This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/7526521.stm
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Cuba struggles for economic reform | Cuba struggles for economic reform |
(about 8 hours later) | |
By Claire Bolderson BBC News, Havana For most Cubans the prices in non-state shops are too high | By Claire Bolderson BBC News, Havana For most Cubans the prices in non-state shops are too high |
In a small flat in a leafy neighbourhood of Havana, Juan Jacomino points to the mismatched tiles on his living room floor. | In a small flat in a leafy neighbourhood of Havana, Juan Jacomino points to the mismatched tiles on his living room floor. |
He bought the first lot of tiles, then found he needed a few more but when he went back to the shop, they had disappeared. | He bought the first lot of tiles, then found he needed a few more but when he went back to the shop, they had disappeared. |
That is common he says, particularly with imported goods. | That is common he says, particularly with imported goods. |
"My advice is, if you find something you need, or you think you might need one day, buy it!" says the translator and freelance journalist. | |
"Don't wait till tomorrow because when you come back it won't be there and you may never see it again." | "Don't wait till tomorrow because when you come back it won't be there and you may never see it again." |
Juan attributes the erratic supplies to the US sanctions in place for well over 40 years. | Juan attributes the erratic supplies to the US sanctions in place for well over 40 years. |
They certainly do affect imports but when it comes to other goods, particularly food, Cuba has also made life hard for itself. | They certainly do affect imports but when it comes to other goods, particularly food, Cuba has also made life hard for itself. |
Subsidised food | Subsidised food |
Juan took me to his state-run corner shop where there was very little on the shelves and no fresh food to be seen at all. | Juan took me to his state-run corner shop where there was very little on the shelves and no fresh food to be seen at all. |
Cuban shops have blackboards listing the prices of basic foods | Cuban shops have blackboards listing the prices of basic foods |
In the store room at the back were sacks of rice and other staple foods and on the counter at the front, a big blackboard listing the prices of all the basics that Cubans get each month with their ration book. | In the store room at the back were sacks of rice and other staple foods and on the counter at the front, a big blackboard listing the prices of all the basics that Cubans get each month with their ration book. |
The food is not free but it is incredibly heavily subsidised. | The food is not free but it is incredibly heavily subsidised. |
Juan for example, got 18lbs (8kg) of rice, 15lbs of sugar and 1lb of salt and some spaghetti for just over five Cuban pesos - about 25 US cents (12p). | Juan for example, got 18lbs (8kg) of rice, 15lbs of sugar and 1lb of salt and some spaghetti for just over five Cuban pesos - about 25 US cents (12p). |
In a country where the average monthly wage is less than $20, the ration book is a lifeline for many Cubans. | In a country where the average monthly wage is less than $20, the ration book is a lifeline for many Cubans. |
But they have to be patient, and they have to be alert. | But they have to be patient, and they have to be alert. |
When fresh meat arrives, shoppers come flocking. How do they know it is there? | When fresh meat arrives, shoppers come flocking. How do they know it is there? |
"They just know," says shopkeeper Gerardo with a laugh. "Word goes around instantly." | "They just know," says shopkeeper Gerardo with a laugh. "Word goes around instantly." |
Garlic rations | Garlic rations |
So why not just go to the farmers' market? Because for most Cubans the prices in non-state shops are just too high. | So why not just go to the farmers' market? Because for most Cubans the prices in non-state shops are just too high. |
One head of garlic cost 25 cents, the same as Juan's basic rations for a month. | One head of garlic cost 25 cents, the same as Juan's basic rations for a month. |
Almost 50 years after the revolution, you get the feeling the government knows it has got to deliver that little bit more | Almost 50 years after the revolution, you get the feeling the government knows it has got to deliver that little bit more |
The problem is that agriculture in Cuba is very inefficient. | The problem is that agriculture in Cuba is very inefficient. |
Only half the land that could be used to grow food in this lush tropical island is put to use. | Only half the land that could be used to grow food in this lush tropical island is put to use. |
For years farmers have depended on the state providing everything from fertilisers to new spades. | For years farmers have depended on the state providing everything from fertilisers to new spades. |
But the system is slow and bureaucratic; vital tools can take months to arrive. | But the system is slow and bureaucratic; vital tools can take months to arrive. |
That is why Cuba has recently introduced agricultural reforms that allow more privately run farming. | That is why Cuba has recently introduced agricultural reforms that allow more privately run farming. |
The plan is to increase domestic output and reduce an import bill that is going up steeply as global food prices rise. | The plan is to increase domestic output and reduce an import bill that is going up steeply as global food prices rise. |
Productivity bonuses | Productivity bonuses |
President Raul Castro's recent speeches suggest there is more economic reform to come. | President Raul Castro's recent speeches suggest there is more economic reform to come. |
He is promising productivity bonuses to boost wages. | He is promising productivity bonuses to boost wages. |
Life is a struggle for most Cubans; political reform is not always a priority | Life is a struggle for most Cubans; political reform is not always a priority |
There is the real prospect that Cubans might end up getting very different rates of pay for different work, something unheard of until now. | There is the real prospect that Cubans might end up getting very different rates of pay for different work, something unheard of until now. |
But do not expect the state to give up its overwhelming control over the lives of its citizens any time soon. | But do not expect the state to give up its overwhelming control over the lives of its citizens any time soon. |
There is no real concept of private ownership in Cuba. | There is no real concept of private ownership in Cuba. |
You cannot buy and sell your home, you can only buy a car through the government and you cannot sell it on. | You cannot buy and sell your home, you can only buy a car through the government and you cannot sell it on. |
It is a one-party state with no independent media. What little private enterprise exists is strictly limited. | It is a one-party state with no independent media. What little private enterprise exists is strictly limited. |
Cubans can rent out rooms to tourists - but they pay a hefty tax and cannot let more than two rooms. | Cubans can rent out rooms to tourists - but they pay a hefty tax and cannot let more than two rooms. |
There are even rules about what kind of food they are allowed to serve if they also offer evening meals. | There are even rules about what kind of food they are allowed to serve if they also offer evening meals. |
Life is a struggle | Life is a struggle |
Everyone I met in Cuba told me they wanted more economic freedom. | Everyone I met in Cuba told me they wanted more economic freedom. |
They want money in their pockets and a choice over how they spend it. | They want money in their pockets and a choice over how they spend it. |
"People want to be able to start their own businesses, to work with their hands, with their talents," says young artist Humberto. | "People want to be able to start their own businesses, to work with their hands, with their talents," says young artist Humberto. |
With daily life a struggle for the majority, political reform is not always at the top of the list. | With daily life a struggle for the majority, political reform is not always at the top of the list. |
Almost 50 years after the revolution, you get the feeling the government knows it has got to deliver that little bit more. | Almost 50 years after the revolution, you get the feeling the government knows it has got to deliver that little bit more. |
Now its leaders, keen to ensure the survival of the revolution after they are gone, are trying to work out how. | Now its leaders, keen to ensure the survival of the revolution after they are gone, are trying to work out how. |
Previous version
1
Next version