No Differencein "Caymanian"
NOTE: Beginning withthis issue, it will be a policy to refer to all persons who aredesignated Caymanian by reason of indigenous birth or Grant ofStatus by the Immigration Board under the guidelines dictatedby the Immigration Law as "Caymanian". Cayman Net Newsand its subsidiary media units will no longer use the phrase 'CaymanianStatus'. We will drop the redundant term "Status" fromall copy appearing in our publications and other presentations.Advertisers are hereby notified that ads placed with us will alsoreflect this mandatory change.
The recent approval of 219 successful candidatesto become Caymanians out of nearly 1000 applicants has added anoticeable stimulus to the mood of many who held hope that theirfuture lies here.
Undoubtedly, this development has givenrise to the economy and the present mood will be further turbo-chargedas the unsuccessful candidates are rewarded with the second prize:Permanent Residency (PR) with the right to work.
With this happening in the New Year, itis expected that there will be a booming Christmas for the economy.
This designation should not preclude PRrecipients from applying to become Caymanians at a later date,provided that they continue to be good corporate citizens andkeep clean slates.
Sooner, hopefully not later, Caymaniansmust wake up to the fact that they are no longer especiallyowing to the impact of 6000 to 9000 visitors on cruise ship days a majority of the population or work force.
Substantiated figures confirm that of thenear 15,000 people who are on Work Permits, 4,300 of them haveresided here for 10 or more years. Of the balance, some 7000 havebeen here between 5 and 10 years.
Further analyses of these figures revealthat among the 15,000 work permit holders there are: 8000 unskilledworkers (labourers and domestic workers); 6000 who are semi-skilled;and approximately 1000 professionals.
Another interesting comparison is Bermuda:her population of 70,000 50 percent more than Cayman with a total of only 8,000 work permits in place 50 percentless than the Cayman Islands.
An estimated local workforce of 26,000 means there are only 11,000Caymanians employed. Though not pursued of late, one suggestionis that Government should launch a drive, particularly in citiesin the United States where Caymanians are known to be residing legally or illegally and invite them to return andpartake of the job opportunities that abound locally.
And there is more. Depending on the status (forgive the pun) ofthe Cayman Islands' Constitution when Mother England becomes afull member of the European Union, the challenges this territorywill face, particularly in relation to Immigration Rights, willat some stage surely become a reality.
Because of the European Convention on Nationalitywhich was signed by the UK in 1997, what will be argued is: allthe people who have been given entry to work and reside for aperiod of 10 years must have the opportunity to become a citizenof the country which allowed them to have continuous residence.
Witness how European Laws have affectedand will continue to impact the Cayman Islands as long as we remaina territory of the UK: the abolishment of the death penalty; theright of consenting adults to have homosexual relations; and therecent signing of the agreement with the US enjoining Cayman toreport on tax evaders.
What's coming next to Cayman? The Europeans'relaxed laws on drug use?
Enter then the pros and cons of a rolloverin continuous residence for the required people unskilled,semi-skilled and professionals who have become a necessity ifthe Cayman Islands' story is to have a successful run and prosperoushistory.
In the months to come, this knotty problemand more will require even, experienced hands to steer what attimes appears to be the safe passage or discarding of waves ofimmigrants on an overloaded 'Good Ship Cayman'.
It is hoped that the present Cayman IslandsGovernment will take advantage of the model which was developedrecently by the Immigration Board to create 219 new Caymanians,and the Board will be given an enhanced mandate to arrive at solutionswhich will benefit all the people who constitute this land, irrespectiveof national origin, class or creed.