A Cayman Islands lawmaker wants a committee to consider whether certain jobs – in both the public and private sector – should be made ‘Caymanian only’, meaning foreigners need not apply.

A private members motion filed by George Town MLA Ellio Solomon, which could be debated as early as Thursday, seeks to create a committee that would consider what positions or what types of employment, if any, might be made available only to Caymanians.

“I believe that there are certain parts of our work force that the country would be best served by ensuring that these positions remain Caymanian only,” Mr. Solomon said in response to Caymanian Compass questions on the matter. “This is to offer similar protections that many nations in the European Union, including the UK, sought to utilise.”

Some concerns have already been expressed that such a proposal would be detrimental to Cayman’s overall economy, which depends heavily on foreign labour. However, Mr. Solomon said he didn’t see a problem with a motion calling for a committee to consider whether certain jobs could be made Caymanian only.

“I don’t believe that to merely consider the issue can be detrimental,” he said.

Mr. Solomon declined to state which positions or types of work, in his opinion, could be made Caymanian only. However, he said particular attention should be given to public sector employment.

“The position of Deputy Governor is Caymanian only and so are members of the Legislative Assembly,” he said. “Are these the only jobs that should be Caymanian only?”

Depending on the findings of the committee, Mr. Solomon assented that ‘exceptional circumstances’ could be used in particular situations to allow foreigners to fill positions designated for Caymanians.

“Given the size of our country at this point in time, there may very likely need to be (such) a provision,” he said.

How such a ‘Caymanian only’ provision would be enforced is not envisioned by Mr. Solomon’s motion. Typically, private members motions are merely suggestions that legislators would like the administration to pursue, and Mr. Solomon said he did not wish to prejudge any findings such a committee might make anyway.

“It is possible that the committee may say no jobs should be Caymanian only, but I believe we need to look at the issue carefully, particularly in the public sector,” he said.

Any provision that would make a job available only to Caymanians does not fall afoul of the non-discrimination section of the bill of rights contained in Cayman’s Constitution.

The non-discrimination section does not apply to “with respect to the entry into or exclusion from, or the employment, engaging in any business or profession, movement or residence within the Cayman Islands of persons who are not Caymanian”.

Cayman Islands Immigration Law requires employers – both public and private – to consider job applicants in a hierarchy, depending on qualifications. Qualified Caymanians are to be considered first, following by non-Caymanian permanent residence certificate holders, followed by spouses of Caymanians, followed by work permit holders who are already on Island.

If none of those are available, then companies may select a suitable candidate from outside the Islands.

As of 30 June, there were more than 21,000 non-Caymanians here on work permits, government contracts or working as an operation of law (awaiting applications for permanent residence or work permit appeals).