Cuban influencer Dairon Cano recently highlighted the plight of Reiniel López, a Cuban residing in Tampa, Florida, through a TikTok video. López is currently facing significant hardships and is urgently in need of a job, as his work with Uber and Lyft is no longer sufficient to sustain him.
"I just took a ride with him on Uber and Lyft, and he told me he's going through a tough time," Cano explained in a video recorded inside his car. "What's going on with you, my brother?" he asked his passenger, who replied, "I need a job because Lyft and Uber aren't making money. It's bad, really bad. I need a job. I have my papers, my residency, I have everything."
López mentioned that he starts working as early as five or six in the morning, but his earnings are inadequate: "A bit over 100, and today I spent 60 on gas." Cano made a public appeal for help: "He's a strong person, eager to work, has his work permit, his residency, his license, everything. Please, a little job here for the brother." He then requested Reiniel's contact number, urging, "He'll be attentive to the phone, anyone who can offer him a job, business owners in Tampa can reach out."
The situation sparked a wave of comments on TikTok. Some offered concrete help, suggesting job opportunities or sharing contacts: "I can recommend him for work at Staffing Staffmark, they pay 17 in a file warehouse," "There are lots of staffing agencies in Largo and one in Brandon looking for electrical workers," "Construction work is available, paying 2 dollars per package."
Others shared personal experiences: "I live in Orlando, do Lyft because I don't have Uber, got deactivated during the pandemic. From Friday to Monday, I head to Cocoa for the cruises. That's where the money is," "Uber doesn't pay well. I had to go back to the factory where I make 24 an hour, and my car retains its value."
There were also criticisms of some drivers' attitudes: "When told they can make 100 daily, they refuse, preferring Uber," "Everyone wants to earn 200 a day without studying," "If he's making 60 on Uber, it's because he wants to. He gets construction job offers for 100 and doesn't go because it's more comfortable behind the wheel."
Some suggested leaving Florida altogether: "Florida is for vacationing, not working," "You can't make money here anymore, get out of Tampa," "Head to Kentucky, Indiana, or Texas. You can make 300 a day without a hitch."
Messages of encouragement also poured in: "Don't lose faith, keep going," "We're all fighting here," "You have to keep moving and not give up."
This isn't the first time Dairon Cano has shared such stories on social media. In June, he showcased a young Cuban with I-220A who successfully opened a barber shop in Houston. He also supported a Cuban family in the same city struggling to keep their restaurant open and helped an entrepreneur in Miami who was robbed the day she opened her beauty salon.
Other testimonials have included more complex situations, like a Cuban mother pleading for her son detained by ICE or a family who lost everything in a Tampa fire. In all these cases, Cano has called on the Cuban diaspora's empathy and collaboration to support those facing challenges on their journey to stability in the United States.
FAQs About Employment Challenges for Cubans in Tampa
What job opportunities are available for Cubans in Tampa?
There are opportunities in staffing agencies, construction, and other sectors, with some positions paying up to $17 an hour in warehouses or more in construction.
Why is working for Uber and Lyft not sustainable for some drivers?
Many drivers find that the earnings from Uber and Lyft are insufficient to cover living expenses, especially after accounting for costs like gas and vehicle maintenance.
Are there better employment opportunities outside Florida?
Some individuals suggest relocating to states like Kentucky, Indiana, or Texas, where there may be higher-paying job opportunities.