The topic of compensation for Cuban medical professionals involved in the Cuban medical missions program has resurfaced. It has been reported that leaked documents show that the Cuban medical professionals received a small portion of the salaries received while working in The Bahamas. The remainder goes to a state agency in Cuba responsible for international deployments.
Prime Minister, the Hon. Philip Davis was asked about this latest development by reporters while attending the signing of the book of condolences for the passing of Pope Francis on Tuesday. He said, “I understand that where the Cuban doctors are paid some funds here and some funds are paid to an agency to ensure that the family members of the doctors here are taken care of whilst they’re here. Now that we’re renegotiating. We want to rework that since where the doctors themselves will decide what they will send back home. At the end of the day we accept the principle that the doctors should be paid directly. Any worker just as any other worker here should be paid directly and what they do with their funds is up to them.”
The US State Department drew attention to the issue in their 2024 Trafficking in Persons Report where they compared the practice to forced labour. The US government also threatened to revoke the visas of officials from countries who take part in the program.
