Dany Belett comments that he is a nurse in Cuba and his monthly salary does not exceed 4,410 Cuban pesos (CUP).
In a video shared on social media, the young man documents how that money disappears in just a few necessary purchases for daily life. His case is a reflection of a reality that millions of Cubans face every month.
The first stop was for hygiene products. A tube of toothpaste cost 800 pesos, almost a fifth of the salary. Additionally, there were beans at 400 pesos, and a carton of eggs at 2,700 CUP, which represents more than 60% of the salary.
"To make a stew, you need some seasoning. But with these prices, one thinks twice before cooking," Dany said as he showed the product costs.
Another predicament was the potato, a tuber that is in season in Cuba and is sold for 130 pesos per pound. “Here we’ll see if we can sneak away and pick some good specimens, and I’m thinking of quitting my nursing job to become a farmer, because at this rate, there’s no way to live here,” he said sarcastically.
The picadillo, a mix of low-quality meats or even "a little of everything," was his attempt to prepare a "main dish." But even that cheap option turned out to be costly for him.
In total, Dany spent almost his entire salary on just a basic and limited purchase, excluding transportation, electricity, medications, and other services. “No one can live here”, he repeated indignantly.
The case of Dany is not isolated. It represents an increasingly unsustainable situation for professionals in Cuba, whose official incomes are completely out of sync with the cost of living. While the prices of food and basic products soar, state sector salaries remain frozen, forcing many to turn to the informal market or emigration as the only way out.
Paradoxically, the situation described by Dany Belett has been publicly recognized by the Cuban regime itself and still remains unsolved. In February of this year, the Cuban Vice President Salvador Valdés Mesa admitted that even a salary of 6,000 pesos per month is insufficient to cover the basic needs of a citizen.
"Our retirees have average pensions of 1,525 pesos. You can't live on that; with an average salary of 5,000 pesos, you can't live, nor with 6,000 pesos... You can't live given the current prices," admitted the Castro leader.
That figure exceeds Dany's salary as a health sector worker by nearly 2,000 pesos, clearly indicating that millions of Cubans today live below the subsistence threshold recognized even by the State.
The minimum wage in Cuba has been around 2,100 pesos since January 2021, when the failed "Ordering Task" adopted by Miguel Díaz-Canel went into effect.
But that monetary change in an unproductive economic context, dependent on imports for the supply of basic products, caused inflation to soar and prices to rise uncontrollably, while wages have barely seen any significant increases.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Economic and Wage Crisis in Cuba
How does inflation affect salaries in Cuba?
Inflation in Cuba has severely eroded the purchasing power of salaries, making even the wages of professionals such as nurses and lawyers insufficient to cover basic needs. The uncontrolled rise in prices of food and essential products far exceeds any salary increases, forcing many to seek alternatives in the informal market or consider emigration.
Why are salaries in Cuba not sufficient for a decent living?
Salaries in Cuba are out of sync with the cost of living due to inflation and dependence on imports. The Cuban government has kept state wages frozen, while prices continue to rise, leaving many workers in a subsistence situation. Even the wages in key sectors such as healthcare and education, which have received increases, remain insufficient.
What measures has the Cuban government taken to address the economic crisis?
The Cuban government has attempted to increase salaries in key sectors such as health and education, but these measures have not been effective against inflation. No concrete solutions have been implemented to resolve the crisis, and the opening of stores in dollars exacerbates social inequality. Meanwhile, the regime has acknowledged the unsustainability of current salaries but has not offered significant changes.
What is the impact of dollarization on the Cuban economy?
Dollarization has deepened social inequality in Cuba, as most Cubans receive their salaries in pesos, limiting their access to stores that operate exclusively in dollars. This governmental strategy to attract foreign currency has been criticized for reinforcing economic distortions and failing to address the basic needs of the population.
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