While millions of Cubans survive on incomes that barely cover the essentials, Cuba's Minister of Labor and Social Security, Marta Elena Feitó Cabrera, traveled to Geneva to discuss social justice and decent work at the 113th International Labor Conference of the ILO.
During his speech, Feitó stated that “in a world marked by increasing asymmetries and inequalities, Cuba upholds social justice and decent work as non-negotiable pillars of sustainable development”, and he highlighted that more than 63% of the workforce on the island is “formally employed with full rights,” with universal access to health, education, and 100% coverage in social security, reported the official newspaper Trabajadores.
However, his statements starkly contrast with the reality faced by Cuban workers. A recent example of this contradiction was the viral video from Cuban influencer "El Henry," who went out into the streets to document what can be bought with the minimum wage in Cuba: just 2,100 pesos (around 6 or 7 dollars at the informal exchange rate).
Her purchase included just a few seasonings, a soft drink, a bottle of tomato purée, and two pizzas. "I had to add a little more because it wasn't enough," she confessed.
Even so, from the podium of the ILO, the minister also blamed the United States embargo for limiting access to resources that, she said, could improve working and living conditions in the country.
Afirmó que el bloqueo impide adquirir equipos de protección, tecnologías para la seguridad en el trabajo y recursos para prevenir accidentes laborales.
Feitó also reaffirmed the Cuban government's commitment to working alongside the ILO for a world where "decent work is not a privilege, but a guaranteed human right."
According to data from economist Omar Everleny Pérez Villanueva, the monthly cost of food for two people in Havana is around 24,000 pesos, which is approximately twelve times the official minimum wage.
Meanwhile, more and more Cubans are denouncing on social media that "working for the State doesn't even cover basic food needs", using humor, satire, or sheer desperation to highlight what can no longer be concealed with international rhetoric.
Feitó concluded his speech in Geneva by stating that "decent work should not be a privilege, but a right." For millions of Cubans, that right is not exercised today: they survive.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Labor and Social Situation in Cuba
¿Cuál es el salario mínimo en Cuba y qué se puede comprar con él?
The minimum wage in Cuba is around 2,100 Cuban pesos, which is approximately equivalent to 6 or 7 dollars at the informal exchange rate. With this salary, one can barely purchase basic products like a bottle of tomato puree, oil, seasoning, salt, instant drink, peppers, and two cheese pizzas, which together exceed the available amount. This situation reflects the severe economic crisis faced by Cuban workers, who find that their salaries are insufficient to meet even the most essential needs.
How does the United States embargo affect Cuban workers according to the government?
What contradictions exist between the official discourses and the labor reality in Cuba?
While the Minister of Labor and Social Security, Marta Elena Feitó, asserts in international forums that Cuba upholds social justice and decent work as pillars of sustainable development, the reality in the country reveals a deep economic crisis. Salaries in Cuba are insufficient to cover even the basic needs, and the cost of living has far exceeded the incomes of most workers. Furthermore, the lack of execution of the budget allocated for the care of vulnerable individuals and the rising inflation further exacerbate the situation.
¿Qué impacto tiene la crisis económica en los jubilados cubanos?
Retirees in Cuba face a situation of extreme precariousness, with pensions that do not exceed five dollars a month. This amount is insufficient to cover a basic basket of goods, and many elderly individuals are forced to seek additional income or rely on family support. Inflation and shortages have worsened the situation, leaving this vulnerable group without access to a balanced diet and exposed to a life of extreme poverty.
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