The Caymanian Compass editorial for
November 8 characterized the lack of debate by the Government bench on the
private member’s motion calling for a rollback of work permit fees as
disturbing. It said this is the kind of “politricks” nonsense that needs to
stop.
There is nothing disturbing about
the Government not debating this motion. Premier McKeeva Bush gave the Government’s
position at a public meeting in Bodden Town on 2 November, which was carried on
national radio and television broadcasts. The Compass newspaper also reported
the Government’s position.
At this same meeting, the premier
explained that a wholesale rollback of work permit fees was not possible due to
our budgetary commitments with the UK. In fact, months ago in the Assembly the
premier gave the same message as he did on November 2, that the People’s
Progressive Movement put our budget in the hands of the UK, that we had to
commit to a three-year budget, and that between now and the next budget in 2011
we would be better able to see what cuts could be made. He said in other
statements that when he could make cuts he would do so.
In Bodden Town, he said the
recovery of the Government’s finances was fragile and there had to be a
thorough analysis before cutting fees.
With the Government’s position on
the question of reducing work permit fees having been publicly stated and
widely carried by local media, there should be no doubt as to the government’s
position and why the Government voted against a motion calling for a wholesale
rollback of work permit fees.
The only “politricks” being played
was in bringing the motion knowing that it is not easy to make the cuts while
having a legal agreement with the FCO.
Office of the Press Secretary to
the Premier
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