A total of 78 work-permit-related offences were recorded between the first and third quarters of 2022, resulting in $273,170 in administrative fines being levied on companies and individuals, Workforce Opportunities & Residency Cayman has said.
The most recent offences were flagged between 20 Oct. and 4 Nov. when three people were arrested for working outside their work permits.
WORC, in a statement Friday, said its Compliance Unit and officers from the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service executed multiple joint operations to investigate suspected work-permit violations when the arrests were made.
“The employers involved have been contacted and investigations continue. These arrests come less than a month after two individuals were arrested for similar offences in a prior joint operation,” WORC said.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Border Control and Labour Chris Saunders welcomed the emphasis WORC is putting on compliance and enforcement.
“We must consistently reinforce a strong message of deterrence. Our Immigration Laws are in place to protect Caymanians from employers or individuals who try to beat the system,” he said in the statement.
“While I welcome the fines being levied, I would far rather see Caymanians getting real employment opportunities and both companies and individuals respecting our laws.”
Crackdown to continue
Wesley Howell, chief officer in the Ministry of Border Control and Labour, commended those involved in the operations.
“WORC takes all breaches seriously. My advice to those working illegally or employing persons illegally is to get yourself regularized and in compliance with the Immigration Act. These operations to detect, deter and prosecute illegal workers will continue,” he said in the statement.
From January to October 2022, $235,095 in fines were collected, with $38,075 remaining outstanding.
The statement said $6,350 in fines were deemed to be non-collectable by WORC and are now with the Courts Office as the companies or individuals involved have been unable to pay.
WORC takes all breaches seriously. My advice to those working illegally or employing persons illegally is to get yourself regularized and in compliance with the Immigration Act. These operations to detect, deter and prosecute illegal workers will continue. – Wesley Howell, chief officer in the Ministry of Border Control and Labour
Among the offences that were fined this year were employment without a work permit; making a false representation; failure to answer truthfully; and failure to notify the board.
Reflecting on the cases this year, Saunders noted that in many instances, those employers guilty of work-permit violations were also often in breach of local pension and health insurance laws.
He reminded employers that they should only take out a permit to fill a genuine role.
“Otherwise, how are the people they employ expected to support themselves while in the Cayman Islands? In addition to having no legitimate income, these individuals also usually do not have any health insurance. What happens if they become ill or get injured while living here? It should be clear to all that these types of situations can lead to further social ills that our community can do without,” he said.
WORC’s strategic compliance operations, the statement said, are expected to continue over the next several weeks.
“The focus of these operations is to carry out inspections of individuals and companies who are engaged in illegal working, illegal trade and business, illegal landing (overstaying etc.) and any labour or pensions breaches. The goal is to process, fine, prosecute and, where applicable, remove persons from the jurisdiction who are resident through illegal means,” it added.
WORC acting Deputy Director for Compliance Mervin Manderson expressed pride in the agency’s compliance team and all the other law enforcement officers participating in the operations.
“It’s amazing to see the collaboration, planning, and preparation involved prior to execution,” he said.
WORC is encouraging individuals who would like to make a complaint or provide information about illegal working activities or other breaches of the Immigration Act to do so anonymously by completing the online form on www.worc.ky under the Complaints tab or by directly reporting the complaint to [email protected].
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