Contracts ended with 31 Cuban teachers amid US labour concerns

NASSAU CMC:

The Bahamas Government will not renew the contracts of 31 Cuban teachers for the new academic year, while the recruitment of Cuban healthcare workers remains suspended amid discussions with the United States (US) over Cuba’s overseas labour programme.

The Ministry of Education confirmed that the teachers would not be re-engaged, although some had expressed an interest in returning to the public school system.

It said contract renewal was never guaranteed and the affected teachers would be given adequate time to settle their personal affairs before leaving the country.

“Our priority continues to be the recruitment and engagement of qualified Bahamian educators,” the ministry said, adding that a significant number of new local teachers had already been hired and recruitment was continuing.

The ministry said foreign teachers could be recruited where vacancies cannot be filled by suitably qualified Bahamians.

The decision has prompted concerns about possible staffing shortages, particularly in specialised areas such as welding, agriculture and other technical disciplines.

Central Grand Bahama Member of Parliament Frazette Gibson criticised the manner in which the Cuban educators were informed and warned that their departure could disrupt existing programmes.

An unidentified Cuban teacher told the local newspaper that the group learned their contracts would not be renewed during a meeting shortly after arriving in The Bahamas.

Meanwhile, Health and Wellness Minister Dr Michael Darville said negotiations with US officials concerning Cuban healthcare professionals were continuing.

He said government officials were scheduled to meet Cuban Ambassador Juan Carlos Marcof Sánchez to discuss the matter.

The Tribune newspaper reported that the Public Hospitals Authority had also declined to extend the contracts of Cuban medical workers, except for those with legal status in the country or who are married to Bahamians.

The US has accused Cuba of using coercive practices to control workers deployed overseas and retaining much of their earnings. Havana has repeatedly rejected the allegations.

Washington last year expanded visa restrictions against officials it alleged were involved in Cuba’s overseas medical programme.

The Davis administration subsequently terminated its contractual arrangements with Cuba’s state-operated medical recruitment agency and proposed employing Cuban healthcare professionals directly if they wished to remain in The Bahamas.

However, those arrangements have not been finalised, and the recruitment of additional Cuban medical personnel remains on hold.

Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell declined to say whether US concerns had influenced the Government’s decisions regarding the Cuban workers.

The Ministry of Education expressed gratitude to the departing educators for their contribution to the country’s public school system.