What for decades was a victory for the Cuban working class, the workers' cafeteria, the few that survived the regime's decision to eliminate them, now teeters on the brink of abandonment, precariousness, and forgetfulness.
According to a recent report published by the government-aligned newspaper Trabajadores, companies in the country have chosen to eliminate or dramatically reduce workplace food service, citing economic difficulties in financing it.
The reality varies depending on the workplace: some managed to maintain service through creativity, partnerships with small and medium enterprises, and budget adjustments; others simply left their employees to fend for themselves, forcing them to bring food from home or to seek expensive alternatives in an environment where prices are rising and transportation is scarce.
One of the most revealing testimonies is that of Rafael García, a resident of Havana who years ago voted to eliminate the cafeteria in his company.
“Now I regret it. It was something spicy that I ate, and it helped me get rid of the problem,” admits this worker who, like the others, has to juggle with a salary that every day is worth less.
In Holguín, Marialis —who preferred not to give her last name— reports that after the Tarea Ordenamiento, food payments were suspended at her workplace, leaving her with higher expenses and less support.
According to data from the official media itself, more than 1.3 million workers still receive food services in approximately 17,640 cafeterias.
However, the state-run newspaper admits that the quality of the food, the presentation, and the service conditions leave much to be desired.
At Antillana de Acero, for example, workers must bring their own containers because the provided plates are dirty or broken.
Resolution 9 of 2021 from the Ministry of Finance and Prices aimed to set limits on the cost of lunch (which should not exceed 18 pesos), stating that expenses not covered by the cafeteria's income must be borne by the company.
Still, many entities claim that maintaining the dining facility affects their profitability.
From the Central Workers' Union of Cuba (CTC), there are voices that acknowledge the problem, but they avoid addressing it directly.
Vladimir González, from the Provincial Secretariat of the CTC in Matanzas, acknowledges that the need to reactivate the cafeterias "resonates with the labor sentiment," although he regrets that the issue is absent from assemblies and union processes.
Roberto Betharte Mazorra, head of the Labor Affairs Department of the CTC, insists that the idea was never to eliminate the service, but rather to dismantle the subsidies and create alternatives such as self-consumption.
In some companies, such as the Granma Plant or the Holguín Sugar Combined Company, workers have managed to reverse decisions and restore service, thanks to union pressure or favorable financial conditions. However, these are exceptions that confirm the rule.
In many places, there is no rice, no peas, not even gas for cooking.
In workshops like the one for people with disabilities in Holguín, the cafeteria is virtually collapsed, lacking supplies and basic resources.
The very newspaper Trabajadores acknowledges that “removing or not reinstating the cafeterias to increase revenue can never be an option,” especially in the current context where a large part of the population barely manages to get one meal a day.
Productivity, efficiency, and adherence to plans also depend on the well-being of the worker, a rather obvious truth that the regime seems to ignore.
The lack of hot meals in the workplace is not only an economic setback but also an alarming symptom of social deterioration and institutional neglect.
In a country where material conditions are worsening and salaries are insufficient, restoring the workers' dining hall is not only a legitimate demand, but an urgent necessity.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Elimination of Workers' Cafeterias in Cuba
Why are companies in Cuba eliminating workers' cafeterias?
Companies cite economic difficulties in financing workers' dining services, which has led to the elimination or drastic reduction of this service. This occurs in a context of economic crisis and high costs, where some workers must bring their meals from home or seek expensive alternatives in an inflationary environment.
How many workers still have access to workers' cafeterias in Cuba?
According to official data, more than 1.3 million workers in Cuba still receive food services in approximately 17,640 cafeterias. However, the quality of the food, presentation, and service conditions are inadequate, reflecting the deterioration of the system.
What measures has the Cuban government taken regarding workers' cafeterias?
The Resolution 9 of 2021 from the Ministry of Finance and Prices stipulates that lunch costs should not exceed 18 pesos and that any uncovered expenses should be borne by the company. Despite this, many companies claim that maintaining cafeterias affects their profitability, and effective solutions have not been implemented to uphold this labor right.
Is there an alternative to the closure of workers' dining halls in Cuba?
Some companies have managed to maintain the service of worker cafeterias through alliances with small and medium-sized enterprises and budget adjustments. However, these cases are exceptions and do not reflect a widespread solution to the issues faced by the majority of workers on the island.
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