale, business closures. Just look around any town USA and it's just a matter of time for anywhere the world over, with or without a rollover policy.
Read, here is how any small island should operate a proper immigration policy, until the government of the Cayman Islands get it right it will always be flip flopping on the issues.
http://bermuda-online.org/employwp.htm
Wooooo! Rollover needs to go so I don't have to.
I'm here to stay baby! Wooo!
you are funny, but we will never love you
That's right. Never forget. They may not know you but they will still hate you.
after 2 yearsa of utter nonsense from this shambles of a government…i just got to say well done and thank you….the rollover has destroyed people, cayman, relationships, and families……
can't wait for ezzards anti-expat rant on tues!!!!! hahahahhha
thank god! at last they have seen sense…. caymnan can now attempt to recover……..
The problem was a recession caused by people who wanted to help poor people subprime loans. people invested the market crashed because poor people can't pay their loans.
The lower price of apartments was caused by businesses who couldn't keep their doors open. So when they closed people started to go back to there countries they were from. But the majority of the people were people who came after the hurricane to rip off people building new roofs. Because when the construction was done most of the caymanian owned businesses hardly got any business. Even cabinet makers went broke !! how! foreigners came in got licenses through sometimes taxi drivers or someone like them. They then got work permits for any kind of construction job and when it was finished people who had construction jobs for more then 20 years had to close. The country that the majority of them came from was jamaica. The majority of the workers still today is from jamaica and i'm not including those that married jamaicans. So when the they started to roll some of them over we started to realize there was alot here who weren't suppose to be here. No work permits. overstayed. They were given a bligh to leave and some can't still be found. I have had jamaicans working for me in the pass were they have told me gov't in cayman is so stupid because any jamaican can get a false passport. $150 and you can have a new name a new birth certificate and a new passport. When we look at crime we know we didn't have this attitude and disrespect from the youth until the jamaicans came here with their bad english . Remember the dance hall dancing on the streets of cardinal avenue! Remember where the ganja comes from? Remember the bicycles that were being shipped out of this country jamaica. Remember one baby store that was robbed the night before and someone call police at the airport when they saw this poorer looking woman with all these baby things in new boxes going to jamaica. http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/video/2011/aug/13/david-starkey-whites-black-video
Watch this video and hear what a historian thinks caused the riots in england we next
How short your memory is, that allows you to kick down the very people that helped you. You should feel lucky Jamaicans came and helped you rebuild after Ivan so you could move back into your homes and businesses fairly quickly. Air Jamaica was the first plane that brought in aid, while a British ship stood off in the distance. Your own Premier said that. Stop your nonsense and feel glad your neighbouring Jamaicans came to your rescue fast when others were slow to respond.
Jamaicans willingly came to do work while Caymanians flew off to Miami to cool out with relatives until the cleaning up and rebuilding was done and water and electricity was restored. I know this as a fact, as my Caymanian neighbours and friends did that while our company employees and other responsible people remained on island to clean up and rebuild. I saw Jamaicans cleaning roadsides, carting the garbage to the dump, cleaning up homes and businesses and repairing them. Where were you and what were you doing?
I manage the operations of a caymanian owned construction company for over a decade now, and we got loads of work after Ivan. Many caymanian contractors had so much work, to the point they could not keep up with the demand. They all hired Jamaicans, Honduranians, and other nationalities on work permits as they know Jamaicans and others are not afraid of hard work and hot sun and sweat, while Caymanians ran off to Miami. After Ivan, other caymanians who were worked in banks, janitorial companies, etc., who were not contractors by profession, saw a chance to make loads of money and opened construction firms and hired expats to do the actual work. They charged markup on the workers and made lots of profit off their backs and some unscrupulous ones did not pay health, pension for their workers and forced them to pay their own permit fees.
Much of the crimewave is due to Caymanian youth involved in gangs and drugs, whose parents neglect them. They have too much time on their hands – instead of educating themselves or finding honest employment like everyone else has to, many desire overnight riches without working hard for it and are not willing to take a menial job, learn a good skill and work from the bottom up. Jamaicans are not who caused this current crimewave – many of them were rolled over and replaced by Filipinos, Honduranians and others. So you don't have Jamaicans to blame anymore, blame your own local people.
02:10
did they come, and work for free, of course not.
they took advantaqge of our situation and gladly reeped the benefits.
who were the people running around during and after Ivan with cutlases in hand,
hauling away everything in sight and when spoken to, their reply was go way, me fin it.
Traitors and bastards all of them. But then again we are the idiots that keep voting for them which begs the question, can one betray himself?
Election time is near! This is the ONLY reason this man is suspending the rollover policy now!!!!! God this man will stop at nothing!!! STOP HIM PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!
HOW DO GETTING RID OF THE ROLLOVER POLICY CREATE MORE JOBS?
ARE YOU SAYING THAT, RESIDENTS BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO LEAVE,
IN 7 YEARS, send more money home, EAT AND DRINK LESS, "DO NOT" PAY RENT, UTILITY BILLS, WALK TO WORK, go on vacation, DO NOT DRESS PROPERLY ETC, ETC.
BET you more than 75%, three quarters of those on permit (over 14,000) will neaver be able to buy a home in these Islands. stop looking cheep labour and distroying the Caymanian way of life.
the rollover never stopped anyone from investing in Cayman because there are otherways they can gurintee their residency. Just buying a home can qualify someone to remain in these islands
Just make what we have better and more affordable, Government become more proactive and plan long term, inforce all existing laws, incourage/educate our people, and everything else will take care of it self.
UDP created this law,
now they tell us, while blaming others, we will clean up this mess.
NO TO 100,000 PEOPLE AS A CAYMANIAN I WILL BE LESS THAN 25% OF THE POPULATION AND HAVE NO SAY OR OPPORTUNITY IN MY COUNTRY.
AS THE job INTERVIEWER will more than likely not be a Caymanian.
it is happening now imagen adding another 50,000 to the pot.
Sorry I am a Caymanina Born and I agree with this, why ? simple we can't make it as a country alone , we need people of all walks of life, BUT we as Caymanina must be first and foremost.
I am not a UPD or a PPM member I am independant therefor my views are that of mine and not a Party. Because of the world economic situation we can't get out of this alone. I say if the Expats are here contributing to the economy and not causing any problems then we have no problem.
Can't we all just get along LOL LOL
It's about time. The rollover policy is probably one of the most idiotic ideas ever. How can you expect to be part of a global economy and have a policy where you kick people off the island after 7 years. Do you know the amount of work it takes to move to another country? Do you know what it feels like to love a place, it's people, it's culture, only to be forced to leave just when you're feeling at home? How do you expect companies and people to come to Cayman and create jobs, duity, and revenue with a policy like this. It's no wonder that there are 2200 apartments for rent on the Island.
It seems that most Caymanians think we expats believe we're the greatest thing to happen to Cayman. You're wrong. We are here because we think Cayman is the best thing to ever happen to us. We came here becuase we love your country, and you repay us by letting the door hit us on the ass on the way out.
It makes me so angry to read the comments about how if you change the rollover then you need to take away residency.
The Caymanians may not know it becuase they're on the winning team, but there is a sad class system here where we expats are the low class citizens. Do you know that there are very few developed democratic countries in the world where you can't get citizenship if you work hard, love your country, pay taxes, and contribute to society? And even without rollover, I'll never be able to vote here. I'll never be a citizen. America may not be the world's best friend right now – but there is still something special there and other countries like it that Cayman will never have. Do you know that I spent my whole life never seeing someone from another country as an expat or a "paper citizen"? Sure, there are plenty of racist jerks just like there are everywhere in the world, but most Americans see other Americans as their peers, regaurdless of if they were born there or earned their citizenship through hard work. In most places you'd want to live, if you work hard, the sky is the limit. Here, 7 years is the limit.
If you opened up your policies and allowed people who work hard to become citizens, you'd probably be amazed at what you'd find. Expats would buy more homes, making everyone richer. Expats would invest in their communities, making streets safer. Expats would create businesses and jobs. With all the money, you could invest in a better college, giving all better opportunities to compete in a global economy. Cayman would become an ever better place.
It sucks that no matter what my intentions are, that I'll never be able to contribute everything I can to this country. It sucks that Caymanians think we're all just here to take advantage of you. It sucks that you can't share what you have here becuase a few people take advantage of the system.
I'll stick around until you kick me off the Island. Thanks.
Lawd mi head a hot mi mek mi gwaan wuk da money ya an seni dung!!! Unnu fi stap gi unnuh likkle island su much credit….mi nuh wha tan yah fi eva!!
What?
Translation: Lord my head is hurting me, allow me to go on working a little money here so I can send it home. You give your island way too much credit, I don't wan to stay here forever.
But you do want to stay for as long as you please which means having permanent rights.
I think certain professions should be exempt.. I'm an educator, and as teachers, it takes years to build up our reputation, resourses, contacts, and classrooms. 7 years later, we have to just get up and leave our classrooms to a stranger? It's a rediculous thought to build up your career for 7 years, and just leave it for one, and HOPE it's still waiting for you when you get back… Don't get rid of the roll-over, just minamize it to a couple of months!
-Canadian Educator
If you really are an educator, given your spelling and grammar, you should be rolled over.
Canadian Educator – For the good of your profession, please check your spelling and punctuation.
If you are an EDUCATOR in our school system and you cannot even spell "minimize"…then I have a serious problem with you.
Mr./Ms. Canadian educator, please learn to spell "resources", "ridiculous" and "minimise" and then we might take you seriously.
Hi. I am NOT a Canadian Educator but I play one on the internet. Next time, try using a dictionary.
