Cuban doctors dispatched by the Havana regime to Angola are raising concerns over Antex, a company tasked with managing joint ventures linked to GAESA in the African nation. The doctors report that their monthly stipend of $200 has been slashed in half "for months now" due to a lack of funds in the company's accounts.
The contract signed in Cuba promised the medical staff a salary of $1,200 per month. Of this amount, $1,000 was to be deposited in MLC (freely convertible currency) on bank cards in Cuba, with the remaining $200 given directly for living expenses. However, upon arriving in Africa, the conditions were altered without any official contract amendment. Instead of the promised $200 in hand, they receive $100, with assurances that the missing $100 is added to the MLC card.
Antex representatives attribute this situation to their financial difficulties. While no one openly protests, discontent has grown, especially since last November, when even the $100 wasn't paid. "This has happened more than once, and they always give the same excuse: 'There's no money, and I can't pay you,'" lamented one affected individual.
Living on a Tightrope
With $100, you can buy basic foods like meat and rice, but it's a tight squeeze. You can eat, but without any luxuries or extras. It's like walking a tightrope. You have to decide whether to top up your phone or save the money to bring something home when visiting family on vacation," the individual added.
The greatest frustration stems from the fact that the mission's leaders live comfortably in Luanda hotels, with their meals, hygiene, and basic needs covered. The rest only have their accommodation guaranteed and must pay for everything else out of pocket. When Antex fails to pay, they end up borrowing money or at times resort to "chá com pão," Portuguese for tea with bread.
The MLC Dilemma
Another concern is the payment of salaries in MLC, a currency devalued by the regime itself by opening better-stocked stores in dollars. "We don't know where the money Angola pays for our hospital work ends up. Out of the $5,000 Angola pays per doctor, $1,000 goes on the MLC card in Cuba, but no one wants MLC anymore because shopping in dollar stores versus MLC stores feels like 'The Prince and the Pauper,'" a source told CiberCuba.
Doctors in Angola sign a two-year contract, with the option for extensions. "You can return to Cuba after each year and request an extension until reaching the five-year limit. After five years, you're eligible to start residency procedures in Angola. Before that happens, they remove us from here," an affected doctor concluded.
Modern-Day Slavery Concerns
The United Nations has received complaints about the exploitation of Cuban doctors on international missions. In 2019, UN human rights experts flagged abusive labor conditions, including salary retention, intense surveillance, and restricted mobility. Those who abandon these missions risk severe reprisals, such as an eight-year ban on returning to Cuba. These practices might be viewed as a form of modern-day slavery and forced labor by international standards.
Last year, U.S. Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar spearheaded a bipartisan resolution to condemn the trafficking of Cuban doctors, describing the missions as an exploitative system under the control of the Cuban regime. She highlighted that healthcare professionals are sent abroad under precarious conditions, lacking freedom of movement, with a significant portion of their salaries confiscated.
These allegations have sparked international concern, prompting calls for a thorough review of these medical missions and demanding measures to ensure the fundamental rights of Cuban healthcare workers.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cuban Doctors in Angola
Why has Antex reduced the stipend for Cuban doctors in Angola?
Antex claims the reduction is due to financial difficulties, stating there is not enough money in their accounts to maintain the original stipend.
What are the terms of the contracts for Cuban doctors working in Angola?
The contracts promise a $1,200 monthly salary, with $1,000 in MLC deposited in Cuba and $200 given directly for living expenses. However, conditions have changed, with only $100 provided in cash.
What concerns do Cuban doctors have about the MLC currency?
Doctors worry about the devaluation of MLC, as it is less desirable compared to dollars due to better-stocked stores accepting only dollars.
How has the international community reacted to the situation of Cuban doctors?
The international community has expressed concern, with the UN and U.S. lawmakers condemning the exploitative conditions and calling for a review of these medical missions.