19 February 2011

CUBA: Announced Massive Layoffs Lag... Leaving Workers In Limbo.

AP /Atlanta JC/ P. Haven/ Long Feature/

   Raul Castro's plans to lay off half a million unneeded workers has stalled after union resistance leaving many anxiously waiting for the ax to fall.
    Five months after the announcement to lay-off 10% of the work force by 31 March, finding an unemployed person is rare or even somebody who knows a person who has lost a job.
     Some observers say Castro is wise to go slow.
     "It makes a lot of sense that they haven't done anything," said D.C. economist Rafael Romeu. "Laying off half a million people — that's a difficult adjustment to carry out in such a short time. They are changing the social compact in a way they haven't done in the last 52 years."