May Day Parade in Cuba Supports Gov. Economic Policies

and demands greater worker efficiency

HAVANA TIMES — Tens of thousands of Cubans marched today in Havana on International Workers Day in support of the Raul Castro government’s calls for greater economic efficiency, reported dpa news.

“Unleash and augment the reserves of efficiency, productivity, discipline and control are the only guarantee to preserve our social achievements,” said Ulises Guillarte, secretary general of the Cuban Workers Federation (CTC), the only trade union allowed on the island.

Guilarte’s intervention was the only speech early Thursday at the Revolution Square in Havana , which was attended by Cuban President Raul Castro.

Before the start of the parade, the union leader said that the massive presence at the rally “is a genuine expression of reaffirmation” of support for the government and sends a “message to the world of unity and unwavering support for the revolution.”

The CTC requested support for the Castro administration’s economic reforms, which include offering greater initiative to private management, cooperatives and the authorization of purchase and sale of homes and vehicles.

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