Topic: WORC
Evidence of complaints required for job-hopping exemptions
Incoming regulations will outline criteria expat workers need to meet for new work permits if they leave their jobs in their first two years.
Efforts under way to clear work-permit backlog
Government has hired additional staff and is moving to clear a massive backlog of delayed and deferred work permit applications.
Career fairs: Connecting students with opportunities
Career fairs provide opportunities to meet potential employers face-to-face, network with industry professionals, learn about jobs that may not be posted online, and gain insights into different career paths.
Minimum wage set to meet a strong labour market
On 1 Jan. 2026, the minimum wage will rise to $8.75 amid an increase in hiring activity for lower-paid positions.
Seven proposals for Cayman’s tech future
The Cayman Islands Tech Futures Week 2025 Report published on 25 Nov. outlines seven recommendations to help the jurisdiction thrive amid technology disruption.
Man imprisoned for three months for forged work permit documents
“The successful prosecution in this case sends a clear and unequivocal message: Fraudulent activity will not be tolerated in the Cayman Islands."
Clampdown on work permit fraud under way
Government officials have confirmed they are investigating cases of fraudulent work permits being used to bring overseas workers to the Cayman Islands under false pretences.
10 takeaways from immigration reform bill
Ten main points from the proposed amendments to the Immigration Act, which is now open to public consultation.
Selling the Cayman dream: Desperate migrants shell out life savings in ghost-permits scam
Migrant workers are paying blackmarket fixers thousands of dollars for jobs in Cayman that don’t exist, leaving some penniless and stranded on the island.
Resumes at the ready as hundreds of Caymanians attend jobs fair
Hundreds of Caymanian jobseekers of all ages descended upon the Grand Cayman Marriott Resort on 8 and 9 Sept. to try and secure a coveted job in the hospitality sector.
WORC urges Caymanians to use its jobs portal
Workforce Opportunities and Residency Cayman has urged Caymanian job seekers to utilise its jobs portal so that it can hold employers accountable.
Permanent residents who fail to submit annual declarations could face revocation
WORC warns PR holders to submit annual declaration forms or face possible revocation of their permanent residency.
Careers Guide: Key interview tips for job seekers
Interview tips provided by Workforce Opportunities & Residency Cayman (WORC), will help you shine and make a positive impression.
Government unveils proposed immigration reforms
A parliamentary white paper has outlined a raft of proposed immigration reforms, including requiring work-permit holders to leave Cayman for a year before they can work for a new employer, and extending timelines for status and permanent residency applications.
WORC isn’t working, says Chamber of Commerce
The Chamber of Commerce urgently called for stronger leadership within WORC and the creation of a national employment policy.
Auditor general: WORC has no power to reject job ads
Ten of thousands of jobs are advertised each year in the Workforce Opportunities and Residency Cayman employment portal, but the agency has no power to reject ads that are written specifically to exclude certain candidates, lawmakers have heard.
WORC returns to Apollo House
Workforce Opportunities and Residency Cayman will move its customer care operations back to Apollo House from next Monday.
Authorities warn of random immigration checks amid crackdown
Workforce Opportunities & Residency Cayman's Compliance & Enforcement Unit has sounded the warning to employers that it will continue its ramped up random spot checks at workplaces after 16 workers were nabbed for employment and immigration breaches.
Illegal workers rounded up in building-site raid
Suspected illegal workers hid out on the roof of a construction site in George Town as police, working with immigration and labour officers, raided the site last week, according to the RCIPS.
Global IT outage impacts Cayman, brings flight disruptions
Many of the Cayman Islands government and business systems are being affected by a worldwide IT outage.
WORC investigating 136 sham marriage reports
Workforce Opportunities and Residency Cayman is investigating 136 suspicious marriage reports as the department cracks down on unions of convenience.
Construction continues steady lead in local job openings
From January to May 2024, the construction industry accounted for the most job postings, recording 1,789 or 21.3 percent of advertisements.
Auditor general calls for greater employment protection for Caymanians
In a new report, the Office of the Auditor General called for better protection and prediction of employment prospects for Caymanians.
WORC scrapping JobsCayman portal
The government's Workforce Opportunities and Residency Cayman is replacing its beleaguered Jobs Cayman portal, an online job ad system.
Technology, environment to drive future jobs
With emerging global trends pointing to artificial intelligence and 'green jobs' as main drivers of future employment growth Cayman must look to diversify workforce prospects or risk being left behind.
Cayman job market sees surge in construction sector posts
The start of 2024 has brought a wave of new opportunities for those looking for work in Cayman.
WORC calls for focus on targeted education, tech skills
Cayman's construction industry offered the most employment opportunities in 2023, leading local job postings by 22.3% on government's Jobs Cayman portal.
