Back in the mid-1980’s we were working on a bridge project in New Orleans that was a joint venture with Hyundai and Harris steel (NJ). Hyundai furnished the steel for the bridges from their plant in Korea. At that time they were furnishing their workers in Korea with housing and chits for food from their company stores along with $5 per day. Their was some remedial work to the steel finish due to the trip overseas on the decks of their ships. They were amazed that the US workers were paid $20 per hour to perform the repair work. In Korea they are a revered company to this day.

Keep Rollin’ rollin’ rollin’ rollin”....

I was recently down in the Dominican and took a tour of Zemis Cigar factory. After observing and talking to the employees, it seemed to be a sought after place to work. Sylvain the owner seemed to know the names of every employee.

I have done some 3rd world missions
20 USD equivalents per week is lavish compared to some countries

what do you think the kid makes in china who poured the mold for your phone or spatula or shampoo bottle?
lets not even get started talking about the diamond on your wife's finger

we have no clue how good we have it

Can you buy their cigars online or are they only available at the factory?

I believe they roll cigars for Epic cigars that you can buy in the US, otherwise just at the factory... I think.

I would think that wages in Cuba differ when compared to the other countries where tobacco is grown/rolled.
If I understand correctly, the Cuban tobacco industry is state run where as the other countries have private companies and brands.
I'm sure the pay is less tyrannical than Cuba.

Also I'm sure that several, if not most of these companies give back to the community in some shape or form.
For example the Fuente's started the Cigar Family Charitable Foundation.
Got this from their website:

"The original goal of the Cigar Family Charitable Foundation was to provide an elementary school and clean water to the community around Chateau de la Fuente. However, the Foundation grew beyond all expectations. The Cigar Family Charitable Foundation now consists of a 23 acre campus located next to Chateau de la Fuente. The Foundation fills a wide range of community needs, and supports a K-12 school that provides education to more than 450 students, post-graduation student services, a medical and dental clinic, community health programs, clean water programs, a community kitchen, sports facilities, vocational training programs, small-scale farming activities and local infrastructure projects, such as road and bridge building. The Cigar Family Charitable Foundation has been recognized by the United Nations as a model for charity in the Caribbean. The Fuente and Newman families have always paid 100% of the administrative and fund raising costs of the Cigar Family Charitable Foundation, which allows all donated funds to be used for projects directly benefitting the community."