Fellow Caymanians and residents:
In keeping with my Government’s stated policy of encouraging public debate and discussion, I have deliberately chosen to observe and pay attention to the discussions on Immigration matters, particularly over the past week. Now however, it is time to speak with you, and share the facts about the so-called rollover legislation.
Every modern and successful country has a clear and strict immigration policy. There can be no doubt that Cayman is a modern and successful country. Immigration issues are difficult and emotive in every country and the Cayman Islands is no different.
Our islands have developed with high reliance on foreign labour, making immigration issues a cause for concern for decades now. In some cases, tensions have arisen. If we do not put in place and enforce strict legislation, these tensions could increase and affect us all; Caymanians and expatriates alike.
Repeated attempts to address the issue in the past have met with only limited success and, regrettably the Cabinet Status Grants by the previous administration in 2003 brought these tensions to an almost boiling point.
The present Immigration Law, passed hurriedly by the last administration in the aftermath of the infamous Cabinet Status grants, came into force on 1 January, 2004, and introduced the concept of limited term work permits, commonly called the Rollover Policy. This is an important point and one that is often lost in the discussion by most people who now oppose the policy: the rollover policy is not new; it has been in effect for almost three years now.
It was not introduced by this Government – but with some refinement, through consultation, we see it being a good thing for The Cayman Islands. The Government has consulted widely during the review process and the many representations received are now being considered before the final bill is prepared for submission to the Legislative Assembly.
Since our election in May 2005, this Government has been taking the necessary steps, as set out in our Manifesto, to get the country back on the right track.
Some of those steps involved amending the Immigration law in September 2005 to prevent any Cabinet from ever again being able to make mass grants of Caymanian Status and conducting a review of the law to address concerns about its operation, remove anomalies, make it more user- and business-friendly and strengthen its enforcement provisions.
The Rollover Policy was born of necessity and the Government is satisfied that we need to retain the policy to ensure continued stability, harmony, growth and progress of this country. We re-affirm the original principles upon which this country set out on the path of economic development 40 years ago:
First, we seek economic development not for its own sake but to improve your lives and those of your children without their having to go abroad.
Second, though large-scale immigration will always be needed, control of the country must remain in the hands of Caymanians. We are happy, as we always have been, to integrate immigrants into our society; to accept in due course that they have become Caymanians with all the rights of Caymanians, but the numbers must be limited. We cannot in that sense integrate all those who would like to live here. That would not be integration, it would be take-over.
So the bulk of the immigrants must be permit-holders, who do not have the same rights as Caymanians. There is nothing new in this, and experience shows that immigrants are happy to come here on that basis. This is not anti-Jamaican (or anti-anyone else).
Third, our people must participate on a genuine priority basis in the employment and business opportunities created by our developing economy.
An essential part of this, which has not received nearly enough attention from Governments over the years, is that our people must have access to the best education and training that we can afford, to equip them to do the work they want to do.
What have we done to put these principles into practice and to ensure that they are adhered to in the future? And what remains to be done?
The party system means that voters should never again find that they have elected a Government that does not share these principles.
Voters will in future look carefully at a party’s manifesto to make sure that it promises to stick to these principles, and hold the party accountable for any breach of promise.
The Immigration Law was changed in September 2005 to make clear that Cabinet is not authorized to make mass grants of status.
Our education and training facilities are undergoing the most thorough and comprehensive shake-up in the country’s history – it will take time to see the full benefits, but our firm commitment is that all Caymanians must be equipped to achieve their aspirations, to participate fully in the country’s economic success.
The Immigration Review Team has recommended that rollover should be retained, and, though there are understandable misgivings about this, that is the view of the Government, and the vast majority of the people in the country accept that it is necessary. Otherwise, if large numbers of immigrants stay here indefinitely, year in, year out, there will be increasing pressure, inside the country and from abroad, to give status and voting rights to all of them – and their dependants.
The numbers are just too large compared with the Caymanian population, for that to be permitted. So we must be diligent, thorough, and fair of course, in granting extensions and further, Caymanian status.
We are aware that the rollover rules introduced in 2004 need amendment – to reduce the uncertainty and confusion, and to ensure that our economy is not damaged. The application of the rules, especially with respect to key employees and the grant of Permanent Residence will have to be carefully monitored with the same objectives in mind. It is absolutely essential to the interests of all Caymanians that our economy stays strong, especially the two pillar industries, financial services and tourism.
To Caymanians we say fear not; you will not lose control of your country; you will still have priority, though everyone, at school and in the workplace, should understand that achievement is not a birthright; it requires dedication and hard work.
To businesses, including the financial services sector, we say fear not; we understand the need to keep the economy strong.
Consultations with you will be ongoing and you will find this Government and the policy machinery, accessible.
To those whose permits are not renewed, we regret the necessity of this and hope you understand the reason. You are aware, I am sure that work permits issued by any government in any country, are for a specific period with no guarantee or assurance of renewal.
Mr. Tibbetts
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