The economic crisis, the aging population, and the migratory exodus are driving an increasing number of Cuban children and adolescents to join the informal workforce, particularly in the food sector.
The Food Monitor Program (FMP), an independent organization that monitors food insecurity on the island, alerted on the social media platform X that street food vending, which has historically been dominated by adults since the 1990s, now shows a greater direct participation of minors, who also assist in tasks such as waste collection, loading, and transportation of goods.
"More children and adolescents are getting involved in informal work. Many young people are raised by their grandparents in the oldest country in Latin America," the organization warned.
In communities where emigration has depleted family units, children take on economic responsibilities in the absence of their parents, she emphasized.
The organization also reported that these forms of child labor are being silently normalized as part of a culture of survival forced by the expansion of multifaceted poverty in the country, a situation that undermines the fundamental rights of children.
FMP also noted that some of these activities, such as street vending of bread, take place during the late afternoon and evening in peripheral areas with poor street lighting or during scheduled blackouts, which increases the risks of exposure and violence for the minors involved.
"The assumption of responsibility for providing for the family’s food at such a young age limits the development of young people in a country that is increasingly economically segregated, where opportunities for recreation and learning diminish in favor of basic survival," the organization warned.
In Cuba, where there are no updated official figures on child labor, reports like that of FMP reflect a growing and concerning social reality, especially in light of institutional inaction regarding the deterioration of living conditions for children.
In recent years, due to the intensification of the economic and migration crises in Cuba, child labor has reached a level in the country that even the regime, which has historically swept this problem under the rug, can no longer hide this aftermath, which to date remains unresolved.
Even in 2024, the Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel acknowledged the existence of worrying social manifestations such as child labor, begging, informal employment, and harassment of tourists, phenomena that he stated had been eradicated and must not be allowed to recur, even in the current economic crisis scenario.
"We have always been proud because the Revolution eliminated them, and we cannot allow that to proliferate in this phase of economic crisis: the destitute, the beggars, the homeless, informal work with children, the harassment of tourists," said the leader from the province of Granma.
That same year, the Cuban state media acknowledged the existence of child labor cases in the country, an issue that reflects the complexity of the current socioeconomic context.
In Cuba, the law prohibits child labor and protects the rights of minors, according to the Constitution and the Labor Code. However, educational institutions in Santiago de Cuba, such as IPU-Cuqui Bosch and Espino Fernández Basic Secondary School, have identified cases of child labor in their communities
Also in Las Tunas, the local state-run newspaper published an article titled “Child Labor: The Twilight of Dreams.” The investigation, written by journalist Yuset Puig Pupo, highlights the face and story behind a phenomenon that, although it manifests informally and is influenced by the economic crisis, infringes upon fundamental rights of childhood.
Frequently Asked Questions about Child Labor and the Crisis in Cuba
Why is child labor increasing in Cuba?
The increase in child labor in Cuba is attributed to the economic crisis, the aging population, and the migratory exodus, which have forced many children and adolescents to enter the informal workforce, primarily in the food sector. Young children take on economic responsibilities due to the absence of their parents, and multifactorial poverty drives families to rely on the income generated by the younger members.
What risks do children who work in Cuba face?
Children who work in Cuba face multiple risks, such as exposure to violence and crime, especially when engaging in activities like street vending of bread in poorly lit peripheral areas. These situations violate their fundamental rights and restrict their overall development by prioritizing survival over education and recreation.
How is the economic crisis affecting the child population in Cuba?
The economic crisis is severely impacting the child population in Cuba, forcing many minors to work to support their families in the absence of their parents due to emigration. Additionally, food insecurity and the lack of basic resources significantly limit their opportunities for development, recreation, and learning.
What measures has the Cuban government taken to address child labor?
So far, no effective measures have been reported by the Cuban government to address and resolve the issue of child labor. Reports and evidence of the increase in child labor reflect institutional inaction in the face of the deteriorating living conditions of the child population on the island.
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