© 2024 Burger King Corporation. F O R L IM IT ED TI M E O N LY Try the Big Fish, Rebel Whopper or Chick’n Royale. No meat. No problem. cayman compass Your most trusted news source Established 1965 Weekly, 8-14 March 2024 Barefoot tourists help put out Starfish Point fire Page 20 In photos: Red Sky at Night Pages 18-19 $8.75 Minimum wage proposal punted back to public Pages 5-8 Photo: Taneos Ramsay Extra security at sports venues following shooting Page 35Discovery Day retained as public holiday Cayman’s Discovery Day holiday, which was initially dropped to make way for Emancipation Day in May, will make its return to the official schedule of public holidays this year. Cabinet, in its 20 Feb. meeting, approved the retention of the holiday, which is celebrated on the third Monday in May, and the addition of Emancipation Day on the first Monday of the month. The Discovery Day holiday celebrates the sighting of Little Cayman and Cayman Brac by Christopher Columbus on 10 May 1503, while Emancipation Day commemorates the abolition of slavery in the Cayman Islands with the reading of the Emancipation Proclamation on 3 May 1835. Last November, then- Culture Minister Bernie Bush announced the reinstatement of Emancipation Day, which was first observed in the Cayman Islands in 1835, before being replaced with the Constitution Day holiday by the Legislative Assembly in the 1960s. Seven hurt in crash Seven people were taken to hospital for treatment following a collision involving a red Kia Sorento and grey Nissan Frontier in East End on 4 March. The five occupants in the Kia, which overturned in the crash, and two in the Nissan were transported to the Cayman Islands Hospital for what appeared to be non-life- threatening injuries, police said. As at 6 March, two of the seven people remained in hospital. The collision, which happened shortly before 6:40pm on Seaview Road, is under investigation. Man dies after getting into difficulty at Stingray Sandbar A 51-year-old male Cayman resident died on Sunday, 3 March, after getting into difficulty at the Stingray Sandbar. The man, who was face down and unresponsive, according to witnesses, was pulled from the water and given CPR. Local water sports operator Peter ‘PJ’ Balls told the Compass, “When I approached him, he was aspirating already in the water. I grabbed him… I knew we have to do CPR on him. He was in the middle of the sandbar in waist- high water.” He said he and others tried to resuscitate the man until the Coast Guard arrived and took over the rescue. The man was taken by the Coast Guard vessel to land and then by ambulance to the Cayman Islands Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Man charged with possession of air rifle A 35-year-old Bodden Town man has been charged with possessing an unlicensed firearm after he allegedly assaulted a woman, brandished the weapon and made threats to her and another person. According to a statement issued by police, officers responded to what was described as “a domestic incident” on Friday, 1 March. They subsequently arrested the man on Monday and searched the address where the incident occurred, where they found the firearm – an air rifle – which they seized for forensic processing. The man was charged with possession of an unlicensed firearm; harassment alarm and distress; and common assault. He appeared in court on 7 March. Prison fight sends inmate to hospital A fight among inmates at Northward Prison on 2 March resulted in a prisoner being taken to hospital for medical treatment. The inmate was released the same night and returned to prison, according to a joint statement from the Ministry of Home Affairs and His Majesty’s Cayman Islands Prison Service on 4 March. The statement noted that prison staff intervened in the fight and “managed the incident in accordance with their internal procedures”. “Operations at HMP Northward have continued without interruption. Both the Ministry of Home Affairs and HMCIPS are actively monitoring the incident and will provide an update on the matter,” the statement added. Telecoms regulator queries Flow outage A Flow outage that left customers in Bodden Town without internet service for at least two days, prompted utilities watchdog OfReg to call an urgent meeting with the telecommunications company. In a statement issued on 5 March, OfReg said it had met with Flow country manager Cristina Spratt, “seeking an urgent update on the extended and unresolved outage on its network, affecting residents and businesses in the Bodden Town area since yesterday, Monday, 4 March”. Flow said, in a 6 March post, that as of 1:45am that day, its broadband service was restored for all customers impacted by the service outage in the Bodden Town area. The telecommunication provided apologised to affected customers saying that “our technician teams have been onsite working relentlessly throughout the night to rectify the issue”. Sonji Myles, ICT director at OfReg, said the outage was “extremely concerning” as many customers had no access to internet services and some also had issues with voice