McKeeva is the leopard I shall not want, he makes me lie down with my face in the dirt, he leads me in to rough waters, he annoys my soul, he guides me in the path of sorrow in his names sake, even though I cry in the long lines at CUC to give them my whole pay check, I will fear everything for he is the leader of my country, the UDP and CUC disgust me. He prepares bogus account sheets to deceive me and joins forces with the enemy; he rubs my head with corn oil, my cholesterol overflows. Surely crosses and debt will follow me all the days of my life and I will wallow in the sh*t he created as long as he remains the H.B.I.C!!!!!!
Are the schools not full and children are not receiving proper education as it is now…?
7th Generation Caymanian here. I have many expatriate friends who understand why it is important to have immigration controls. Some of them have made "key employee" status, some have become Caymanian, and some have been rolled over.
Because of people immigrating to Cayman, our population has doubled every year since the 1960's. Think about that for a moment…. Can you imagine (insert your home country's name) population doubling every 10 years?
Kind of absurd, isn't it?
Now add to that that immigrants want to stay for an indefinite time period? And they'd get the ability to vote in less than 12 years? Plus many of the immigrants haven't assimilated into the society?
Now do you get it? What people are asking for when they ask Cayman to release its immigration controls is for Caymanians to release the reigns of their destiny.
If there was a 5,000 population in 1969 that doubled every year since the current population would be about 107 billion. Just pointing out that you are full of crap.
Your arithmetic is faulty.
Sure you need controls but how the heck do you end up with a figure of the population doubling every year – that is frankly a ridiculous comment and nothing but scaremongering.
The population has always been 'about' 35k to 50k – though how Immigration can have such a poor handle on numbers is beyond me. On yourlogic in the 7 years the numbers would have risen from 'about 35k in 2003 to 'about 4.4m now – no wonder the traffic along WB road was getting bad !
Doubling every 10 years. Read more carefully.
Read it again my friend!
Sorry, I'm the original poster. There was an error that should have read "every decade" not "every year"….but if you'd read futher, you might have picked up that was a mistake as I stated 10 years shortly after that.
The population has not "always been 'about' 35k to 50k"….back in 1970 Cayman had a population of 10,068 people, in 2008 we had a population of 57,009.
If the population had doubled every 10 years since 1970 we would now have a population of 160,000. (10, 20, 40, 80, 160). Rather we have added 11,000 for every decade (10, 21, 32, 43, 54).
How do they get the ability to vote in less than 12 years?
Instant grants of Caymanian status.
Ask McKeeva
You must work for the Government financial accounting division.
I am distressed at the announcement by the Premier to suspend the roll-over policy! Please refer to today's Caymanian Compass which high-lighted the fact that there was a significant increase in Cayman's population after Hurricane Ivan in 2004. No doubt a large number of this 6,000 persons that are coming up for roll-over in the coming months are the large number of construction workers who were brought in after Hurricane Ivan! May I say the government of the day (UDP) allowed these individuals to come into work without even requiring a police clearance certificate from them! Look around these islands and see how many construction projects are being done now! These construction workers are here without work now! So please tell me why are we interested in suspending the roll-over policy to allow these individuals to remain here without work! If these 6,000 people are making a siginficant contribution to Cayman the vast majoirty of them would be in a position to apply for Key Employee by their respective employers and hence, they will not be rolled-over!
The increase in Cayman's population after 2004 i.e. 7 years ago, was not largely from people who came to work in the Financial Services. As for suspending the roll-over policy because people are moving to places like Singapore……hasn't anyone told the governement of the day that the global financial industry is shrinking and Cayman's economy is no exception to the global melt-down! People are moving to places like Singapore because every Wealth Management Group is opening up an office in Asia because that is where the wealth is. There are many many millionaires right now in Asia. Most countries in Asia were not significantly affected by the financial melt-down that's hurting the US and Europe right now! So my fellow Caymanians please beware that suspending the roll-over policy will not help Caymanians get jobs in the financial industry nor will it help to retain a significant number of jobs in the financial industry. The number of jobs in the financial industry are shrinking rapidly because of the financial melt-down and the need for companies to improve their bottom-line. Additionally, because of the regulatory pressures being applied by the big countries who are trying desperately to collect every tax dollar they feel are owed to them and which they feel are being hidden in tax havens like Cayman!
As far as i know, the worst that can happen is that a lot more people will have the ability to apply for residency, and under the points system, one of the major criteria is that you have purchased property, and i dont mean just last week. So i dont really see that you will have a load of people without the resources to sustain themselves applying for PR, along with the costs involved, it just means that you will now be able to attrack more senior people with skills not available here yet to the island letting them know the criteria for PR.
If foreigners living and working here were deported whenever they broke any law here or committed any crime….from not wearing seatbelts, to speeding, to robbery, domestic abuse, fraud, rape, murder etc…..we would not need a rollover policy…….we would get rid of the undesirables in our midst, clean up Cayman and make room for others that would hopefully be more desirable…If not they would have to go too! It would also free up room in the prison for more of our own to be incarcerated for their wrongdoings instead of releasing hem due to overcrowding…Obviously people would be more aware of the respect that we expect and demand when they are given the opportunity to live and work here and it may entice them to make an effort to be more respectful during their time here. A good start and a win/win situation.
The majority of crooks are Caymanians…look at the prison population. So getting rid of expats will do nothing in cleaning up the island, rather it will make it the crime worse.
What rubbish. Given all the unsolved crimes and failed prosecutions the prison population is obviously not a reliable indicator of who is committing all the crimes on Island.
I really wish we could stop this never-ending argument about which nationalities commit the most crimes. The truth is that a few individuals from all nationalities commit crimes on this island and everywhere else in the world. Crime is, unfortunately, an equal-opportunity employer.
Can we also deport the Caymanians too who commit the vast majority of crimes here? Problem is, where to send such ones. Cayman would be far better off without them.
Goodbye Caymanians.
this is the last nail McKeeva Bush is driving into your coffin.
The rollover with potential applicants for residency and citizenship standing in line ensures the UDP ANOTHER TERM
GOD HELP US! THE ROLLOVER MUST STAY.
Stop him.
Foool
I don't think there is anything that will ensure another term
Goodbye Cayman …you are quite correct.
There are 6000 work permit holders from a neighboring Island who will become entitled to citizenship, first thing they'll do is bring all their dependents over and put them in the govt. schools…When I say their dependents mean of course OUR dependents, cos we'll have to pay for them.
Our society will change overnight FOR THE WORSE beyond recognition, and all that will be achieved is more voters for the UDP.
Before you reach for the "racist " argument, stop and think how big is our lifeboat…we'll all drown if we keep filling it with passengers who won't help row or bail when we start to sink.
Which neighboring Island?
Duh!
What a dumb statement. How do you know all 6000 are from a certain neighbouring island. Do you work for Immigration? Much of the Jamaican population have already been rolled over and were replaced by other nationalities, filipinos, honduranians, north americans, etc. That was the whole point of the rollover, to get rid of the Jamaicans. So stop with the stupidity.
I strongly disagree with the suspension of the rollover policy!
If you don't mind, please explain how the rollover has personally helped you. Only then can we try to understand your position. And I would like to understand.
And once someone resides on island past the 7-8 yr time frame they are entitled to apply for status. In the past the island has extended "key employee" for the sake of retaining person's who have an essential skill set which benefits the employer / employee. But once they apply for status & are granted they open their own business leaving the employee to once again bring in someone else.
The island is only so big, we can't accommodate everyone to live here forever!
WHAT!!
Tell that to the owners of the 2200 VACANT rental apartments….
PR and Status are 2 different things entirely.
Actually this Island is 4 times the physical size of Manhattan (island);we still have room for another few million people, believe it or not!
Manhattan has a population of 1.6 million.
Don't complain about the costs of living if you are against business competition.
As an employee who was constructively dismissed after many years loyal and enthusiastic service to a local company just after receiving residency I couldn't disagree with you more. And who took the place of the resident? A friend of senior management on a work permit. Now talk to me about nepotism and favouritism.
Reply to..And Once Someone Resides On..
With the way things are in GC now, high cost of living, high levels of robberies, crime… it's
not like it was a few short years ago..what makes you think these people would want to
live here forever !! Can see most of them staying as long as they can, save money and
then leave.
"The island is only so big, we can't accommodate everyone to live here forever!"
And yet there are how many hundreds of schools kids that "graduate"(Cayman style) of which most are not employable because they are not going to work for minimum wage etc. every year.
The Key employee promise was a joke and a bad one. As usual you still had to "know someone" to get the key employee status and most do not. May businesses closed after loseing their key employee and some had to go to court to get it. Lets see if the roll over is the same thing by the same people before any true judgment can be made. Remember who 's mouth this is coming from.
I am not for against this move until I have more information. One question it brings up is how many people will this put over the time limit and make them now eligible for residency and later Status. this could in effect be a back door way of granting another grup of status grants as in 2003. It would be nice to know what that number would be.
The pro foreigner and expat leader Mckeeva has done it again. I hope you start looking out for ALL Caymanians not just the ones that kiss and wipe your ass daily. I trust immigration will NOW become a better oversight body that this country can be proud of.
Only pro foreigner and expat leader for a reason – votes and politricks! In the end Mr P is only pro himself.
Why now? Same circus, Same clowns, Same nepotism, insecure, paranoid and grossly under qualified people. Same as in the Government and civil service Hence the poor custormer service, incredibly unfair practices, and favoritism that is now normal to all government services. In case you haven't been here MacKeeva has done nothing but take care of these people. Getting rid of roll over will not be enough to pry these bottom feeders of the milk bottle that is the government welfare system. So your safe. for now.
