The Cayman Islands Authorities has accredited a serious shift in civil service employment coverage, setting the stage for immigration time period limits for non-Caymanian employees within the public sector. The Cupboard’s determination, made on Wednesday, Could 21, will see new laws come into impact from January 1, 2026.
The coverage will apply to all non-Caymanian civil servants—each current and new—and follows intensive session and detailed coverage evaluation. Among the many key adjustments is an extension of the required break in keep from one 12 months to 2 years as soon as a time period restrict is reached, earlier than a person may be rehired.
Different adjustments embrace reserving particular positions for Caymanians to help native profession development, introducing contractual necessities for the coaching and improvement of Caymanian professionals, and tightening guidelines round transitions from the non-public sector to the Civil Service.
Safeguards are constructed into the framework to uphold the independence of the judiciary and preserve the Governor’s constitutional duties underneath Part 55. Any exemptions granted underneath the coverage will must be formally reported.
The federal government says this phased method goals to forestall disruptions, notably in departments that make use of massive numbers of non-Caymanians, similar to Schooling Companies, the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service, His Majesty’s Cayman Islands Jail Service, and the Division of Kids and Household Companies.
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Her Excellency, Governor Jane Owen, expressed help for the adjustments, stating, “I’m glad that these amendments absolutely respect my constitutional duties, together with inner safety, and don’t impinge upon the Governor’s reserved capabilities underneath the Structure. The proposed exemptions guarantee continuity in essential areas whereas supporting Caymanian development.”
Deputy Governor and Head of the Civil Service, Hon. Franz Manderson, famous that time period limits alone are usually not a silver bullet for Caymanian employment development. “Whereas you will need to align public sector employment guidelines with non-public sector immigration insurance policies, we should settle for that time period limits alone is not going to translate into extra jobs or the upward mobility for Caymanians within the office. Subsequently, the Civil Service have developed an enhanced time period restrict coverage which gives further mechanisms for hiring Caymanians,” he stated.
Manderson additionally emphasised the necessity for cautious implementation, citing the distinctive function of companies like policing and corrections: “Many important companies… are usually not out there anyplace else within the Islands. Subsequently, any adjustments have to be fastidiously applied to make sure we stay absolutely geared up to ship the companies our folks rely on to make their lives higher.”
Premier Hon. André Ebanks framed the transfer as a part of broader immigration reform. “The adjustments provoke one of many goals of our Authorities to reform immigration coverage on this Nation. We’re transferring phrases into motion. These adjustments are pro-Caymanian, ready in session with the civil service as our intention is to work in partnership,” he stated.
He additionally signaled that non-public sector immigration reform will probably be prioritized subsequent, noting that the Nationwide Coalition for Caymanians is getting ready to take additional steps.
The proposed adjustments are anticipated to be formalized underneath the Public Service Administration Act and Personnel Laws, which govern civil servant employment within the Cayman Islands.