calls and TV service. Airport short-term parking temporarily closing The short-term parking lot at the Owen Roberts International Airport will be temporarily closed from Sunday to Thursday, 10-14 March, while energy- efficient LED lighting is being installed. The Cayman Islands Airport Authority said, during the five-day closure period, airport passengers and guests should drop off and pick up curbside, or park in the long-term parking lot where short-term and long-term parking rates will apply. “The traveling public is encouraged to proceed with caution when accessing the airport terminal and to follow personnel directions carefully when navigating the parking areas,” the authority said. It said the new LED lights “will not only enhance visibility but also contribute to its commitment to sustainability by reducing energy consumption and carbon footprint”. Police seized this air rifle from a residence in Bodden Town and have charged a man with possession of an unlicensed firearm. - Photo: RCIPS Matinees (matinee price before 6pm) • Seniors $9.00 (Mon-Fri before 6pm) Additional charges apply per 3D/VIP tickets 640-FILM (640-3456) Cayman Cinema@cbcinema6cbcinema6 SATURDAY NIGHT: For your viewing pleasure, minors under the age of 18 will not be admitted to any lm starting after 6pm, unless accompanied by their parent. 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WINDS Southeast at 10 to 15 knots. 87°F HIGH 75°F LOW NEWS EDITOR CAROLINE JAMES ISSUES EDITOR JAMES WHITTAKER HEAD OF SALES CHERYL BIRCH-GILLIES news in brief cayman compass 2 N news WEEKLY, 8-14 MARCH 2024cayman compass 3 WEEKLY, 8-14 MARCH 20241234567 89 101112 13 1415 16 171819 20 212223 2425 1234567 89 101112 13 1415 16 171819 20 212223 2425 ACROSS 1 Without purpose (7) 5 Bore a hole in (5) 8 Find no takers (2,7) 9 Small attached label (3) 10 Basic source (4) 12 Ship’s cargo list (8) 14 Scientific study of plants (6) 15 Restore to good condition (6) 17 Easygoing (8) 18 Look over cursorily (4) 21 Small spot (3) 22 With great enthusiasm (2,1,3,3) 24 Young dog (5) 25 Case for the accused (7) DOWN 1 Bode (5) 2 Disorderly crowd (3) 3 Advantage (4) 4 Coiled (6) 5 Utterly weary (3-5) 6 Lacking information (2,3,4) 7 A shellfish (7) 11 At odds (3,2,4) 13 Extreme wickedness (8) 14 Increase gradually (5,2) 16 Unfounded rumour (6) 19 Perchance (5) 20 Sharp blow (4) 23 Unhealthily pale (3) The Compass Crossword Puzzle The Compass universal kakuro Puzzle 17573 The numbers in the black cells are clues. Numbers above the slash are across clues. Number below the slash are down clues. The goal is to enter digits 1 - 9 in the white cells to add up to the number clues. You cannot enter any digit more than once when adding up to clue. TODAY'S SOLUTIONS Puzzle 17573 ACROSS: 1 Aimless, 5 Drill, 8 Go begging, 9 Tab, 10 Root, 12 Manifest, 14 Botany, 15 Repair, 17 Informal, 18 Skim, 21 Dot, 22 In a big way, 24 Puppy, 25 Defence. DOWN: 1 Augur, 2 Mob, 3 Edge, 4 Spiral, 5 Dog-tired, 6 In the dark, 7 Lobster, 11 Out of step, 13 Enormity, 14 Build up, 16 Canard, 19 Maybe, 20 Biff, 23 Wan. What they’re saying Letters to the editor During my 25 years as a property owner on southern Seven Mile Beach, I have seen our beach steadily disappear. Poor planning over the years, allowing construction too close to the shore, and seawalls, later approved to save those structures, have destroyed our beaches. Seawalls save buildings, but they destroy beaches. The government should be proactive in solving this problem that poor planning and climate change have created. ‘Managed retreat’ is the solution. This involves removing seawalls and structures with insufficient setback from the shoreline and allowing the natural process of sand deposition along the shore to be re- established. But how can we do this when most owners of the currently offending properties will strongly resist any voluntary pullback from the shoreline? I suggest a carrot-and-stick approach favouring the positive as much as possible. First, the government should bear seawall-removal costs. Next, they should adopt special planning rules to encourage beach-friendly redevelopment of these properties and provide current owners a no-cost stake in the replacement construction. Developers have told me that doubling the number of allowed units on a property, without respect to density or height restrictions, should provide a workable financial redevelopment model on the smaller footprint away from the shoreline. Finally, other government incentives, like waiving buyer-transfer taxes, planning fees and materials import duties, could make these projects more attractive to developers, as well as the buyers of the additional new units. For those property owners who do not avail themselves of these incentives, the government should acquire the land through condemnation while paying owners at market value. The acquired property could be converted to beach-friendly public use or, to lessen costs, resold for development under the aforementioned more liberal special planning rules and incentives. It’s time for the Central Planning