Contributing to the correct implementation of the process of financial insertion or banking of the Cuban population with the preparation of union leaders and workers on the advantages of the service to use it, is a priority for the Cuban Workers’ Union (CTC).
This is stated by the member of the National Secretariat of the labor organization José Antonio Pérez Pérez, in an interview for the multimedia “Trabajadores.”
-Being a priority for the Cuban Trade Union movement, how is the CTC also involved in this process that the First Secretary of the Party and President of the Republic Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez describes as a necessary, modern strategy that benefits the population?
«It is also up to the labor movement to demand compliance with the norms established in this regard by resolutions 111 of the Central Bank of Cuba and 93 of the Ministry of Internal Trade, both issued last year.
The first rule, the banking of operations, through electronic payment channels, establishes the actions that ensure their implementation and make collection and payment processes viable, including all economic actors and their relationship with the population.
The second establishes a requirement for commercial establishments to have payment facilities through national gateways or point-of-sale terminals for the marketing of goods and provision of services.
This reinforces the rights of consumers when they go to any of the units of the sector and local subordination with electronic payment in the country, or of all state and non-state economic actors that carry out the activities governed by that ministry.
-Despite the provisions adopted by the revolutionary Government for bankization, the people and workers maintain ATMs as their main service. How to change that vision towards taking advantage of the benefits of banking?
«First of all, with the preparation of workers on the advantages of using electronic payment gateways, which is a shared responsibility between unions and administrations.
There can be no lack of knowledge about electronic platforms such as Transfermóvil or EnZona and their advantages for carrying out banking procedures or payments, in the midst of a complex socioeconomic situation, where cash shortages are common.
That they also know that it allows greater transparency in the operations of Non-State Forms of Management and thus avoid the evasion of taxes that are necessary income for the state budget, remembering that in Cuba there are already more than 11 thousand micro and small businesses. private.
This should and has to be a recurring theme in the assemblies of members and workers, as well as concern and occupation of the union structures, at different levels, to accompany the process and evaluate its results.
-A clarification, please, is banking availability synonymous with gradually giving up the use of cash?
No, banking is offering the population and workers the use of magnetic cards and payment or electronic transfers as another option alongside cash, although there is data that indicates that the global trend is to stop using it.
Nor do we forget the circumstances in which the process takes place in Cuba, marked by the tremendous obstacle to development posed by the US blockade which, among other things, makes it difficult to have the most advanced technologies for the service.
-How do you see the immediate future of the banking process in Cuba?
«It is no secret to anyone about the connectivity problems that occur, the insufficiency or lack of the necessary infrastructure in rural or difficult-to-access places. Added to this is the fact that many municipalities lack ATMs.
Even in these conditions, it is the determination of the CTC and its unions to contribute from the labor groups, with their support, to advance where the conditions are created in the domiciliation of payrolls, a benefit that banks offer to carry out the payment. salary payment through debit cards.
Although there are about seven million active mobile lines in the country, it must be considered that not all workers have a mobile phone, nor do all those who have one have internet service.
That is why the active participation of the representation of the CTC and its unions in the working groups for the control and monitoring of the banking process, created in provinces and municipalities, has as an essential objective to contribute to creating a culture in the use of the gateways. payment, not impose them.
Without a doubt, banking is inexorable.
