Sheila Sanchez, the woman behind a job offer in Cárdenas, Matanzas, which proposed a rate of two Cuban pesos per sweet sold during 12-hour shifts, has responded to the wave of criticism she received: "I'm trying to get by with my child," she stated on Tuesday.
She further clarified, "First of all, apologies to those offended; it was my mistake. The two Cuban pesos are intended as an incentive on top of the fixed salary. Good appearance is crucial for selling food. I didn't mean to say handsome or pretty, just that good appearance matters—and no short shorts."
Addressing the work conditions, another hotly debated issue, she emphasized, "The stand is mobile, so it can be easily moved to find shade. I am a woman, and I do it. The tent is broken, and here in Cuba, thanks to our government, everything has a solution or you have to find one."
In response to the criticism, Sanchez was firm: "It's quite something to see a whole community come together to offer empty and offensive critiques instead of helping themselves. Unfortunately, there are people willing to work for 400 CUP a day. I was very happy working for 4,500 a month."
The ad that sparked the controversy was posted on Monday in the Facebook group "Barato Cárdenas" and quickly went viral, igniting a storm of indignation on Cuban social media due to the conditions it described.
The job sought an experienced attendant for a street candy stand located on a sidewalk, featuring a white showcase and a blue tent, with operating hours from 9 AM to 9 PM. However, the ad noted, "it usually ends earlier, but that's the schedule."
Payment was piece-rate: "PAY 2 CUP PER SWEET SOLD," according to the exact wording Sanchez used.
Conditions were particularly tough because the tent was damaged. "The tent is broken, so I currently have nothing for the sun," the ad warned, mentioning only a transparent tarp for rain. The employer also required good hygiene and the maintenance of a clean display and work area.
The numbers illustrate the scheme's impracticality: to reach the Cuban minimum wage of 2,100 CUP per month, a worker would need to sell over 1,000 sweets monthly, a figure considered economically unfeasible for such a stand.
Facing an onslaught of negative comments, Sanchez removed the original post.
Her subsequent response adds a human element to the discussion: the ad's author is not an exploitative businesswoman but rather a victim of the same crisis affecting her potential employees.
The situation highlights the twofold nature of Cuba's economic crisis: the desperation of workers willing to accept any conditions due to a lack of alternatives, and the plight of small informal sector entrepreneurs operating on the edge of feasibility, unable to offer better terms because they too are caught in the same cycle of hardship.
The minimum wage in Cuba has been stuck at 2,100 CUP since January 2021, equivalent to about four dollars at the current informal exchange rate of 510 CUP per dollar.
In April 2026, the basic food basket for two people costs over 41,735 CUP, and the total cost of living exceeds 50,000 CUP per person monthly, between four and nine times the average state salary.
As users in the group where the ad was shared pointed out, the case "reflects the crisis facing Cubans, forced to endure abusive conditions while the regime continues to fail in providing real solutions."
Understanding the Economic Struggle in Cuba
What was the job offer in Matanzas that caused controversy?
The job offer in Matanzas proposed a payment of two Cuban pesos per sweet sold, required 12-hour shifts, and emphasized good appearance and hygiene. The conditions described were considered harsh, sparking widespread indignation.
Why did Sheila Sanchez defend her job posting?
Sheila Sanchez defended her job posting by explaining that the payment was intended as an incentive in addition to a fixed salary. She emphasized that she is also struggling to make ends meet and is trying to provide for her child.
How does this job offer reflect the broader economic crisis in Cuba?
The job offer highlights the desperation among Cuban workers who accept any conditions due to a lack of alternatives, and the struggles of small entrepreneurs who cannot offer better conditions because they, too, are trapped in economic hardship.