Odalys González has been for years and continues to be a benchmark for the packing workers at Internacional Cubana de Tabacos (ICT), the Havana factory where Cuban mini cigars are made. Odalys is jealous of her work. When she starts packing, she doesn’t like to be interrupted or diverted from her activity. Only her commitment to the business and her strong sense of belonging to the company have allowed her to grant this interview in the middle of her working day.
With a long previous experience as a ceramist, she started working at ICT in 2001 within the group of the first operators who faced the challenge of the manual packaging of machine-made 100% natural Cuban cigars, standing out for her skills and willingness in this activity.
Her hands never rest, and can only be compared to those of a virtuous pianist. She tells us that she has always worked in the area of manual packing and that in this activity she feels comfortable and satisfied.
Her packing records are not important to her. Odalys sets out every day to do more than the task at hand. For her it is an individual challenge, a way to measure herself every day. The challenge is not against other operators, it is with herself. “The record comes when you least expect it, you just have to focus on your work”.
She has never thought of leaving the company. She considers ICT to be a very familiar factory that “…becomes our home, which is missed even during vacations. I belong to a good community.”
Her family helps her and she has always had their support, which has allowed her to fully dedicate herself to her work and achieve great recognitions. She has two children and three grandchildren who are her greatest treasure and who are very proud of her.
She sees a promising future for the Cuban 100% natural machine-made tobacco business, not only because of the uniqueness of its origin, but also because of the quality provided by each of the workers in the factory.