I am appalled that CNS would allow this kind of verbiage on here…whatever happened to high standards?
Who Immigration?, are you climbing a coconut tree? it would seem so. Immigration is the runiation of Cayman. Talk about letting in through the back door, check them.
Sundown,
Easy boy, calm down If you've ever followed my writings I am usually very critical of the Immigration department which I was once a part of as I personally lived the horrors and saw firsthand all the underhandedness that went on before and still goes on.
I could go on tell you about all horrible things I encountered while there, but I have decided this time to give them the benefit of the any doubt I may have.
I know there are a lot of well intentioned people in immigration, it’s just that they don’t have the proper tools to carry out their jobs more effectively.
By tools I belive you mean brains?
Get ready for the moaning Caymunian brigade, they will be apopleptic that someone might be able to keep a job they are obviously good at.
The roll over policy scared off a lot of good talented people of contributed to job creation which resulted in more crime. Now we have more LOCAL gangsters with less opportunies because of it. Everyone hurt from it. One or two Caymanians benefitted but I am sure it is not ever worth it to them to seeing all the damage caused.
I cant understand you logic, we have more local gangsters b/c of the Rollover. I am one Caymanian in the financial services industry that has benefitted directly from the Rollover, there are 2 more Cay in my company who moved up as a result of someone coming to the end of their term limit. The term limit has done its job in not granting 1000s of people Status and trying to maintain an equal ratio of caymanian vs non-caymanians.
If youre on a work permit its got to be great news for you, but for a caymanian you will now have to wait longer and work 10x as hard to move up, and put up with more scarcasm from expats. HOWEVER, the reason for the term limit policy was about controlling the population at a sustainable rate to ensure caymanians are not outnumbered 10 – 1….
I'm sure if you ask a Brit, or Canadian, or Australian why they moved from home its b/c of better financial oppts here in Cayman and some of them started to feel more like a foreigner in their own country. Very soon we will feel the same!
In the short term this may have some postive effects, people may buy property, etc, but in the long term it will increase crime, poverty amongst caymanians and make us feel as 2nd class citizens in our own country!
Now rollover is responsible for increased crime. What utter nonsense. Crimes are not being committed because the criminals can't find a job.
'Despite opposition within the United Democratic Party, Bush appears to pressing on with the changes at the earliest opportunity, beginning with the suspension which he said will happen as soon as Cabinet approves the necessary amendments to the immigration law.'
Does this say that there is some opposition within the UDP???
Of course he's pressing on regardless…what else does he do?
Anudda promise!! Not holding my breath on this one either – Lemme guess, CG will be the point-man on this too? If so, GOOD NIGHT IRENE!!!
As a Caymanian there are many things in the 2004 Immigration Law which made no sense and did not protect Caymanians. The Term Limit was nonsensical especially when you started making exemptions everywhere. Go back to simply reviewing each application and granting on the merits.
Ending Term Limit is what must happen. BUT it cannot be done isolation. At the same time you must remove the grant of Residency after 8 years, remove the point syaytem which favours only one class of persons and make it not so easy to get residency with the right to work. This only works for the Employee – not the employer or Caymanians, as these persons then have the right to work anywhere in the Island and the employer who spent time investing in this person loses.
There are countries – BOTC – who do not give the right to residency so easily, and certainly do not allow persons granted residency to work.
People want to work – yes. But giving away the rights of citizens is another completely different thing and is not sustainable. We are a country of approximately 22 miles – not the USA – we have limited resources and we cannot open the floodgates for residency! It will be another "lottery " of status grants…which displaces Caymanians even more.
I am not an expat basher. I never supported Term Limits. But I have a real problem with how easily we give away citizenship!
I wish our leaders would think long term and stop with the "band aid" way of dealing with real issues. After 3 years is this the best the IRT can come up with?
Isn't it ironic that if this rollover policy is agreed that these same people maybe able to vote for the premier when election is called in 2013. Something to thing about another 4 years of the dictator. Also I hope that the committe would speak to the educated Caymanians unemployed, and Mr. Premier why are are you failing to address the issue that the human rights will entitled the people to be treated as Caymanians under the law. Please let the Caymanian people know that these persons will have all the rights to be Caymanian. You say that you are a Godly man let the people know and let them make an informed decsion.
Also on the rental market, back in 1999 a 2 bedroom rented for $1800.00 in 2011 the same apartment rents for $1300.00. This is due to the glut created after Ivan. Everyone built a duplex or bought an apartment as an investment . With the continued fall of interest rates and Mr. Frank Hall building affordable homes, persons chose to buy as mortgage payments became just as easy rather than paying rent. The company where I am employed have in their employedment over 10 persons on workpermit (each one under 4 years) and each of these persons after paying rent for 1 year now have purchased their own apartment that is what I see as the reason for the rental market being the way that it is.
Permanent Residency or even Citizenship does not give you the right to vote, only if you have Caymanian Status which 'legally' can be applied for when a person has reached 15 years. Of course, there is always the 'illegal' way as previously seen.
The timing of this suspension is interesting.
In 2003 I rented an apartment for CI$1,200, but after Ivan my dear Caymanian landlords felt like they could and hiked the rent up to CI$1,500, nevertheless I stayed, helped cleaning up & stayed with my employer, etc. If I look a the realestate market, I believe I would buy from a Caymanian builder, hmmm, I wonder who still benefits from my $$$?? Not the expats for sure… Don't you see that whether one rents or buys, the $$ still stays in your country (duty, labour, etc.)? On the other hand, when new expats arrive and already know their time is limited to x amount of years… why would they invest in anything? Why buy furniture? why pay memberships in local charity clubs or help out in the community? Obviously the expat is only to be expected to be here short term, so best to save all the $$ one can make and take it off island when its time to being kicked off. People, stop thinking so short sighted… you have to look at the whole picture and not only at one particular aspect. It's surely not an easy job to find the right balance with the rollover, but I am certain there is a way!
If the extended rollover workers are given the right to vote it would not be in Cayman's best interest. Might it be in someone else's? Yep. I'm afraid so. Smooth move, Mac.
So what is wrong if the rent price drops because there is no longer a scarcity in apartments and there is a glut on the market? That's a good thing, because Caymanian Landlords were ripping off people before. It benefits you too, the Caymanian, who is trying to rent a place before you can take out a mortgage, because it means you don't have to pay astronomical rent. So now they can't get rich off the backs of the workpermit holders? So what? What is the problem with that? It helps the cost of living to go down – what the dickens is wrong with that?
The Premier has made a great proposal. Now, since Alden Mclaughlin has change his stance on the Rollover Policy, I am expecting a unified effort on providing better incentives for locals and small businesses owners on the island.
Why do you think the premier has made this proposal to last only two years – so he can get re-elected and for no other reason.
not sure that will get him re-elected – based on the comments here it would seem that Caymanians would be unlikely to be happy with this. non-caymanians don't have a vote. That said I can't help but wonder whether he has anyone specific in mind?
Lol @ these comments!!
Wow … so amazing to see how many people dislike their homelands so much that they rejoice at the mere hope of a chance to remain in our tiny little island nation forever.
(Judging by many of the comments in almost every news story below this one, one could safely assume that our society is one of the most undesirable known to mankind.)
The reality of this situation should be all any unbiased, fair-minded and properly functioning individual requires to realize that a "rollover policy / immigration control mechanism" is advisable for such a jurisdiction.
* The rollover policy is not responsible for the perceived issues facing the country today. The last time I checked all of the USA, UK and EU are facing major and far greater difficulties in regards to employment, economic growth, civil unrest, national bankruptcy etc.
Who knows – the main problem could just be the global economic recession … imagine that?!
** This imbalance of perceived power on either side of the equation reminds me of the images I awoke to this morning on my television screen. British PM Cameron and French President Sarkozy arrived in Tripoli, Libya via an elaborate motorcade.
The story went to explain that Cameron was bringing along £600,000.00 to "assist the leadership in every way possible and to go towards mine clearing in affected areas during the recent military uprising" (which he and his cronies supported and called for by the way).
Say what????!!!
£600,000.00??
LOL! Dude – do you know where you are? This is Libya, my friend!
Your £600,000.00 is an absolute joke! Go on and put that chump change back in your pocket buddy.
That country could generate that pathetic amount of money (and more) every hour on the hour if so desired. (In reality, what Cameron and Sarkozy came into town to do was to bully their way into lucrative oil contracts via the "transitional Libyan government". How does that saying go? "When the cat's (Gaddafi) away the rats (Cameron / Sarkozy / the West) will play.") Talk about carpet-bagging!
However, there is something about past "glory" that seems to stick in the heads of the uninformed and stagnant.
My point here is to remind everyone to never forget their true worth. Caymanians are currently being bombarded with land sales, inward investment and the breakdown of immigration policies and controls. I ask you all – what is the common denominator in all of the aforementioned? Yes … it is Cayman.
We are facing major decisions and changes – let us ensure that every move we make is beneficial onto the country and its people – and to do so requires a clear grasp of our value in every negotiation.
I just love the "people dislike their homeland argument".
May I ask where you come from? Were both your parents born here? Were your four grand-parents born here?
Here is why your argument is irrational. Yes many (not all) people came here for a better way of life. And true, many of these people know what its like SUFFER. But here is the kicker, its most likely they suffered in their homelands because they were not in positions of authority. Not being in positions of authority, they did not make the political decisions that negatively affected their countries. Therefore, when they tell you Cayman is making the wrong decisions, (sometimes the same decisions as their previous homeland) perhaps its worth listening to them.
