Cabinet has approved the resumption of the National Community Enhancement Project (NiCE) programme this week, the Ministry of Planning, Agriculture, Housing and Infrastructure announced Monday afternoon.
The temporary employment scheme will now run from 11 Jan. to 26 Jan.
The annual Christmas clean-up programme ran from 28 Nov. to 16 Dec. and saw 489 participants benefit from the short-term employment for the holidays.
Ebanks, speaking on Radio Cayman’s ‘For The Record’ programme Monday, clarified that the programme will be starting Wednesday and not Monday as some were initially told.
The reason for the change, he said, was to ensure there were enough staff in office to “manage” the programme and get it going, as some were only just returning to duty following the holiday break.
“We decided to push it to Wednesday,” he said as he apologised for any confusion caused.
The minister said the programme is a good gauge for government to get a read on the people in need of assistance.
It also shows, he said, “whether the numbers are going up… whether the numbers are going down when it comes to those that are needing the help. Whether there are more younger generations that are actually applying for that programme or whether they’re more elderly…. those that are past the retirement age and just need that little bit extra [bit of] help”.
Ebanks also explained that the programme serves as an opportunity for Public Works to identify people that are good workers whom they can call on when they need help or even offer full employment, which has been done previously.
“I was pleased with the success of the recent programme over the period leading up to Christmas 2022… With the continuation of the economic challenges being faced by our people, especially during this period right after the holidays, we are thankful that we can provide a reprieve at this time,” Ebanks said in a statement announcing the extension of the programme.
The NiCE January 2023 project, the statement said, provides a stipend to unemployed Caymanians and spouses of Caymanians, ages 18 and over who volunteer in a number of areas including the beautification and maintenance of roadsides, parks, cemeteries and beaches.
“In anticipation of this program extension, the volunteers from the December NiCE programme who are still unemployed have reconfirmed their availability. Any newly unemployed eligible Caymanian may sign up at their Members of Parliament District Office,” the statement added.
Applicants are required to show proof of immigration status at registration which includes photo identification and voter card, birth certificate, passport, Caymanian status certificate or stamp in a valid passport.
Photo identification and Residency with Employment Rights Certificate as the spouse of a Caymanian or stamp in a valid passport for persons married to Caymanians can also be used.
Back in December the ministry confirmed that, as in previous years, workers will receive a stipend of $10 an hour, while supervisors will receive $12 an hour.
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