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Employment in Cayman

Last activity 28 February 2013 by CharlB

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Gordon Barlow

Anybody seeking employment needs to be aware that Work Permits are issued to employers, not to employees. It’s an indentured-labour system, and foreign workers can switch employers only with the permission of a politically appointed labour-control committee. Professionals (accountants, engineers, etc) have few problems, usually, but unskilled workers are in general limited to the occupations and employers they start with. Jamaican domestic servants call it “near slavery”, and with some employers that’s an accurate description. Law enforcement is always on the side of the employers. The Philippines government put Cayman on its blacklist a few months ago, and I think it’s still there.

All three of our Islands can be very, very, pleasant places to live, if you overlook the “near slavery”; and the money is excellent. However, prospective newcomers will do themselves a disservice if they don’t prepare for a bit of a culture shock in respect of human and civil rights for expats, including deportation for breaching local censorship rules.

I can’t go into all the ins and outs of the system here. The subject is covered in many of my blog entries, and you’ll just have to wade through the posts, I’m afraid. I’ll be glad to answer specific questions.

Gordon Barlow

I should mention, in response to Sasse, an enquirer on Julien's Jobs Section sticky (above), that our Immigration Law makes it illegal to look for jobs while on the island as a visitor. I'll have a post on my blog about this soon, explaining the authorities' reason why; but it's something that all who hope to get a Work Permit here need to bear in mind.

Armand

Thanks for sharing Gordon Barlow ;)

Armand

jobinthesun

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Clivebriscoe

hi how can i get recommended to a company in cayman.

Gordon Barlow

Clive. There are several thousands of Jamaicans in Cayman, all of whom have families back home. You should ask around, and try to find some in the same trade as you're in - welding. You stand a better chance of finding a job here in Cayman if you come highly recommended.

Cindyshi

Hey, are you currently in cayman?

CharlB

Hi Cindyshi,
No not yet:)  Hopefully soon though.