HAVANA (AP) — Cuba’s communist leaders have already determined what they want soon-to-be-dismissed workers to do after they get their pink slips in massive government layoffs, detailing a plan for them to raise rabbits, paint buildings, make bricks, collect garbage and pilot ferries across Havana’s bay.
The plans, along with a timetable for which government sectors will get the ax first, are laid out in an internal Communist Party document obtained Tuesday by The Associated Press. Cuba on Monday announced plans to cut 500,000 state workers by March 2011 and help them get work in the private sector, in the most sweeping reforms instituted since President Raul Castro took over from his brother in 2008.
Many of those to be let go will be urged to form private cooperatives. Others will be pushed into jobs at foreign-run companies and joint ventures. Still more will need to set up their own small business — particularly in the areas of transport and house rental — according to an internal Communist Party document obtained Tuesday by The Associated Press.
The 26-page document — which is dated Aug. 24 and laid out like a PowerPoint presentation with bullet points and large headlines — explains what to look for when deciding whom to lay off. Those whose pay is not in line with their low productivity and those who lack discipline or are not interested in work will go first. It says that some dismissed workers should be offered alternative jobs within the public sector.
The document hints at higher wages for the best workers, but says, “It is not possible to reform salaries in the current situation.”
The document says workers at the ministries of sugar, public health, tourism and agriculture will be let go first, with layoffs having already begun in July. The last in line for cutbacks include Cuba’s Civil Aviation, and the ministries of foreign relations and social services.
The outline includes a long list of “ideas for cooperatives” including raising animals and growing vegetables, construction jobs, driving a taxi and repairing automobiles — even making sweets and dried fruit.
But it warns that one of the main challenges the country will face is that many of the fledgling businesses won’t get off the ground.
It lists the main problems for newly laid off workers seeking to make it on their own as a lack of experience, insufficient skill level and low initiative.
“Many of them could fail within a year,” the document says.
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crnman38
Posted on September 14, 2010 at 4:47pmI’m sure that this;
“It lists the main problems for newly laid off workers seeking to make it on their own as a lack of experience, insufficient skill level and low initiative.
“Many of them could fail within a year,” the document says.”
Couldn’t possibly have anything to do with the fact that these people have had to live totally reliant on their government to take care of them, this kind of life, (Communism or Socialism), would have to leave you with a very low initiative….ONLY a free Capitalist Society gives a person initiative…dreams…hope…. that the harder they work, the better life they can provide for them and their family.
Report Post »rocktruth
Posted on September 14, 2010 at 12:20pmObama may help Cuba in order to win Cuban-American votes in Florida for re-election in 2012?
Report Post »M31Sailor
Posted on September 14, 2010 at 7:13pmI sat with two middle-aged Cuban women from Miami at 8/28. they did not have anything good to say about Obummer. Please Vote in November
Report Post »STANDUPANDSPEAK
Posted on September 14, 2010 at 11:51amI have always wanted to raise rabbits. They are sooooooooo cute :)
Report Post »rocktruth
Posted on September 14, 2010 at 12:22pmI’ve heard they can be tasty too.
Report Post »cubanbob
Posted on September 14, 2010 at 11:11amI’m waiting for Obama or one of his sheep…I mean Dems to offer some kind of bailout for Cuba……
Report Post »jrcess
Posted on September 14, 2010 at 10:41amLook at the car you now drive and picture yourself driving that car 30 years from now. Fidel = Obama
Report Post »Obama’s elite will figure out not everyone can work for the government.
kralspaces
Posted on September 14, 2010 at 11:07amI believe Cuba has the lastest 50′s vintage US cars in the world. They have been making their own parts to keep them running for years. If you are car buff, you could setup an import business with one of these new ‘private’ Cuban businessmen.
Report Post »dwh320
Posted on September 14, 2010 at 10:41amWOW. As Cuba begins to run to a more capitalist system we have Obama and the Progressives pushing America into the failed system Cuba is running away from. And they want us to fear the make believe “Boehner Land” and to ignore the real tragedy they are pushing us towards.
Report Post »Freelancer
Posted on September 14, 2010 at 10:39amThey won’t have to make bricks because there will be over 500,000 people crapping bricks because the government gravy train has derailed….
Report Post »El Paco
Posted on September 14, 2010 at 1:26pmAwesome!!
Report Post »CowwFace
Posted on September 14, 2010 at 10:39amDear Mr. Castro,
First let me applaud your decision to make the difficult decision to cut government workers. I think it is a step in the right direction. However, if you think people who “… Those whose pay is not in line with their low productivity …” are going to leave a non-productive goverment gig, and be able to start and/or maintain, a PRODUCTIVE private sector venture and succeed? As a small business owner in the US, I can tell you it’s going to be difficult at best. But thank you for giving people a chance to experience the fulfilment that comes with a taste of freedom.
Dear Fellow American,
We have to stop our own rush toward big government “taking care of us”. I don’t know how this story alone is not enough to show 99.9% of Americans that socilism / Comminusim does not work? What else is it going to take. I know MY biggest problem is staring at me in the Mirror every morning.. I’ll start working there … and the rest will fall into place?
Carry on
Report Post »DanB
Posted on September 14, 2010 at 12:23pmI think you nailed some of my feelings on this.
Of course, the real world is real educator and motivator. While I find it ironic that they will be doing exactly what a private company does, cut the least productive, I also believe that IF they actually let these people fail then these people might just become some of their future successes. A hungry man/woman is far more motivated to work if that means food, shelter and clothing. I have read several success stories from the rich in America who earned their wealth after struggling hard, sometimes even being without homes or assurance of food the next day.
Report Post »adifftake
Posted on September 14, 2010 at 10:37amextra extra! read all about it! Communism in Cuba fails! Cuba trying new free market idea. Here’s an idea. Why not try to declare freedom to persue dreams? Allow all the Cubans who came to America who have saving to return. They have more knowledge in thier little finger, about business than any 5 Cubans from the island and they got dollars to invest. Win win.
Report Post »mburns_08109
Posted on September 14, 2010 at 10:27amHmm… “ make bricks”
…but will Pharoah give them the straw, or whill he force them to go gather the stubble in the fields themselves at night?
Report Post »(and who will buy their bricks – and with what?)
mburns_08109
Posted on September 14, 2010 at 10:26amHmm…“ make bricks”….
…but will Pharoah give them straw, or force them to go gather the stubble in the fields themselves at night?
Report Post »(and besides, who will buy their bricks – and with what?)
dteam270
Posted on September 14, 2010 at 10:24amMaybe we should ask Fidel to come up here and cut some of our Government workers.
Report Post »broker0101
Posted on September 14, 2010 at 10:24amAh, the Worker’s Paradise of Cuba. Viva La Revolución!
Report Post »missmarie
Posted on September 14, 2010 at 10:23amIt would be great if we could have a link to the actual document. No offense, but I prefer to view the original sources over the AP summary.
Report Post »mburns_08109
Posted on September 14, 2010 at 10:28amgood point (re: AP)
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