In the case of the lucky ones, who were educated, they choose to live here. Many don't care to be here very long because they all seem to think the education systems in their homelands are superior to Cayman's. These people don't really need to care what happens to Cayman. Indeed, they always seem to have a foot in another country, whether it be the U.K, Canada, or the favorite for the wealthy Caymanians – the U.S.
Think of it like this. Someone who has suffered through a hurricane, will be more readily prepared for the next. You shouldn't tell those people NOT to give you advise simply because you may never have experienced one.
7th Generation Caymanian here. I have many expatriate friends who understand why it is important to have immigration controls. Some of them have made "key employee" status, some have become Caymanian, and some have been rolled over.
Because of people immigrating to Cayman, our population has doubled every year since the 1960's. Think about that for a moment…. Can you imagine (insert your home country's name) population doubling every 10 years?
Kind of absurd, isn't it?
Now add to that that immigrants want to stay for an indefinite time period? And they'd get the ability to vote in less than 12 years? Plus many of the immigrants haven't assimilated into the society?
Now do you get it? What people are asking for when they ask Cayman to release its immigration controls is for Caymanians to release the reigns of their destiny.
My friend, if I am understanding you correctly it is your suggestion for us Caymanians to listen to and follow the reasoning of expatriate (temporary) residents in regards to how and why we should turn them into permanent residents of this paradise to which so many are desperately clinging?
Try again.
Nothing you have said justifies a breakdown of the barriers to rampant immigration into this tiny island nation.
I am not against expats – shoot, I am a "half-expat" myself, however, I am strongly opposed to the creation of thousands more Caymanians especially considering our current state of affairs.
Every expat entered into an agreement and I believe that for the vast majority of them that agreement should play out as originally agreed.
There are no suprises here. This sort of thing takes place all over the world. I fail to see the outrage.
"Judging by many of the comments in almost every news story below this one, one could safely assume that our society is one of the most undesirable known to mankind."
Perhaps this negative perception has to do with the repercussions of the rollover, and other recent governmental policies?
a) Crime has increased in recent years. Could this be PARTLY because a faction of the newer immigrants to Cayman are less invested in the country?
b) The rollover policy made all expats feel unwelcome, widened the division between expats and Caymanians and discouraged expats from attempting to make themselves a part of the local culture. All of this makes for a negative perception of both Cayman AND expatriates generally.
Instead of rubbing this in people's faces, why not simply be glad that people like your country? What is the point of dredging up all this negativity and division yet again? Cayman will never prosper as it can until we can all leave these old grudges behind.
Re: "The rollover policy made all expats feel unwelcome, widened the division between expats and Caymanians and discouraged expats from attempting to make themselves a part of the local culture."
My friend, the operative word in your post is "EXPAT"!
An expat, regardless of where he or she has expatriated to, fully understands that he or she is an EXPAT.
They filled out forms, they knew the terms of the situation before entering into the agreement – what pray tell is the problem now?
I challenge any one to try that logic with a U.S. or UK Immigration officer. Good luck!
I'm sure this is true, but I can't see what it has to do with my post. I was responding to your assertion that expatriates perceive Cayman is an undesirable place to live until such time as they are allowed to stay. You are under no obligation to allow any expatriate to stay here, but since expatriates are of necessity a part of your culture, you will reap what you sow in disaffection by attempting to keep them at arm's length.
We never really want to stay here forever, just long enough to milk it so we never have to work again.
Your story is old, Patricia, always the same ole negative comments.
Yep – you are always righton time with your flippant remarks and attitude Patricia X.
We've been expecting you.
Keep pulling, but I’m not sure that’s milk….
You really are an expleted deleted poster/person Patricia X. Like my old buddy Pit Bull (your styles are so similar I think you are one and the same ( – or dear Christ, no, partners,) you come up with nasty, condescending anti Caymanian one liners. We've seen your tatty type come and go over the years, so we'll survive your departure with your pension pot secure. Enjoy it. By the way, I'm from the UK. So are you, judging by your cynical, condescending tone.
Pip Pip. Top hole- and I mean that.
Cayman is Cayman but it is also a part of the world like it or not. People, business, material, food, skill, etc passes through each and every country to a certain extent giving and taking as it does. Cayman makes its living on financial transactions but you can't eat money. It also makes money on tourism but you also have to have a tourism product and all that goes with it . If Cayman is to prosper and that is up in the air right now it has to at the very least have something to trade for the food, material, skill, clothes, TVs, etc that it cannot get from the island itself. The rollover was not helping Cayman. Protecting on island skill by limiting off island skill has turned Cayman into a disfunctional entity that cannot function anywhere near its true ability. Cayman has something of value to the rest of the world but it needs to be in good working order to have value. The loss Cayman has suffered the past 10 years is its ability to get things done in a timely and cost effective manner. Thats the value Cayman has lost and needs to get back. Caymanians have had their chance to show what they can do in the job market and has shown that they can't do everything everywhere in every business well just like everywhere else. Skill is earned and learned and doesn't need protection. More skill on island means a better functioning island and there is then something of value to learn from those on their way up the job ladder. That way it has great value to both the world at large and Grand Cayman.
Explain something to me …
How does one arrive at the conclusion that all of what you have just outlined translates into the granting of permanent citizenship for thousands of foreign nationals?
I actually agree with many of your points, however, when the suggestion of creating thousands more Caymanians overnight is raised, especially considering the almost 50:50 ratio of Caymanian to expat, is where I object.
I dare any one of you to forward the same logic to the USA, UK or any European country today (and none of those nations are facing anything near to our level of statistics, just imagine if they were -we would see a new EDL (English Defense League) chapter and "Anders Breivik" every week!) … double-dare you!
* I often wonder how informed are the citizens of "1st world" nations in regards to their immigration policies. You may think you understand them but the hurdles and roadblocks placed in the paths of expats in your own countries are vast and never-ending.
** Our development was founded on the basis of Caymanians being "warm and friendly" people, however, in the space of a mere generation we are now accused of being "xenophobic".
Sounds more like some people need to wake up and smell the coffee – its called the real world folks, welcome to it.
You are welcome to our country, however, have the courtesy to understand and accept that the vast majority of you are easily replaceable and were only intended to be here for a limited period of time … you know, as is the situation in every other properly functioning Western country.
I don't even understand why this is such an issue. Every single work permit holder knew what the deal was when they signed the paperwork of the application form … why unna' playin' dumb now?
"Go home … unna try so go HOOOOOOME!!!" (*In the voice of a dear old Caymanian lady that lived down the road from my childhood home!)
Lol!!
ABOUT BLUDEE TIME……. the only way is up now. One can only shoot themselves in the foot for so long. All we need now is for someone to officially say "WE NEED YOU" – maybe during the inaugural "HUG AN EXPAT DAY" and the circle shall be complete.
GREAT JOB!
I now can stop paying rent and start looking to buy my own house here!!! I just have been waiting 5 years foa a decision like this!
I'm an expat and I love Cayman all the money I earn here is still in Cayman's land ready for a final decision to use it HERE!!!!
You guys should at least look up for the people that keep the money here, make Cayman economy strong. Lot's if not all of Philipinos as soon as they get their salary, the first thing they do is send it to their country.
Oh well, there goes another Caymanian property owner's rent.
What a mean-spirited comment! As if Philipinos have any choice in the matter! They are not paid enough to be allowed to bring their dependents with them. Would you prefer they did not support their families at all? Your point may be factually true, but come on…show a little compassion!
Youre talking BULL S9*&^%hit. You are being paid very very good. but you do not contribute nothing back, only rice. Too many Foreign men and Caymanian men are having Chop chow for dinner.
Wasn't my intention to attack any nationality it was just an example of what i've seem.
Philipinoes are good people like i said, and many of them make enought money to keep more here.
I have family back on my country also and i know how hard it is, and believe me i have to send more mone for less things.
My country i can stay here for 7 years and still not able to buy a simple 1 bed one bath and on the same time Philipinos can buy maybe 2 if not 3 houses there.
It's just INSANE
HaHa. Stop dreaming buddy. I kept all my money in Cayman until they rolled me over, and it didn't help me one bit. This latest move is just a ploy to halt the mass exodus, remember this is just a temporary suspension till things get better for them. Even if you get to stay longer, they can still turn down your residency application because "you don't have enough points". So guess what? 2 years time it will be re-implemented and you will realize that only when times are tough (like after Ivan), do they remember they need expats. When things get better, they throw you by the wayside. Don't be deluded by the rosy promises.
someone needs to buy all these new residences in Camana Bay and in Dragon Bay
09:02 Insane or Insane not I agree with every word you say, but there are so many Caymanians and some white collar foreigners who want to see slavery come back that they are welcoming the Yes Massa, Yes Missa slavery attitude of some countries, not knowing that these same people is grinding away their husbands and wives too.
let me explain to you that what we're sending to the Philippines is what's left from our meager salary here. we pay for our rent, utilities, food, etc., just like every nationalities working here. in our own small way, we are helping the cayman economy since we are spending our money buying from and supporting your local busineses. we don't whine nor wait for government aid. we work well and live harmoniously with the people here. most, if not all, filipinoes left their families back home so it's just right to send money to them since they are the reason for our sacrifices.
so before posting any sarcastic comments here, i hope you ask the people around you if filipinoes are a burden to YOUR island.
Yes but you all spend way less since you bunk with 20 ppl in a one bedroom apartment.
Joe Black you asked a question. which says to ask the people around you if Philipinos is a burden to our Island. I know you do not want me to answer that, because the answer would be a YES.
