Several Cuban workers dispatched to Canada through agreements between Havana's regime and the Canadian mining company Sherritt International have accused the Cuban government of seizing up to 90% of their wages. Experts and former employees describe this as a modern form of labor trafficking and human exploitation.
A report by CBC News unveiled the accounts of Cuban professionals employed at nickel and cobalt refineries in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, and the Bahamas. These workers claimed that most of their earnings were withheld by Cuban officials under the threat of retaliation.
Allegations of Wage Seizure and Exploitation
"As soon as you arrive, you realize it's blatant abuse. You work here like any other Canadian, but you get paid a pittance," stated one former employee, whose identity was concealed for safety reasons.
According to the testimonies, the arrangement worked as follows: Sherritt paid the full salaries to the Cuban workers, but supervisors appointed by the island's government forced them to transfer between 80% and 90% of their net income to accounts controlled by the regime.
"The Cuban executive sits you down and explains how it works: they deduct housing and services, then you send all remaining money back to Cuba," recounted another former worker.
Surviving on Minimal Earnings
With annual earnings nearing 100,000 Canadian dollars, many ended up living on just 500 to 600 dollars a month, relying on low-cost stores, garage sales, or even food banks to make ends meet.
"We shopped at Dollarama, which had the lowest prices, and at garage sales for everything else," shared one interviewee. "Some colleagues also depended on food banks."
Political Control and Fear of Retaliation
Beyond economic deprivation, workers described a climate of constant surveillance and ideological control. According to the report by Contacto Conce Chile, the Communist Party of Cuba requires citizens on work missions to attend political-ideological workshops, report on colleagues' behavior, and even avoid personal relationships with Canadians.
"We are not supposed to form relationships with the Canadians we work with for eight hours a day. Outside of work, we are not allowed to make friends or fall in love," narrated a worker.
Another former employee confirmed they had to request permission to leave Fort Saskatchewan and never knew who might report them to the Cuban embassy. The fear of being sent back to Cuba was a tool to discipline and silence those who complained.
Historical Context of Exploitation
The CBC News report reminds us that the agreement between Sherritt International and the Cuban government dates back over three decades. Under this arrangement, nickel is extracted in Moa, Cuba, and shipped to Canada for refinement. Since then, scores of Cuban professionals have worked in these plants under the regime's direct supervision.
Both former employees cited presented pay stubs and electronic transfer receipts to Cuba as evidence of up to 84% of their net earnings being confiscated.
Meanwhile, Sherritt International denied any knowledge or involvement in the scheme. "Any suggestion that Sherritt could be part of a wage confiscation plan is false. The company complies with all applicable laws in Canada and the countries where it operates," said Tom Halton, director of corporate affairs, in a statement quoted by CBC News.
Neither the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs nor the Cuban Embassy in Canada responded to requests for comments made by the Canadian media.
Official Silence and a System That Fails to Protect
While Canadian authorities insist that all foreign workers enjoy the same labor rights as Canadian citizens, former employees warned that the system relies on formal complaints, which is nearly impossible in cases dominated by fear of reprisals.
An Alberta Ministry of Employment spokesperson stated there are no formal complaints about the joint venture, while Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) affirmed that temporary workers have access to a 24-hour anonymous complaint line. However, there is no indication of an investigation into the case.
For many of these professionals, Canada represented an opportunity to work and thrive in freedom. But they quickly found their stay marked by the same control and subjugation they sought to escape.
"For Cubans lucky enough to secure employment in a democratic country like Canada, a free life can only be observed, not enjoyed," lamented one of the former employees interviewed.
This testimony encapsulates the paradox of a regime that exports labor under the guise of cooperation, yet in practice perpetuates mechanisms of modern slavery in the 21st century.
Understanding the Plight of Cuban Workers in Canada
What percentage of their wages were Cuban workers reportedly forced to surrender?
Cuban workers reportedly had to transfer between 80% and 90% of their net income to accounts controlled by the Cuban regime.
How did Cuban workers survive on such minimal earnings in Canada?
Many Cuban workers survived on minimal earnings by shopping at low-cost stores like Dollarama, attending garage sales, and even relying on food banks.
What measures were in place to control Cuban workers in Canada?
Cuban workers were subjected to constant surveillance, required to attend political-ideological workshops, and discouraged from forming personal relationships with Canadians.