Business | Economy
Castro startles Cuba by calling workers excessive
Leader says one in five state employees is dispensable
- By Arno Maierbrugger, Deputy Business Editor
- Published: 00:00 July 22, 2010
- Image Credit: Supplied
- Castro remarked that at closer sight it might be possible that one out of five members of the island's state-controlled workforce may be dispensable.
Dubai: Times on the socialist island of Cuba are changing. Normally known for its conciliatory stance on the system of state-guaranteed jobs and social security payments, the country's leader Raul Castro recently scared his fellow-countrymen by publicly talking about the unthinkable in a TV speech.
In a marginal note, Castro remarked that at closer sight it might be possible that one out of five members of the island's state-controlled workforce may be dispensable.
This came as a shock for Cuban workers, of whom almost everybody is employed by the state — as one of the pillars of the revolution in 1958 has been the state-guaranteed workplace for every citizen.
However, salaries were low, but at least the job was secure. Ask a Cuban and he will explain his approach: "The state pretends to pay us money, and we pretend to work."
Castro also was quoted by Cuba's state-owned newspaper Granma that he is "aware of the fact that hundreds of thousands of useless posts are listed on the payrolls".
He also expressed his concern about the Cuban population's dedication to work. "If the people don't feel the necessity to earn their livelihood because they are protected by unduly paternalistic and irrational provisions, we will never awake the passion for work," he argued.
More from Economy
More from Business
Business Editor's choice
-
China breaks West's solar monopoly
Some countries in the world, especially Germany and the United States, have made considerable efforts to invest in developing solar energy cells
-
Burberry store spree will cut profit
Trenchcoat maker forges ahead with investment strategy targeting emerging markets
-
Laws needed to spur region bond markets
UAE Central Bank calls for creation of a centralised Sharia board to facilitate the sale of sukuk
