The Tribune

By RASHAD ROLLE 

and EARYEL BOWLEG 

Tribune Staff Reporters 

THE Bahamian government may be required to prove that Cuban workers in The Bahamas receive their salaries directly, rather than through the Cuban government, as the United States threatens to expand visa restrictions to foreign officials involved in Cuba’s labour export programme.

International Labour Organisation rules generally require that workers be paid directly and have full control over their earnings.

Reports from some countries where Cuba operates similar labour export programmes indicate that between 75 percent and 90 percent of the workers’ wages are retained by the Cuban government, with only a fraction remitted to them. 

Asked yesterday about the local situation, Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell declined to comment. 

The US government has long claimed that Cuba’s state-run medical missions amount to forced labour, arguing they enrich the Cuban regime at the expense of Cuban professionals. 

Under a new visa restriction policy, foreign government officials involved in these programmes— including those in The Bahamas — could be barred from entering the United States if they cannot provide evidence that workers are fairly compensated and not coerced.

Yesterday, Human Rights Bahamas (HRB) called on officials to clarify how Cuban workers are compensated.

The organisation also called on the government to say whether Cuban workers have freedom of movement or any restrictions imposed by Cuban authorities.

“HRB encourages the government to fully and clearly explain its position on this matter so that the reputation of The Bahamas is preserved and not subjected to any misinformation or mischaracterisation on the international stage,” the group said. 

Prime Minister Philip "Brave" Davis has denied that the country engages in forced labour but said the government is reviewing the US policy.

The Cuba question has arisen despite The Bahamas maintaining a Tier 1 ranking in the 2024 Trafficking in Persons report, indicating it meets international standards for combatting human trafficking. The Bahamas is one of the few countries in the world with the highest rating, but the US has continually recommended stronger efforts to identify potential trafficking victims among Cuban workers in government-sponsored programmes.

In a voice note yesterday, Bahamas Union of Teachers President Belinda Wilson said the government employs 130 Cuban teachers. 

She said these teachers play a vital role to fill the gap because of the teacher shortage especially in those disciplines or subject areas where the local expertise is not readily available.

“My experience is that the Cuban teachers who are recruited enjoy the same benefits as Bahamian teachers and other educators,” she said. “In fact, in some instances, more benefits, such as a gratuity payment at the end of their contracts.”

It is unclear how many Cuban medical professionals are in The Bahamas.