The Primero de Enero sugar mill, located in its namesake municipality in Ciego de Ávila, is facing a severe crisis that threatens to completely halt the upcoming sugar harvest. This situation is pushing dozens of workers into despair, as they are left without electricity, wages, or any certainty about their employment future.
On Facebook, Obdiel Torres Guevara highlighted that the mill is currently at a standstill due to a power outage caused by an outstanding debt. This issue not only affects the sugar industry but also disrupts the entire agro-industrial complex associated with it.
Local residents have reported the power cut at the mill, which has forced essential repair work to stop, significantly jeopardizing the feasibility of the next harvesting season. The workers' situation is particularly dire. Many have been reassigned to other state-run entities, such as board factories or clearing brigades, while others have been compelled to take unpaid leave.
Moreover, some workers at the mill claim that the government owes them several unpaid pay periods, in a national context characterized by inflation and a continually rising cost of living. This leaves them in extreme poverty and unable to support their families.
Adding to the grim scenario is the silence from local and central authorities. There has been no official statement or public explanation offered to the workers or the municipality's residents, who rely on this industry for their livelihood.
Although some within the mill are striving to salvage what remains of the system, their efforts are insufficient against a state structure that seems to have abandoned an industry once emblematic of the national economy.
The shortage of sugarcane is another factor dooming this mill. The lack of agricultural planning, deteriorating infrastructure, and the regime's prioritization of tourism over the agro-industrial sector have left the sugar production in ruins.
The crisis at the Primero de Enero mill is not an isolated incident, but rather a symptom of the broader collapse of Cuba's economic model, where workers bear the brunt and the State continues to evade responsibility.
The lack of transparency, energy debt, unpaid wages, and absence of sugarcane create a combination that could lead to the ultimate demise of a crucial industry for the region.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ciego de Ávila's Sugar Mill Crisis
What is causing the power outage at the Primero de Enero sugar mill?
The power outage at the Primero de Enero sugar mill is due to an accumulated debt that has led to a disruption in the electricity supply.
How are the workers affected by the crisis at the sugar mill?
Workers are affected by having no electricity, delayed or unpaid wages, and being forced into unpaid leave or reassignment to other state-run entities.
Why is there a shortage of sugarcane at the mill?
The shortage of sugarcane is due to poor agricultural planning, infrastructure decay, and the government's focus on tourism over the agro-industrial sector.