Zoe Kenny, Sydney
Gilda Chacon, representing the Cuban Federation of Workers (CTC), told the 35th Resistance national conference on July 9 that youth are central to the revolution in Cuba. "They are the generation who have to continue defending it, not only by resisting imperialism, but guarding against internal problems", she said.
Chacon, whose Australian tour is being organised by the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union, is keen to strengthen relations with as many Australian unions as possible. Her account of union rights in Cuba provided a stark contrast to union rights here, particularly since the anti-worker Work Choices laws came into effect. Chacon said there are 3.5 million workers in Cuba and 98% of them are members of the CTC. In Australia, only 23% of the work force is unionised. She also said that Cuban "unions can organise in every workplace without asking permission of the government".
Chacon described how the Cuban system of people's power "means that everyone is involved in making major economic and political decisions". An inspiring example was in 1994, following the collapse in economic assistance from the Soviet bloc, when workers' parliaments were established in which Cubans could discuss the measures needed to survive the difficult "special period".
Responding to a question about how Cuba dealt with corruption, Chacon said that when some corruption at petrol stations was discovered, the authorities did not send in police but instead asked hundreds of young volunteers to take petrol station jobs around the country, both to guard against corruption and ensure that corrupt workers did not retain their jobs.
Although it is a very poor country, Cuba's achievements in delivering social services, health and education are legendary. Even during the "special period", Chacon said, the priority was to maintain these services. Since the 1959 revolution, education at all levels and health care have been free. This year, Cuba is planning to build 100,000 houses.
"In line with the principle of international solidarity, Cuba has some 25,000 doctors serving in countries all over the world, including in Latin and Central America, East Timor and Indonesia", Chacon said. Cuba also helped out following last year's earthquake on the Pakistan-Kashmir border. None of the doctors receive any money for their services.
Cuba has also sent teachers to Venezuela and Bolivia to help combat illiteracy. "You don't need to tell us why you need help, you just need to tell us where. If you need help, we will be there", Chacon said.
Asked about developments in Bolivia, Chacon said that the election of indigenous leader Evo Morales is helping Cuba develop socialism. "For a long time the Cuban people have been fighting alone; Chavez in Venezuela and Morales in Bolivia is helping our struggle." The increased trade between Cuba, Venezuela and Bolivia, as well as other Latin American countries under the Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas (ALBA), is also strengthening Cuba's economy. Chacon said the Cuban economy grew 11.8% last year, and 12.5% in the first part of 2006.
"The Cuban people are going to continue resisting US imperialism because the only thing it doesn't want is for us to have our sovereignty. We, the Cubans, are the only ones who should decide our future." Chacon ended with this message: "We will continue being socialists because this is the system that guarantees rights for all people — black, white, women and youth."
From Green Left Weekly, July 19, 2006.
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