Cayman sees decline in work-permit holders
Cayman has registered a 1,058 drop in work-permit holders based on January statistics from Workforce Opportunities and Residency Cayman.
Construction careers centrestage at inaugural WORC expo
Students from high schools around the island got a firsthand look at the careers open to them in the construction industry as the inaugural Workforce Opportunities and Residency Cayman expo kicked off Tuesday.
WORC Networking Expo & Construction Showcase
Workforce Opportunities and Residency Cayman (WORC) is hosting a Networking Expo & Construction Showcase on Tuesday, 7 November 2023, between 10am and 6pm. The venue will be the University College of the Cayman Islands, Grand Cayman Campus, in the Sir Vassel Johnson Hall. The event is open to the public from 1:30pm to 6pm. The morning session is for schools only.
Passport2Success celebrates graduation of latest cohort
After 12 weeks in Passport2Success, the employment training and personal development programme, 16 young Caymanians were celebrated at a graduation ceremony on Friday, 29 Sept.
WORC should get rid of English test
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...
76 facing loss of residency in ‘sham marriages’ probe
The number of individuals facing the possible loss of residency due to marriages of convenience has climbed to 76 as at the end of July.
WORC compliance boss targets rogue employers
Government is establishing a blacklist of rogue employers and employees who will face penalties and possible prosecution over repeated work permit-related breaches.
JobsCayman portal undergoing major overhaul
Government's employment portal JobsCayman is set for a major overhaul, Workforce Opportunities and Residency Cayman Director Jeremy Scott has said.
Over 300 permanent residency applications pending
As of July there were just over 300 outstanding permanent residency applications awaiting processing, a significant decrease from the 800 backlogged in the last two years, according to Workforce Opportunities and Residency Cayman Director Jeremy Scott.
Man on trial for working at wife’s business without permit
A man accused of working at his wife's restaurant without a work permit was put on trial, alongside his wife who was prosecuted for allegedly employing him, on Wednesday, 5 July.
Fast-food chain fined $125K for hiring workers illegally
A Cayman fast-food chain has been fined $125,325 for hiring staff without the correct work permits.
3 arrested for work permit offences
Three people have been arrested on work permit breaches following investigations by the Workforce Opportunities & Residency Cayman (WORC).
Over 150 companies fined for breaking immigration laws
More than 150 companies and individuals breached immigration laws last year and were fined a combined $351,660.
Cabinet repeals requirement for temp jobs to be advertised
One week after the removal of former Deputy Premier Chris Saunders, Cabinet has repealed a requirement initiated under his watch for temporary jobs to be advertised before work-permit applications were submitted.
Hundreds sat permanent residency tests with inaccurate questions
At least 230 applicants for permanent residency in the Cayman Islands sat tests that contained inaccurate or out of date questions, an open records inquiry by the Cayman Compass has revealed.
Saunders warns ‘scrutiny will continue’ as PR backlog mounts
With some Permanent Residency applications taking as long as 16 months for a decision, Deputy Premier Chris Saunders has doubled down on the growing delays, saying that close scrutiny of those seeking to live here long-term will continue.
Government looks for help with Ready2Work programme
In a move to outsource part of its Ready2Work programme, the government has issued a request for proposals to run the employee-training workshops for Caymanian job-seekers.
Temp jobs must be advertised at WORC before permit application
Cabinet has approved new regulations requiring the advertising of temporary job vacancies on the Workforce Opportunities and Residency Cayman JobsCayman portal prior to submitting temporary work permit applications for the positions.
Entertainers’ work-permit requirements in the spotlight
Wanted: One world-famous tenor and orchestra to play benefit concert in the Cayman Islands. It's not an advertisement likely to be found in the Cayman Compass classifieds, but according to the letter of the law, entertainers are required to apply for work permits - and that could include Andrea Bocelli's upcoming gig in Cayman.
WORC: Jamaican murder suspect had ‘clean police record’
Workforce Opportunities and Residency Cayman has responded to concerns over the granting of a work permit to Jamaican murder suspect Ashley Williams, saying the woman had a clean police record when her application was submitted.
114 suspected ‘sham’ marriages under investigation
Workforce Opportunities & Residency Cayman (WORC) Compliance and Enforcement unit has said 114 suspected sham marriages are being looked into following investigations into 175 marriage reports received since the start of the year.
Four arrested in immigration crackdown
Four people were arrested at West Bay Road Public Beach for work-permit and immigration breaches last Wednesday, Workforce Opportunities and Residency Cayman has said.
Saunders: ‘Increased scrutiny’ has delayed permanent residence applications
Deputy Premier Chris Saunders, in responding to concerns over lengthy processing of permanent residence applications, said increased scrutiny and not a moratorium has caused the delay.
