Training described as “necessary to ensure continuity and timely processing” is being blamed for delays reviewing and approving applications submitted to Workforce Opportunities & Residency Cayman boards.
According to details released by the department this week, there was an initial delay in convening the boards following the appointment of new members, but, according to WORC Deputy Director Sian Pairaudeau, all have since “been active, with applications being reviewed and processed in parallel with department administrators”.
The information was released after criticism from Opposition MP Alden McLaughlin, who said in Parliament earlier this month that the processing backlog was impacting local businesses, particularly as the islands begin to open up to tourists.
He read aloud a WhatsApp message he had received from an unnamed individual, who told him that work permit applications submitted in October by that person’s company would not be considered until March.
“We are going to face a massive crisis over the next few months if the work permit process is not sorted out,” McLaughlin said, in his response to the PACT budget.
Similar criticism was voiced by Cayman Islands Tourism Association President Marc Langevin, who stated at the organisation’s AGM last month that hundreds of jobs would need to be filled with work permit holders, which were not currently being approved.
According to the details released by WORC, the training, which was undertaken between October and November, involved the newly-appointed members to the following boards: Work Permit, Cayman Status & Permanent Resident, Business Staffing Plan, and Work Permit Cayman Brac & Little Cayman.
The members are said to have received training on data protection sensitisation and cyber-awareness, as well as going through a familiarisation process with board secretaries, relevant processes and policies.
The Caymanian Status and Permanent Residency Board also received training on the permanent resident point system, the release stated.
“We understand the impact on our customers while the boards were in transition, which included delays in the review and adjudication on some applications,” Pairaudeau said.
All of the statutory boards under WORC’s remit will be taking a break for the holiday season, with additional training running parallel to board meetings when they resume in early January 2022.
Applications that can be dealt with administratively will continue to be adjudicated as normal.
The regular weekly schedule of board meetings will resume in January, with the Work Permit Board meeting every Monday; the Business Staffing Plan Board meeting on Wednesdays and some Fridays; and the Cayman Status & Permanent Resident Board meeting every Thursday. The Work Permit Cayman Brac & Little Cayman Board meets every other Tuesday in Cayman Brac.
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