As Raul Castro continues to introduce new reforms in Cuba, he is slowly evolving the political ideology of a country that has been Communist for too many decades. We all have the right to pursue life, liberty and happiness in the United States. Although we take it for granted, we are rewarded for our entrepreneurial spirit and our abilities in every aspect of our life. What if someone took away your ability to better yourself or certain aspect of your life?
The equal pay system has been in place in Cuba since 1959. Cuban workers have been earning the same wage for decades with no incentive to excel due to everyone earning the same wage regardless of performance. It is no surprise that Cubans have allowed a government to oppress them for close to 50 years at home, at work and in all aspects of their lives with little resistance.
There is hope! Cuban officials hope to reverse a stagnant economy by adopting a new wage system that will reward workers with a minimum 5% bonus for meeting performance goals and their salaries will have no set ceiling. We will truly see the entrepreneurial spirit of a people that have been oppressed for so long personified in the improved production and services that Cuba can offer in this modern global economy.
What difference does 5% make on a relatively poor society? A new wage system will open the window for improved human rights conditions. That window will slowly become the door for a more democratic Cuban society.