Sept. 2 (UPI) — The Bahamas Union of Teachers has demanded answers from the government after officials confirmed they would not renew the contracts of 31 Cuban educators, a decision reported amid continuing U.S. pressure over Cuba’s overseas labor programs.
The union called for an explanation, according to Eyewitness News, after the Education Ministry confirmed that the teachers would not be re-engaged for the new school year.
The ministry said some of the teachers wanted to return but stressed that contract renewals were never guaranteed. The educators will be given time to settle their personal affairs before leaving the country, according to local media.
“Our priority continues to be the recruitment and engagement of qualified Bahamian educators,” the ministry said. It added that the government had hired a significant number of local teachers and could recruit foreign educators if qualified Bahamians were unavailable.
The Tribune presented the decision as the latest consequence of U.S. pressure over Cuba’s overseas labor programs. However, Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell declined to tell the newspaper whether Washington’s concerns influenced the government’s decision.
One Cuban teacher, who spoke anonymously to The Tribune, said the group learned of the decision during a meeting at the Breezes resort shortly after arriving in The Bahamas for the school year.
Central Grand Bahama lawmaker Frazette Gibson criticized the timing of the notification and warned that the teachers’ departure could disrupt welding, agriculture and other technical programs.
Union President Belinda Wilson said in 2025 that Cuban educators played “a very, very important role” in the school system, particularly in subjects with chronic shortages of local candidates, including languages, performing arts, early childhood education and special education, according to 14ymedio.
Around 110 Cuban teachers returned to Bahamian classrooms in 2025 under a revised framework providing direct contracts with the Bahamian government. Authorities have not disclosed how many Cuban educators will remain after the 31 departures.
The United States publicly welcomed the direct-hiring arrangement. U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Kimberly Furnish said Cuban workers should receive their salaries directly without intervention from Havana, The Tribune reported.
The situation involving Cuban healthcare workers remains unresolved after more than 16 months of talks with Washington. The medical contingent has been reduced to 35 people, including three doctors and 32 nurses, laboratory, radiology and electrocardiography technicians and biomedical engineers, 14ymedio reported, citing Health and Wellness Minister Michael Darville.
The State Department has described Cuba’s overseas labor programs as exploitative and alleged that Havana retained up to 92% of payments made for some Cuban workers in The Bahamas. Cuba rejects allegations that its overseas professional missions constitute forced labor.
