The Jamaican Consulate notes with grave concern the recent comments attributed to Mr. David Ritch, the chairman of the Work Permit Board concerning Jamaicans living in Cayman.
Mr. Ritch’s implication that the social infrastructure would be overburdened if the Jamaicans who have been resident here for over eight years were to be granted permanent residency is unfortunate, unfair and speculative. To also indicate that Jamaicans as a majority in the labour force would or could shut down the island is unwarranted since Jamaican work permit holders have never threatened or created any industrial dispute in these islands and have been hardworking, loyal and law abiding residents.
The statements have had a negative impact on the Jamaican community, which feels alienated and hurt and not sure if this is Government’s position or only Mr. David Ritch.
It is not in the best interest of any country to alienate a nationality or encourage polarization by means of divisive statements.
Many children have been raised by Jamaican caregivers
Many children have been taught by Jamaican teachers
Many of the sick and injured have been cared for by Jamaican nurses
Many of our laws have been enforced by Jamaican policemen
Many high officials in the judiciary are Jamaicans
The records indicate that 5,000 Jamaican nationals have been resident here for over eight years and will become eligible to apply for Permanent Residency. No doubt these individuals have satisfied the immigration criteria that allowed them to remain in the islands for these many years, and although Mr. Ritch is not the chairman of the Permanent Residence Board his statements could prejudice these applications.
In a period when we were advised of Government’s intention to reduce the number of Jamaicans on Work Permits the permits to Jamaicans increased from 8,600 to 10,000 mainly due to the Cayman construction boom, many employers sought the assistance of skilled construction workers from Jamaica as oppose to other nationals in this region.
Not all Jamaicans necessarily want to obtain Permanent Residence or to vote and we urge the Government to review the proposed Immigration Law with the view of allowing them to continue to work after seven years of residency. What Mr. Ritch needs to find out is how many of these 5,000 Jamaicans want to apply for Permanent Residence.
The Cayman Islands is an associate member of Caricom and enjoys certain privileges negotiated by Caricom and it is wrong to discriminate against any member countries nationals. It is also wrong and discriminative to give Jamaicans 0 points toward their permanent residency application. Jamaicans should get the highest possible point based on their contribution to these islands.
Many Jamaicans understand the problems and why a rollover policy or some form of control is necessary as these small economically fragile islands cannot accommodate the numbers regardless of nationality without the proper infrastructure.
However the implementation is very sensitive and must be a fair process for rich and poor, regardless of race or nationality.
A few years ago Britain granted citizenship to every Caymanian who wanted it, now or in the future this privilege allows you to live and work in any of the 25 countries that form the European Union. I wonder at times what these 25 countries and there nationals feel about our present roll over policy affecting there citizens?
Some say there is no solution to a rollover policy and I remind Mr. Ritch of his earlier comments that if he had to choose between the rollover policy and economic collapse of these islands he would choose to protect the economy.
These islands were blessed with beauty and its people, but no other natural resources and their forefathers build this economy on the twin pillars of finance and tourism, both of which require talented skilled and unskilled persons to operate successfully. The forefathers knew that to develop the local economy not only would all capable and talented Caymanians be needed but that many foreigners would be required and they implemented immigration policies to reflect this. This approach has proven extremely successful for the economy to date. It now needs sensible management and policies that does not destroy these two mainstays of our economy. We all need to work together for a better solution to a policy of changing one set of employees for another unknown. It is not only the cost but the inefficiency and possible failure of one’s company that’s concerning. Let’s spend this money on training Caymanians when available to fill the post instead of another set of expatriates.
We should adopt and implement this motto. Foreign investment and foreign workers: encourage, embrace it and manage it. Commitment means investment.
These islands cannot survive without inward flow of foreign currency; as strong as the CI dollar is it has never purchased a barrel of oil.
We cannot build a country without people and unfortunately in these days of aggressive competition, if you are not growing you are dying. Many bigger islands and countries envy this small island’s progress and monitor us daily.
As we continue to try and build our tourism and financial industry, rollover has a negative effect and sends a message that foreigners are not welcome hence affecting tourism and the financial industry.
In closing Mr. Ritch says its only numbers he is was referring to but I wonder why Jamaicans were used to illustrate and support his argument. He should check the number of Caymanians he offended who are married to Jamaicans or have relatives or friends who are Jamaican. Mr. Ritch, the Jamaican community residents here await your apologies.
Love thy neighbours.
Robert Hamaty
Jamaican consul
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