In an effort to promote good governance, the Cayman Islands Government is currently in the early stages of rolling out a new Anti-Fraud Policy government-wide.

“This policy covers the prevention, detection and remediation of fraud, corruption and dishonesty,” Premier Alden McLaughlin explains. “It also outlines the roles, responsibilities of all civil servants and the principles they should conduct themselves by in and outside of the work place.”

The Anti-Fraud Policy integrates existing laws such as the Public Service Management Law (2013 revision) and the Public Management and Finance Law (2013 revision).

Other policies that will be implemented under the new Anti-Fraud Policy include the Code of Business Ethics and Conduct, Official Whistle-Blower Policy, Records and Information Management Policy and the Offering or Receiving Hospitality, Entertainment or Gifts Policy.
“We want to create and maintain a culture of honesty and high ethics, including the understanding and awareness of risks and controls,” Deputy Governor and Head of Civil Service, Franz Manderson states. “We want to mitigate the risks and reduce the opportunities for fraud, as well as provide a platform for civil servants and members of the public to report an incident they feel is wrong.”
The Code of Business Ethics and Conduct Policy is a general guide to acceptable and appropriate behavior in the workplace.
The Records Retention Policy establishes a governance framework around records retention, and defines how and when documents should be disposed of.
The Whistle-Blower Policy will be the platform used to report any incidents or claims directly to a hotline or website anonymously.
“There are strong provisions in the policy to protect civil servants and non-civil servants who deliver tips,” Mr. McLaughlin explains. “All claims or allegations made by a person will first be thoroughly investigated to determine the veracity of the claim. The Anti-Fraud Policy will also provide clear guidance on how investigations into fraudulent activities will be dealt with by the Internal Audit Service.”
“Transparency and accountability are the cornerstones of good governance and at the heart of what we do,” Minister of Finance Marco Archer states. “We are implementing these new policies to make clear that the use of one’s occupation for personal enrichment through the deliberate misuse of public resources and one’s office is unacceptable.”
An education campaign for civil servants will begin in April 2017, and a public awareness campaign will follow explaining further details on the reporting process.
“Civil servants and officers at every level and in every department have a responsibility to speak up when they believe they have knowledge or suspect fraud or corruption is being committed, so appropriate action can be taken in a timely manner,” Mr. Manderson adds.

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