You speak about you people paying rent. Sure you pay rent. Rent an apartment for 500. dollars with one thousand Philipinos living in it on shift. Some in day and some in night. Supporting what local business, you have got to be joking right. Buy food, sure you buy food, tell me where? I have never walked into a restaurant in the Cayman Islands and see a Philipino inside eating yet. Buy clothes or shoes or anything else, please tell me where is the shop. You have your own church, school, games and clubs, and you say you are supporting the Cayman business. Your women are very nice working in the homes or business of people, so nice, that the wife is maid and you are the boss.
Your salary is not meager, that is a lie, you all get paid very well, because in Cayman the people who hire you enjoy having people bow down to them. You are paid very well, Oh I forgot you have your own Lottery, and your own Money gram service. So you tell me where in Cayman business you are supporting. I would like to know
Well said. The Philipinos are a wonderful asset to our community. They are so hard-working and TRUSTWORTHY. They also did a great deal of the work that put this island back together after Ivan.
And do you ever hear of a Philipino holding up a liquor store, bank, or residence? As far as I know, there are no Philipino gangs here either.
I agree there are no Philipino gangs here yet, just give them a few more years. All the other nationalities that have gangs here have atleast 10-7 generations here. Like everything else Philipino gangs will evolve soon or later, but I would prefer much later as they have been coming here for less time.
rent, food, etc ! that dosen't ADD up to much per person if they're 15 people living in a three bedroom apartment.
I worked with many Philipinoes before and I used to drive them every Friday to send money to their country, they only keep a 50ci on their bank account. Now I work with other Philipinoes and they all do the same.
Many of the Philipinoes pay 30ci of electricity, 10ci of water and maybe a 60ci on their rent…as they share with a million other philipinoes on the same place. I'm not saying all of thembut the majority does that. Sorry if I offended your ego but this is the reallity.
Philipinoes are good and funny people, this was an example of how the government should look at who have savings here and not in another countries. We all know Philipinoes have bigger houses than their own bosses here, have farms and more things….all on Cayman's blood, this money should be kept here.
I'm a non caymanian I don't have papers and don't work for government. It's just my opinion on how people should do with what is earned here. We are lucky to be here as it's a small country so why we don't help who is helping us???
What people do with their hard earned money is none of your business wherever they live on this earth. '…..all on Cayman's blood…' What are you talking about?
"…30ci electricity, 10ci of water and maybe a 60ci on their rent…."
are we living in the same decade?
Filipinos 'share with a million other Filipinos on the same place'….had to – as their employers are not paying them a salary that could make them afford to rent one to a room, which I'm sure they would love to. But Filipinos live on what they can afford – like living within their means and not whine about it. Check a random house where Filipinos live and you can see, even if they live like sardines in a tin can, you can hear laughter and singing and sometimes dancing.
Is that a crime?
Check advertisements for Nanny/Domestic Helpers to care for 3 children, do everything else and see how much is offered for salary – 650ci. Most probably with the cost of living nowadays, 400ci is spent on the island as there is no free house, no free food and no free utilities/transportation anywhere on the 3 islands – so why do you begrudge the 100ci that is sent to their home country?
Lastly check if there is something between your ears except your eyes.
Filipinos are doing today what Cayman seamen did only a few decades ago. Working abroad so their families can stay alive at home. Its interesting that Caymanians are so proud of their seamen (and so they should be) who left the island for months, years at a time, to send money home. But now that the shoe is other the other foot, Caymanians make what the Filipinos and other nationalities are doing, sound like a crime. How hypocritical can one be? How ignorant can one be not to connect the dots? How selfish can one be? How unchristian can one be? Shame on you Cayman.
So don't want to sound like I'm making a total generalization, however except for a few Filipinos who seem wary of others at first, even they eventually warm up and I find that for the most part the Filipino population is hard working, committed, close knit, and are absolutely loveable people from the first encounter. Friendly, warm, and kind. I, as a Caymanian, admire most Filipinos here who, as you have stated, work so hard for so little yet demand nothing in return other than what is deserved.
Exactly why the Pinos should be the first to go.
whiy in the world would you attack the actions of the philipinos on the island? You must be really desperate for attention. I am from Hawaii where everyone from every nation is welcomed withopen arms to the benifit of everyone. We have the best of everything and everyone there. I have lived and worked with many Philipinos and they were the most kindest, family oriented, hard working people I know. and they cook great ethnic food. Get real or get lost.
Hawaii AT 18:10, then answer me this question, WHY ARE YOU NOT WORKING IN THE PHILIPINES?
dont forget the UDP created the law.
that said,
the facts are that those allowed in and are of a benefit to the Islands,
average length of stay is 4-6 years.
our problem is those that come on a permit and intend to stay forever, and continue to send the majority of their earnings back home. in their old age, we then have to look after them.
we cannot allow people to gain residency, just by being here over a given period of time.
if thats the intention, to doing away with the RO Policy then do what they do in the USA, Canada etc. , let them apply and all criteria must be met including having sufficent
funds $$$$ to live here.
lets not get back to where we were when women came here just to have children to gain Caymania papers by using their Caymanian child'ren as a barguning chip.
to those that advocate a larger population,
we have appx. 50,000 people now, consider the PROBLEMS we have now.
imagine the additional problems we will have if we have 100,000 people
poor PEOPLE DO NOT CREATE JOBS they only make the rest of us poorer.
in other words CHEAP labour along with IRRESPONSIBLE GOvernance is what got us in this mess
we cannot be all things to all people. any nationality that needs visas to travel to the USA,
Canada, UK OR ANYWHERE ELSE should be required to have one to visit here and they must have sufficent $$$$ to cover their length of stay regardless weather they are staying with their family, friend.
staying with family friend useally mean working illegal, that's why they go to immigration for extensions.
before you comment, think why you came here to begin with, was it for selfish reasons or to injoy our tranquility and the opportunity of a well paid job. lets keep it like that ??? OK
Anonymous 8:33, I agree with your assessment of the situation. There will always be a need for outsiders for certain specialized jobs, and there may be times when we need more tradesmen and laborers as we have after hurricanes, but if Cayman wants employment for Caymanians why do they bring in people with no special skills? Having so many people from other countries here is akin to the U.S.'s illegal emigrant problem! Admitting or keeping extra people on the island DOES cause problems!
Yes, Mr. Premier tear up the rollover policy and put it in the trash where it belongs. This country need progress and jobs. Get rid of it and the visas, we need construction jobs, heavy equipment operators need jobs, our apartments need to be rented, our stores need people to buy. The rollover needs to go, Caymanians need jobs and the rollover is stopping the progress. Give people residency and status the more people that Cayman get it will be better for all of us. We need jobs and more people not less.
What about us that don't have work now? If more non-Caymanians stay or more come it gets worse for me.
I'm not sure that is true. The jobs that are out there now are there because foreigners came here to invest and set up shop. If more (and more diverse) talent is invited to stay, there should be more (and more diverse) jobs for everyone. Granted, it will take careful and efficient planning to ensure Caymanians are invited to the table and development is appealing, but the first step is getting the talent here.
And yes, I know there are talented Caymanians out there. I do not argue that. But there are bigger fish out there in the wider world — why not catch them while you can? Countries all over the world are competing for them now.
"Talent" is also needed for ALL other jobs. Just like a bank needs a smart accountant I need smart helpers.
Reform immigration to do what they should be doing and do NOT dictate to companies who is the best person for their (ligitimate) business. If you are caymanian and are what is needed any business WILL employ you!
WE DO NOT TO HAVE TO PAY FOR PERMITS AND DEAL WITH IMMIGRATION!!
Anyone got an idea how many "Caymanian Caymanians" are unemployed? It would be interesting to see what portion areReal (?), Paper, status or otherwise.
It is strange how we have so many "Caymanians" when things are negative (unemployment), yet not so many when votes are needed.
Just wondering.
Why is it so many people cling on to these distinctions and get so much comfort out of it? Who cares if they are Caymanians, paper Caymanians, status holders, etc. etc. THEY ARE ALL PEOPLE who deserve the same rights equally.
Its an attempt at self importance. The law makes no distinction, but who cares about laws here?
Everyone makes these distinctions except when it is convenient. When you are sneering with contempt at Caymanians (as is common place on CNS) you don't mean status holders you mean native Caymanians. On the other hand when it comes to getting a business licence you are Caymanian. The suggestion that they should all be rolled up into one is to cover the discrimination levelled against native Caymanians. X law firm can say we have got 5 "Caymanian" partners when in reality they have only status holders and have discriminated on the basis of ethnicity or national origin.
Best thing that will ever happen to this Island!
People will now have more faith and spend again.
You expat bashers will soon realize how the roll over policy hurt this place when the economy starts to move again.
Just think people will buy homes, cars, land, furniture, clothes, etc etc etc etc instead of saving every cent to go elsewhere in seven years.
And this will lead to JOBS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (for those of you that really want them)
Dream on!
KEY IS WE NEED THE RIGHT PEOPLE TO STAY!!! the only way I do not oppose this is if the immigration board does their job properly and actualy ensures the people we are allowing to stay (and possibly get residency) are not no good crooks and gangsters! I think we have already given status to enough of those!
The key, so to speak, is traditionally held by nepotism, insecurity, paranoia and grossly under qualified people. This is why the system has failed. It would be much better if good old Caymanian Common Sense prevailed. Canada has opened the red carpet to the educated and has special work permits for those who can only come x months per annum to do manual labor. I don't hear ANYONE accusing Canada of turning a blind eye to human rights. Quite the contrary.
