Cayman, our economy is much like the sea – a vast, restless, and deep entity that defines our very existence. Like the sea, it can be a source of life and prosperity, but it can also be a force that tests our endurance and challenges our resolve.
To navigate these waters safely, we must understand the currents in their entirety, not just the surface waves.
We have all seen the discussions about the $700 million public-sector payroll. It is right for the country to pay attention to how public funds are spent. But we cannot make sound judgments when only one side of the economy is placed under the microscope.
I speak not as a former public servant, but as a Caymanian elder who believes in fairness, balance and responsible national dialogue. A developed country like ours cannot function without a strong, competent and well-supported public service. First-class jurisdictions require first-class public institutions, and that means attracting and retaining great employers, great professionals and great standards.
Government salaries are analysed line by line, while private-sector compensation, recruitment practices and succession planning remain largely unexamined. This imbalance prevents us from seeing the full truth about how our economy functions.
It also hides a deeper issue that has persisted for decades: too many qualified Caymanians, including university graduates, still struggle to move into senior roles. That is not a public-sector problem alone. It is a structural challenge across the entire labour market.
If we want a fair and informed national conversation, then we must look at both sides. Here are the steps we should consider as a country:
- Compare public- and private-sector pay trends side by side. A developed country must understand how compensation grows across the whole economy, not just in government.
- Require transparent reporting on Caymanian recruitment, mentoring and promotion. Both sectors must show their measurable record in building a real succession pipeline.
- Establish national workforce-development standards. If the public sector must justify every dollar through open reporting, the private sector should also demonstrate its contribution to stability, skills development and long-term Caymanian leadership.
- Recognise that a strong public service is not a luxury. It is a requirement of a modern, developed Cayman. We cannot expect world-class outcomes without investing in world-class people.
- Treat public and private as partners, not opponents. A strong Cayman requires both sectors to be accountable, transparent, and aligned in purpose.
Cayman, we must remember this simple truth: a successful private sector does not grow in isolation. No world-class financial centre, tourism industry, or business environment can thrive without a world-class civil service supporting it. A developed country requires strong institutions, fair standards and public servants who are respected, well-trained and properly supported.
And just as we expect excellence, transparency and accountability from government, we must expect the same from the private sector. Fairness cannot flow in one direction. What is required of one must also be required of the other. That is how a balanced society is built.
Cayman’s future depends on balance – balance in how we judge, balance in how we question and balance in how we hold every institution accountable. If we truly want a fair and prosperous society for all Caymanians, and for those who call these Islands home, then we must insist on equal scrutiny, equal responsibility and equal commitment from both sides of our economy.
Only then can we build the Cayman we deserve: strong, fair and grounded in truth.
Lucille Seymour
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