A Cuban woman living in Moscow has taken to Instagram to expose how fellow Cubans, known as "foremen," are withholding wages from Cuban workers, failing to pay them for their labor.
The woman, who goes by the name La Dior on social media, shared a detailed account of this exploitation. She illustrated the issue with a specific example: if 20 people work at a school and the Russian employer pays 2,500 rubles per worker, the foreman collects the money but doesn't distribute it, claiming that "the Russian didn't pay."
In her video, which quickly garnered over 30,000 views and thousands of likes, she accused the foreman, "The Russian employer pays the foreman, and the foreman keeps the money meant for us, his fellow Cubans."
According to her account, these workers face grueling conditions, waking up at four in the morning, working without food, and returning home penniless, unable to demand their rightful pay.
"We can't claim anything because we don't have Russian passports, and there's no proof of payment," she explained.
She criticized the blatant disregard of the Cuban intermediary, noting, "That foreman forgets we're also Cubans who need to send money home to Cuba. We rise at four in the morning, without eating, and there's a mother and father waiting for our money on the island."
Her video ended with a stark accusation: "Cubans exploit each other in Moscow. You didn't see that coming."
The post sparked a flood of comments confirming that this is neither a new nor an isolated issue.
"I love being Cuban, but we walk over each other," one user commented, receiving 73 supportive interactions. Another was more blunt: "Better to stay away from Cubans."
A commenter with ten years of experience in Russia confirmed the long-standing issue: "Girl, this isn't new... it's been happening since I arrived in this country a decade ago."
Other users warned of additional scams involving housing rentals in Moscow.
"They promise you gold, but after a week, a Russian shows up saying, 'What are you doing in my house? Get out or I'll call the police, or pay me.' At that point, there's no friend or family to help. We Cubans turn against each other."
The most politically charged comment drew a direct line between the foremen's system and Cuba's history: "The foreman learned from Fidel Castro."
This informal system mirrors the Cuban government's historical practice of withholding wages from workers sent abroad, with state agencies reportedly retaining up to 95% of foreign company payments.
The plight of Cubans in Russia is further exacerbated by intensified immigration raids from early April, with Russian authorities sending irregular migrants to the Sájarovo detention center, 70 kilometers from Moscow, where they remain incommunicado for weeks or even months.
Understanding the Exploitation of Cuban Workers in Russia
What is the role of the foremen in the exploitation of Cuban workers in Russia?
Foremen, who are fellow Cubans, act as intermediaries between Russian employers and Cuban workers. They receive the wages from employers but often withhold payment from the workers, claiming that the employers did not pay them.
Why can't Cuban workers in Russia claim their wages?
Cuban workers in Russia struggle to claim their wages because they lack Russian passports and there is no documented proof of payment, making it difficult to hold the foremen accountable.
How does the situation of Cuban workers in Russia relate to Cuba's history?
The exploitation mirrors the historical practice of the Cuban government, which has withheld significant portions of wages from workers sent abroad. This system is reminiscent of state agencies retaining large percentages of payments from foreign companies.