Cayman families that hire domestic helpers or other staff could be required to provide proper written contracts in an effort to help stamp out abuse, the Minimum Wage Advisory Committee will recommend.
Lemuel Hurlston, who heads up the committee, highlighted lack of resources and the absence of a requirement for written contracts among the reasons for lax enforcement amid concerns around mistreatment of domestic employees.
Several domestic helpers and nannies told the Compass of long hours, low pay and abuse from employers. None of the women who spoke to us felt they had any avenue to report this to the authorities.
Asked about this issue at a recent public meeting, Hurlston said the committee would be recommending more resources to enable the Department of Labour and Pensions “to be able to do a better job at enforcement”.
“In the case of domestics, we found that because there is no requirement for domestic workers to have contracts, you can hire a domestic worker on a verbal agreement,” he said.
“You don’t have to give them a written statement of the working conditions.”
This made complaints difficult to investigate without a ‘paper trail’, he added.
Anticipating complaints from household employers about extra paperwork, he said a very simple one-page form outlining pay, hours and responsibilities would likely suffice.
“It may sound as if we’re increasing the bureaucracy, but if at the end of the day we’re safeguarding people from being exploited, then the benefit will outweigh the additional stress on the households.”
He added that government would likely need to find additional funds to ensure compliance and enforcement were addressed properly.
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This is a really sad story to read. How can human beings treat other human beings like this!!? No wonder the youngsters are becoming so angry and ruthless. They observe how SOME of their parents treat those defenseless Domestics and low-level workers, and they grow up and treat others just like that! As a Christian country, we should impose severe Fines for these types of behaviours, because it seems like christianity and goodness alone cannot be relied upon to do it.