Joseph “Joey” Hew, leader of the People’s Progressive Movement, emphasised housing affordability, immigration reform and education as his key policy priorities during the recent Chamber of Commerce Candidate Forum for George Town North, ahead of the upcoming elections.
Addressing the pressing issue of the cost of living, Hew highlighted that housing, health care and daily financial burdens remain central concerns for Caymanians. He spoke about scenarios illustrating the challenges faced by working-class families.
“If you imagine a young single parent with two kids getting a job for $10 an hour…at the end of the week they’re at a negative, they’re at a deficit,” Hew said.
He pledged comprehensive strategies, outlined in PPM’s manifesto, to address these concerns.
Hew also stressed the urgency of immigration reform, connecting the rapid influx of immigrants to a shrinking economic share for locals.
“Immigration is actually outstripping the growth in GDP, meaning that each of us is getting a smaller piece of the pie,” he said. Hew suggested a recalibration of immigration policies to ensure fairer distribution of economic benefits among Caymanians.
Regarding education, Hew acknowledged improvements at the primary school level but underscored persistent issues, particularly in secondary education, where “60% of our students [are] not meeting the national standards in year 11.”
To combat this, Hew called for significant investment in early childhood education to ensure children enter primary school with foundational literacy and numeracy skills.
On the issue of urban development, Hew advocated for updating the National Development Plan, which he noted has not been revised in 27 years.
“This is a foundation of all the issues we are facing now,” Hew said, referencing climate resilience, zoning conflicts and housing shortages exacerbated by the growth of Airbnb. He argued for clear zoning regulations to protect affordable housing stock for Caymanians.
When asked about the George Town Landfill crisis, Hew underscored the necessity of immediate action through mandatory recycling and the establishment of a new, properly managed landfill site.
“We are facing an environmental disaster that this country has never seen,” he warned, urging a long-term transition towards sustainable waste management solutions.
