The current topic that captures the attention of most Cubans at the moment is May Day, international workers’ day, and the various activities that are carried out to commemorate it.
In Santiago de Cuba, a parade and popular rallies will be held in eight municipalities, where workers will participate with their families, while, in the capital city of the province, the parade will predominate in the Plaza de la Revolución Antonio Maceo, with that load of joy and contagious cultural manifestations, as is tradition.
The Santiago atmosphere is filled with celebrations, plenary sessions, delivery of decorations and incentives, beautification of workplaces, and the use of propaganda alluding to the date. The unions are in charge of coordinating the details of the mobilization and emphasize the importance of emulation to occupy prominent places in the parade, which implies excellent organization, display of color and combative attitude, in line with the identity of the Cuban workers.
In the neighborhoods, political and mass organizations evaluate their support for the mobilization, emphasizing the participation of families.
In Cuba, May Day is not only a date for parades and joy, but also to praise work and recognize its importance, concept and date that are defended by the majority of the population, while in other parts of the world, the This date is used as an opportunity to take to the streets and protest against the most entrenched inequalities, unemployment, neoliberal policies, unjust dismissals of workers and try to vindicate the rights for which the Chicago martyrs gave their lives, fighting for better salary and working conditions.
The meetings between union leaders of different generations are significant, who debate experiences in the leadership of the labor movement, the struggles of yesteryear against owners and foremen, mass dismissals of workers or because it was not convenient for the employers and, today, how increase production and efficiency of services in times of so many economic difficulties, and the role of the Cuban working class against the blockade that the United States government has applied to Cuba for more than 65 years.
Furthermore, in the days leading up to May Day in the province of Santiago de Cuba, the recognition of outstanding workers in their respective work fronts is recurring and the working conditions in companies and other institutions are addressed, as well as the confrontation with deficiencies generated by errors in production processes, among other topics.
