The World : Cuba Bars Pay in Dollars

Cuba issued a decree that bars citizens working for foreign firms from receiving any part of their pay in U.S. dollars. According to the decree, Cubans may only be paid in pesos, the national currency, which is not convertible into hard currency on the world money market. The measure follows a crackdown on the amount of hard currency that can be brought into the country by exiles visiting their families. Officials said the crackdown is aimed at undermining the black market, special privileges and the development of a consumer-society mentality among Cubans.