Parade / Regina Coyula

Parade / Regina Coyula
Regina Coyula

The May Day is a day of worker empowerment. On that date they parade
demanding improved working conditions, an increase in wages or more just
labor laws. In Cuba, where workers are being subjected to "downsizing",
where the uncertainty about their place of employment, and the
uncertainty of non-living wage are fundamental concerns, the first of
May is celebrated with massive parades in all provinces. Signs abound in
support of the Revolution (read Government) but there will not be a
single sign demanding wage increases, the disappearance of the double
currency, or transparency in the layoffs.

This country is so surreal, that the newly unionized self-employed
workers, will parade in massive numbers. A group whose main concern
should be the demand for non-discriminatory treatment, easing of red
tape to access a work permit, extending the range of permitted
activities and less severe taxes.

The union bureaucracy assigns the number of attendees by province and
two weeks ago it was announced precisely how many workers would
participate in each of the processions.

After this "spontaneous" demonstration, we will see in the news how the
movement of the indignant undertook their protests; how in other places
the workers march under heavy police presence and we may even see
repression in some corner of the world. I don't think they can find
similarities.

April 30 2012

http://translatingcuba.com/?p=17978