The opposition Progressives party has called on government to take stronger action to tackle growing unemployment in Cayman, describing a return to COVID-19 pandemic levels of Caymanians out of work as “disappointing”.
Last week, the Economics and Statistics Office released the results of its 2023 Fall Labour Force Survey, showing that the overall unemployment rate had risen from 2.1% in September 2022 to 3.3% in September 2023.
The survey also revealed that unemployment among Caymanians had grown from 3.6% in 2022 to 5% last year, meaning 1,143 Caymanians were without work as of September 2023.
The Progressives, in a statement issued on Sunday, said this number was concerning because it was “almost exactly the same as the 1,140 Caymanians unemployed in the March 2022 survey when the economy was recovering from lockdown”.
Party leader Roy McTaggart said, “Disappointingly, therefore, eighteen months after the economy reopened, Caymanian unemployment is back to where we started.
“I have said over three years that this Government, whether you call it the PACT or UPM, has lacked a coherent strategy for sustainable growth and jobs for Caymanians. You certainly will not find any tangible or meaningful strategy for economic and jobs growth in the government’s own recently released Strategic Priorities report.”
He added, “The consequences of the lack of action from this government are clear: rising unemployment, a cost of living crisis, and falling living standards. No wonder so many Caymanians feel worse off after three years of this government.”
Previously, the Progressives had highlighted the underemployment rate in Cayman.
Those numbers, in the latest Labour Force Survey, fell from 5.1% in 2022 to 2.1% last year.
McTaggart, in the statement, acknowledged this drop, but said, “Until we know more, I note this point with some caution. This could mean Caymanians are getting the work hours they were looking for, but it could also mean that Caymanians working part-time are being put out of work as businesses struggle to stay open by shedding part-time jobs.”
The Economics and Statistics Office defines underemployment as ‘involuntary part-time’ work, where workers who could, and would like to, be working a full work week can find only part-time work.
The opposition leader added in his statement, “We need the government to focus its time and energy on providing the country with a thoughtful strategy to grow the economy and create jobs that benefit Caymanians, not waste time papering over its own internal divisions.”
The government, as of Monday, has made no statement regarding the increase in the unemployment rate.
The Compass has reached out to the Minister of Labour Dwayne Seymour and his ministry for comment, but received no response by publication time.
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If there are over 30,000 permit holders there are jobs. Why are those jobs not going to locals???? These are not all rocket scientist jobs. Import 1150 less foreigners to work and give those jobs to locals. That is of course if the locals do not really want to work.
There are jobs posted on the WORC website. While the Opposition can complain about the situation, what is their recommendation? Should CIG force unemployed, able bodied individuals to take jobs? The solution is not, less work permits. the solution is simply allow employers to hire those unemployed individuals through CIG. CIG can pay them and be the staffing agency. Create day care centers staffed by some of those unemployed so those with children can afford day care and go to work. I would like to know what jobs those individuals have applied for and why they were denied. There should be more transparency so the public can understand the situation. Every business on this Island is hiring. The jobs exist.