📢 Cayman Islands' minimum wage increase under threat

Labour Minister Dwayne Seymour has suggested that the long-awaited increase in the Cayman Islands' minimum wage may not occur across all sectors. The minister expressed concerns about the potential economic impact on Caymanians, particularly those employing domestic help. Currently, 77% of workers on the basic rate of $6 per hour are permit holders, and those paying the wage are primarily Caymanians. Seymour warned against repeating the mistakes of 2015, when only expatriates in specific sectors benefited from a wage increase. He stressed the need for a wage that enables workers to meet their needs without causing job losses or a higher cost of living for locals. 📊

Seymour, who owns a baggage handling service at Owen Roberts International Airport, is an employer of many minimum wage workers, mostly foreign. He will be directly impacted by the final decision on the wage increase, which some see as a conflict of interest. The minister noted that most Caymanian workers earn more than the minimum wage, and if the government accepts the recommendations in the report, less than a quarter of those who benefit will be local. Discussions are ongoing, with Seymour advocating for a sector-specific approach to avoid negatively impacting the Caymanian economy. 🏦

In addition to the minimum wage issue, Seymour also revealed plans to review immigration law and make achieving permanent residency more difficult. The proposed bill aims to promote Caymanian employment and reduce underemployment while maintaining the attractiveness of the Cayman Islands. Seymour expressed appreciation for foreign workers but emphasized that they should contribute to the betterment of local people. He also highlighted the need for the private sector to train local people for better-paying jobs. 🌍