Eggs Cost More Than the Pay Raise: Cubans Reveal True Cost of Living to Díaz-Canel

The recent increase in the minimum wage for government sector employees from 2,100 to 3,210 pesos per month was showcased by Miguel Díaz-Canel as evidence that the regime's economic reforms are "shielding those in the toughest situations."

Yet, the reaction from numerous CiberCuba readers on Facebook focused less on the percentage hike and more on illustrating their weekly expenses through vivid examples. Many responded with detailed lists of the weekly costs to feed their families.

The comments, which poured in following the announcement, paint a raw picture of the genuine cost of living in Cuba, characterized by inflation, shortages, and the relentless devaluation of the peso.

The High Cost of Basic Necessities

Among the frequently mentioned items was vegetable oil. While the new minimum wage stands at 3,210 pesos, many noted that a single bottle can range between 1,600 and 2,300 pesos, depending on the purchase location.

“With that raise, I can buy just one bottle of oil,” summarized a reader. Others elaborated that a 900-milliliter bottle costs about 1,600 pesos, while several reported paying between 2,000 and 2,300 pesos for a similar bottle.

Eggs emerged as a stark symbol of declining purchasing power. According to gathered accounts, a carton costs between 2,500 and 3,500 pesos, and a single egg can be priced at 100 or 120 pesos.

“The raise covers only a carton of eggs,” one user quipped. Another remarked, “It doesn’t even last for three days of barely eating.”

Spiraling Costs of Essential Foods

Chicken prices are also soaring. Various readers claimed that a ten-pound pack costs between 5,400 and 6,600 pesos, far exceeding the new minimum wage. Others mentioned that a pack of five chicken legs is around 2,700 or 3,000 pesos, while a pound of chicken can sell for 650 pesos.

A widely shared comment came from a retiree who said he needs to save for three months to gather enough money to buy a chicken pack.

Rice, a staple in the Cuban diet, frequently appeared in responses. Some users placed its price between 330 and 350 pesos per pound, while others pointed to kilogram packages priced between 760 and 800 pesos, varying by presentation and market.

Other essential goods, according to readers, include powdered milk priced between 3,000 and 4,000 pesos per kilogram, bread at around 250 pesos per pound, and sugar ranging from 400 to 1,100 pesos. Cooking charcoal was pegged at 3,000 pesos a sack.

Beyond Food: Other Financial Struggles

Spending doesn’t stop at food. Several readers reported that a gas cylinder now costs between 180 and 350 pesos, with others noting that accessing it through alternative means can cost nearly 30 dollars.

Medication expenses were also a major concern, with users reporting costs of several hundred pesos for a simple blister pack of tablets.

However, the issue, as many commenters highlighted, is not just about product prices but also about accessing money.

One reader explained that in Santiago de Cuba, those paid via bank cards often have to give away 40 to 50% of their salary to intermediaries to obtain cash. Others complained about payment delays, lack of coverage for using Transfermóvil, and difficulties in making purchases through electronic transfers.

Criticism was also directed at the regime's economic strategy. “What they need to increase is production,” wrote a user, calling for more incentives for agriculture, livestock, and food production.

Others agreed that merely raising salaries without boosting goods supply will only fuel inflation, as seen with the Tarea Ordenamiento. “They don’t remember what happened when wages rose. The currency lost more value, and the dollar soared,” one reader commented.

Currently, the approved minimum wage for the government sector equates to roughly 4.6 dollars monthly, based on the informal currency market where the dollar trades at around 690 pesos.

The new wage scale published by the Ministry of Labor outlines raises for 32 occupational groups in the government sector. Group I wages rose from 2,100 to 3,210 pesos, while Group XXXII saw an increase from 9,510 to 14,535 pesos. This change benefits over a million workers at a state budget cost exceeding 42 billion pesos.

Nevertheless, for many Cubans, the debate doesn't revolve around the raise percentage or new wage scales.

“What can one buy with a pension?” asked a reader. Another suggested a proposal for the country's leaders: “Let them live on the same salary without any perks.”

The numerous comments on CiberCuba's Facebook page convey a common sentiment: beyond official figures, Cubans measure the impact of the wage increase against the price of a carton of eggs, a bottle of oil, or a chicken pack.

Judging by their responses, they believe the gap between wages and the real cost of living remains unacceptably wide.