Authority, Department of Environment and National Conservation Council to quit fighting and find a compromise that saves our valuable beaches, yields climate-resistant structures, and promotes future tourism and economic development. Russ Barlow McKeeva Bush was discharged in a prosecution for indecent assault. The judge said that there was abuse of process. The Leader of the Opposition, Roy McTaggart, has asked for action from the Judicial and Legal Services Commission and the governor. This challenge was appropriate, though the powers of those two authorities over government lawyers have legal limitations. What has happened is emblematic of bigger problems in legal circles in the government, and the judiciary. In the case involving Doctors Express, a company that had been acting lawfully, it was treated unfairly, resulting in it incurring losses. This came out in the Grand Court. No clear disciplinary action was taken against the attorney general or any of his lawyers. Also, none of the other civil servants involved seems to have been disciplined. In 2012, the commission adopted rules governing complaints against judges. The 2009 Constitution of the Cayman Islands prescribed that complaints were to be heard by the commission. In its 2015 report, the commission indicated that, from 2009 to 2012, it had received nine complaints. The report does not state how the complaints ended. Last year, the Ombudsman found the commission to be guilty of maladministration for having failed to adopt complaints rules as required under section 106 of the Constitution. The duty to draw new rules arose out of the 2016 amendment to the Constitution. By 2023, seven years later, the rules had not been drawn. Even when they were finally drawn in 2023, it was under duress from the Ombudsman. Also in 2023, in a story reported in [the Compass], the Ombudsman chastised the judicial administration for deleting a record relating to an active case after an freedom of information request had been made. The Ombudsman also recommended that a policy be developed on the retention and deletion of records. Deleting a record is a criminal offence under the FOI Act and the National Archive and Public Records Act. No person was prosecuted. There is a need for both executive decisions and legislative changes. Bilika Simamba WEEKLY, 8-14 MARCH 2024 After football stadium shooting, a new call to focus on causes of crime Funny thing is, us older folks living here, grew up with 90% less public spending on sports, imported coaches, consultants, counsellors, youth groups, and so on. But we had strong families and a strong ethic to work together and not be a burden to others. A guy who lived through the depression in North America told me there was very little crime. Poor people walked the dirt roads looking for work but didn’t even raid gardens. One carried a sign: ‘Will work for tobacco’. Weplatts P. Sounds good. Now is the government going to do anything besides thoughts and prayers when someone dies? Bruce L. There’s a distinct lack of sports fixtures after school for teens and young adults. Invest more money into sports. It’s been proven in other countries that sport can help reduce crime. Claire Hughes Community creates country... and we’ve lost so much of ours. This is spot on and I truly hope our government takes it seriously. Natascha Schroll-McLaughlin Cayman’s rising threat of gun crime Tougher immigration rules, tougher policing and tougher sentencing are the obvious solutions. And probably the only solutions. On the other hand, it’s a people problem, not a gun problem, per se. Guns can be part of the solution in as much as they can be a part of the problem, so focusing on guns is an unhelpful deflection. Alexander P. There are more solutions in addition to tougher laws and policing. Create more opportunities for those left out of prosperity. A person with a viable career is far less likely to fall into a life of violent crime. Please add this option to the plan. John C. Christopher Hurlston punches his way to monumental title win Keep reaching for the stars, champ. That was our plan from day one. Floyd Blade Trumpet Proud of Chris and your accomplishments. Keep up the amazing work. 345 Cayman Islands to the world. Blessings, champion. Bendel Benny Ebanks Gov’t calls on UK experts as public transport plan stuck in park Skyline monorail doesn’t add to traffic and is consistent for a growing population. Jon Soto If only we could, I don’t know, hire someone and make it part of their job to actually figure it out . Or elect someone and create a post where it’s a part of what we expect them to figure out… one day. sean13libra I think we can all agree that there’s no ‘single’ solution to traffic. The best solution is likely that combines multiple, small changes. rashanahydes A bus system isn’t rocket science. It’s inexplicable that y’all can’t get this together. Complete failure of will. caybon30 Plan for beach-friendly development Need clear rules for complaints involving judiciary Online cayman compass 4 news N news WEEKLY, 8-14 MARCH 2024The