Abstract
Since the implementation of post-Soviet economic reforms, remittances have had a strong influence on the Cuban economy and society. While economic and social influences of remittances from permanent migration have been examined, the same cannot be said of remittances from temporary migration. As part of an expansion of professional service exports over the past decade, tens of thousands of Cuban professionals (internationalistas) have worked abroad, remitting their earnings and often returning with substantial savings and a broadened global perspective. The expansion of professional service exports across more than 65 countries in the global south has extended the influence of remittances far beyond Miami and the USA. Using first-hand accounts of returned internationalistas interviewed in Havana in 2010 and 2011, this article explores the socio-economic influences of the remittances from Cuban internationalism.
Highlights
Opportunities for Cuban professionals to work abroad throughout the revolutionary period have been relatively few and highly coveted
This study examines how temporary labour migration has influenced Cuban society, through an exploration of the types of temporary international work available, internationalistas’ motivations for seeking work abroad, and the changes in their social and economic outlook upon their return
Cuba has promoted a new economic strategy that capitalises on its greatest resource, its own human capital
Summary
Opportunities for Cuban professionals to work abroad throughout the revolutionary period have been relatively few and highly coveted. When an opportunity for temporary migration is available, it is closely linked to and regulated by the Cuban government. International collaborations have enabled Cubans without relatives abroad to earn hard currency and increase their household’s standard of living without having to migrate permanently or seek out higher salaries in a sector where dollar earnings are available. This government-contracted migration has provided an IJCS Produced and distributed by Pluto Journals www.plutojournals.com/ijcs/
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