First of all don't make comparisons that are not realistic, it's impossible to compare an Elephant to an ant. Candada can afford an open door policy toward immigration, just its size alone dictates that they can not to mention population compared to land mass, manufacturing and vast natural resources. Canada is one of the hand full of countries with an economy that is doing extremely well at the moment. How about Bermuda's immigration policy compared to Cayman's? Read about Bermuda's immigration policy and maybe you will have a better understanding of how an island should operate a proper immigraiton policy, here read it.
http://bermuda-online.org/employwp.htm
Yeah !! that why you got to love McKeeva, a sensible man.
The media should create a special slot called "The Premier's Whim of the Week".
Get rid of the rollover and visa requirements for Jamaicans. There are the two things that are making it so difficult for us in Cayman, before these two Cayman was in a boom and everyone had jobs, money to spend, our apartments were being rented and people were buying from our stores.
ARE YOU INSANE!!!??? Surely Jamaicans is not what we need!
Jamaicans are the people that buy the most in the stores you should be glad to have them look how much money the place had before the visa and rollover. Many stores were open and plenty people could open business and restaurants because them support it and bought lots of things look how many business in George Town areas had to close down because nobody support them and they can't pay the rent. Other nationalities save them money and send it all back to their countries and when they go home the buy what they need or they go to Miami.
Hmm… Nope.. I can't see this as being reality.. every Jamaican maid I ever had sent all their cash home and didn't even pay their cayman landlords the rent they owed. We need EDUCATED people with high morale to stay here and we need to stop giving status to people who can barely speak proper English!
I wonder why, because they could not afford to live of what they were being paid slave wages or dare I say less. I completely agree with you EDUCATED people with high morale is what is needed in this country but unfortunately we choose not to give status to the majority of those people instead in some cases we choose to give it to unethical business people and low life criminals, as a result we are stuck with what we have gotten, the fast track to 3rd world classification.
So…what about the long lines of Jamaicans at Western Union and all the other money transfer agencies waiting to send their Cayman wages home to Jamaica?
Cayman wages are not sent overseas by Caymanians to pay for children's education, rent, food, clothes, transport, entertainment…….?
Its not their Cayman wages. Its their wages. Cayman did NOT earn it for them. Don't be so arrogant. Remember the seven deadly sins – Lust, Gluttony, Greed, Sloth, Wrath, Envy and Pride. Just think of these sins when reading some of the comments on the subject of rollover.
We shop in Miami because the stores here are generally full of overpriced tat.
10:11 I believe whe shop in miami because all of the stores here are owned by Jamaicans. So how can we support our own you tell me. We support our businesses in Miami.
Caymanians themselves don't shop locally, they go to Miami; Only Jamaicans were in the habit of buying locally. Remember just one example – Sounds and Things closed because Jamaicans were run out of Cayman and they got no business from either locals or other expats. The owner said that himself, no lie.
Maybe sounds n tings should have tailored to the more educated… what were they selling?
They had a fine range of housewares, linens, electronics, etc, for reasonable prices. Fantastic store, great range of products, great local service. Caymana Bay caters to the educated and high-end customer, yet I still don't see locals nor an educated expats shopping there either. I see a lot of visitors and residents browsing, but not much buying because everything is too highpriced. So what's your point? My point was that Jamaicans made a habit of supporting local retail shops. My Caymanian friends who are small business-owners, told me they had to close their businesses as the Jamaicans had been rolled over and they hardly got any business from anyone else. There were 2 stores in my complex that closed due to this. So before you open your mouth to speak, engage the brain cells, do some research and actually talk to Caymanian business-owners.
Oh, stop with the Jamaican slamming!! Who put the roof on your house?
Who cares WHo did it?? I PAID FOR IT!!!
Jamaicans put the roof on my house, but not for free. I had to pay for it. But on top of that they did such a XXXXXX job, I had to turn around and pay some real Caymanian Roofers to do it over. Imagine that.
I think everyone should read this and ask yourself is he a racist? or is he telling people what has caused the problem they were faced with ? the music, the attitude ,the speech, the disregard of respect for elders or property. Then of course is the question : 'Why was racist analysis of Starkey unchallenged? What exactly are you trying to prove?'
It is interesting to note that expats who work for the government do not need work permits and are not subject to roll over. They simply have government contracts that are happily renewed even when the expat has been on island for more than seven years.
It seems that the government itself recognizes that the work permit system and roll over law are horribly inefficient and costly. Why else would the government work outside the immigration law?
When it comes to immigration policy, the government cannot stomach its own dog food. Pure hypocricy.
You need to check your sources. Expat contracts with government are not being renewed and those positions are being filled with Caymanians.
Thats why its so difficult to get anything done through Government now days.
I'm a civil servant and I would love to know what YOUR sources are. i don't see many expats being replaced by Caymanians. In any case the central point remains: rollover was never applied to the civil service and that is just plain inconsistent and wrong.
I agree with 8:55. The Govt still has a silly amount of ex-pats while there is still 15% unemployment for locals. There are a LOT of degreed Caymanians (and status holders, married to Caymanians, and deserving PRs that will have status soon) that have been here forever, invested in this country, and have mortgages to pay…so WHY do we still have so many expats in Govt? My opinion is that for every expat you have, you should be recruiting and training a Caymanian…only THEN, will we get back to zero unemployment.
Which Govt Departments are top-sided with expats and keeping out qualified Caymanians? I.T., GIS, Lands and Survey, DOE, ….shall I go on?
HR at Govt level is a horrible joke.
Your "survey" of Govt Departments is nonsense.
I wonder why Caymanian Chief Officers and Heads of Depts (and they are nearly all Caymanian now) do not hire these wonderful "degreed Caymanians", 9:53. It is because some of these degrees are from tat Bible colleges and other useless institutions in the US and are not worth the paper they are printed on and the holders of the "degrees" are of very limited academic quality. Any Caymanian with a real degree and real skills and good work attitude (and they DO exist, naysayers) WILL get employed and would have a terrific chance at an excellent career in the civil service. It's the phonies (many of whom bombard this website with how brilliant but unemployed they are) that don't get hired.
I see many expats being replaced by Caymanians. Rollover is being applied to the civil service whether it is a law or not.
Hurrah! This is a good move for ALL.
However, It is appalling of the Government to have never made succsession planning for our own young people. Yes, hire an ex-pat into the Govt if so needed at the time, BUT then make sure you have a succession plan to TRAIN a Caymanian or set aside funds for a scholarship for a Caymanian to fill that job. There are plenty of qualified Caymanians that cannot even break into Government.
Just look at ANY department in Government and you will find an ex-pat in a HIGH position that came here with barely an Associate's degree, but have been trained for a decade or more (and now have status) instead of training a Caymanian to take that job. Govt has NO succession planning or training for new local hires. (I think Govt jobs should ALL be advertised every two years like the private sector.)
The system is BROKEN! Get rid of the rollover, but at the same time make government departments hire Caymanians to cure our 15% local unemployment.
We had ZERO Caymanian unemployment 15 years ago! ZERO. It is time to get Caymanians back to work. The rollover messed up the entire system, period. It made employers hold on tight for seven years and actually backfired for qualified Caymanians.
"Caymanian, degreed, unemployed and overjoyed to hear that the rollover that didn't work will be going away." NOW, may I get a real chance for a job instead of a polite interview for the ex-pat renewal? (I'm qualified)
Fact 1 – Its not due to any rollover law.
Fact 2 – We can logically deduce from Fact 1 that the rollover is an unnecessary law.
You have never studied logic have you?
Not true. It is because they don't have the money why they are not renewing the Govt. contracts, not because of rollover. Get real.
Whatever the reason… (and not having the money is not a real reason) the results are the same. Whether it is a law that is enforced or a policy that is followed, the ethnic cleansing of government has begun.
I have a friend who worked for the Department of Vehicles and Equipment Services for 8 years and I am proud to say that he is one of the best expat employee DVES has employed and he did all his best using his long experience,education and vast knowledge of the job assinged to him.Unfortunately he was forced to resign front his job because of the Rollover policy and the Policy inforce by the Government executives that says " Cayman Islands is For Caymanians and America is for Americans,Philippines is for Filipinos and so on and so fort. The bottomline is because of Rollover Policy,the CI Government is loosing their bests qualified employees that are needed to perform key jobs that would help improve productivity in every government department they were employed.
Mr. Premier you are so right the people of the Cayman Islands are affected greately by the rollover policies, change it quick. It is because of the rollover that our young people cannot find employment or have greater business opportunities, crime is on the increase, our government do have enought money, and Cayman is in a decline.
I totally agree with you Mr. Premier the USA, Greece, Germany, France and other countries are in the mess that they are in today because of their rollover policy. Getting rid of the rollover policy will make us the #1 financial center of the world, way to go Mr. Premier good job.
There are many Caymanians who believe this country needs 100 thousand people to be progressive so getting rid of the roll over is a good start, another good thing to do would be to get rid of the visa from and to Jamaica. Another good suggestion Mr. Premier would be to lower the cost of work permits and as a matter of fact get rid of them entirely that way people would invest in the island by buying properties and opening businesses that would employ Caymanians and our real estate markets would be good again. Yes Mr. Premier good suggestion our people need investment and jobs and getting rid of the rollover is a good start. I hope you pass it in the LA today, this is a very good move. WINNING!
When we reach 100,000 people what do we do then. Lock the doors and say everything is perfect? If West Bay gets their fair sher of these pople we will need more than one road in and out . You can't have it all Mac!!!
You should be asking yourself what you will do when you reach 20,000.
