Cuban workers employed in Canada are reportedly compelled by the Cuban government to remit a significant portion of their earnings back to Cuba. This information was disclosed by two former workers who shared their experiences with CBC News. These workers also highlighted that the Cuban Communist Party enforces attendance at “political-ideological workshops,” mandates reporting on interactions with Canadian colleagues, restricts movement, and monitors relationships outside of work.
Similar instances of wage confiscation by the Cuban government have been previously reported in countries like Brazil. In Canada, approximately six Cuban professionals are employed at a cobalt and nickel refinery in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, operated as a joint venture between Cuba’s state nickel company and Sherritt International. Additionally, four more Cuban workers are stationed at another joint venture in Nassau, Bahamas, where they work alongside Canadian counterparts and receive their salaries in Canadian dollars, which are also subject to confiscation.
Former employees from both operations confirmed that wage confiscation has been a longstanding practice for Cuban workers sent abroad. They expressed concerns that raising complaints could jeopardize the safety of Cuban employees due to potential risks associated with the Cuban government’s monitoring and control mechanisms.
The joint venture between Sherritt and the Cuban government, spanning over three decades, involves ore mining in Cuba and subsequent refining in Alberta. To protect the identities of Cuban workers and their families, CBC News has agreed to withhold specific details.
Maria Werlau, a Cuban-born researcher, has extensively documented instances of wage confiscation by the Cuban government, particularly in medical missions abroad. Despite the challenges faced by Cuban workers in Canada, including severe financial constraints and limited freedoms, they still earn more compared to their counterparts in Cuba.
The Cuban government exercises strict control over the Cuban workers employed in joint ventures, requiring loyalty assessments and imposing restrictions on personal relationships. Workers are monitored closely, and any dissent or unauthorized actions could lead to severe consequences, including repatriation to Cuba and potential repercussions.
While the Cuban workers acknowledged the support and professionalism of their Canadian colleagues at Sherritt, they emphasized that the wage confiscation scheme was solely orchestrated by the Cuban government, not Sherritt. The workers expressed their struggles to make ends meet, resorting to budget shopping and utilizing community resources like food banks to cope with financial challenges in their respective locations.
Despite the hardships faced by Cuban workers in Canada, there is limited recourse for official complaints due to fears of reprisals from the Cuban government. The federal government is urged to address these issues, especially considering the number of Cuban workers who have sought asylum after defecting from their employment at the refinery.
Canadian authorities have stated that foreign workers in Canada are entitled to the same rights and protections as Canadian citizens under existing laws. While efforts have been made to enhance protections for temporary foreign workers, concerns persist regarding the treatment of Cuban workers in joint ventures with Sherritt. Immigration authorities have assured that all complaints received will be promptly investigated and addressed within established protocols.
