Chinese indentured laborers arrive in Cuba

Background. The Cuba-bound flow of Chinese laborers formed part of a wider coolie trade whose center was Portuguese Macao, described as the trade's hub from 1848 to 1873. Between 1851 and 1874, approximately 215,000 Chinese were shipped overseas from Macau, primarily to Cuba and Peru. The trade initially flourished without incident until reports of worker mistreatment in Cuba and Peru began to surface.

Mortality and Conditions. Mortality rates for coolies aboard ships to Cuba were estimated at 15.2% from 1847 to 1859. Despite reforms in 1866 requiring return of workers, conditions of near slavery persisted. The trade was abolished in 1875, with over 150,000 coolies sold to Cuba alone.

Regulation and Abolition. The 1860 Reglamento para la introducción de trabajadores chinos a la isla de Cuba was passed in Cuba. In 1866, governments agreed to mitigate abuse by requiring return of workers. The trade was finally abolished in 1875, following public outcry and pressure on Portuguese colonial authorities in Macau.

Labor Management. By 1870, labor contractors called enganchadores managed contracts for Chinese coolies in organized squads called Cuadrillas. These contractors negotiated work terms, handled employment aspects, and assumed responsibility for discipline and supervision. Recontracts from 1863 to 1877 showed great variation in terms, diverging from original contracts.