most eagerly awaited new development in Grand Cayman is finally opening for viewing. PRISMA’s glass, brick and steel is forged within the jungle foliage to create a new urban villageat the heart of Crystal Harbour. From the panoramic views through the floor-to-ceiling glass walls of the Skylofts, to the over-water Boathouse Villas, PRISMA offers an array of uniquely beautiful residences. The luxury shops, restaurants and cafés dotted along the meandering boulevard combined with the five-star services and amenities of a boutique hotel make for an unmatched lifestyle at PRISMA. e. inquiries@prismagrandcayman.com Register your interest: A new chapter for luxury living dawns JAMES WHITTAKER AND RESHMA RAGOONATH A new minimum wage of $8.75 an hour has been proposed to help move low income workers in the Cayman Islands out of poverty. The wage – almost a 50% increase on the existing $6 mark – would benefit an estimated 10,457 workers, including more than 2,000 Caymanians. There could also be “spill over” benefits for thousands more workers as businesses adjust salaries across the pay scale in line with the new mark. The recommendation comes from the final report of the Minimum Wage Advisory Committee, published on the government’s website on Monday, 4 March. The detailed report was submitted to the Ministry of Labour following a six-month public consultation process, costing just over $50,000. It will be up to government to decide if and when to implement its recommendations. Noting that some survey respondents had called for a rate as high as $20, the report acknowledges that many “will not be satisfied” with its recommendation. But it emphasises the mandate of the committee was to address exploitation and provide “real relief” to the most vulnerable. It also highlights related concerns about lack of affordable childcare, lack of suitable quality rental accommodation and cost-of-living issues that price Caymanians out of certain roles, suggesting further research is needed in these areas. Citing analysis from the International Labour Organization, it acknowledges an actual “living wage” in Cayman would be in the range of $10.38 to $16.95 per hour. Despite that, it argues that $8.75 would be a “fair and acceptable” minimum wage, defined as the floor rate a person could earn without falling into poverty. The committee, led by former head of civil service Lemuel Hurlston, considered the impact on businesses and retail prices, as well as workers themselves. “Setting the minimum wage requires a balancing act to ensure that there is economic stability but, at the same time, allowing people to meet their basic needs,” it stated. “The committee considers this ($8.75) a fair wage that would be affordable to most employers and beneficial to low-wage employees.” Impacted workers The workers most impacted by the change include domestic helpers and nannies, security guards, janitorial workers, hospitality staff and gardeners. The current minimum wage was introduced seven years ago and has fallen in real terms as grocery and rent prices have soared. The spending power of $6 today is equivalent to $4.92 in 2016 when it was first established, according to data in the report. The committee recommends a formula of automatic increases, linked to the Consumer Price Index, as well as a full rate review every four years to prevent this happening again. Hotels will no longer be able to rely on grats The report also recommends phasing out a loophole that allows hospitality businesses to use gratuities for up to 25% of their employees wages. Initially, hotels and restaurants will be allowed to pay a lower rate of $6.56-an-hour with the rest made Landscapers, pictured here in 2020, are among the lowest paid workers in Cayman. $8.75-an-hour minimum wage proposed Tourism grats loophole to be phased out cayman compass 5 WEEKLY, 8-14 MARCH 2024 news N newsup by gratuities. But the allowable gratuity contribution will drop by 5% annually for the next five years. “Starting July 2029, there should be no gratuities contribution to the minimum wage,” the report notes. Stronger enforcement is also recommended, to ensure that hospitality businesses use the full hourly rate of $8.75 to calculate vacation pay, sick pay, maternity and paternity leave. Households employing domestic workers will be allowed to cover a maximum of 25% of the wage through “in-kind” contributions such as live-in accommodation and utilities. The overall direct cost of implementing the new threshold would be just over $50 million per year, the report notes. It suggests there could be some job losses as a result but cites Economics and Statistics Office estimates that this would be limited to fewer than 185 people. Labour minister no-show at government media briefing Labour Minister Dwayne Seymour, who is charged with taking the findings of the long awaited minimum wage report forward, was noticeably absent from a media conference held to address questions on the recommended wage uplift two days after the report was released. Seymour, who has previously stated a lack of