The Federation of Cuban Workers and its trade unions expresses its commitment to continue representing this sector of the workforce and defend its rights, as we do for all workers, and condemns the growing hostility of the United States and its obsessive efforts to subjugate the homeland of Martí, activating all sections of the notorious Helms-Burton Act
To be heard these days are expressions of concern from members of the non-state sector, including private carriers; bed and breakfast owners; food service providers; and handicraft artisans, given the Trump administration’s prohibition on travel by any type of boat to our archipelago from the United States, including cruise ships.

An example of this dissatisfaction is the opinion of Hector Garcia, the driver of a classic convertible, who was interviewed by the Cuban News Agency, “These new regulations are totally crazy and absurd,” he said, noting that the economy of many families will be seriously affected, since much of their income comes from cruise passengers. The owners of the more than 300 classic and luxury cars associated with the Autos Antiguos Clásicos Descapotables agency, like so many taxi drivers with leases, “are worried about the future that awaits us.”

The White House is alarmed by the interest shown by U.S. citizens in learning the reality of this nation demonized by their government – the only country to which they cannot legally travel as tourists. In 2018, some 650,000 visited us, largely on cruises.

The drastic reduction of visitors from this country; the elimination of people-to-people educational trips; limitations on remittances; obstacles created by the obligation to travel to a third country to apply for a visa to visit the United States; and other restrictions of the Trump administration, not only affect the earnings of the self-employed, but also hinder the acquisition of financing and supplies for their businesses, and consequently, their contribution to the national economy and its priorities.

Such consequences reveal the double standards of U.S. imperialism, which at one time wanted to use Cuba’s non-state sector, “entrepreneurs,” as they are called, as a spearhead against the socialist project that has been underway for more than half a century in this land. They overlooked the fact that these workers are not alien to the Cuban economic model. On the contrary, they are important actors, who have been consistently supported, and now represent 13% of the economically active population.

The CTC and its trade unions will continue to defend their interests, as they have always done with all workers, and convey to them confidence in their importance and ability to contribute to the economic battle that is today the country’s principal challenge.

(Excerpts from CTC statement)

Cuban trade unions began the month of April with the convocation of May Day marches and the recognition of workers at the Comprehensive Automotive Services Enterprise (EISA), for their immediate response and contribution to the recovery in Havana in the wake of the January 27 tornado.

Ulises Guilarte de Nacimiento, Political Bureau member and general secretary of the Federation of Cuban Workers (CTC), awarded the EISA staff the Labor Prowess flag, granted to groups with a distinguished union history, which have played a leading role in extreme situations that threaten the country’s productivity and economic stability.

Among a workforce of 1,500, recognized at EISA were a dozen individuals whose efforts catalyzed the recovery of the city following the tornado. Additionally, the Construction Enterprise Group, Community Services, the Ñico López contingent, and the Aluminum Production Enterprise, among others, were mentioned during the event, as outstanding contributors to the recovery.

Guilarte congratulated workers gathered at the entrance to the plant, and emphasized the importance of their efforts and productive achievements to the sustainability of our economy, an urgent topic to be discussed at the upcoming XXI Congress of the CTC.

We will celebrate May Day immersed in the battle for greater economic efficiency that today constitutes our fundamental task, conscious that the contribution of workers is decisive, and that this goal is key to advancing the country’s strategic development programs, to meeting the people’s needs, and improving working conditions and wages.

This celebration of the world proletariat has special meaning for us this year, following the overwhelming Yes vote for our new Constitution, a clear reaffirmation of the decision made by Cuban men and women to preserve ad perfect our socialism. We are especially motivated ,as well, by the proximity of the CTC’s XXI Congress, where important agreements will be reached to successfully confront the challenges facing workers and trade unions across the country.