Cuba Raises Minimum Wage to 3,210 CUP for Budgeted Sector

The Cuban government approved a wage increase for the budgeted sector, raising the minimum wage from 2,100 to 3,210 Cuban pesos (CUP) – a 53 % rise that will affect more than one million workers in health, education, culture and public administration. The new rate takes effect on 1 July, with the first payments appearing on August pay‑checks. The measure is part of the 176‑point economic and social reform program announced in June, which also includes annual inflation‑linked reviews of the minimum wage and adjustments to pensions and social assistance.

Alongside the salary adjustment, the government introduced additional economic steps: the State Council approved two decree‑laws to restructure state enterprises and agro‑industrial cooperatives, creating a National Institute of State Entrepreneurial Assets (INAEE) to give public firms greater autonomy. The Central Bank also rolled out new cash denominations (2,000 and 5,000 CUP) and measures to expand digital payments, aiming to ease cash shortages and reduce transaction costs.

Officials acknowledge the increase is still insufficient to cover the basic basket of goods, but describe it as a “significant effort” amid a severe economic crisis and external pressure from the United States.