support for changes to the existing $6 an hour wage, is yet to formally comment on the recommendations. The Compass reached out to the minister, who employs minimum wage workers in his businesses, for comment on his absence and whether he supports the recommendations, and is awaiting a response. No clear position When asked about Seymour’s absence, Labour Ministry Chief Officer Wesley Howell, who was part of Wednesday’s panel, said he was representing Seymour and the ministry. He suggested that the briefing was more of a “listening exercise”. “We really want to hear from the general public, the employers who now have a number that’s made public... While he’s not here, this work is really for his consideration and further consideration by caucus and Cabinet,” Howell said. Pressed on whether it is government’s position that the minimum wage will be increased, Howell said Cabinet had “noted” the report recommendations. Whether those recommendations will be acted upon, he said, remains “a political decision”. However, he added that, with public pressure to move the needle and the fact that there have been no changes to the minimum wage for some time, “this has to be done”. Timelines uncertain When it came to timelines for changes, if any, Howell said that would be measured “in weeks, not months” and that feedback gathered will be considered, compiled and put through caucus and on to Cabinet. The committee’s recommended timeline for implementation was July 2024, but with the report behind schedule and more feedback now being sought, this deadline seems unfeasible. Howell said, should there be legislative changes as suggested in the report, that would have to go through the parliamentary process of 28 days for public comment on proposed changes, and then onto debate in the House. Some changes could be made administratively without needing parliamentary input, but this would depend on the direction that government chooses. Even after the advisory committee held 37 meetings last year and multiple surveys to compile and then deliver its findings, chairman Hurlston said he was not disappointed that another round of consultation was being done. He stressed that the committee’s role was “to be advisory only”. The new round of consultation, he said, was “just part of the governmental bureaucracy and process”. Minimum Wage Advisory Committee member Mahreen Nabi, also speaking at the press conference, said 10,000 people participated in last year’s exercise – from the town halls to virtual meetings and online surveys. “Online surveys provided us with the largest set of data at over 5,000 responses, just under 60% of the people who responded indicated that they were Caymanian. There was an overwhelming support from the consultation for an increase in the minimum wage,” she said. Price increases possible Economics and Statistics Office Director Adolphus Laidlow, speaking at the briefing, said, should the wage be approved at $8.75, this will work out as an annual cost of $51.5 million for all industries – with an annual increase of $13.2 million for Caymanian employees and an annual increase of $38.3 million for non-Caymanian workers. “The highest cost will be borne by households, paying an additional $12.9 million,” he said. This is followed by wholesale and retail at $7.6 million, administrative and support services at $7.4 million, restaurants and mobile food services at $5.9 million, construction at $4.4 million, accommodation at $2.7 million and other services activities at $2.2 million, based on the numbers crunched to arrive at the new minimum wage figure. Though businesses surveyed last year indicated that an increased minimum wage could result in the loss of at least 700 jobs, Laidlow said he believes that figure may be 200. Caymanians, he said, will benefit from the wage increases in several ways, including increased spending power within the community. The majority of those surveyed last year, from householders to businesses, suggested they could manage paying employees from $10-$12 an hour, which some have already surpassed. Laidlow said this still gave the committee some “wiggle room” in its review and calculations. From left, Minimum Wage Advisory Committee member Mahreen Nabi, Labour Ministry Chief Officer Wesley Howell, Minimum Wage Advisory Committee chairperson Lemuel Hurlston and Economics and Statistics Office Director Adolphus Laidlow. - Photo: Reshma Ragoonath How long do I need to work to afford: Movie ticket - $13.50 - 1 hour and 32 mins Dozen eggs - $5.89 - 40 minutes White bread loaf - #2.99 - 20 minutes Gallon of milk - $7.80 - 53 minutes Tank of gas - $46.56 ($5.82 x 8 gallons to fill a small car) - 5 hours and 19 minutes Rent - $600 (room share in eastern districts) - 68 hours and 30 minutes Breakdown of proposed changes Accommodation establishments – an additional $100.55 per person per week or $2.51 per hour. Restaurants and mobile food services – an additional $94.97 per person per week or $2.37 per hour. Households as employers – increase cost of $102.02 per week per employee to “domestic