Why do many workers in the Cayman Islands come from other countries?

Many workers in the Cayman Islands come from other countries primarily because the islands face a chronic shortage of local labor.12

The economy of the Cayman Islands is heavily driven by tourism and international finance, sectors that require a significant workforce to support clerical, service, and construction roles. Because the local population is insufficient to meet these demands, the government manages the labor supply by issuing tightly controlled work permits to expatriate workers. This reliance on foreign labor is a structural necessity for maintaining the islands' status as a major global financial center and a popular tourist destination.1