Massive Layoffs to Begin in Cuba
HAVANA TIMES, Sept. 13 — The Cuban government will begin a program of massive layoffs in the huge public sector of the economy by reducing a half million jobs in the first three months of 2011, announced the Cuban Workers Federation (CTC), reported IPS on Monday.
The layoffs are part of a plan to “update” the Cuban economic model and plans for the economy for the 2011-2015 period, says the CTC. Cuba has a total population of 11.2 million inhabitants.
When the government-controlled Cuban media reports on layoffs in capitalist countries they are routinely described as inhumane measures to benefit the profitability of businesses as well as demonstrating the incapacity of the system to guarantee employment for all workers.
Now, in presenting the massive layoff program in the local press, it is reported as something positive for the country’s socialist system burdened by a surplus of workers in the giant State sector.
The half million workers to lose their jobs will be offered employment in agriculture or construction, said the union.
Those not interested will have the option of self-employment or joining another private initiative such as cooperatives. The details on how the self employment options and cooperatives will be allowed to operate have yet to be announced.
State Monopoly Socialism–the core economic stipulation Karl Marx added to Engel’s third and final draft of the Communist Manifesto in 1847–is collapsing in Cuba.
The only way for Cuban socialism to be saved is through a cooperative republic based on the Mondragon, Spain workers’ highly successful experience.
Hundreds of land speculators are on their way to Cuba, they are loaded with bags full of cash rushing to stake a claim on Havana`s choice properties. Government officials who realize that they soon will be out of a job are negotiating to unload the bankrupt Oasis Panorama which was once the pride of Havana. Soldiers are ordered to shoot all looters, but they themselves are grabbing what they can saying ADIOS AMIGO before jumping on to a Florida bound flotilla.