Playing with Funny Money

Playing with Funny Money / Rebeca Monzo
Rebeca Monzo, Translator: Unstated

The Society of Cuban Musical Artists (ACDAM) is failing to fulfill its
primary reason for being, which is to pay artists who belong to the
organization in a timely and appropriate manner.

Over the course of a year, as I have been told by one of those affected,
they have only been paid for the first trimester. Payment is made in the
so-called "national currency"—those pesos that make up salaries and
pensions and that cover only very few expenses. The other currency is
commonly known as the chavito or CUC (and formally, the Cuban
Convertible Peso). While both are national currencies, the latter is
more difficult to acquire and the only one that can be used to buy
essential goods in state-run hard currency stores— the only places to
find certain everyday consumer items, which are sold at highly inflated
prices.

As justification for this failure the ACDAM alleges that ARTEX (Artistic
and Literary Promotions Management) has not yet settled accounts with
them. In other words, the old "run-around." This money, however, has now
been in state coffers for a while and not in the pockets of the people
who are supposed to be paid for their work. A swift solution to this
problem is imperative since in many cases the payments are the only
means of support for these Cuban artists' families. It is not acceptable
to keep "playing with funny money." This situation, and others like it,
suggest the country is dealing with a serious lack of liquidity.

September 1 2012

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