The first is that the Unification of Currencies is not the universal or immediate solution to all the problems our economy faces.
This important decision should be complemented by a series of macro-economic measures that would improve the monetary regime of the country through a series of instruments that would guarantee a proper national financial balance, decisively contributing to improved economic performance and the construction of a prosperous and sustainable socialism in Cuba.
The second, and no less important concept, is that all bank accounts in foreign currency, Cuban convertible pesos (CUC) and Cuban pesos (CUP), as well as the cash in the hands of the population and national and foreign juridical persons shall be protected.
We are aware of the well-intended and not very-well intended opinions that are being expressed both inside and outside the country concerning the rhythm at which our economic model is updated.
There has also been open encouragement from abroad to speed up privatization, even of the main production and service sectors, which would be equal to drawing down the flag of socialism in Cuba.
It seems as if the latter have not bothered to read the Guidelines which clearly states as follows, and I quote: "The economic system that shall prevail in our country will continue to be based on the people's socialist ownership over the fundamental means of production, governed by the socialist principle of distribution: "from each according to his/her capacity to each according to his/her contribution", end of quote.
We will continue to implement the agreements adopted by the Sixth Congress of the Communist Party of Cuba in a responsible and firm way, at the speed that we shall sovereignly determine here, without jeopardizing Cuban unity, without leaving anyone to his or her own fate, without resorting to shock therapies and without ever renouncing the ideals of social justice of this Revolution of the humble, by the humble and for the humble.
Next year we will initiate the preparations for the celebration of the Seventh Congress of the Party in April of 2016. Prior to that there will be a broad democratic debate among all Communist Party members and the entire people about the implementation of the Guidelines.
Closely associated to the updating of the economic model is the process for the gradual, I repeat, gradual decentralization of facilities from the ministries down to the business sector.
This is not something that can be done overnight, if we want to succeed. We will require a reasonable time to prepare and train our cadres at every level, as we have been doing; to modify the old mentality and get rid of old habits; and create and implement the legal framework and specific procedures that would enable all of us to see to it that the decisions are adequately implemented and mistakes are corrected in timely fashion, thus avoiding unnecessary setbacks.
Among other steps, a decision was made to expand and make more flexible the social object of the Socialist state-owned enterprises, in order to increase their autonomy. The mission assigned to them by the State was redefined, and they were entrusted with the facililties required for the marketing of their production surplus. Likewise, the removal of administra-tive limitations, that will allow for salaries to be based on results, was also established.
These transformations shall be gradually implemented, without haste, in an orderly, disciplined and rigorous manner.
The just aspiration of earning higher salaries is a very sensitive question. We can not allow ourselves to make any mistakes, or let ourselves be influenced by desire or improvisation.
We would be happy to see the salaries earned by those workers who work in sectors with the most efficient results and benefits of particular economic and social impact gradually increased.
However, I should state very clearly that we can not distribute a wealth that we have not been capable of creating. Doing so would have serious consequences for the national economy as well as for the personal finances of each and every citizen. Pouring money into the streets without an equivalent increase in the offer of goods and services will generate inflation, a phenomenon that, among other harmful effects, would reduce the purchasing power of salaries and pensions, which will particularly affect the most humble. And we can not allow that to happen.
The first year of implementation of the new salary policy in a number of enterprises has revealed a violation of the salary cost index per every gross value-added Peso. In other words, higher salaries have been paid without the corresponding production. On several occasions I have warned that this should be considered as a serious, very serious lack of discipline that should be resolutely confronted by the administrators and trade union organizations.
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