Work permits now required for visiting performers in Cayman
Visiting musical acts, artists and entertainers will now be required to have a temporary work permit to perform in the Cayman Islands, Workforce Opportunities and Residency Cayman has said.
WORC nets $273,170 in fines for work-permit breaches
A total of 78 work-permit-related offences were recorded between the first and third quarter of 2022, resulting in $273,170 in administrative fines being levied on companies and individuals.
Legal action looms over delayed permanent residency applications
The Cayman Islands government is facing potential legal challenges over what appears to be a Caymanian Status and Permanent Residency Board-imposed moratorium on processing permanent residency applications.
Two arrested for work-permit violations
Two people were arrested on Thursday, 6 Oct., on suspicion of working outside the limitations of their work permits.
Ministry warns against hiring Cubans awaiting asylum
Deputy Premier and Minister for Border Control Chris Saunders has sounded a warning to local employers and employees that anyone found breaching Cayman's employment rules will be prosecuted.
Overhaul of WORC systems begins: Work permit process to move online
Work is underway to overhaul the Workforce Opportunities & Residency Cayman systems with the aim of automating and moving the work permit application process online, the Labour Ministry has confirmed.
WORC warns incomplete applications will not be accepted
In a bid to address continuing delays in processing work permits, Workforce Opportunities & Residency Cayman has said, with immediate effect, incomplete applications will not be accepted.
RCIPS, WORC and CBC Come Together for Interview Skills Training Course
Instructors from the RCIPS Training and Development Unit hosted a group of Compliance Officers from Workforce Opportunities Cayman, along with a Customs Officer from CI Customs and Border Control, for a week-long course on Interview Technique Skills.
WORC nets $1m in fines, logs 405 breaches over last 3 years
Over the last three years, Workforce Opportunities and Residency Cayman has registered 405 breaches of the Immigration Act and levied over $1.04 million in fines from local companies and individuals.
Cops investigate break-in at WORC office
Police have confirmed they are investigating a break-in at the Workforce Opportunities & Residency Cayman office on Mary Street in George Town.
WORC cracks down on permit breaches
Since the start of 2021 to date, 23 individuals have been arrested and $391,000 in administrative fines levied against local employers and work-permit holders found in breach of the Immigration (Transition) Act, Deputy Premier Chris Saunders has confirmed.
Staffing board chair: “Urgent need” for reform of work permit process
In a comprehensive letter to government, Business Staffing Plan Board chairman Richard Barton said there is an "urgent need" for legislative reform to address the ongoing abuse of the work-permit application process that is increasingly detrimental to Caymanians.
10,600 work permits deferred over last 10 months
Just over a third of work-permit applications have been either deferred or refused since April 2021, with the majority being placed on hold as Workforce Opportunities and Residency Cayman seeks to place Caymanians in employment.
41 PR certificates revoked as WORC cracks down on delinquency
Workforce Opportunities & Residency Cayman has rescinded 41 PR statuses over non-payment of annual fees and it appears the crackdown on delinquency is just starting as acting interim Director Laura Watler issued a warning to those owing fees.
‘Necessary’ training delays application-processing by WORC boards
Training described as "necessary to ensure continuity and timely processing" is being blamed for delays reviewing and approving applications to Workforce Opportunities & Residency Cayman boards.
1,300 stipend recipients actively seeking work
Just over 1,300 tourism stipend recipients are registered as actively seeking employment.
New WORC boards yet to meet
Cayman's Immigration boards, which includes the Work Permit Board and the Caymanian Status and Permanent Residency Board, are yet to formally meet in their administrative capacity.
Law mandating vaccinations for non-Caymanians in effect
Law changes that now require COVID-19 vaccinations for non-Caymanians have come into force, which means that, as of 14 Oct., any work permit application, new or renewal, must show proof of vaccination.
WORC staffer isolated after COVID-19 contact
A Workforce Opportunities and Residency Cayman staff member has been placed in isolation and fellow co-workers sent on remote working and shift duties after contact with an individual who has tested positive for COVID-19.
More than 1,000 stipend recipients yet to sign up with WORC
More than 1,000 recipients of the monthly tourism stipend for displaced workers have failed to register with Workforce Opportunities and Residency Cayman, despite being given a mandatory deadline of 16 Aug. to sign up.
WORC extends opening hours for job registrations
Workforce Opportunities and Residency Cayman is extending its opening hours today and tomorrow (11 and 12 Aug.) to help Caymanian and permanent resident job seekers register on its JobsCayman portal.
Tourism-stipend recipients must register with WORC
The 3,396 people who are currently receiving the government's $1,500-a-month tourism stipend are now required to register with the Workforce Opportunities and Residency Cayman department, Tourism Minister Kenneth Bryan announced today.
