MIAMI, United States. – Virginia Marlene García Reyes, general director of Social Security of the Cuban Ministry of Labor, acknowledged in statements to the state media Cubadebate that more than 39% of retirees and pensioners in the country receive a minimum amount of 1,528 pesos, equivalent to about 4.7 dollars at the exchange rate in the informal market.
However, García Reyes did not detail how many people are in this situation on the Island.
The official defended the recent elimination of the National Social Security Institute (INASS) and assured that the measure will not leave any citizen unprotected. “A centralized structure is eliminated, but its functions pass to the new General Directorate of Social Security,” he stated. The new entity will manage the social security system throughout the country, with presence at the municipal and provincial levels and a national management that will continue to serve more than 1,700,000 beneficiaries.
García Reyes explained that the budget for pension payments exceeds 40 million pesos. However, she acknowledged that “more than 39% of the beneficiaries receive minimum pensions of 1,528 pesos,” a figure that, according to her, is calculated based on the length of service and wages earned.
The official described Cuba’s economic situation as “complex” and, as is customary in official discourse, attributed much of the problems to the US embargo. However, he insisted that the Government was working to improve the living conditions of retirees. “We are working to improve this situation, although current circumstances do not allow immediate changes,” he said.
In addition, he promised that in the future “the necessary increases” will be implemented to support the most vulnerable sectors.
In the same article of Cubadebate Numerous Cuban Internet users harshly criticized the situation in the country and particularly the situation of retirees and pensioners. “Insufficient salaries for the inflation that has been generated by incapable measures, monetary shortages, insufficient medicines… What we are facing today is very hard and thus they ask for trust,” Jorge lamented.
For his part, Staly, who presented himself as retired, questioned the injustice of the pension system: “My mother, who worked all her life and participated in the Revolution, today only receives 1,528 pesos. Isn’t it sad?”
Another Internet user, Roberto, highlighted that “95% of pensions between 1,528 and 1,733 pesos result from an erroneous formula invented in the Ordering Task“.
However, the most forceful criticism came from user Mahidevran, who expressed that in Cuba “social protection is non-existent because pensions and aid are totally ineffective.” Likewise, he emphasized that with a pension of 1,500 pesos it is not possible to purchase even a dozen eggs today and commented that remittances from Cuban emigrants, which are often the only help for families, are not enough to cover basic needs. .
