Castro Urges Cuban Union to Accept Layoffs
- Posted on November 1, 2010 at 3:22pm by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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HAVANA (AP) — Cuban President Raul Castro urged union leaders to explain the need for massive layoffs to the country’s labor force, and warned them not to hide the deep economic problems facing the cash-strapped island.
“The benefit of errors is that at least they give us the experience not to repeat them,” Castro said in a blunt speech to leaders of the 3-million-strong Cuban Workers Confederation, which is affiliated with the Communist Party and the only labor union allowed by the government.
He said it is essential that union leaders resist the “pernicious tendency” to cover up problems, according to a report on the front page of Monday’s edition of the Communist Party daily Granma.
Cuba has announced that it will lay off half a million state workers — 10 percent of the total labor force — by March, while making it easier for individuals to open up private businesses. Castro has said another half million workers will need to leave government jobs within five years.
Since taking over from his brother Fidel — first temporarily, then permanently — in 2006, Raul has worked to put fallow government land in the hands of small farmers and has railed against the inefficiency of the labor force. He has said Cuba must not be the only country in the world where people expect to get paid for not working.
Even as he has opened the door to limited capitalism, the Cuban leader has insisted that the changes are consistent with the socialist ideals of the revolution he and his brother ushered in following their 1959 ouster of dictator Fulgencio Batista.
He said Sunday that workers’ acceptance of the economic overhaul is fundamental to its success.
“In order to defend and explain the (new economic) measures, the working class must have knowledge of them and be convinced of their importance to the continuation of the revolution,” Granma quoted Castro as saying. “Otherwise, we will fall into the abyss.”
Economy Minister Marino Murillo told union leaders the country’s problems stem from the fact that workers are not productive enough to merit the salaries they earn. The average worker earns just $20 a month, but in return receives free education and health care, nearly free housing and transportation, and some basic food.
“Society is handing out consumer goods more quickly then it is creating them,” Murillo said. He warned that the labor force is too heavily tilted toward the service sector, with far too few workers actually producing anything. “This labor structure would not allow any economy to function well.”
In most countries, such massive layoffs as the ones taking place in Cuba would produce deep concern, and likely lead to labor unrest. But union leaders here have quickly fallen in line with the changes.
In fact, it was the Cuban Workers Confederation that officially announced the layoffs back in September.
On Sunday, union leader Salvador Valdes reiterated the organization’s support for the economic overhaul, though he did put in a good word for Cuba’s much-maligned workers.
“In 50 years, the working class has never failed the revolution,” he said. “Because that would be like failing ourselves.”
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Comments (52)
Truth4me
Posted on November 1, 2010 at 7:27pmMarxist ideology is intoxicating to the humanist mind because it is rooted in envy, an extremely evil form of greed. The Marxist politician cultivates this envy by convincing people that it is good and acceptable to steal the fruits of someone elses labor and give it to someone who hasn`t produced, in exchange for votes/power. Eventually this evil form of government creates so many dependents that it is unsustainable and the Marxist chooses who needs to be cast back into the slave class to provide for the elite government class. How many failed models of these forms of governments does it take to convince the liberal it doesn`t work ?
Report Post »MidAmerican
Posted on November 1, 2010 at 6:49pmHmmmm…..the only “allowed” union…..That alone should be a wake-up call for American union workers to wake up. lol. Your bosses are selling you out right under your own noses. I wonder if
Report Post »they will have to take a cut in Fidel’s generous retirement plan? (a worthless existence for as long
as you live after you retire from the same??????)
akw
Posted on November 1, 2010 at 6:22pmMy heart breaks for the Cuban people. They have been the captive subjects of a cruel half-century long experiment at the hands of two megalomaniac despots.
~~~~~~~~~~
Jeffrey Goldberg, a national correspondent for The Atlantic magazine, asked Castro if Cuba’s economic system was still worth exporting to other countries, and Castro replied: “The Cuban model doesn’t even work for us anymore,” Goldberg wrote Wednesday in a post on his Atlantic blog.
