Despite campaigning that the Progressives (PPM) would take a ‘hard’ look and re-think on the rollover policy if they got elected (they have) and admitting the rollover had been a mistake, Eric Bush, Cayman’s Home Affairs Chief Officer, has confirmed rollover is to stay.

At present nothing has changed. The government has set a late October deadline for the approval of a change from a maximum of seven years to ten years for the term-limit period for non-Caymanian workers’ residence. If they haven’t applied for or been granted permanent residence status it’s pack their bags and take a year off and go somewhere else. They may then reapply for jobs in Cayman again.

If they think it is going to be an automatic yes after an application for permanent residence status – revise the thinking.

Permanent residence requirements are almost certain become more stringent. A review of the existing law is to be executed that will focus on redefining criteria for the awarding of permanent residence. The focus of which will align itself with this piece of gobbledegook – government’s “economic, social and cultural objectives”.

Perhaps someone in government can tell me in plain, concise language that we all can understand, with one interpretation only, what the dickens that means?

The key employee designation will go. It won’t be necessary, as the rollover guillotine machine won’t come down on someone’s head for another three years.

There is a concession to those persons here that have already been granted key employee status. Premier, Alden McLaughlin, has said under the existing immigration system, it is likely a person awarded key employee status will eventually be granted permanent residence. Even the ‘likely’ comes with a caution.

“The same approval rate cannot apply if a significantly greater number of individuals are allowed to apply for permanent residence,” he said.

Bermuda brought in the rollover policy before we committed the same mistake. They have since removed the whole can of worms saying their country’s work permit system was adequate.

Their work permit system seems to be exactly the same as ours is at present.

We, however, have not learnt the lesson as we have to listen to minorities who shout the loudest.

I ask this question. When did we have almost 100% employment here?

Answer: Before we implemented the rollover!