[Reader-list] Indian construction workers in Havana blues ...

[Patrice Riemens]

original to:  http://www.havanatimes.org/?p=121638

(bwo INURA list)

Cuba Justifies Hiring Construction Workers from India

HAVANA TIMES (Oct 18, 2016) — After an extended silence, the Cuban 
government has finally come out to explain the controversial contracting 
of hundreds of workers from India to build a modern hotel in Havana.

The Inmobiliaria Almest company, which is responsible for building 
hotels in the country’s tourist areas, has explained that the French 
firm Bouygues’ hiring of foreign workers is 100% justified and that it 
complies with national laws in effect.

“Maybe if you don’t know the problems that exist within the Cuban 
workforce in the construction sector in depth, the presence of workers 
from India at a hotel that is being built in the capital’s Manzana de 
Gomez might come as a surprise,” an article published in Juventud 
Rebelde newspaper pointed out. “Almest executives have responded that 
contracting out these workers from India for this project – which is 
being overseen by the French construction company Bouygues – is 
completely in line with what national legislation, which regulates these 
kinds of contract on the island.”

However, Cuban readers don’t seem to be too convinced by this argument, 
according to comments published in the news forum on the internet.

Benefits and salaries

The presence of around 200 Indian workers on the Hotel Manzana building 
site first caught the eye of independent media and foreign 
correspondents during the middle of this year, even though Cuban 
authorities have remained silent about this subject up until now. The 
benefits and salaries that these foreign workers receive (between 1200 
and 1600 USD per month) caused an uproar and a wave of protests, which 
have included critical pro-governemnt celebrities such as the 
singer-songwriter Silvio Rodriguez.

The Hotel Manzana, which will be a 5-Star hotel, was scheduled to be 
finished by early 2017 and will be managed by the Gaviota Tourism Group 
and the International Hotel Chain, Kempinski.

According to what Almest’s general manager has explained, since the 
building boom that began in the second half of the 90s, the architect 
Jose Martinez chose Bouygues, a world-class construction company, to 
participate in the country’s hotel construction program with the aim to 
speed up tourist industry investments in Cuba.

“The decision to work with Bouygues, in partnership with Cuban 
construction institutions, supports the sustainability principles we 
uphold that should go hand in hand with every investment, among them is 
cutting down the due date, carrying out the design and construction 
processes simultaneously,” Martinez points out.

Making up for lost time

Martinez noted that the presence of Indian workers essentially came down 
to the need to make up for lost time on the building timetable, as these 
workers are highly qualified and skilled construction workers, with vast 
experience in other countries.  They work in specialist fields such as 
cladding while others are plasterers, mechanical fitters and a wide 
range of other jobs and specialities that are in high-demand in this 
kind of work.
Indian construction workers in Old Havana. Photo: Juan Suarez

“The Indian workers’ level of efficiency in construction work is three 
or four times greater than the national average in Cuba. Their work 
always produces very high quality results. Their presence is influenced 
by the fact that they make the most out of their working day, which 
results in greater productivity,” Martinez stated.

He also added that they were training a large number of young Cubans, 
who are being taught special skills that are very relevant for building 
hotels.

The government’s explanation hasn’t satisfied Cuban readers, who attack 
the contracting of foreign workers on the internet



Comments from Cuban Readers:

Cuban Sniper: How much do a Cuban worker and a Hindu get paid for his 
work? I think that is where a big difference in performance and fidelity 
lies. Some media have reported that these workers in India earn more 
than US $1,200 a month (not counting the excellent living conditions 
they enjoy in the country). With a similar salary I think the locals 
would be just as efficient. However, since the government “is conducting 
a study for the implementation of a new payment system” and these 
studies we know are endless, I do not think they can keep anyone in 
these jobs.

Liuben: Indian workers have spent months collecting thousands of 
dollars, while for Cubans they are still studying the idea of incentives 
based on results… I find this situation outrageous, more justifications 
wherever you look.

Oscar: Unacceptable, the [Juventud Rebelde] article does not expose the 
real causes that produce such situations. We continue with journalism 
that flirts with mediocrity and insults the intelligence. Excuse me for 
writing in these terms but it is what reading about this provokes in me. 
I’m sure we can make things better without giving up our socialism, but 
we have to start putting the finger on it and stop being so complacent 
with those who only want to hear applause. Best regards.

Amaro: We are used to reading articles like this that paint a bright 
picture. In the future I hope to read articles where you analyze why 
trades in Cuba are lost; where are the mistakes and who are the 
culprits. A foreigner is paid well for their work or products.  If a 
Cuban produces a third or a fourth of what a foreigner does, I wonder if 
they are being paid at least a third or a quarter of what the Indians 
make?