The Cuban government had no immediate comment on Goldberg’s account.
Julia Sweig, a Cuba expert at the Washington-based Council on Foreign Relations who accompanied Goldberg on the trip, confirmed the Cuban leader’s comment, which he made at a private lunch last week.
http://tinyurl.com/322rkbd
Report Post »http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/09/09/world/main6848632.shtml
akw
Posted on November 1, 2010 at 6:18pmMy heart breaks for the people of Cuba. They have been the captive subjects of a cruel
half-century long experiment at the hands of two megalomaniac despots.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jeffrey Goldberg, a national correspondent for The Atlantic magazine, asked Castro if Cuba’s economic system was still worth exporting to other countries, and Castro replied: “The Cuban model doesn’t even work for us anymore,” Goldberg wrote Wednesday in a post on his Atlantic blog.
The Cuban government had no immediate comment on Goldberg’s account.
Julia Sweig, a Cuba expert at the Washington-based Council on Foreign Relations who accompanied Goldberg on the trip, confirmed the Cuban leader’s comment, which he made at a private lunch last week.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/09/09/world/main6848632.shtml
Report Post »Johnnyp1958
Posted on November 1, 2010 at 6:13pmHUMM, A commie union gets layoff’s in a commie run country run by commies? Do you hear that Commie Obammie , no job security in commie land either .
Report Post »BlackCrow
Posted on November 1, 2010 at 5:59pmFifty years of “ We pretend to work and they pretend to pay us” has come home to roost.
There but by the grace of god go we.
Report Post »LadyIzShy
Posted on November 1, 2010 at 4:52pmoh to be a fly on the wall in Castros house. I would LOVE to hear him telling poeple they can not sugar coat the truth and i wonder if he will kill them if they do.. is this what we as a nation are heading toward?
VOTE
Report Post »stopprintn
Posted on November 1, 2010 at 4:35pmMaybe since the msm and the congessinal black caucus love fidel & raul so much, they can get a oneway ticket and go lend a hand down there.
Report Post »sawman
Posted on November 1, 2010 at 4:32pmImagine that…….That in a socialistic communist society, that the expenditures are greater than the revenues. Squash and otherwise impede the success of business, put the labor union in charge of all the employees, and they don’t produce what you want them to do. That’s because there is no incentive to produce and excel when all you can expect in return is “your fair share”. My idea is that if I must share with you, and you do not work hard, I will not work any harder than you. Screw the socialists and the horse they rode in on. It seems that this is the woeful state of many nations which have gone this direction, and we are on our way to meet them in their endeavors.
Report Post »Rogue
Posted on November 1, 2010 at 4:32pmCuba wants to be the USA, and Obama and the unions want the USA to be Cuba. I hope our new president in 2012 makes this exact same speech a few days after being sworn in.
“Society is handing out consumer goods more quickly then it is creating them,” Murillo said. He warned that the labor force is too heavily tilted toward the service sector, with far too few workers actually producing anything. “This labor structure would not allow any economy to function well.”
Sounds awefully familiar, doesn’t it.
Report Post »DagneyT
Posted on November 1, 2010 at 4:24pmIt‘s fascinating to me that the entire world has discovered that socialism doesn’t work, except here in our own congress! Think they’ll figure it out tomorrow? No way. They’ll push us further in that direction during the upcoming lame duck session! We need to get replacements for Byrd & Biden seated to help stop their insanity! Guaranteed they will go full bore if we don’t find a way to stop them!
Report Post »timej31
Posted on November 1, 2010 at 4:19pmThe benefit of errors is that at least they give us the experience not to repeat them. I have to admit they may be on to something. Only time will tell.
Report Post »smitty805
Posted on November 1, 2010 at 4:18pm“He has said Cuba must not be the only country in the world where people expect to get paid for not working.” ….well.. it’s not! Take a look around at the Chronic Welfare recipients in America that Organize for America…
Report Post »moelarrycurly
Posted on November 1, 2010 at 4:08pmamazing…do you think that the f aux intellectuals in our government will now admit that communism isn’t as great as their Marxist professor in college made it out to be…..naaahhhh
Report Post »NRABIBLETHUMPER
Posted on November 1, 2010 at 4:03pmA commie dicator that is to the right of a US President, never thought that I’d live to hear or type that!
