What the Cubans can/cannot do and what the Cuban government gives them.
When the tour guides speak about living in Cuba, you hear how great Cuba is regarding health care/dental, etc. However, it probably is against the government rules to say anything bad about Cuba.
Yes, they get FREE Health Care/Dental from cradle to grave. FREE education from little on all the way up to a Doctorate. There are NO private schools & they do wear uniforms. At an early age, I was told 16 or 17, both men & women go into the Cuban Military. Return home only on the weekends. Many Medical Drs. go to different countries after receiving their Cuban Medical Degree to expand their professional knowledge and then return to Cuba after, if Mrs. Q remembers correctly, either 3 or 4 years then the government will give them a house. They can get FREE birth control at any age & get FREE abortions from the government.
The average Cuban’s monthly salary is approx. $20.00 a month.
| RENT APARTMENT PRICE |
Range |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre |
600.00 $ |
|
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre |
115.00 $ |
|
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre |
508.33 $ |
|
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre |
290.00 $ |
|
BUY APARTMENT (HOME) PRICE
|
|
|
| Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment in City Centre |
328.50 $ |
|
| Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre |
383.33 $ |
What the government gives them on a monthly basis:
12 eggs, A cup of cooking oil, A half pound of chicken, 5 pounds of white rice
10 ounces of grain (red beans), 1 pound of brown sugar, 3 pounds of white sugar
A package of coffee. That’s everything for a month. It speaks for itself. Many get additional money to buy things from relatives living in the US.
Cubans can not: Travel abroad without government permission. Change jobs without government permission. Change residence without government permission.
Access the Internet without government permission (the Internet is closely monitored and controlled by the government. Only 1.67% of the population has access to the Internet). Send their children to a private or religious school (all schools are government run, there are no religious schools in Cuba).
Watch independent or private radio or TV stations (all TV and radio stations are owned and run by the government). Cubans illegally watch/listen to foreign broadcasts. Read books, magazines or newspapers, unless approved/published by the government (all books, magazines and newspapers are published by the government). Receive publications from abroad or from visitors (punishable by jail terms under Law 88).
Visit or stay in tourist hotels, restaurants, and resorts (these are off-limits to Cubans). Seek employment with foreign companies on the island, unless approved by the government.
Run for public office unless approved by Cuba’s Communist Party.
Own businesses, unless they are very small and approved by the government and pay onerous taxes. Join an independent labor union (there is only one, government controlled labor union and no individual or collective bargaining is allowed; neither are strikes or protests).
Retain a lawyer, unless approved by the government. Choose a physician or hospital. Both are assigned by the government.
Refuse to participate in mass rallies and demonstrations organized by the Cuban Communist Party. Criticize the Castro regime or the Cuban Communist Party, the only party allowed in Cuba.
HAVANA – Our day began with a “Real taste of Havana Tour.” Drove past the Baroque and neoclassical monuments and collection of private houses with arcades, balconies, wrought-iron gates and internal courtyards. Mrs. Q says: For those who have been to New Orleans, some of the homes resembled those of New Orleans. Then the walking tour began with a walk past the historical center of Old Havana (“Habana Vieja”). Saw the Royal Forces Castle, St. Fransis of Assisi and Arms Square.
