Summary Note of Discussion of Comrade P N Chowdhury with Trade Union Leaders of Cuba.

Two different meetings took place on 3^rd and 4^th May with Com Prasanta N Chowdhury and leaders of Cuban Energy, Chemical and Mines Union of Cuba affiliated to Central Organisation of Cuban Trade Unions (CTC) and CTC General Secretary respectively. Com Nandi Chowdhury Working Committee Member of CITU as well EEFI was invited by CTC to take part in the programme of May Day celebration this year.

On 3^rd May the first Meeting with the leaders of Cuban Energy, Chemical and Mines Union of Cuba took place in the Union’s Central Office located in the CTC building at the Centre of Havana City. Com. Angel A. Morffi Losada, General Secretary of the Union along with Secretariat Members Com. Reinaldo V F Hernandez and Luis Sanchez Arechaga took part in the discussion. They clarified that more than 97% of Cuban population are enjoying the benefit of Electricity from the National Grid at a very cheap rate. Domestic Users are to pay only 9 Cent for one KWH of electricity. (Cuban currency Peso is equivalent to 27 US$. The Smallest currency Unit is Cent, viz. one hundredth part of 1 Peso). 32000 employees are working in the state owned Electricity Industry. Socialist economy has not posed any threat to any of the employees there for privatisation and unemployment in any way. 1400 Km long Islands are connected with 1150 KMs of 220 KV Double Circuit Power line. Downstream voltage profiles are 110 KV, 33 KV and 13.2 KV for sub-transmission. Industries and Bulk Consumers are fed in 440/220 V and Domestic consumers are fed in 110 V.

Cuba is having 7 Nos. of Thermo-Electric Power Station. Indigenous crude Oil is used as fuel. Aggregated Capacity is 3000.6 MW. Peak Demand is near about 2800 MW. Hill people are provided electricity from Solar Power System. Electricity Consumers are neither aggrieved with Load Shedding, consumer service nor recurring escalation of tariff. Com. Losada represented Cuba in the IEMO Congress in November last in Kochi, India showed keen interest to know the status of struggle of Indian people against policy of the Govt. to curb the right to energy at affordable cost.

Com P N Chowdhury explained the struggle of the Electricity Workers and Employees of India in particular and general people broadly against the conspiracy of ruling class of India to snatch away the right of the Indian People to have Electricity. In his deliberation he specifically mentioned that Indian people and Workers are firmly behind the Cubans and their struggle for the cause of socialism. CITU and EEFI univocally denounced the role of US imperialism from Cuba to Iraq undermining the statute of UNO.

On 4^th May an other meeting was held between Com Chowdhury and Com Pedro Ross Leal, Secretary General of CTC. Com Gilda Chako, head of International (Asia) department of CTC also took part in the meeting. At the out set Com Pedro conveyed his best wishes for CITU and 3.5 Million members headed by Com M K Pandhe. He showed keen interest to know the relation between CITU and AITUC and expressed deep satisfaction on the information that Nation wide joint agitation and action programme is in progress including 21^st May Strike against Anti-people policies of Govt. of India. During the course of discussion, it was revealed, this Cuban TU leader is having clear knowledge and information in respect of TU movement of India. In respect of Power position of the country, Com Pedro expressed their worry on the health of the Power Stations of Cuba. Almost all the Plants were constructed in the sixties or seventies with USSR assistance. Those have become old. Retrofit of those or installation of new Power Station with western technology is too costly to be borne by Cuban Govt. Com Nandi Chowdhury informed the Cuban leader that Indian Technology is cheaper with respect to Western countries. Com Pedro showed interest to have more information in respect of Indian Power Technology. Meeting ended with exchange of warm greetings and thanks.