Another Cuban child has been seen selling avocados on the streets of Santiago de Cuba. Independent journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada revealed this situation, although he did not provide details about the child. This incident has once again stirred the hearts of the residents in Santiago.
"This country is unrecognizable... how many children are going hungry and struggling?... When will this end?" commented one user on the video posted on the journalist's Facebook profile.
Another user responded with a different perspective: "It's painful to see, but at least he’s earning some money without harming anyone."
"Although it hurts, and deeply, it's now normal. They sell bread, avocados, whatever they can. Besides food, they wish they could have their favorite sweets, but they can't," added another user.
Child Labor in Cuba: A Growing Concern
This is not an isolated incident; it marks the second time a child selling avocados has been reported in Santiago de Cuba. Despite the visibility of these cases, many more remain unnoticed across Cuba.
In Camagüey, a 10-year-old boy, riding an old bicycle that was too big for him, spent his afternoons selling tamales to support his grandmother. Thanks to the generosity of several Cubans, the boy received assistance and promised to stop selling on the streets.
Months earlier, another child was seen selling second-hand items on the same sidewalk in Havana where dictator Fidel Castro declared the "socialist nature of the revolution."
Official Acknowledgment of Child Labor
These instances and more have forced the state-controlled media to acknowledge the presence of child labor in Cuba, highlighting the complex socio-economic conditions of the country.
Although Cuban law prohibits child labor and protects minors' rights, as stipulated in the Constitution and Labor Code, educational institutions in Santiago de Cuba, such as the IPU-Cuqui Bosch and Espino Fernández Secondary School, have identified cases of child labor within their communities.
Experts emphasize the need for a coordinated approach involving family, school, and community to prevent the adverse effects of child labor on minors' development.
Children should be playing, learning, and growing in a safe environment, free from work responsibilities. However, due to rampant inflation and poverty in Cuba, many children are compelled to work to support their families, as the government fails to provide the necessary social assistance for vulnerable populations.