What’s next Cuba, a privatized health care system? You might get some experienced doctors pretty soon.
And Cuba wanting to establish capitalist small business and make it easier to do business in Cuba? What is wrong with the world? This ALL has to be ’cause of Global Warming or something…
Report Post »thegr8restoration
Posted on November 1, 2010 at 3:49pmCuba nudging right!
Report Post »Tired_of_the_lies
Posted on November 1, 2010 at 3:49pmYep, poor old Cuba. And just think, they are actually thinking of explaining things to their people. What a silly idea.
At least in the US, the government constantly lies to the people, and tells them everything is fine when it knows that is untrue. And protects the top of the pile rich people by extending tax cuts to them even as the middle class is being systematically eliminated.
What was Cuba thinking. Thank God they have an enlightened neighbour in the US.
Report Post »Ellie
Posted on November 1, 2010 at 3:44pm“Cuba must not be the only country in the world where people expect to get paid for not working.” – Not to worry Mr. Castro Unionized SEIU U.S. Govt. workers got your back and still expect to get paid for not working.
How ironic and yet at the same time despicable that this American Administration so desperately clings to the last vestiges of the evil that is socialism and communism when there are millions of Americans in battlefield cemeteries around the world who died trying to stop the spread of Obama’s Ideals.
Report Post »Alvin691
Posted on November 1, 2010 at 3:42pmQuote: The benefit of errors is that at least they give us the experience not to repeat them.
Report Post »HillCountryPatriot
Posted on November 1, 2010 at 3:41pmFidel to Raul: “Hey, Raul… uh, this, uh, communism thing, uh… I’ve been thinking, uh… maybe that wasn’t such a great idea after all.”
Signs of things to come if our own national situation doesn’t change tomorrow!!! SOCIALISM does not work!!! Vote tomorrow if you haven‘t already and let’s kick these progressives in their collective scrotum!!!
Report Post »6.8 SPC
Posted on November 1, 2010 at 3:40pmMaybe turd for brains Jon Stewart could go down there and hold a couple pro uniou/commie rallies – boost morale a bit, u know……It sure seems to provide jobs for days after one picking up all the trash!!!
Report Post »bullcrapbuster
Posted on November 1, 2010 at 3:37pmAnother failed communist regime turning to capitalism. lol
Report Post »Steve Smith
Posted on November 1, 2010 at 3:37pmIt’s funny… When I used to live in Miami all the Cubans complained about how bad it was there. I whole heartedly agreed with them. If it wasn‘t for the Cuban’s there it would still be a half decent place…
Report Post »Soros-Plant
Posted on November 1, 2010 at 3:33pmabout the labor unions…”the country’s problems stem from the fact that workers are not productive enough to merit the salaries they earn.”
Wow! If Cuba get’s it, and they are flat out socialist/communist, What’s that make the U.S.? Though to be fair, more and more of the U.S. ARE getting it… just wish it wouldn’t take so darn long!
Report Post »DimmuBorgir
Posted on November 1, 2010 at 3:38pmnice name SOROS-PLANT
Report Post »Ken
Posted on November 1, 2010 at 4:13pmIf you think this country is so bad, why don’t you move to Cuba? They’d be happy to have your commie a**!!!
Report Post »snowleopard3200 {mix art}
Posted on November 1, 2010 at 4:24pm@Soros-plant
This country is the greatest country in the planets history, and Lord willing, when we start to take her back for We the People, she will become even greater than ever before. She will be the true freedom loving country she is meant to be. In our country, if you do not like it, you do have the freedom to go and live elsewhere, without being shot at, threatened, and such.
