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Cubans to get house titles and wage incentives
Thousands of Cubans will be able to get title to state-owned homes under regulations published on Friday, a step that might lay the groundwork for broader housing reform.
- AP
- Published: 00:14 April 13, 2008
Havana: Thousands of Cubans will be able to get title to state-owned homes under regulations published on Friday, a step that might lay the groundwork for broader housing reform.
The measure was the first legal decree published since Raul Castro succeeded his brother Fidel as president in February. It comes a day after state television said the government also will do away with wage limits, allowing state employees to earn as much they can as an incentive to productivity.
Together, housing and wage restrictions have been among the things that bother Cubans the most about their socialist system.
The housing decree spells out rules to let Cubans renting from their state employers keep their apartment or house after leaving their posts. They could gain title and even pass it on to their children or relatives.
The end of wage limits will allow state employees to earn as much they can. The government controls more than 90 per cent of the economy, and while most Cubans get free education, health care and heavily subsidised food rations, the average salary is just $19.50 (Dh71,61) a month. An end to wage caps could one day lead to a true middle class, economists say.
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