MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

The party is over: Cubans are told to work harder and solve their problems

Ramiro Valdes, a historical leader of the revolution preaching the values of hard work and responsibility (Photo AP)

Cubans should no longer “expect the government to solve all of its problems” and “should work hard and efficiently to overcome the crisis and ensure the continuity of the revolution” said Communications Minister Ramiro Valdes quoted with extensive coverage in Havana’s Sunday media.

People must contribute with ideas and solutions to overcome deficiencies in the economy said the historical Cuban leader during a tour of the island adding that “Cubans should not expect ‘daddy government’ to come and solve problems and feed them as chicks in the nest, with their open mouths ‘here is your food baby’; the party is over”.

Cubans are currently being asked to participate in a round of brainstorming at workplaces and neighborhood gatherings to discuss ways to address the island’s serious economic problems and shortages. Recent speeches by President Raul Castro are being used as a study material to stimulate the sessions.

Valdes said “everybody has to work, everybody has to contribute, and everybody must come up with ideas and solutions”. However since most Cubans receive low salaries they are highly dependent on the State from housing and maintenance, to such simple things as items needed for a child’s birthday party.

Valdes, 77, belongs to the original group of revolutionary fighters that took over Cuba in 1959, and is currently a member of the Communist Party Political Bureau, and vice-president of the ministerial cabinet. He’s considered one of the closest advisors of President Raul Castro.

“Too much blood has been shed to ensure the triumph of the revolution and for its consolidation. And this must now be supported with a strong determination to work, to work with results and efficiency”, he underlined in national television.

The government of Raul Castro is involved in an offensive to combat vagrancy, corruption and squandering of resources in a government-directed economy overwhelmed by bureaucracy and inefficiency which for years has been clearly eroding and not delivering.

Since last January salary caps have been banned and pay is based on performance and results with the purpose of stimulating work and production, but indolence continues to prevail in most government factories and offices.

The average monthly salary in Cuba is equivalent to 17 US dollars which also stimulates a thriving black market supplied with goods pinched from government stores and backyard production.