The only way our country will pass into the night of history is if We the People CHOOSE to let it go into the night without a fight. For myself, I stand with God, and with the people of this country, and I for one will not have to answer the question “Why did you do nothing when you could?“ with the words of ”I dont know.”
The Progressives have thrown down the gauntlet, and the American People have picked it up, now we need to keep moving forward and step by step take the country back and return her to where she is meant to be – a True Republic of The People, By the People, and For the People, not of/by/for the government run out of control.
Report Post »GnomeChomsky
Posted on November 1, 2010 at 4:31pmActually, i think you’ll find that in this country worker production has consistently increased while the median wage has remained stagnant for the last 30 years.
Report Post »DagneyT
Posted on November 1, 2010 at 4:42pm@Ken, what are you talking about? Did you read what Soros Plant said? Pay attention, my friend.
Report Post »Major Infidel
Posted on November 1, 2010 at 5:03pmDay before elections, Ken’s a little excited ;)
Gettem Ken, just becareful of friendlys with witty names.
Aloha!
Report Post »gckings19
Posted on November 1, 2010 at 6:08pmI may move to cuba and open up my own business……i would imagine it would be very profitable once the govt throws in the communist towel. i hear Cuba is a very beautiful place…..cant wait till all the tourists flock back there.
Report Post »MrButcher
Posted on November 1, 2010 at 3:27pmwhat a nightmare cuba is.
Report Post »MAULEMALL
Posted on November 1, 2010 at 3:42pmFunny that castro wants to institute the free market and obama wants to destroy it…
Report Post »CatB
Posted on November 1, 2010 at 3:57pmPretty much sums it up … we will be the new Cuba if Obama isn’t stopped.
Report Post »rebel
Posted on November 1, 2010 at 3:57pmwait, so are we gonna be taking boats to cuba soon?
Report Post »Major Infidel
Posted on November 1, 2010 at 3:58pmRemember the saying, “learn from others mistakes”?
I guess the left can’t grasp the advice.
Report Post »CatB
Posted on November 1, 2010 at 4:02pmVOTE tomorrow Americans —- your country is in real danger!
Report Post »snowleopard3200 {mix art}
Posted on November 1, 2010 at 4:07pmAmerica learn from cuba – they are the past warning us of what will happen to our future if we do not keep the government answerable to the people.
Tommorow vote, vote, vote. Encourage everyone to vote, vote, vote.
Report Post »snowleopard3200 {mix art}
Posted on November 1, 2010 at 4:13pm@the blazers
Anyone see the news on the newest lady president of Brazil – Dilma Rousseff – she is a member of the Democratic Labor Party and a socialist. Coincidence that Mr Soros has major oil interests in the areas off Brazil, and Mr Obama has given money for the oil drilling while cutting off our own?
Look up Ms Dilma Rousseff on wikipedia for parts of her connection to her Democratic Labor Party, and references to being a socialist.
Report Post »southsik
Posted on November 1, 2010 at 4:16pmGovernment Workers getting Laid off. That is what the COMMUNISTS here are fearing right now. Damn this is so big.
Report Post »Major Infidel
Posted on November 1, 2010 at 4:59pm@SnowLeopard, my brother and I were discussing that the other day. Funny how that works. All you have to do is follow the money Barry dispursed and you’ll discover all the special interests tied to him.
Speaking of which, Soros is a very evil and powerful man. He should be watched carefully. Best wishes to Glenn, he’s poking at a Lion. I hope he has his chair and whip at the ready, he’ll need them.
Aloha
Report Post »Robert W
Posted on November 1, 2010 at 6:06pmHes smarter than Obummer.
Report Post »Timmtamm
Posted on November 1, 2010 at 6:16pmAnd thus is the result of not getting paid to care about the work you do. If I got paid the same whether I did a good job or I was lazy, I wouldn’t do more than I absolutely HAD to do. That is the ultimate fate for a protected union class, tenured employees, or government employees who don’t have to give any decent “customer service,” only thing they need to do is keep the right people in power, so they can continue to sit on their lazy butts and only do the bare minimum.
Report Post »