CIVIL SERVICE DISPROPORTIONATE RECRUITMENT SCRUTINISED

By Staff Writer

The methods, policies, and recruitment practices of the Cayman Islands Government have been brought into sharp focus, especially regarding an imbalance in teachers and law enforcement recruitment.

The matter has been given extensive ‘airing’ in both social media and radio programme forums in discussions about the wider issue of disproportionate employment rates between Caymanians and non-nationals in the civil service.

Civil Service regulations require strict separation of authority over this area between ministers of government and the civil service human resources administration in order to maintain independence and impartiality in the system and reduce the risk of political interference.

The hot-button matter was addressed in a joint appearance by Hon. Deputy Governor Franz Manderson and Hon. Minister for Tourism Kenneth Bryan on the programme For The Record with Orrett Connor on Radio Cayman.

It was also raised by Mr Byran on his own new radio programme on BoBo Fm radio station.

PRESSURE TO HIRE

Acknowledging the separation of powers between the elected and appointed arms of the public service, Mr Bryan referred to “some key areas where some people are concerned about the makeup of our civil service, some hiring practices and the expectation of persons in the elected arm…what they can and cannot do.”

He was speaking on the pressures faced by ministers and other legislators due to demands and expectations of some of their constituents and the wider electorate to prioritise them for jobs in the civil service.

With the civil service being the largest employer in the Cayman Islands  Mr Bryan said he understands the frustration of persons who have received a government scholarship but upon returning home from studying find it difficult to obtain a civil service job.

“What we do get on a very regular basis is the want and the needs of elected members to help people get jobs in the civil service. Almost every day I get a call or a request from somebody and many times I have to explain why I can’t help them get a job.”

“That’s the worst thing any elected representative can say to a Caymanian,” he lamented, (Having to tell them)  ‘I can’t get you the most important thing in life which is an opportunity to survive and live and feed your family’.”

According to Min. Bryan, for some people it sounds like an excuse why ministers are unable to directly give them a job in the civil service, while referring to the perception of ‘back in the day’ when elected members were seen as having the power and influence to place people in a civil service job.

“I wish it were up to me because every single person in George Town Central would have a job today,” Mr Bryan declared.

But the system doesn’t work like that he acknowledged - and for good reason.

SEPARATION OF POWERS

Referring to the constitution, the Tourism Minister and MP for George Town Central reminded of the role of the UK-appointed Governor and the Office of the Deputy Governor as having sole responsibility for human resources(HR) issues in the civil service.

Citing the advantages of the civil service being politically impartial, Hon. Deputy Governor Franz Manderson, who heads the service, pointed out that the benefit of the existing system ensures “having continuity of government and continuity of services”.

“The public is demanding great services from us so we want to make sure that we are providing the (and the ministers) with the best talent and the best persons that will serve them,” the Deputy Governor said.

According to Min. Bryan the civil service employs 4,678 people and of that “only 68 per cent are Caymanian.

“That means that there are 1,303 persons who are not Caymanian in the service.”

He said the pressure is placed on ministers to address the issue of 28 per cent of the civil service workforce comprised of non-Caymanians.

Deputy Governor Manderson said there are already embedded preferential hiring policies in the civil service for Caymanians returning home after completing their studies.

He also noted that in instances where non-nationals have filled positions in the civil service, that was due to the unavailability of any Caymanian at the time to take up the job.

However, he went on to state: “One of the best moments that I have on a daily basis in the civil service is to meet Caymanians who are coming into the civil service.”

Mr Manderson also updated on training and development programmes put in place by the civil service to ensure that young Caymanians without the required experience are exposed to training opportunities ultimately leading to jobs in the government sector.