A recent report by the state-run newspaper Girón has brought to light one of the harshest realities in contemporary Cuba: the severe poverty faced by thousands of retirees who, after decades of work, are forced to eke out a living on the streets. In the sweltering heat of Matanzas, elderly individuals who once held crucial roles in the national economy now find themselves selling bags, cigarettes, pastries, or fruits on street corners and in doorways.
Raúl Navarro González, who penned the report titled “Surviving After Work,” vividly depicts scenes of elderly men and women unable to meet their basic needs with the pensions provided by the State. The accompanying images portray the daily grind of those who, instead of enjoying a well-earned rest, must continue to toil to ensure their survival.
A notable testimony comes from an 85-year-old former mechanical engineer who, despite his age and fatigue, works from seven in the morning until three in the afternoon to supplement his meager pension of just 1,628 pesos. Jorge Isidro Herrera, a veteran of the sugar industry for 45 years, now makes ends meet by selling cigarettes on the street, living off a retirement income of 1,500 pesos. Meanwhile, a specialist in turbines and compressors, having dedicated his life to the industrial sector, now supports himself by selling pastries, earning a mere "ten pesos" per piece. Gustavo Pedro, who once managed warehouses, shares that his pension "isn't enough," and he struggles to get by with his wife "as best as they can."
A Widespread Crisis Among Retirees
The grim reality revealed by Girón is not an isolated incident. In recent weeks, numerous public complaints have demonstrated how thousands of retirees in Cuba endure similar dire conditions. A poignant video circulated on social media depicted the plight of an elderly woman who, after receiving her 1,500-peso pension, could only afford a single bottle of oil, exhausting her entire monthly income on one item.
Another heart-wrenching story involved a retired teacher named Genildo in Holguín, who survives by collecting empty cans alongside his wife and disabled son after a life devoted to education. In Matanzas, a young woman showcased the struggles of her retired aunt, revealing that her 1,600-peso pension barely covered a few basic food items, insufficient for even two days of meals.
Additionally, another viral video illustrated how the current minimum pension, set at 1,500 pesos, can only purchase a few basic groceries, leaving retirees with merely a subsistence level of existence.
The Economic Reality Behind the Promises
As per official statistics released in October 2024, over 39% of Cuban retirees survive on the minimum pension, equivalent to about five dollars on the informal exchange market. This situation has worsened following the dissolution of the National Institute of Social Security and the transfer of responsibilities to the provinces, further exposing the elderly amid rampant inflation and scarcity of essential goods.
The plight of Cuban pensioners underscores the bitter failure of an economic system that promised social protection and dignity for its workers but now forces them to seek on the streets what they cannot secure after a lifetime of hard work. While the official narrative insists that "no one will be left unprotected," the reality of countless elderly individuals selling on corners or relying on the help of neighbors or emigrants reveals a systematic neglect that even state media can no longer ignore.
Understanding the Plight of Cuban Retirees
Why are Cuban pensioners forced to work on the streets?
Cuban pensioners are compelled to work on the streets due to insufficient pensions that do not cover basic living expenses, forcing them to find alternative means to supplement their income.
What has contributed to the worsening situation for retirees in Cuba?
The situation has deteriorated due to the abolition of the National Institute of Social Security, the delegation of responsibilities to provinces, rampant inflation, and shortages of essential goods.
How do the current pensions compare to the cost of living in Cuba?
Current pensions are inadequate when compared to the cost of living, with the minimum pension equating to roughly five dollars, insufficient for purchasing even basic necessities.