60:42 One hundred thousand people yes, but not one hundred thousand philipinos. Tell me where the hell all these people goint to fit. Hush
Probably the best news we've gotten in this year and hope that it never raise it's ugly head again. It was meant with good itentions yet all it has done is caused unemployment for Caymanians, good honest expats, increase in business fees and crime. Real estate and construction industry has suffered the most, Cayman needs expats and by erasing the rollover we'll see more new residents. I'm a born and bred Caymanian and I'm proud of being Caymanian yet I also understand that the world is a changing place and Cayman needs to adapt or we'll be left behind.
So I guess he has reduced the number of Jamaicans to what he has determined to be an acceptable level right?
Clearly this was the target……
Also, I don't see any Caymanians doing the jobs these rolled Jamaicans used to do, just other expats brought in to do the same.
Rightly or wrongly, I think that was always their plan. Reduce the number of Jamaicans here whilst allowing other nationalities/Caymanians in to take up the jobs. I'm not commenting on whether it is right or wrong, but just how I understand the immigration policy to be.
Good job remove the rollover policy and I hope the government will also see the need to remove the foolish law about people not born here but after living here for 15, 20, 30 and 40 years with Caymanian Status and are Naturalized are not entitled to run for political office. I say away with this also because some of the brightest minds and people who would serve these islands well were not born here. It is high time for some of these good people to run for political office. I hope this will be challenged as a human rights issue, because in the UK many of their politician were not born there why not the same here that is a BDTC? No one wants to live anywhere indefinitely without the rights to vote and apply for citizenship and this should be another challenge to people's human rights. Caymanians have to realiase this is the real world they cannot have their cake and eat it too. This has been happening here for too long. People's lives are not toys of convenience.
"People's lives are not toys of convenience." LOL. You have been here long, have you?
Arnold……you came back:)
Do people here have any god damn sense? I’m sorry, but reading the comments is very disturbing. Things are not black and white. The rollover policy had it’s flaws, however it is certainly not a cure all. To the business owners and the people that want to sell property and make a pretty penny, do realize that it’s not going to just fly at you, you’re going to have to give something up and it may not seem so obvious now.
Do I believe certain individuals were forced to leave despite being committed to their jobs, the community, and were a great asset- of course. However, can you ignore that there are a number of people that now live in the country and couldn’t careless what happened as long as they’re making a buck? Both and truths that extend across the board, no class or nationality is exempt from this. I have seen teachers of mine who genuinely cared forced to leave while their replacements shamelessly express their utter lack-of-give-shit-tery. From lawyers to helpers I’ve seen genuinely good people uprooted and have known others who it would be a blessing to get them the hell out of a country they believe is inhabited by a bunch of idiots.
The policy is not the problem, it is a matter of ensuring it is properly enforced and that people do not abuse the system. We live on an island you could walk from coast to coast in less than a day for God’s sake! Are we supposed to keep every last person who comes? Each who believe they have a right to stay and people to vouch for them? Not to mention how fickle people can be- has anything good happened for us since the last time this happened?
What are the positive AND negative aspects of this? Can you bloody just sit and consider that first before jumping on the pro-/anti- wagons you people seem to love? Frankly, as a Caymanian I will be reluctant to return because for all the beauty, there is one big spreading piece of ugly I’m not to eager to wait around and see what happens.
FIVE RULES TO REMEMBER IN LIFE:
1. Money cannot buy happiness but its more comfortable to cry in a Mercedes than on a bicycle.
2. Forgive your enemy but remember the f@"% rs name.
3. Help someone when they are in trouble and they will remember you when they're in trouble again.
4. Many people are alive only because it’s illegal to shoot them.
5. Alcohol does not solve any problems, but then again, neither does milk.
So what about certain persons who rent apartments that live 3 or 4 to a room? Will this help the economy?
Will getting rid of the rollover open the gate for more of these persons who choose to live this way makes things better?or will this open the gate for more cheap labour and any of the salary left over goes home to build up there country.
The roll over policy failed because the system failed. What will the Government do to strengthen Caymanians being trained or given a fair opportunity to advance/obtain there chosen field?
Sorry, but the crime situation is going to get worst and all your foreign employees will leave and in the end only persons that actually live in worse crime situations will seek employment here.
Another band aid solution for a profusely bleeding wound!
Submitted by an unemployed Caymanian since 2009 with over 150 resumes sent out with 5 % of the situation no reply and or I am over-qualified as the job has already been secured by a foreigner.
You are unemployed because you don't want to work for minimum wage, but remember 1/3 a loaf of bread is better than non. You should encourage the government to get rid of the rollover so that people will buy home, create jobs, open business and money can flow again so that you will get a good paying job.
So let me get this straight. The hardworking expats who were here BEFORE Ivan and who contributed to this country's economy and who stayed DURING and AFTER Ivan to help clean up and rebuild, were rolled over without so much of a thank you, all because things were honkydory back then, there was no recession kicking our ass and Caymanians were not feeling a loss in their pockets back then. Fast foward to several years later, when the effects of this rollover policy and the prolonged recession is hurting everybody, those expats who came AFTER Ivan, or who fled before Ivan but came back after things were cleaned up / rebuilt and started a new 7 yr-term, may now get to stay to year 8 and a chance to apply for residency – an opportunity that was yanked away from those who were here before Ivan, who helped to get this country back on its feet but were unceremoniously kicked out. What a travesty of justice and gross unfairness to those who were kicked out before. I guess they had the wrong timing and if they had had a crystal ball, they would have not come to Cayman until after Ivan. The only reason this suspension is now being contemplated, is because Caymanians finally see the folly of this policy and are now feeling it in their pockets. A little too late, because most of the good people you had before, have now long gone and they sure ain't coming back, because this country keeps wifflewaffling from year to year and can't seem to come up with a logical immigration policy that actually works. They implemented the rollover without any in-depth study or analysisof its effects on the economy. This hit and miss approach is experimentation to say the least and the joke is, it destroyed a lot of people's lives in the process. Now they are trying to get back the horse after it has already bolted through the gate. So sad to see a country being run this way, in this day and age.
Cayman is not going through a recession the problem is the rollover policy. Get rid of it and monies will roll in by creating jobs and businesses.
I hope you are being sarcastic since that is such evident nonsense.
00.21 You said it! So very true – I was one of the ones in Cayman before, during and after Ivan and got rolled earlier this year. I've seen so many people come and go on the Island and yet those of us who stayed through thick and thin still got the boot out after 7 years. One would think that it would be preferred to keep people on Island who made it their home, as opposed to those who go to work on Island for a few years and leave. But what do we know right….?!
Well said, so what happens to us now. I was here from 2000, stayed during Ivan, bought property and was rolled over 2007 – 2008. Returned to Cayman to same property. What happens now after the 2 year suspension?? The same people get rolled over for a 2nd time?
I think some consideration needs to be made for the people who were rolled over and returned.
I don't understand the rollover policy in that you get rolled over for 7 yrs and then leave for a yr and then come back for another 7yrs. How does this help get Caymanians jobs if an expat returns for another 7 yrs usually in the same job or same type of job. And if the expat will get rolled over again, then they won't make any commitment to the community. It seems like more of a detriment to the country than a plus. I am an expat who likes the island, bought a property but will leave when my time comes and will only return for vacations.
This is good news from cabinet. May the Government now work on the crime problem and come up with measures to reduce it. This is the one big negative that will stop the flow of tourists and investment in Cayman.
Oh Well, when Paul A. said this was a bad idea as it was first being implemented so many people came down hard on him, now all these years later:
1. Caymanian developers at a stand still, nobody to buy the apartments
2. We have never had a more divided, poor, disgruntled………………… population, nobody is better off
3. We seem to have lost track of what we were about, but atleast we slowed down the "paper caymanians" being made each year.
Pardon me feeling so negative!!!!!!
I miss the horrible old days when a permit was from year to year, when we all got along, when we could leave our doors open, when we smiled, when we all spoke english(even if badly pronounced), when the word "expat" just meant your pasport was a different color than mine, and ……………
By the way:
I am caymanian, both my parents were also born right here, and their parents and so on. I have lived here all my life. i will admit to not liking turtle, but don't leave the cassava cake out and expect me not to have some, so i guess there will be many who don't understand where i am coming from thinking this roll-over policy was a bad thing.
I will challenge all the persons who agree with the policy to show me one Caymanian who says they moved up/into got something better or somewhere better because someone was rolled over.
Also we are so quick to talk about controlling the numbers, but we forget how many of us Caymanians are dependant on continued growth for our living, I am in the construction industry and I know I certainly have been feeling the pinch, and thatwas before the whole world came crashing down around the sub-prime mortgage scandal.
I think the main reason that many persons have left the Cayman Islands is because of the recession and not because of the roll over policy. I think it should be reviewed but not done away with. I did not know they were now issuing 7 year work permits. The jobs are just not there anymore. Because of the mass status grants the jobs that Caymanians previously could fill are now filled by the "new Caymanians". And having more people qualify for status will only increase the amount of Caymanians unemployed because some of those persons that are on work permit does not have a full time job and is only picking up work anywhere they can for a measley wage.
The main reason people has left Cayman is because of the rollover policy and not any recession, Cayman is not in a recession. Everyone that wants a job can have a job not like in the rest of the world where people cannot find any job. The rollover is why people have to leave and our apartments cannot be rented, real estate cannot sell, business have to close and crime is up.
This is a potential disaster thrust on the Caymanian people by people who simply do not understand the law or the implications of doing away with it. Let me help. Everyone who is allowed to be here for 10 years can stay forever – auomatically. Then their families can come. Suspending rollover for even 2 years will result in automatic status grants to probably in excess of 10,000 people – many of whom have no healthcare arrangements, pension, or advanced skills or education. This will be the death of the Cayman islands economic model. We will never afford the repercussions of this second round of cabinet status grants. This view may be unpopular, but it is factual. Those UDP members with any forethought for the long term future of Cayman, please stop this now!
