On Wednesday, Cuban author and researcher Sayli Alba Álvarez took to her Facebook profile to share a post titled "Stoicism," in which she criticizes the absurdity of working in Cuba when her monthly salary doesn't exceed 5,000 pesos, yet a sack of coal costs 4,200 pesos and a bottle of oil is priced at 1,800 pesos.
"What logic or sense does it make to work if my salary doesn't even reach 5,000 pesos? Where do I find the motivation to work and then get almost nothing in return?" questioned the writer, who resides in Sancti Spíritus, in a message that has been widely circulated on social media.
The Economic Trap of State Salaries
Alba sheds light on an economic trap ensnaring thousands of state employees: banks hold their money on cards, preventing cash withdrawals, while private businesses refuse to accept transfers.
"The bank holds onto our money, issuing a virtual salary on a card, and nobody accepts payment transfers. The bank doesn't allow us to withdraw cash, and business owners flout regulations while inspectors turn a blind eye, leaving us stuck in the middle," she explained.
Challenges of a Cashless Economy
This issue is symptomatic of a broader systemic problem. The regime promoted banking reforms to reduce cash usage, but the informal market—where essential goods are found—primarily operates in cash, leaving Cubans without real access to their finances. Consequently, private businesses impose surcharges or remove payment options altogether.
The writer also mentioned enduring over 40 hours without electricity at the time of her post, using a brief window of internet access to share her thoughts.
"I've been without electricity for more than 40 hours and somehow, by some miracle, I have had internet access for the past half hour," she wrote.
Criticism of ETECSA's Services
Alba also criticized ETECSA, the state-owned telecommunications company, for raising data rates and restricting Cuban peso recharges without any improvement in service quality.
"ETECSA increased prices for the people, limited data purchases, claiming it would enhance technology, yet we have no connection, no Internet, and no communication through landlines or any other means," she lamented.
This criticism echoes that of actor Jorge Toirac, who in early June publicly questioned where the funds from the tariff hikes were going, given the lack of service improvement.
The Plight of Cuban Professionals
Alba's criticism targets Cuban professionals, whom she describes as the most affected by the crisis.
"The Cuban State has never been able to solve the problems facing professionals in Cuba; we receive the least resources of all kinds, we earn the most meager salaries despite being the ones who have studied," she stated.
Alba, who holds the National Prize for Cultural Research (2019) and boasts an academic career at the University of Sancti Spíritus, is not an unknown voice. Her denunciation comes from an intellectual embedded within the Cuban cultural system, with published works and recognition.
"The State has lost all connection with the economy and production, leaving us at the mercy of individuals turned capitalists by the mode of production," she concluded, ending with a literary image that encapsulates her stance: "I said I wouldn't write about this grim reality, but I have a voice, and though my words change nothing, they are like the man who threw star..."
Understanding Cuba's Economic Challenges
Why is Sayli Alba criticizing the Cuban salary system?
Sayli Alba criticizes the Cuban salary system because her monthly earnings are insufficient to cover basic needs, like a sack of coal or a bottle of oil, highlighting the economic inefficiency and absurdity of working under such conditions.
How does the banking system affect Cuban workers?
The banking system affects Cuban workers by retaining their salaries on cards, which prevents them from withdrawing cash. Furthermore, private businesses often refuse to accept card transfers, complicating financial transactions.
What issues does Sayli Alba raise about ETECSA's services?
Sayli Alba raises issues with ETECSA's increased data rates and restricted recharge options, criticizing the lack of service improvement despite these changes.
What systemic problems are affecting the Cuban economy?
Cuba's systemic economic problems include the government's push for banking transactions over cash, which conflicts with the cash-based informal market, leaving citizens without effective access to their funds.