Havana, Cuba, Nov 13, 2003 / 22:00 pm
The Minister of Employment and Social Security has denied employment to a Boris Baxada Romay because of his faith and because he has not completed mandatory military service, saying he has violated agreements between Cuban employment agencies and the International Work Organization.
“On various occasions I have applied for jobs at employment centers and they always ask me for my ‘Annex 1’ document, which is issued by the Military offices of each municipality,” the 23 year-old Cuban explained. “When I tell them that I don’t have one because of my faith and because I am against war and guns, they say I won’t be able to work anywhere,” he added.
In order to hold a job the Cuban government requires citizens to maintain a number of official documents and certificates, including statements verifying union membership and payment of dues, medical examinations and background checks.