Jamaica's Honourary Consul Captain Robbie Hamaty
Capt. Robert "Robbie" Hamaty (seated), Honourary Jamaican Consulate, with his staff, Mrs. Elaine Harris (left) and Mrs. Gillian Harvey (right)
Unknown to many, there are members of the resident community who also serve as Honourary Consulates or Wardens, on a volunteer basis, to the countries of their origin.
These individuals offer much needed assistance with passport applications, renewals, general inquiries and resident registration.
They give tremendous efforts to serve their homelands, while at the same time serving as valuable members of the Cayman Islands community.
This is the first in a series of four
articles which will be published this week.
Other countries with honourary offices include the United States,
Canada and Barbados.
Capt. Robert "Robbie" Hamaty serves as the volunteer Honorary Consulate for Jamaica.
In the past, the Cayman Islands were a protectorate of Jamaica. When Jamaica became independent in 1962, the Cayman Islands remained as a British Overseas Territory.
At that time, the Cayman Islands Immigration Department handled various aspects of diplomatic functions for Jamaican residents, such as the issuing of emergency passports and filing of passport applications.
However, Jamaica soon realized that its
citizens who resided in the Cayman Islands had no official representation.
With thousands of Jamaicans living here, it was deemed appropriate
and timely to establish a Consular Office on Grand Cayman.
An application was presented to the then Governor (1990), by the Jamaican Ministry of Foreign Affairs for consul status, along with Mr. Hamaty's resume. His official post gained approval through the United Kingdom Foreign Affairs nearly two years later.
Capt. Hamaty commenced his appointment as the Honourary Consul for Jamaica ten years ago.
With this designation, he bears full responsibility for protecting the rights of Jamaican citizens who are visitors or who claim residency on the Cayman Islands.
Quite active as President of Tortuga Rum Company, he enjoys his consulate work on a volunteer basis and said, "Although Cayman is my home, this is a way of helping the country of my birth, and my people".
Demand for services soon increased, and an office in Rankin Plaza was opened in 1992 to accommodate the volume of requests in an adequate and confidential space.
The Jamaican Consular Office stationed in Grand Cayman offers an array of services and public information regarding passport applications and renewals; assistance with visa applications for Jamaicans to other countries, and for foreigners traveling to Jamaica.
The office has become quite efficient in their filings and can now also process Canadian visitor visas for Jamaicans, and hope to do the same for applications to the United States.
Furthermore, the staff of the Consulate Office frequently serve as key liaisons between Jamaican residents and the Cayman Islands Labour Board, Immigration Department, Customs or RCIP, as warranted.
The Jamaican Consulate Office functions self-sufficiently. Essentially, the revenue generated from provided services supports operational costs and salaries for additional staff.
Ten years ago, community members with ties to Jamaica and in support of Capt. Hamaty and the Consular efforts, formed a Committee to raise funds which initially established the Consular Office, created a Jamaican Trust Fund supporting those most in need, and continually ensure day-to-day costs are covered.
The Committee meets periodically and its members include Mrs. Cicily Delapenha, Mr. Harvey Stephenson, Mr. Michael Godfrey, Mr. Astill Murphy and Mr. David Guilfoyle.
There are approximately 7,500 Jamaicans residing in the Cayman Islands on work permits, and an additional 4,000 without a work permit, but having some connection with Jamaica.
Upon a recent visit to the small, but airy space in the corner bottom floor of the Plaza, seven individuals and families inquired about various services in a short ten-minute period.
Inquiries keep two additional staff persons busy throughout the day. Mrs. Elaine Harris has been with the Jamaican Consulate Office since 1994, and Mrs. Gillian Harvey joined two years ago.
Both are eager to help anyone who walks through the door, offering information and guidance with patience and a quiet calm. According to Capt. Hamaty, although both women accept a minimal salary, their services can essentially be regarded as volunteer, as "their contribution is also service to their country".
The Consular Office is most in need of assistance from the legal community. Many clients cannot afford legal services, although they may be in need of legal advice, particularly regarding employment issues.
If anyone would like to volunteer their services, please contact the Consular Office at the number listed below.
Contact Information:
Jamaica Consul Office
Rankin Plaza
Eastern Avenue
P.O. Box 431
Georgetown
Grand Cayman
Telephone: 949-9526
Fax No: 945-7294
Hours of operation:
Monday Friday
8:30 am 2:00 pm
Email: Jamaica@candw.ky