workers” or an additional $2.55 per employee per hour Administrative and support services activities sector, e.g. security guards, janitorial services – an additional $88.69 per employee per week or $2.22 per employee per hour. $8.75-an-hour minimum wage proposed cayman compass 6 news N news WEEKLY, 8-14 MARCH 2024Mass_NRG_WhiteLine_Bleed_OuterMask_CMYKcayman compass 7 WEEKLY, 8-14 MARCH 2024Inflation has eaten away at the value of local wages JOEL ADAMS jadams@compassmedia.ky The proposed increase in the national minimum wage would make the country’s poorest households only around 16% better off despite looking like a 46% rise, according to Cayman’s leading economist. Adolphus Laidlow, director of the Economics and Statistics Office, said since the minimum wage was introduced, inflation had decreased its purchasing power by around 25%. The minimum wage would therefore have to rise from $6 to $7.50 to keep pace with inflation. The proposal of $8.75 is just 16.6% greater than that. (See inflation explainer on this page.) The ESO conducted the analysis and polling provided to the Minimum Wage Advisory Committee who then came up with the recommendation. Laidlow said of his team’s inflation analysis: “It’s about 25% inflation during the period. That’s what we calculated; that the decrease in purchasing power was about 25%.” He added, “Because the 2016 data was not the data used to set the first minimum wage, so you need to compare the 2013 data and calculate inflation between 2013 and today. We got an inflation-adjusted figure of seven- something.” But he said poorest households might have been hit harder than the official figures suggest. “About 36% of the CPI basket is housing – rent or mortgage. But it can be skewed by high earners and spenders, especially in a place like Cayman. “A poor person spends most of their income on accommodation and food, about 70% on those two items. “I think it [the 2013-2024 period] would be more inflationary for them than for the average consumer. Their costs may be increasing more than average.” Compass economics columnist Simon Cawdery agreed. Cawdery said, “On the face of it, $8.75 seems like a real increase above and beyond inflation. So arguably the body has set a number which helps the poorest in society.” “But at $8.75, if that person works 50 hours a week, 49 weeks a year – they work for a fairly long time – that’s still only an annual salary of $21,400. “Readers might think, ‘Well, I started on that’ but that was a long time ago and inflation in Cayman has been extraordinary, particularly rent. “Rent disproportionately affects poorer people because they can’t afford to buy houses. “Food costs have been extraordinary as well; you only need to go around any supermarket.” Cawdery continued, “So the very basic costs you need to live and survive have gone up disproportionately more than the basket the ESO use – that’s just stating the obvious.” He accused the committee of “taking the path of least resistance from a statistical basis”, adding, “the minimum wage advisory committee is certainly not the ‘poverty alleviation committee’.” He went on: “If the purpose of the committee was to help people to live a sustainable and viable life away from poverty, it’s an unambiguous failure. “Because the starting point in 2016 was a failure, and to use a starting point which was a failure and say ‘We’ve gone slightly further than inflation’, only creates a secondary failure.” The committee has proposed that the new rate go into effect in June this year, with an automatic mechanism to increase with inflation every two years after that, but that timeline is unlikely to happen. But before being instituted, the plan will be debated by lawmakers, not all of whom are expected to back the proposal. Proposed increase only 16%, according to gov’t figures What is inflation? Inflation is the rise of prices over time. A house or a pint of milk has a higher price today than it did for our parents – this is (largely) due to inflation. What is the effect of inflation? Through inflation, prices rise. So correspondingly, the value (or purchasing power) of money falls. A gallon of gas might cost $5 one year and $5.50 the next year, but it’s the same gallon of gas. But now you don’t need $5 to buy it, you need $5.50. So the purchasing power of that $5 in your pocket has decreased – it no longer buys you a gallon of gas. How is inflation measured? Economists use a ‘basket’ of goods and services which represent typical spending for a household. In Cayman, the basket includes more than 2,200 items from more than 200 providers. The categories including food (551 items), clothing and footwear (273 items), housing and utilities, health, transport, entertainment, education and restaurants/hotels. Each category is given a ‘weight’, to show how much of a typical household’s budget is spent in this area, based on the Household Budget Survey 2015. For instance, housing and utility costs are considered to make up 33% of household spending, whereas restaurants and hotels are only 8%. Economists then check the prices