I’d like to challenge the resources and expense that Workforce Opportunities and Residency Cayman deploys in enforcing an English test on approved work permit holders (and not all permit holders, which feels discriminatory). It seems to me that this is a waste of time, money and resources and it’s effectively government over-reach, when employers, prior to going through the work permit process for a foreign worker, have interviewed the candidate and deemed them sufficiently qualified in all aspects of the role (including, I assume, their language skills) prior to submitting a work permit application.
Additionally, I believe that due to the historical issues uncovered in enforcement around people bribing officers to pass the test, the test is now computerised and timed? Not every work permit holder here needs to be computer literate, or indeed read and write English to any high standard. I cannot see a good reason that we need to test incoming workers on their proficiency in English, and I really cannot see why we need to do it in a timed environment at a computer. At best, it’s government micromanaging employers at a cost we surely don’t need. At worst, it is discriminatory and it creates a homogenous society that doesn’t embrace diversity and inclusivity.
Emma Graham-Taylor
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