The cutting of 39 jobs by LIME in order to outsource positions to Ericsson was within the rights of the company, said the majority of respondents to a Caymanian Compass poll.
Some 325 people selected “Let the free market rule” from the options. As there were 581 respondents in total, that came to 56 percent of total votes.
The second largest set of figures came to 121 people who chose “Any jobs Ericsson maintains locally should go to Caymanians” – that’s 20.8 percent. About half that amount – 64 people (11 percent) said Ericsson’s business license ought to prevent sending any jobs off island, and 58 people (10 percent) felt that the government should require the company to keep the workers in their current jobs.
Together, that comes to 41.2 percent who felt in some way that Cayman workers should be protected either by choice or legislation. The remaining 13 people. (2.2 percent) selected “Other.”
The free market fans had a range of views.
“Free market = capitalism,” one person wrote, “And companies choose their employee, not be forced to take them.”
Another contributor looked back at the context of the telecommunications industry in Cayman. “Government, responding tho the clamor from the general public broke the C&W monopoly and introduced competition in telecommunications in the country,” wrote the respondent. “Consumers now have choices and presumably lower prices. Some people lose their jobs to pay for this. This is free market competition. Deal with it.”
Another pointed to the political angle: “Never in the history of any government has government manipulation of a free enterprise system worked. Quite the contrary: look to places like Spain, Greece, the U.S.; none have succeeded when government tries to control free enterprise so why don’t we for once not follow in failing footsteps but instead forge ahead as leaders of a true free enterprise system?”
Another free market supporter took a potshot at the company, writing: “LIME is easily the worst run company I have ever seen. Their customer service (in every area – people at the counters in the stores; billing department; installation department; etc.) is unbelievably and abhorrently pathetic. I sure wish there were better alternatives so I could switch.”
One respondent had a thoughtful solution. “Government should first let Ericsson interview all 39 staff,” wrote the person. “Then give a report on each one saying why they do not commensurate the goal and objective Ericsson has. One has to understand that companies style of strategy is different. Then, before any other person is employed, they must first interview the 39 staff. Next, advertise locally for candidates, then submit a report to Cabinet. It should be that hard for Ericsson.”
Another had a few questions: “Why can’t we have a Job Center here where all jobs have to be advertised? Then all that are qualified can be processed, but it would be better if the ones laid off from LIME were at the front of the line and employed if they are qualified and willing to work hard for that company!”
Another poll participant called for protection for workers. “Enhanced employment protection for all workers. If the job still exists and there is no breach of contract by the employee then the employees should not be laid off,” wrote the person.
One resondent defiantly wrote, “Caymanians must protect themselves,” began the commenter. “Boycott the services of LIME. We must no longer depend on government.”
Next week’s poll question:
What do you think Cayman’s voting system should be?
- Move to 18 or 19 single member constituencies, keep current district boundaries
- Have 14 or 15 single member districts, and four or five seats selected by the entire electorate (at large)
- Have all 18 or 19 seats selected by the entire electorate (at large)
- Keep the multimember voting system
- Other (explain)
To participate, visit caycompass.com.
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