Caymanian job seekers are reporting being turned down for positions due to being overqualified, MPs were told in Parliament.

MP for Bodden Town East Dwayne Seymour raised the issue, which he described as “vexing” in a question to Minister for Caymanian Immigration and Employment Michael Myles.

Myles replied that there had been ministerial discussions about the matter, saying that Caymanian employment “remains a significant priority” for his department and emphasised that “being overqualified is not by itself a sufficient basis upon which to disregard an otherwise suitable Caymanian applicant.”

He added, “Through our engagement with Caymanians seeking employment, we are aware of instances where individuals have reported being advised that they are overqualified for positions they have applied for. In some cases, this has reportedly resulted not only in Caymanians being unsuccessful, but in some instances not being shortlisted for an interview or given an opportunity to demonstrate their suitability.”

According to regulations, when a Caymanian applies for a job, the employer has to give reasons for selecting the successful applicant and rejecting the other applicants, along with copies of the refusal letter and interview report for each unsuccessful Caymanian applicant and the resumes of the non-Caymanian applicants.

Myles advised jobseekers to apply through the Workforce Opportunities & Residency Cayman portal so that the various steps in the process can be recorded, including a rebuttal of the hiring decision.

Myles said, “This gives the applicant an opportunity to dispute the employer’s stated reason for non-hire, clarify their experience or qualifications or identify information that may not have been adequately considered.”

Responding to a follow-up question from Deputy Opposition Leader Kenneth Bryan, Myles said that he received calls “pretty much every single day from Caymanians who believe that they’re being discriminated against in two industries – the tourism or hospitality industry, and the financial services industry. These are the two major industries that Caymanians consistently contact me, and I’m sure all of my colleagues, about,” he said.

Myles added that it had been happening for the last 10 years and was mostly due to employers wanting a particular work permit holder to continue on a work permit.

“I think the majority of our people are more than qualified to do the job,” he said, adding, “I don’t think that they’re overqualified.”

If potential employers believed applicants to be overqualified, he said, then they should be moved into higher roles in that company where possible.

Myles pushed back on suggestions that more legislation was needed, saying, “Our responsibility now is to enforce the process. I believe that we do have a pretty sound process.”

He added that regulation communication with all sides was useful.

“A lot of work has gone into ensuring that our people are certainly qualified but also making sure that employers have a clear understanding that their responsibility is to open the door, so our people can get the jobs that they have earned,” he said.

Also in Parliament last week, Myles said the government might make changes to work permit advertising requirements following feedback from employers, job seekers and other stakeholders.

Under the proposed changes, employers would continue to be required to advertise vacancies on the WORC jobs portal for at least 21 days before submitting a work permit application, but would no longer be required to advertise vacancies in a local newspaper.

Myle said, “This proposed change is about making the advertising process simpler and more practical, while still ensuring Caymanians have a fair opportunity to see and apply for available jobs.”

The introduction of a “modest” fee for advertisements placed on the WORC jobs portal is also being considered, with the revenue used to support the operation of the portal.

The proposed changes are subject to approval of Caucus and Cabinet this week.