Factual?
Any idiot knnows that. Its the smart ones that are having trouble grasping this fact.
If ever a comment made sense, this isn't it.
What it means is that these people can apply for permanent residence.
It does not guarantee that they will be granted permanent residence.
Fact.
Do you make this stuff up as you go? Which reference material did you get the figure of 10,000 status grants, and where did you get the information that the majority of these people are uneducated, lack health care etc? Please provide.
And he reached into his hat and………pulled out a card. Shetty!!!! I tried that one. Another one. Dredging!!!!!! That one too. East End Seaport???? Rollover!!!!
Yes. And each time he looks at everyone and asks, "Is this your card?"
🙂
I wonder if he will consult with anyone in Immigration? …………….poor employees always the last to know……….. They staff really get a bad rap constantly but yet people dont realize they dont have any say at all in the changes and are just administering the orders of the day of the cabinet! and dictator! every few months the Law changes again!
What about the Board members? the Chair-persons of the three boards? they are the ones who ultimetely decide who stays and goes…………. not the staff! Stop beating up on the staff!
We will pray for you all!
Sorry, but there is not one single work permit holder who has one ounce of sympathy for the Immigration staff. We are sick and tired of their complete lack of any urgency, lack of understanding of the Law, and their irrational inconsistent last minute decision making. The expat force has nearly halved but simple decisions still take forever.
Members of Immigration sit in the board meetings. However you are correct that many of the favors are carried out at the board levels. Indeed, these boards are operated by nepotism. Which is consistent as they are formed by nepotism. Natural Justice and Procedure are irrelevant if they happen to get in the way. That's what power does to people. Some will argue its how we protectourselves. That premise is flawed in and of itself. Education would have been a better choice. But, even, so, claiming to be a Christian nation, is it too much to ask that we operate these boards with integrity and within the law?
We should investigate Mac more often, he's actually talking sense.
It is only sense if you are willing tot pay for the housing, clothing, education, medication, and unemployment benefits of thousands of persons who wiill be coming here to stay as part of rights to family life and become beyond any control by immigration. These people are not investors. Many are good wonderful people, but you are calling for a total and permanent collapse of our ability to look after those persons who require assistance in our society. Go and read the European Human Rights conventions and understand what happens when an expatriate stays for 10 years. Then talk to us about sense.
Do you have any stats to back up your point of view?
I'll tell you what happens to an expat who stays for 10 years in Cayman. They get kicked out. Human rights? What are those? Ask the average Caymanian what human rights are and the answer will be in the form of a question – "What about Caymanian rights?"
We keep forgetting the average expat stayed here for three years. Believe it or not, its not the only island in the sun. Nor does it provide top class education for the children of families that come here, which is of great value to many expats. Nor can we brag of significant cultural experience. We should be proud of where we come from, but we are not London, Hong Kong, Singapore, New York.
Regarding, the increased cost of living under your system, will it be more than it is now? My health insurance, electricity, clothing, education, etc, have all gone up since 2004. Perhaps, its because there are less (not more) people to foot the bills.
Thanks McKeeeva…but boy will Austin and Gilbert have a field day with you tomorrow..and wait til Ezzard gets a go at you next week.
This was long needed. Businesses has suffered for too long. It hasn't helped Caymanians and it has caused a "brain drain" to this country. A lot of the good people in thefinancial industry have now relocated to other jurisdictions to our detriment.
That's funny, I thought that it was the downturn in the world economy that was causing businesses to sufffer.
I don't buy this idiea that our economy will suffer because of the rollover policy. The world is full of A LOT of educated people who have much to contribute to any economy, if the y are given the chance of employment.
As far as Caymanian Secretaries being laid off because of Managers being rolled over or moving to a new location, what about Caymanians that HAVE the education for such level jobs, nd the experience? Eh? McKeeve? oh yeah, you don't give a rat's as% about Caymanians.
Except on election day!
Don't forget the increase in costs that were put in place by the same Mr P that have forced many small businesses to close.
The real difference between an educated person and an uneducated person is the former is willing to do any job.
This policy has costs the Cayman economy dearly and reduced the jobs available for Caymanians. Good news.
anon 2201 the premeir is continuing his plan to get the population up to 100,000 people. The idea is that the more people will naturally generated more business. The problem as I see it is that the population is increasing but the job market is not changing.
There are people moving into this country that starts business then look to get another from their country. So you may get more jobs but not necessarily for caymanians.
By the way this is called an employers market. They dont have to hire the caymanians not when their are expats desperate for jobs in their own country come here and are willing to work for lower salaries. The caymanian gets the short end of the stick.
But heres the thing. Those same employees come back 2-3 months down the line and claim that they are being treated like slaves. Bottom line is that if you were not willing to except slave salaries then you would not have had a job.
mad man alert!!!!
Yeah! Thank you McKeeva,..now maybe we can get some people to invest and buy homes in our country again
That's sad that not even the Premier knows what "The Roll Over Policy " about. Even to him thinks it was done to create opportunities for caymanian's, but he's wrong. This policy was put in place so the Cayman Islands wouldn't have huge amount's of people entitled to status every year. This was just a way to split their tenure so they wouldn't be legally entitled. The Island can only handle so many people. I'm neither here, nor there about it . I just felt it was time to explain it to some people.
Yepper – we don't need those huge amounts of people who contribute to our society financially, volunteer in our many organizations and keep our islands vibrant. Away with them, I say. I much rather crime, not knowing how I'm going to make ends meet, and the feeling of living in a ghost town.
You're right; this fact seems to have been lost in the political shuffle. However, I think (and I hope I am right), that most expatriates will not want to stay beyond a few years. As another poster pointed out, this is not the only island in the sun. I am an expatriate and have been here for 15 years. All but one member of the thirty or so expatriates who were my first group of friends here left within five years of my arrival, either to go home or to some other offshore destination — and that was well before the rollover policy was created. I would guess that those who do want to stay and make Cayman home will be exactly the kind of citizens you need and want — those who are earning enough money to live and who value the life they have here. Anyone who doesn't do both of those things will eventually leave of their own accord.
It is time to roll over the Premier!!! He has overstayed his welcome.
Cayman lost so many good people to this foolish policy. And so many good people were put off coming here or investing here. Let's hope the mistake is now consigned to the scrap-heap.
This will be a welcome relief but it is far from a panacea. Rollover is a minor irritation in comparison to the dozen other major problems with the immigration system.
The real issues are the cost, delay, inconsistency and uncertainty that employers encounter each and every day. Until those are factors are ameliorated companies will continue to ship jobs overseas where governments are falling over themselves to make concessions instead of making employers pay through the nose to be dragged over the coals.
The seven year rollover was always a horrible policy that only seemed like it didn’t matter to those who were not local employers. Designed to cap the number of voters/caymanians, the govt would have been FAR better off saying: “Time spent on island under a permit does not qualify you for status” or something like that. Instead we chased away the best and the brightest just because their “time was up” – If you ever needed a single reason NOT to vote for the PPM, one need only look at the cursed rollover and what its misguided effort has done to chase away some of the most productive contributors to our economy. Shame and misfortune on those who came up (and defend) this I’ll-conceived piece of bunk.
The mis-guided policy was the brainchild of the UDP in the first place. Check it out, they did that to try to appease the Caymanians who were outraged with the 2003 status fiasco.
You need to get your facts correct….it was the UDP that implemented the rollover policy. This was done to try and clear up the fiasco and disaster they created with the status give away. If you don’t know it was not the PPM responsible for this mess….
The Roll-Over was designed specifically for "one" group of people….But it backfired & everyone including the ones who put it in place were affected….
I am an expatriate & nonetheless i believe the Roll-Over could work,only if it was done correctly by not targeting one specific group of people….The same folks who some came here from the 60's & made something of themselves & showing some of the "Born Caymanians" how to live in style by moving out of their parents house when they are grown & upgrading to a Concrete House….
As a so-called Christian country….im saddened by the segregation,hatred & exploitation….
People be very careful how you treat your helpers,remember they prepare your meals!!!
No disrespect "Paper Caymanian" – but I have to tell you – I lived in a concrete house long before anyone came and "showed us how to upgrade to a concrete house". I'm over 60 years old so I know very well what happened here in the 60's.
Rather condescending of you – don't be so insulting! You didn't come from a concrete house either!
Good news. The rollover policy was always a misguided policy,
This is not good news – this will cause unemployment to get worse. The already many Caymanians out of work will not have a chance in hell to get work now!
Right! The unemployables will still be unemployables. Bummer. Maybe an new employable will hire you.
pls! The ones that aren't working now are the ones that don't WANT to work!
There are lots of jobs out there. However, they are not all high paying jobs. But these individuals do not WANT to take ANY job they want what they want and would rather be unemployed than take a job which would make them lose their pride. It is easier to blame someone else that you are unemployed rather than looking at oneself.
Doing away with the rollover policy is a BIG mistake! I agree with the opposition when they suggested "revising" it, but not doing away with it completely. Has this man gone mad?
I can see you don’t own a business.
I can see you have no regard for the society we will be living in in 10 years as a result of what you propose… Oh, you’ll perhaps take your Money to a nice safe balanced society, with effective immigration controls.
They are not doing away with it completely (read the news ont he subject!), they are relaxing it, and only for 2 years. No doubt something even more rediculous will replace it.
The people of the Cayman Islands need to roll out the red carpet for the Premier and any other MLA that sign on to get rid of the roll over policy. Mr. Premier don't you know when it's time to quit?
That is some serious good news!!!!