Mayelín Rodríguez Gutiérrez is a tobacco twister who has been working at the Guillermo Licea Twisted Tobacco Factory in the municipality of Contramaestre, Santiago de Cuba, for more than 20 years. She is one of the women who make up the collective of workers in this industry. A woman who, like others, contributes to the nation’s economy from her job.
According to this Contramaestre woman, she started working in the factory when she was seventeen years old, I left school and came here to help my mother. From there I was hired, then I got pregnant and I rejoined the company until today.
A tobacco twister for more than two decades, Mayelín is a Cuban who loves what she does without losing the family essence, the first thing of the day is to do my job because I love my work. By the time I get home I am a grandmother, mother of two daughters. The daily norm here is 253 and I make 280 or 290 and I always fulfill the individual plans.
Mayelín Rodríguez Gutiérrez has helped the new generation of tobacco rollers to acquire the techniques and skills required for this ancient trade. A Contramaestrense woman who emphasizes the leading role they play in the workers’ collective. Rodríguez Gutiérrez added, it is not that men are less responsible, but women, having children and families, have obligations and responsibilities.
The Contramaestre tobacco factory is one of the entities in the territory that implements the change of energy matrix. The installation today of solar panels benefits the productive life and workers.
Mayelín makes reference to this element, this is a work where a lot of visual strength is made and by changing the energy matrix for solar panels. Well, there is an immense improvement for the factory workers, at least the plans are going to be higher, because it is not the same, the working conditions now than the ones we had before.
When asked what has been the secret of staying in this sector, the protagonist answered with a smile on her face, first of all I like what I do and I feel at home.
