By Dalia Acosta
HAVANA, Sep 6 2002 (IPS)

An intense campaign by Cuba’s socialist government is aimed at calming fears that the new Census on Population and Housing, which begins to be carried out on Saturday, could uncover irregularities like black market purchases or illegal housing arrangements.

Every day, the government-controlled radio and TV stations loudly insist on the benefits of knowing exactly “how many we are” and the need to assess the conditions of housing as well as shortcomings in the areas of housing and social security in this Caribbean island nation.

Several Latin American countries have carried out censuses in recent years, while others are planning to do so, say authorities, who note that it is an “international practice,” and that the questions to be included in the Sep 7-16 census are the same ones asked in other countries.

But the reliability of the first census conducted since 1981 could be compromised if Cubans believe the information they provide could be used against them.

“What comes after the census is not easy,” a 42-year-old engineer who moved to Havana from his home province in 1993, told IPS. “I live in a cousin’s house, where I sleep in the living room, and I still figure as a temporary resident” in the capital.

Doubts are tormenting people from the provinces who do not have permission to reside in Havana, because Cuba’s laws tightly regulate migration to the capital from the provinces.

“In Cuba, many things are illegal, like moving from a house with two rooms to one with four rooms because you need more space. It is very difficult to find someone who has never done anything illegal,” said the engineer, who preferred not to be identified.

“Many decent people are afraid of the census,” said one woman, an administrative employee in a state enterprise. “I myself couldn’t say how I bought my VCR, for example.”

VCRs are not sold in the government chain of stores, but can be brought into the country by people who travel abroad, or purchased on the black market at a price that ranges between 240 and 300 dollars, depending on the make.

The census will also ask whether or not there is a computer in the household. Anyone bringing a computer into Cuba needs special permits from certain state agencies, and unauthorised sales of computers to private individuals are strictly prohibited.

In addition, the census-takers will ask whether a household has home appliances, including some that can be sold freely, like fans, television sets, irons, radios and washing machines, and other items whose trade is heavily regulated, like air conditioning units and cars.

Those who have purchased air conditioning units since 1990 have generally done so through some irregular transaction, often involving employees of public enterprises or foreign companies that have set up joint ventures with the Cuban state.

The majority of car owners, with the exception of those who own vehicles manufactured prior to the 1950s, do not have the right to sell, which makes trade in used cars another area of speculation and irregularities of all kinds.

But the issue of most concern to Cubans is housing, because buying and selling real estate is illegal, and all sales and purchases of building materials are closely regulated by the state.

“People are afraid that the census will shed light on whether they bought an apartment, have a living style above what could be explained by their salary, or have purchased some piece of equipment on the black market,” said Mercedes Aragón, an employee in a Havana store.

Government reports indicate that housing is one of the most complex issues here, because around one million people in this Caribbean island nation of 11.2 million are living in homes whose ownership status has not been legalised with the National Institute of Housing.

Referring to fears that the information provided could be used to detect illegalities, the national director of the census, Juan Carlos Alfonso, said Cuba’s laws guaranteed the confidentiality of the survey results.

“The information gathered cannot be used for purposes other than the census itself. Nor does the survey have any bearing on the legality of a particular situation. It is only based on what people declare, and does not request documents as proof,” Alfonso explained to IPS.

Next week’s Census on Population and Housing will be the 18th carried out in the history of Cuba. The first dates back to 1774 and 1775.

The government has allotted 6.4 million dollars and 40 million pesos (on par with the dollar for official transactions) to the census. The United Nations Fund for Population Activities also provided advice and a limited amount of funds for equipment and training.

“In one month, we hope to be providing the preliminary data from the census, and the final report should be ready by July 2003,” said Alfonso.

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