Seeking to avoid a situation that could inadvertently create a staffing shortage at companies, Cayman Islands government is planning to make some changes to a section of the Immigration Law that deals with business staffing plans.
As of 31 March, all Cayman Islands companies that employ 15 or more people on work permits were required to turn in staffing plans to the government. Those businesses that did not do so had the ability to renew work permits or to apply for new permits temporarily suspended.
Chief Immigration Officer Franz Manderson said last week that only a handful of businesses had not turned in staffing plans, and that all others who submitted their proposals were being allowed to continue getting work permits.
However, Mr. Manderson said the law was left vague as to whether companies could receive work permits while waiting for business staffing plans to be approved.
Leader of Government Business Kurt Tibbetts said that uncertainty is ‘something that needs to be dealt with urgently.
‘We had to have that deadline (31 March) to get (businesses) attention to let them know they can’t wait until forever or until they please,’ Mr. Tibbetts said. ‘But it certainly was not the intention to shut the businesses down.’
In an e-mail to the Caymanian Compass, Business Staffing Plan Board Chairperson Sophia Harris wrote that she was of the opinion that once a business complied and submitted a plan its right to submit work permit applications would continue.
Mr. Manderson said that approach needs to be clarified in the Immigration Law.
Mr. Tibbetts said he expects a proposal to make the changes would be submitted to the Legislative Assembly soon.
‘(The suspension of work permit applications and renewals) will only apply to those who do not make their application. Until such time as they make their application, then these work permits will not be dealt with,’ said Mr. Tibbetts.
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