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Sheila Sanchez, the woman who posted a job offer in Cárdenas, Matanzas, that offered two Cuban pesos per candy sold during 12-hour shifts, responded this Tuesday to the wave of criticism she received: "I’m trying to get ahead with my child".
In addition, they clarified: "First of all, I apologize to those who were offended; it was indeed my mistake. It's 2 Cuban pesos as an INCENTIVE on sales, in addition to the fixed salary. A good appearance is essential for selling food; I didn't say 'pretty' or 'handsome,' just a good appearance and no short shorts."
Regarding working conditions, another widely debated aspect, she emphasized: "The chair has wheels, it's mobile, so it can be easily moved to find some shade. I'm a woman, I do it, and the tent is torn, but here in Cuba, thanks to our government, everything has a solution, or we need to seek one."
Finally, regarding the criticisms, she was emphatic: "It's very nice to see how an entire community comes together to make empty and offensive criticisms, and especially to not help themselves. It's unfortunate, but there are people who are willing to work for 400 CUP a day; I worked very happily for 4500 a month."
The controversial advertisement, posted on Monday in the Facebook group "Barato Cárdenas", quickly went viral and sparked a wave of outrage on Cuban social media due to the conditions it described.
The offer sought a salesperson with experience to manage a street candy stand located on a sidewalk, featuring a white display case and a blue awning, during the hours of 9AM to 9PM, although the ad itself clarified that "it usually finishes earlier, but that is the schedule."
The payment was based on commission: "PAY 2CUP PER SWEET SOLD", according to the literal text published by Sanchez.
The conditions were particularly harsh because the tent was broken.
The tent broke, so I currently have nothing for the sun, the ad warned, which only mentioned a transparent cover for the rain. Additionally, the employer required a neat appearance, hygiene, and that the worker keep the furniture and the work area clean.
The numbers demonstrate the impracticality of the scheme: to reach the Cuban minimum wage of 2,100 CUP per month, a worker would need to sell more than 1,000 sweets a month, a figure deemed economically impossible for that type of job.
In the face of the avalanche of negative comments, Sanchez removed the original post.
Her subsequent response adds a human dimension to the debate: the author of the announcement is not an abusive businesswoman, but rather a victim of the same crisis that affects her potential employees.
The case reflects the dual aspect of the Cuban economic crisis: the desperation of workers who would accept any conditions due to the lack of alternatives, and that of small entrepreneurs in the informal sector who operate on the edge of viability, unable to offer better conditions because they themselves are caught in the same spiral of precariousness.
The minimum wage in Cuba has remained frozen at 2,100 CUP since January 2021, equivalent to around four dollars at the current informal exchange rate of 510 CUP per dollar.
The basic food basket for two people exceeds 41,735 CUP in April 2026, and the total cost of living exceeds 50,000 CUP per person per month, which is between four and nine times the average state salary.
As users pointed out in the group where the announcement was shared, the case "reflects the crisis hitting Cubans, forced to face abusive conditions while the regime continues to offer no real solutions."
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