of each of those items on a quarterly or monthly basis, often by literally visiting the suppliers or their websites. Inflation is reported as changes in the Consumer Prices Index. Here’s an example: If a nurse earns $3,000 per month and it costs $3,000 to house, feed, clothe, and take care of herself and her family, she can afford her monthly essentials. But if inflation is 5%, the next year buying exactly the same things will cost her $3,150 per month. So she will have to cut back to find a $150 saving, or risk going into debt. The purchasing power – the value – of her $3,000 monthly pay cheque has decreased, because it no longer covers the expenditure it covered last year. That is why workers and unions advocate for cost-of- living pay rises, so that their pay keeps pace with inflation. What does this mean for the minimum wage? Whether or not the minimum wage was set at the correct level when it was introduced in 2016, its value has decreased since then as prices have risen. According to the Economics and Statistics Director Adolphus Laidlow, prices are 25% higher today than in 2013, which were the prices used to set the minimum wage which was introduced in 2016. So the minimum would have to increase to $7.50 just to be worth what $6 was worth back then. Why not increase wages faster? The issue is complicated by the fact that increasing wages also drives inflation. If everyone is earning more, shops put their prices up, which in turn means workers have a stronger argument for higher wages… and on it goes. EXPLAINERUnderstanding Inflation Economics and Statistics Office Director Adolphus LaidlowSimon Cawdery cayman compass 8 news N news WEEKLY, 8-14 MARCH 2024First 300 people to register for the Standard Plan will receive a three months of membership freE First 300 people to register for the Standard Plan will receive a three months of membership freE “Check-up to sign up” TERMS AND CONDITIONS APPLY. Sign up at Maximize your health insurance Receive up to three medical consultations per month including home visits and 24/7 telemedicine access Free Pharmacy delivery included with this promotion Healthcare has a new guardian angel! Angela Say to smart healthcare Get more value and service out of your existing insurance benefits. www.angela.healthcare or call or whatsapp +1 (345) 936.7075 email: info@angela.healthcare www.angela.healthcare or call or whatsapp +1 (345) 936.7075 email: info@angela.healthcare Two men detained in connection with the 25 Feb. shooting at Ed Bush Stadium have been released on bail pending further investigation, police have said. The men, ages 24 and 30 of West Bay, were arrested on 1 and 2 March, respectively, on suspicion of attempted murder and suspicion of possession of an unlicensed firearm, police confirmed. Police Commissioner Kurt Walton announced the release of the two men, who were not charged, in a statement on Monday, 4 March. He said the RCIPS appreciates the public’s concern regarding the granting of bail to persons suspected of being involved in such “a serious crime, even with restrictions such as electronic monitoring. “But we ask for patience as we continue the investigative process, and as we follow a number of leads. We reaffirm our commitment to bringing those responsible to justice while ensuring the safety of everyone in our community,” Walton said. Seven people were injured at the stadium shooting, which occurred just after 9pm, during half-time of a match between Elite SC and Academy. All seven have since been released from hospital. Police, who have said they are working on the hypothesis that a single shooter was involved, said they are continuing “to have increased targeted patrols following the incident”. A team of 20 detectives in the RCIPS Major Incident Unit, led by a detective superintendent, is investigating the shooting, Walton has said. He said the shooting was being given “the highest response you could possibly give any investigation, because it deserves it”. The police commissioner, speaking at a public meeting in West Bay last week, said there would be an increased presence at night of Firearms Response Unit officers in West Bay and George Town to enable a “quick response” in the event of a retaliation shooting. Police are continuing to appeal for witnesses to come forward with information pertaining to the shooting. Cayman Crime Stoppers has offered a reward of up to $50,000 for information that leads to the arrest, charge or conviction of the individuals responsible. The Cayman Islands government has also offered an additional $200,000 toward solving the crime. Anyone with information on the incident can call 911 or the RCIPS Major Incident Room at 649-2930. For a related story, see page 35. 2 arrested, bailed in connection with stadium shooting The scene at the Ed Bush Stadium in West Bay on 25 Feb. - Photo: Andrel Harris “We reaffirm our commitment to bringing those responsible to justice while ensuring the safety of everyone in our community.” Commissioner of Police Kurt Walton cayman compass 9 news N news WEEKLY, 8-14 MARCH 2024Next >